Book Club: Mid-Year Review of Reading List 2018

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Do you enjoy reading? Do you create reading lists?

I set out with some lofty goals to read one book a month from a specific list I put together. You can read about the twelve books I chose here: Book Club: Reading List for 2018.  I haven't made it through many books on my actual list but I have read many books from the library and several that I have received to review for my blog.

The Walk Series

I started reading The Walk Series by Richard Paul Evans after having read The Christmas Box and Lost December which were recommendations from a Facebook group. I am enjoying this series about Alan Christofferson and his walk from Seattle to Key West. While I may not agree with all the twists and turns that Richard Paul Evans is taking his readers on, I am finding hope in the story of Alan and the people he meets along the way.

Reading List for 2018 Books

I have completed the following books:

Doctor Who: Twelve Doctors of Christmas: I enjoyed the majority of the tales but I think I would have been able to better appreciate all 12 stories if I was more familiar with each Doctor. I think my favorite stories included: Sontar's Little Helpers, The Red Bicycle, and Loose Wire.

A Study in Sable by Mercedes Lackey

You're Already Amazing by Holley Gerth

I am in the middle of the following books:

Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

God Loves You by David Jeremiah

Children's Books

Here is a brief selection of some of the children's books our family read (sometimes more than once, twice, or even thrice!)

Giraffes Ruin Everything by Heidi Schulz
I did not really like this book at all. I felt the concept of someone or something being blamed for ruining everything was not the right message to send to children.

God Made the World by Sarah Jean Collins
Sarah Jean Collins' God Made the World (A Tyndale Kids Title) is a wonderful board book depicting the first seven days of the world through clean, simple, and bright illustrations and a rhyming narrative. Young children are introduced to the history of creation as narrated in the the first book of the Bible, Genesis.

The Little Red Hen by Philemon Sturges
I really liked the retelling of this story! It was cute and sent a good message about working together at the end.

LEGO City: Heroes! Lift-the-Flap Board Book by Alana Cohen
This was another favorite of ours. In December and January, our children watched us play the game LEGO City: Undercover and this book shared a lot of similar locations from the game. We loved going through, reading the story, and lifting the flaps.




Pug Pals: Two's a Crowd by Flora Ahn 
Do you have children who love dogs? Then Pug Pals: Two’s a Crowd by Flora Ahn is a perfect story about two dogs for your family. It is not only great for dog lovers but also for siblings because it illustrates the need to cooperate and get along.

Selection of Review Books

A Pocketful of Hope for Mothers by Robin Jones Gunn
This is a great book that – if I didn't like it so much myself – I would pass along to other moms. With all of the wonderful wisdom and advice inside, it truly does offer hope for each mother in her journey.

Daily Encouragement for the Smart Stepfamily by Ron L. Deal
Daily Encouragement for the Smart Stepfamily is a great book that will remain on or near my coffee table all year. With encouragement, tips, and ideas for stepfamilies provided on a daily basis, it is a wonderful resource for families like my own.

William Penn: Liberty and Justice for All by Janet and Geoff Benge
I had several other books in the Heroes of History and Christian Heroes: Then and Now series on my to-read list that when I had the opportunity to review William Penn, I was very excited. This biography of William Penn did not disappoint and I look forward to reading others in the series.

Joey: How a Blind Rescue Horse Helped Others Learn to See by Jennifer Beakley
One of my favorite books so far that I have reviewed for a publishing company has been Joey. I even enjoyed it so much that I gave it to my mom to read and I will probably lend it out to other family members because the message is great.

Helping Your Children Become Prayer Warriors by Anne Marie Gosnell
I was very happy to read Helping Your Children Become Prayer Warriors because I found so many useful tips to assist my children (and myself) become better at praying. One of the suggestions that our family has put into practice is the Blessing Jar – we each write down one thing we are thankful for or feel blessed with that day and put it in the jar to read later. It is such a powerful exercise.

T is for Tree: A Bible ABC by Connie L. Meyer
Our family loved this book! It is a wonderful Bible ABC story book from which we created a number of crafts to help reinforce the verses being taught.

The Road Home by Beverly Lewis
This year I read my first book by Beverly Lewis and I found out why so many people read her books. She has a way of telling a story that brings characters and locations to life. I am glad I found another author whose books I will be happy to read.

You're Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You To Be by Holley Gerth
I thoroughly enjoyed the wisdom offered by Holley Gerth in this easy-to-read book. We are already amazing!

Parenting Your Teen Through Chaos & Crisis by Patty Scott 

Parenting Your Teen Through Chaos & Crisis by Patty Scott is a wonderful resource for parents of not only teens but also younger children as they prepare for those teen years.

Summer Reading 

Do you find you are able to read more or less during the summer time? I used to read a lot more books during the summer when I was in high school (and not working as a camp counselor) and the few summers in college when I didn't have a 40-hour-work week.

I loved to sit outside in the backyard, listen to the birds, hear the splash of the bird fountain, and feel the warm breeze as I read books of far off places and times. Now I find myself sitting in my air-conditioned house reading while my two younger children run around, play with their toys, or sit and read alongside of me. I hope that the rest of July and August will afford me with time to get outside and read!

If you are looking for some great summer reading books for teens, check out my post, Summer Readers from Sonlight.

If you created a reading list, how far have you gotten? Do you veer off the list mid-year, or work through it methodically? I hope you continue on this reading journey with me to the end of the year!