Missional Mama's 2012 Reads

Do you make reading goals? I find it is a good way to get reading done that I want to make time for, but sometimes  (like this year) it does not happen. This fall was, for some reason, dry as far as reading.

Here is the break down of what I did finish.

The highlighted books are my favorites this year. If you find a book on my list and enjoy it, let me know. Oh, and if you finish an amazing read tell me about it, I am always up for adding to my pile! Thanks for stopping by!

Ratings:
5 Stars - A Favorite
4 Stars - It was interesting and kept my attention
3 Stars - I liked it.
2 Stars - It was OK enough to finish.
1 Star - Why in the world did I waste my time on this.

1. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barber
(2 Stars - interesting writing, did not enjoy the story.)
2. Intentional Parenting: Family Discipleship by Design
by Ted Thompson (5 Stars - a reread)
3. Education of a Wandering Man by Louis L'Amour
(4 Stars - How a famous author got a world class education along the way.)
4. Before the Season Ends by Linore Rose Burkard
(4 Stars - Regency romance that spells out the plan of salvation)
5. Don't Pig Out on Junk Food: The MK's Guide to Survival in the U.S. by Alma Daughtery Gordon
(3 Stars - good info, will browse before future furloughs)
6. To a Shepherdess: Messages for Missionary Women by Jean Dye Johnson
(4 Stars - I think she is a kindred spirit, her heart shines in this book written in 1988.)
7. The Organized Heart by Staci Eastin
(3 Stars - A good pep talk.)
8. The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
(4 Stars - Read at my son's suggestion, one of our homeschool books.)
9. The Next Story: Life and Faith After the Digital Explosion by Tim Challies {REVIEW}
(3 1/2 Stars - This book will challenge you to think about how you are using media.)
10 .Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider
(3 1/2 Stars - 10 days of cleaning and simplifying your home. Good idea and planning to try the plan for spring cleaning, perhaps.)
11. The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter {REVIEW}
(3 Stars)
12. The House Church Book: Rediscover the Dynamic, Organic, Relational, Viral Community Jesus Started by Wolfgang Simson and George Barna (3 1/2 Stars)
13. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling (3 Stars Overall - It made me laugh at times and cringe at times. There are some parts that I would give a 1 star.)
14. 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker (4 Stars) {REVIEW}
15. Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker (2.5 Stars - The plot is nothing spectacular but I read the first one and so I wanted to finish this one.)
16. Lit! A Christian Guide to Reading Books by Tony Reinke (4 1.2 Stars - Great book, very interesting with ideas and tips that I hope to remember!)
17. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson (4 Stars - thought provoking futuristic fiction)
18. I Am Second: Real Stories. Changing Lives. by Doug Bender, Dave Sterrett and Colt McCoy ( 4 stars) {REVIEW}
19. Commanding Your Morning: Unleash the Power of God in Your Life by Cindy Trimm (I was given this book while on furlough.)
20. Favorite Wife: Escape from Polygamy by Susan Ray Schmidt (4 Stars, very interesting glimpse into a hard life.)
21. Love, Jan by Jan Bonn (3.5 Stars, Jan's emails to friends and family as her daughter faces leukemia.) {REVIEW}
22. Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids by Christina Katz
23. Heiress by Susan May Warren {free on Kindle - 4 Stars}
24. Illuminating the Darkness: A Fresh and Effective Solution to Depression, Stress, and Anxiety by Noel Dear {REVIEW - 4 Stars}
25. The MBI Story: The Vision and Worldwide Impact of Moody Bible Institute by James Vincent {REVIEW to come - 4 Stars}
26. A Mom Just Like You by Vickie and Jayme Farris {3 1/2 Stars}
27. Kisses From Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption by Katie J. Davis {4 Stars}
28. Loving the Way Jesus Loves by Philip G. Ryken {5 Stars - Excellent! REVIEW}
29. Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler {4 Stars}
30. Dealing with the Rejection and Praise of Men by Bob Sorge {4 Stars}
31. Divergent by Veronica Roth {4 1/2 Stars}
32. 7 Tools for Cultivating Your Child's Potential by Zan Tyler {3 Stars}
33. The New Friars: The Emerging Movement Serving the World's Poor by Scott A Bessenecker {4 Stars}
34. It Starts With Food: Discover the Whole30 and Change Your Life in Unexpected Ways by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig {4 Stars)
35. Antigone by Sophocles {4 Stars - Not as hard to understand as I thought.}
36.The Day I Lost My Shaker of Salt by Jen Tucker {Jen is a friend from school days.}
37. One Million Arrows by Julie Ferwerda {4 Stars}

2012 Homeschool Read Alouds

1. Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day by Jeannie K. Fulbright
2. James Harriot's Treasury for Children
3. A Child's History of the World by Virgil M. Hillyer
4. Ways of the Wood Folk by Willim J. Long
5. The Phantom of the Opera {Classic Starts} Retold from the Gaston Leroux original by Diane Namm
6. Home Geography for Primary Grades by C.C. Long
7. Thirty More Famous Stories Retold by James Baldwin
8. Men of Iron by Howard Pyle
9. At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald
10. Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney
11. Heaven's Heroes: Real Life Stories from History's Greatest Missionaries by David Shibley

What about you, did you set reading goals? What was your favorite read?