What I Read in 2015 & 2016 Reading List

I had to share some of the books I read last year and what I'm reading now/this year. I'm so passionate about this and force book ideas on people all the time so I figured I'd compile a list here. :) I'm only going to share nonfiction because I honestly don't read fiction that much anymore and that depends so much on random personal preferences. And I'm not going to make many comments because I'm sure Amazon reviews would be more in depth anyway, haha.

The books on the left are some that I read in 2015, and the books on the right are ones that I'm currently reading or am going to read this year.

I have MANY more on my Kindle since that is my primary reading tool these days and I can find such good deals on there! Some of them will be included in the lists.

What I Read in 2015

• Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot
• You and Me Forever by Francis & Lisa Chan -- I actually stopped reading this because I want to go through it with Jordan. Otherwise I was trying to relay to him every chapter because it's so good!
• For the Love by Jen Hatmaker
• Give Them Grace by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick -- Has been a good way to get my mind set on showing our kids the gospel in everyday life. Can be overwhelming, but has excellent ideas.
• Make it Happen by Lara Casey
• The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst
• The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness by Timothy Keller -- This is a short and NECESSARY read. Get it.
• The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
• Boundaries by Henry Cloud & John Townsend
• Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist

Read These NOW -- These three books pertain to issues that are currently hot topics in our culture. That's why I'm suggesting you read them sooner rather than later. It can be so easy to stay in my little bubble and these helped open my eyes beyond my personal perspective. Along with the book by Scott Sauls in my 2016 list which I would group along with these, I just haven't finished that one yet.

• Counter Culture by David Platt
• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson 
• The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield

Parenting Books

• The Nursing Mother's Companion by Kathleen Huggins -- Great reference for breastfeeding!
• Baby Wise by Gary Ezzo -- This book can be controversial but I didn't see it that way at all since I just took it as suggestions and ideas. The eat/play/sleep cycle is what Judah really liked and what I really learned from in this book.
• Moms on Call by Laura Hunter & Jennifer Walker -- Written by pediatric nurses, this book of bullet point lists was GREAT and something I have referred back to quite a bit. 
• Childbirth Without Fear by Grantly Dick-Read -- This was old and at times laughable but the whole concept of getting rid of fear which leads to tension and pain made so much sense to me and helped me quite a bit in Judah's birth.

2016 Reading List

• The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions
• ESV Reader's Gospels -- The four gospels without chapter or verse separations, basically in regular book form. 
• Jesus Outside the Lines by Scott Sauls -- I've already read half of this since I got it for Christmas and it is EXACTLY what I needed to read right now. I've been so weighed down by arguments in real life but mainly on social media and how I should handle that as a follower of Jesus. This is thought provoking, convicting, and SO good so far. 
• Jesus Continued by JD Greear
• Now You're Speaking my Language by Gary Chapman
• To Live is Christ To Die is Gain by Matt Chandler
• Openness Unhindered by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield
• Simply Tuesday by Emily P. Freeman -- 99 cents on Amazon today only! (1/5/16)
• Scary Close by Donald Miller
• Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes
• Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full by Gloria Furman
• The Skeptical Student by Timothy Keller

Parenting Books

• Moms on Call Next Steps Baby Care by Laura Hunter & Jennifer Walker
• Sticky Faith by Kara E. Powell & Chap Clark
• Disciplines of a Godly Family by Kent & Barbara Hughes
• The Dr. James Dobson Parenting Collection

The above list is one of the books I actually have and will definitely read this year. I'm sure many more will be added to this list as I check them out of the Kindle Library (best invention ever, check your local library website) and acquire more. I welcome your suggestions!

I also read fiction but have to be really careful about that as I can get sucked in and it takes too much of my time. This is also possible with nonfiction of course, but it happens to me more easily with fiction. Reading can be an idol for me and I have to guard against it! Unless I'm reading the Bible of course. I usually save fiction for trips and vacations. :)