What I read in 2016

It’s officially the last week of the year! The one we make room to make the most of the next year. Last year, my sister Natalie, and I did a series on goal-setting and had to do it again! Today I’ll share what books I read in 2016 and here’s what’s coming next:

• My Word for 2017
• My Goals for 2017
• Books to Read in 2017
• What’s coming up in 2017

Ok, y’all know I love to read!! I was able to read my goal of 25 books and honestly read a surprising amount while Vana was a newborn with those long nursing sessions and have actually found it harder to read as much now.

A few quick thoughts:

• My list of what I planned to read in 2016 was waaaay different than what I actually read. I chalk a lot of this up to what circumstances came our way and what books called out to me in different seasons. 
• Books change you. There is a big famous quote that I can’t think of right now about how we are the sum of the people we are around and the books we read and something else. I really believe that so if you have big goals, find books on that topic to keep you motivated and change you. 
• Check out my post on how to make time for reading if you want to read but don’t feel like you have time and a post on how I choose books and retain what I learned from them. Here and here. 
• I didn’t get a chance to link to all the books but check out my GoodReads challenge page right here for pictures, intros and reviews for each book on my list! 
• A * next to a book means it was one of my favorites from the year.  

And now, here is my list! 

1. *Parenting by Paul David Trip

This is my last book for the year that I should finishing in the next few days. Best parenting book I have ever read. Go buy it.

2. *The Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees

This one was sooooo good! If you feel a bit overwhelmed with your closet and want to craft a wardrobe on without an unlimited budget, you will love this. 

3. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

This was my only fiction for the year but I loved reading during Christmas time. Very good reminder of God’s love for us. 

4. *In Everything by Prayer by A.W. Tozer

Loved how this shed light on different aspects of prayer I hadn’t thought about before. 

5. *The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian

Stormie uses tons of Bible references so I was cracking open my Bible app every page. It was a different way to read and I LOVED how much Scripture I soaked up because of it. More Stormie on my list for 2017 for sure. 

6. The Finishing School by Valerie Woerner

It is silly but I reread this again for book club and it’s crazy how I forget what I wrote and am encouraged by the words all over again. I’ll actually read this again in January for a little pep talk for the new year. 

7. Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist

I liked this. I know a ton of people who LOVED it so if you struggle with being present and saying no, definitely give this a try. 

8. Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald

This was a great follow-up to Emotionally Healthy Spirituality about how we tend to so much of what happens outside of us but need to tend to our heart and emotions. 

9. * Famous at Heaven or At Home by Michelle Myers

Every mom needs to read this book. It will be one that I reference and read over and over. Michelle wrote a character stuff of the Proverbs 31 woman unlike any I have read before on the topic and so applicable to daily life. 

10. * Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero

I had never read on emotional health at all much less how it related to our spiritual health. It definitely made an impact on my year and life. 

11. It Starts with Food by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig

This book was so packed with good information. I learned a ton about the why with foods that has helped me make more educated choices. 

12. Hands Free Life by Rachel Macy Stafford

I liked a lot of the principles but I honestly didn’t love how flowery it was or how many examples. It seemed a little self-indulgent and I felt like her kids were perfect BUT there were some concrete principles she shared that I did love. 

13. Treasuring Christ when your hands are full by Gloria Furman

This book gave me a new perspective on parenting. I loved that it was short (she really thought of moms with full hands) and packed with truth. 

14. Sugar Crush by Richard Jacoby

I needed this book. I am planning to reread my highlights from this book often because the content really did curb my decision to eat sugar but the further the information got from me, the less I still to it. All in all, great content, very technical and medical but what this sugar addict needed. 

15. You’re Going to Be OK by Holley Gerth

I loved Holley’s writing style, lots of bullet points or lists which is helpful to follow. And she had a ton of great content that I was able to use through a tough year. If you are going through a rough season, I highly recommend.

16. * Fervent by Priscilla Shirer

I love Priscilla! I read Fervent on Audible and she’s just so motivating. She challenged me to be more “fervent” and passionate about my prayer life and focused a lot on how the devil tries to defeat us and how prayer is our weapon. 

17. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

I enjoyed Gilbert’s writing style (she has an effortless easy to read style) and did like some of her stories but the way she spiritualizes creativity seems hokey and honestly felt like filler. I’m not sure she even believes what she’s saying or just needed to fill pages. I maybe got 2-3 takeaways but after reading 270 pages expected to be more inspired creatively.

18. * The Power of Full Engagement

I loved how this book had me thinking differently about energy and focus. Highly recommend!!

19. * Awe by Paul David Tripp

This book is revolutionary. Love Tripp’s thoughts on any topic! 😃 This one focused on how we so often become more in awe of creation instead of the creator and how to put the focus back on God. 

20. The Business for the Glory of God by Wayne Grudem

This book was short and covered a lot of the basics that I feel like I’ve heard over the last 8 years of being in business as a believer. Would be good if you are trying to figure out how to see God in business. 

21. I Said Yes by Emily Maynard

I watched the seasons of Bachelor and Bachelorette with Emily and loved her! She actually bought a bunch of our prayer journals and ended up sharing about them on her instagram last year so I was excited to read more about her life as a child, time on the Bachelor and life now in the book! 

22. Living Forward by Michael Hyatt

I love Michael Hyatt and think this book will encourage a lot of people. If you already have a system for goal setting though, like I do, you may want to pass. If not though, the specificity of it will be really helpful! 

23. His Needs, Her Needs by Willard F. Harley Jr.

I really liked this book on marriage! He talks about women’s top 5 needs and men’s. It’s definitely a book I will reference through the years. 

24. Simply Tuesday

I had moments where I really loved this book and other moments where it was hard to follow. Mostly everyone I know has loved it though so if you are in need of a peptalk on the “ordinariness” of life, definitely give it a read. 

25. The Legacy Journey by Dave Ramsey

A good read. There was some stuff I hadn’t thought of before and other stuff we have been doing. All in all, glad I read it! 

26. Gentle Babies by Debra Raybern

A very quick read about using oils for babies and pregnancy. 

Come back tomorrow to find out what my word for the year (or get the posts sent directly to your inbox or follow on Bloglovin by signing up on the rail).

And we’d love for you to join us!! We’ve shared the rest of the posts for the week! Leave a link in each post with your coordinating posts! We’d love to be encouraged by your books, word and goals as well!

For more encouragement, check out Natalie’s series and Lara Casey’s goal-setting series this week too!