Katrina at Callapidder Days is hosting another reading challenge: the Spring Reading Thing. 🙂 The idea is to set a goal for yourself of the books you want to read this spring between March 21 and June 21 (the first and last days of spring). There’s no pressure — if you don’t finish your list, fine; if you want to take a book off or add one, that’s fine, too. I found when we did this last fall that the challenge provided more purpose to my reading and helped me actually read some books I had in mind to get to “some day” rather than just randomly grabbing something off the Christian bookstore shelf.
If you’d like to join the challenge, you can post what books you are planning to read link to Katrina’s, and then place the url of your post in the Mr. Linky there so others can see what you’re reading. And there are prizes involved! Click on the picture to get more information at Katrina’s site and to sign up.
Whether you join the challenge or not, you can also go there just to see what other people are reading — but have something handy to jot down the interesting books that you’ll find that you might want to read, too!
Here is my list: a little on the light side as spring is a busy season for us, but I may add more if I complete these:
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. I am in the middle of this from my winter reading list — didn’t get it finished yet.
Persuasion by Jane Austen. I’m continuing to make my way through Jane Austen’s books. I loved the film of this.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I first heard of this on a Bugs Bunny cartoon years ago. For some reason Bugs was reading it as he walked off into the sunset. 🙂 Then a few years ago I saw an old black and white movie of it on TV. My heart went out to the little girl whose father was an alcoholic because mine was, too, and I’ve wanted to read this ever since.
The Princess Bride by William Goldman. Loved the movie but hadn’t realized it came from a book. I almost always love books better than the movies made from them, so if that holds true here, I should really love this one. I’ll let you know.
Renovating Becky Miller by Sharon Hinck. I had read her first book, The Secret Life of Becky Miller, last year and loved it. It was the first book I wrote about on my blog. I’m excited to see what Becky’s up to now.
Forever by Karen Kingsbury. I think this is the last of the Firstborn series.
The Ultimate Weight Solution by Dr. Phil McGraw. I am not a Dr. Phil fan — I’m not against him either, really — I haven’t watched or read him enough to go either way. But as I have looked around the web at different weight loss plans, what he had to say contained a lot of common sense, so I wanted to give this book a try.
To Fly Again by Gracia Burnham. I read her book In the Presence of My Enemies, about the year she and her husband spent in captivity, during last fall’s reading challenge.
Finding Your Path by Mitch Raymer, which is described as “Christ-Centered Tools To Help You Get A Job, Find Joy In Your Work And Achieve Success.” I met Mitch and his wife, DK, through the Thursday Thirteen meme and I was impressed with Mitch’s Christ-centered and common sense quotations and principles. On one TT he offered his book to the first thirteen people who signed up for it, and I was one. 🙂 I wanted it mainly for my son who is graduated from college and deciding on the next step in life. All Mitch asked for in return was an e-mail telling what we thought, and I am ashamed to say I haven’t done that yet. Sorry, Mitch! I had given it to my son, but I will sneak it off his desk and read it and get back to you.
True Light by Terri Blackstock. This one isn’t due to be released until June 15, but I might squeak it in. 🙂 It’s the third in the Restoration series in which there what appears to be a sudden global loss of power. The books focus mainly on one family’s coping with the crisis. I didn’t think I would like the storyline, but I do like Terri Blackstock, so I gave it a chance. The hard thing about it is my aversion to thinking about such a crisis — I’m afraid I like my creature comforts too much — I can see my response mirrored in that of some of the characters.
From Cannibalism to Christianity by Margaret Stringer. Margaret is a missionary our church supports, “retired” from the field but still plenty active.
I put these all on a list near the bottom of my side bar and will crossing them off there as I go complete them.
I have an ongoing list of “books I want to read” (which I am sure I will add to as I read others’ lists) from which I can choose more books to read if I get through all of these.
These are books that I will be reading through the year, as they are laid out in weekly or daily sections:
Queen of the Castle: 52 Weeks of Encouragement for the Uninspired, Domestically Challenged or Just Plain Tired Homemaker by Lynn Bowen Walker. I am enjoying this a lot so far — I had seen it recommended on a couple of blogs during the fall challenge last year. Just to give you some advance notice, I’ll be having a Q&A session with the author, Lynn Bowen Walker, here May 2.
Daily Light on the Daily Path compiled by the Samuel Bagster family. I have read this many years over — always a blessing.
Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer. “OK” so far.
And, of course, the Bible, best book ever.
Stray Thoughts 
Great list! I’m especially looking forward to your review on that Bugs Bunny book 😉 Good luck & have fun reading! =)
wow! i’m excited about your upcoming interview with lynn bowen walker. the book looks interesting and i’ve added it to my wishlist already!
~liz
Fantastic List, Barbara! They all look great. I would love to read The Princess Bride someday too, since it’s one of my favorite movies. Thanks for being part of the Spring Reading Thing!
Love your list! The “Becky Miller” books are ones I’d like to read as well, but they aren’t on my official list right now. I read “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” several times as a teen; loved it! I might need to re-read it…. and I have the entire Firstborn series on my list; read the 1st one last night at bedtime (stayed up past midnight to finish it, so I can still count it!!)
Ooh, I have the first 2 books in Terri Blackstock’s Restoration series, but haven’t read them yet.
Oh, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a treasure! I read it in High School, and it’s back on my TBR pile for this challenge. So is Princess Bride! I hope you enjoy getting lost in the pages!
~TaunaLen
Ok, too funny that you heard of a Tree Grows in Brooklyn from Bugs! Princess Bride is different from teh movie, but will not disappoint. Jane Austen…one of my favorite authors. Hope you enjoy her too. Can’t wait for your reviews.
Enjoyed checking out your reading list! I am looking forward to the Restoration series by Terri Blackstock, but I am one of those weirdos who won’t read a series book until the series is finished!
Great list you have there. I’m looking forward to the reviews and need to add the Jane Austen books to my own. Sense and Sensibility is one of my favorite movies. I’m sure I would love the book. Happy Spring and Happy Reading!!
You’ll love “Renovating Becky Miller”! I’ve read both Becky books, and I have The Restorer on order…which will be added to my list if it gets here in time! I’m also waiting on the next Restoration series installment….Too many good ones out there!
Persuasion is one of my favourites. I am also trying to work my way through Jane Austen’s books, but I was stumped by Pride and Prejudice. I just couldn’t get through it!
Oh my word, Barbara. This is a light list? Sheesh. All I can say is Happy Reading! :v)
I’m a Daily Light fan and read it over and over again!
enjoy
I have Persuasion on my bookshelf waiting to be read as well as The Princess Bride. Like most people I’ve seen the movie a million times, but have always been told I need to experience the book. Can’t wait to read your reviews!
Your list has some of my favorites!
I am hosting Queen of the Castle author, too. I need to add that to my list, but I forgot, because I don’t have the book yet. It looks really great.
And neat that we are both reading a Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one of my favorite books of all time! Enjoy.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love to read as well. I think I might check out that domestically challenged book and also the Becky Miller books.
Blog on!
I just started Forever this morning! I feel like I know the Baxter family personally. I hope you enjoy it! I read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn in 10th grade, and I remember enjoying it. I am going to have to read it again. I have seen it on several lists. Happy Reading!
I have the Lynn Bowen Walker book on my list too. I picked it up at the Christian book store a few weeks ago. I had never heard of it before, but it was too cute to pass up. I’ll have to read it straight through; I don’t have the patience to only read a week at a time!
What a great list. I finished Forever… it was awesome. I’ll be sure to check out some of your other books. enjoy.
You know, I’ve always heard the expression “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” but have never thought enough about it to get the book and learn the story. I hope you enjoy it and let us know what you think.
Happy reading!
Nice list! A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one of my favorite books of all time. I hope you enjoy it!
Looks like a good list. Sense & Sensibility is one of my all-time favorites; it is on my list as well. I’ll be interested to see what you have to say about The Princess Bride; I’ve been told that if you love the movie you’ll hate the book, so I’ve never picked it up.
Enjoy your reading!
I love your list and wrote down more than half of them to investigate! I had The Princess Bride on my Fall Reading Challenge and I have to tell you it is better than the movie, it is hilarious!
I have also been wanting to read Persuasion since it was mentioned in that movie, The Lakehouse-sounds silly, but I’ve read her other books, and it sounds wonderful. I hope you enjoy working through your list!
Jennifer
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Ooohhh! I’m going to have to add “Renovating Becky Miller” to my list too. I originally bought the first book in the series as a joke for my mom (her name is Becky Miller), but after reading the book, I fell in love with the quirky character. Thanks for remining me of this one. 🙂
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