One of my goals in 2013 is to keep track of the books I read. I want to read 2 books a month for a total of 24 books for the year. In May I reached and surpassed that goal! (my new goal is to read 75 books by the end of the year).
How?
I found various ways to squeeze in a bit more reading each and every day:
Exercising the Body & Mind at the Same Time: Indoor Edition
Exercising the Body & Mind at the Same Time: Outdoor Edition
How Electronics Are Helping Me Read More
Why I No Longer Hate Waiting In Line
Where do I get my books?
Some of the books I read are from our local library and some are from review companies I am members of but a lot of my books I get from free and almost free sources. I share these amazing sources in….
1. Building A Home Library Inexpensively: Updated
2. Building A Home Library Inexpensively: Part 1
3. Building A Home Library Inexpensively: Part 2
4. Building A Home Library Inexpensively: Part 3 (free magazine sources)
5. Building A Home Library Inexpensively: Part 4 (audio book sources)
Here is a list of what I read so far this year:
1. A year of living Dangerously
(Author:Quinn Cummings)
Technically I don’t know if this one counts for 2013 since I started it at the end of 2012 but didn’t finish it until January 2nd so I am going to count it.
I found this book to be laugh out loud funny and I really do mean that; believe me people around me at the gym were staring at me as I was laughing my head off on the stationary bike. However, I didn’t agree with all views on faith with this author, still it is a good read, that reminded me once again that every homeschool looks different and that is okay!
2. How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son Of Privilege Learns to Like Everyone Else
(Author: Michael Gates Gill)
The title of this little book caught my eye on the “new reads” section of my local library. Published in 2008 it isn’t a new read but it is a good read. I warn you though it does have a sprinkling of swearing. This little book gives a simple reminder that what give us happiness in our careers in not prestige and money but relationships and respect.
3. How To Make Money Blogging:
(Author:Bob Lutich)
Written by Bob Lotich who blogs at ChristianPF this e-book is packed with information of how to get a blog generating income. I was surprised at all the sources of income generating and traffic generating ideas this e-book had that I had not heard of before. Currently just .99 cents on Amazon (price could change after writing this review) I would recommend this e-book to any beginner bloggers looking for ways to generate income.
4. Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World
(Author: Michael Hyatt)
Platform is a book on how to create a successful platform (blog) that will launch you and your products. Within it’s pages you will learn how to create a elevator pitch, succeed at twitter, how to get more comments, how to respond to rude comments, and how to successfully monetize a blog. After reading Platform I now have a long list of websites and plugins I want to visit and perhaps use to build my platform.
5. How You Can Instantly Super Charge Your Mornings
(Author: Dennis Crosby)
This e-book was really more like a long essay. I finished it with a feeling of “really that’s it”. Most of the ideas I had heard of before. Nothing really earth shattering for a confessed early bird who always eats breakfast and works out (those were 2 tips found in the book). Still I got it free from a deal of eReaderGirl so I can’t complain.
6. The “Do What You Can” Plan: 21 Days to Making Any Area of Your Life Better
(Author Holly Girth )
I will be honest I started reading this e-book thinking it would be a light and fluffy read with not much to it ( I think the “Do What You Can” title that made me feel that way). I was surprised when I found myself highlighting paragraph after paragraph and being uplifted by scripture quoted in the book time and time again.
One of my favorite quotes from the e-book “ a small goal that actually happens and can grow is better than the grandest one that remains a fantasy”.
I think the author and I would have a lot to talk about if we ever were to meet because as the name of my blog states I am all for small goals and snail pacing steps forward. If you are struggling with making progress in an area you so desperately desire to move forward in I would recommend reading The “Do What You Can” Plan: 21 Days to Making Any Area Of Your Life Better.
7. Pinteresting: Pinterest Strategies for Brands and Bloggers
(Author: Tabitha Phlen)
I had the pleasure of meeting the author of Pinteresting: PInterest Strategies for Brands and Bloggers at BEECH. She struck me as a lady with an amazing work ethic and it shows in her ebook.
Pinteresting is full of tips of how to get the most out of Pinterest. I highlighted quite a few tip filled passages of things I want to go back to and try with my own Pinterest account.
Tabitha’s writing style is very down to earth and simple to understand.
I love the include appendix “Checklist for Creating a Healthy Pinterest Account” and plan to put it to use for my own account very soon.
Pinteresting covers everything from opening an account to enticing blog readers to pin your posts to cool tools that can help you with tracking your pins and repins.
8. Pinterest Savvy: How I Got 1 Million+ Followers
(Author:Melissa Taylor)
This ebook is a short read that is crammed full of information of how to grow your following on Pinterest.
The author works through everything from making “Pintastic Pin-boards” to “Interesting Pinners to Follow” .
Pinterest Savvy focuses primarily on how to build a huge following on Pinterest and allow it to draw business into your blog or company.
I cannot wait to put some of the author’s tips into action in my own account and if they will work for me.
9: Fearlessly Frugal: How To Save Money on Your Laundry
(Author: Kristen D. Smith)
A short yet informative read packed full of ideas of how to save money on laundry costs. Kirsten D. Smith gives three levels of savings for every area of laundry, there is the “Fashionably Frugal” the”Fabulously Frugal and the”Fearlessly Frugal”. How much you save from her tips depends on what level of frugal you are comfortable with. (I lean heavy towards the fearless).
Besides tips from every area of laundry from detergents to softeners to drying methods this book also contains several homemade recipes for various areas of laundry.
read full review here.
11. Declutter Now: Uncovering the Hidden Joy and Freedom in Your Life
read full review here
(Author: Carrie Rocha)
read full review here..
13. The Introvert’s Way: Living A Quiet Life In A Noisy World
(Author: Sophia Dembling)
For the longest time I thought I was an extrovert, since I do for the most part enjoy others company. Until I realized others don’t like working out alone like I do, or going to lunch alone, or people watching (again alone), and very few picture their dream getaway as a weekend stay all alone at a hotel room with just a laptop and a few books.
It turns out I am an introvert, and after reading “The Introvert’s Way” I feel perfectly okay being one, and if your an extrovert I am okay with that too, there is room in the world for both of us, and we each bring a unique set of strengths. As I learned from reading this book we need to stop trying to change each other and instead accept each other .
14. Firefly Island by Lisa Wingate
see my review here.
(Author: Mitch Albom)
I have read two of Albom’s other titles and found them both inspiring and thought provoking, Have a Little Faith was no different. A book about the life of a Rabi, and that of a Minster. Two different faith’s with the same goal: to reach out and help others.
16. How To Have A H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids
(Author: Rachael Carman)
An awesome reminder of the importance of our role as mothers. This book is both uplifting and instructional. I highly recommend it to any mother struggling with what it means to mother with purpose and intention.
Author: Kirsten Oliphant
There is No Small Call by Kirsten Oliphant was not quite what I suspected. The book was on callings, but not the definition of calling that is so trendy right now. Oliphant dug into her bible and found that “calling” is so much more than our vocation: calling is to listen to God. To answer God’s call. To spend time with God. To listen to Him speak, and then take action in your life.
(Author:John G. Miller)
I had the honor to listen to Miller talk at BEECH retreat in January. He is a very dynamic speaker, going from point to point in a clear cut manner that I enjoyed. His book “Parenting the QBQ way” is written in the same style. Simple short chapters that take you through one point at a time. Just as I was beginning to conclude that this was the type of book you need to read over and over to absorb all the words of wisdom, Miller in final chapter states that ” We encourage you to keep Parenting the QBQ way handy and reread it many times”. Which is exactly what I will be doing. If you are struggling to ask the questions of your children that get them to open up and respond, you need to read this book. If you are a parent of any child from 1 to 100 you need to read this book. It is short and simple to read and well worth the few hours it will take you to read it through. This is a book that is staying on my reference shelf.
19. You Are A Writer (So Start Acting Like One)
(Author: Jeff Goins)
Once I started this ebook I could not put it down. Goins writes in a way that draws you in and keeps you involved until the very last page. If you enjoy writing but you feel like your just a tiny voice in a noisy world you will savor the words of encouragement within the pages of You Are A Writer (So Start Acting Like One).
20. Running Fuel: Natural Food For Optimum Performance
(Author: Jenny Haywood)
This ebook was a good refresh course for me now that I am back up and running after time off due to injury. I don’t feel like I really learned anything I did not already know, however I have read extensively on the topic of sports nutrition before. Running Fuel appears to be written for beginners who are just starting out in their running careers and have no clue what to eat and when.
21. iBloom in Business: Equiping You to Run A Successful Business While Living The Life You Love
(Author: Kelly Thorne Gore)
I read iBloom in Business in one evening and a morning, so that I could have it completed before a twitter party with BEECH. I loved it! It is packed full of informative ways to create focused goals out of your dreams. I was so inspired that I immediately spent 2 hours in writing out, clarifying and setting firm goals for my life and blog. If you are woman already in business or looking to start one, iBloom in Business is a great life preserver for those struggling to gain success and a great launching pad for those just beginning.
22. Tales of the Defended Ones
(Author: Beth Guckenberger)
Read review here…
23. The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make A Living, Do What You Love, And Create A New Future
(Author: Chris Guillebeau)
I was introduced to The $100 Startup by the members of the Story Social Media Twitter party. I am glad to have discovered it as my mind is now flowing with all sorts of ideas that I can implement on the blog, with my crafts I sell and with other entrepreneurship ideas that run through my head on occasion (okay all the time). I would recommend The $100 Startup for those wanting to start a business with plenty of flexibility. It truly is inspiring.
24. 10 Ways To Be A Better Learner
(Author: Jeff Cobb)
10 Ways to Be A Better Learner is packed with ideas of how to insure that your are a life long learner. From where to obtain new information to how to make sure you really learn it Cobb teaches you tricks that will insure you never stop learning. Cobb even makes sure to include the need for sleep, exercise and a healthy diet for maximum learning retention.
25. Pastors’ Wives
(Auth0r: Lisa Takeuchi Cullen)
Read full review here…
(Author: Deborah Raney)
Read full review here…..
27. Pig In The Pantry And Other Homeschool Tales
(Author Rose Godfrey)
I read the majority of A Pig In The Pantry in between lectures at my local homeschooling convention. It was so funny I found my introvert self avoiding all small talk conversations with fellow convention attendees(normally I truly do try to make conversations but this book was so good I found myself wishing I had a cloak of invisibility for the day) .
I wanted to finish it so badly that after the long day of inspiring lectures was over I decided to camp out at a local bakery until I had enjoyed the last short story of the book.
If you have been homeschooling for years like I have the short stories in A Pig In The Pantry will thrill you. You are going to become full of reassurance that your family is indeed normal. I loved the writing style that made me feel more like I was sharing the stories over a cup of coffee with Rose Godfrey herself than reading about them on my iPad.
28. Undeniably Yours
(Author: Becky Wade)
read full review here…
29. The Offering
(Author:Angela Hunt)
Read full review here….
30. The Gaurdian
(Author:Beverly Lewis)
Read full review here…..
31. Go Big: Make Your Shot Count in the Connected World
(Author: Cory Cotton)
I ordered this book from Tyndale Rewards thinking it would be an inspiring read for both my 12 and 17 year old sons. When it arrived I decided I would read it first just to check it out. I am so glad I did because I found it very inspiring even though I am far beyond the age of the group of trick basketball stars that wrote it and have little experience with shooting hoops.
If you have a dream and you just can’t seem to get it off the ground Go Big might just give you the boost to keep on trying.
32. Coming Home
(Author:Karen Kingsbury)
I started reading Karen Kingsbury when my mom was in her cancer struggle years ago and I felt like I needed an escape from my own reality. I immediately got caught up in the Baxter clan and since have read everything I can on them. It got so bad that when I had to go to Bloomington Indiana for something one time which is where the series is set I caught myself several times thinking “I wonder if I will run into one of the Baxter’s” um ya…THEY ARE FICTIONAL.
Coming Home is a conclusion the the Baxter clan series (it says it could be read before the series but I think it is best to read it after) . I managed to put the book down the first night but the second night I got so hooked I read hours past bedtime and was sobbing so hard at one point all the children came to see if I was okay. Kingsbury once again had me so drawn into her characters that my own world for a few hours simply slipped away. Highly recommend this book or any of her other titles.
33. Sparkly Green Earrings: Catching The Light At Every Turn
(Author: Melanie Shankle)
I laughed so loud while reading Sparkly Green Earrings the kids asked me to put it away while they were watching TV so they could hear what they were watching. Sparkly Green Earrings is a collection of short real life stories about motherhood that follow one mom’s motherhood journey from conception to childhood. I want a sequel please!
(Author: Jim Stovall)
The Ultimate Gift is a short yet thought provoking read about what truly makes for a fulfilling life.
35. Friendship: A Gift To Give
(Author: Kari Patterson)
From the first paragraph I was hooked and ready to hear what Friendship: A Gift To Give had to offer. What I found was a in depth look at the examples the bible gives of friendships both right and wrong. The book also ends with a 30 day challenge to becoming a better friend.
I have been reading How The Did It off and on on my iPod for months now. I found it to be a good to read whenever I wanted a dose of determination. These are real life stories. Most of the people interviewed are not earning six figures, but are earning enough to pay their bills doing what they love.
(Authors :Stacey Thacker & Brooke McGlothin)
If you are looking for a read that will refresh your mothering sole then read “Hope For The Weary Mom” in it you will learn that you are okay, you are normal, other mom’s have cheerio’s in their couches and on their floors too! This mothering job takes hard work and relentless amounts of energy. Take some time off and be refreshed by the pages of “Hope For the Weary Mom”.
39: If You Can’t Fail It Doesn’t Count
(Author: Dave Guymon)
If You Can’t Fail it Doesn’t Count was a very inspiring read. If you struggle with “what if” fears, you need to read If You Can’t Fail It Doesn’t Count I think you will find it gives you just that inspiring push you needed to get beyond “what if” and get to “I am jumping in”.
40. Ragged Hope: Surviving The Fallout of Other People’s Choices
(Author: Cynthia Ruchti)
Read full review here………
41. Rosemary Cottage
(Author: Colleen Coble)
Read full review here….
(Author: Mary Anne Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher)
Read full review here……
43. Fierce Women: The Power Of A Soft Warrior
(Author:Kimberly Wagner)
Read full review here…..
44. The Prayer Box
(Author Lisa Wingate)
Read full review here…..
46. Becoming A Frugalista in 30 Days
(Author: Susan Heid of The Confident Mom)
Although a lot of the tips shared in this ebook were not new to a frugalista like myself, some of the websites the author mentions were. In fact there were so many saving websites mentioned that I want to check out that it is going to take me weeks just to do so. Susan Heid also gives a name to my favorite type of savings, she calls it double and triple dipping. You are going to have the read the ebook to find out for yourself what it means. gleaned
I got received a copy of Desperate Households by using Tyndale Reward points. What I loved most about this book were all the inspiring quotes shared at the beginning of the chapter. I also like Peel’s it won’t be fixed in a day attitude which reinforced my belief that more progress can be made if we work on things little by little than if we wait for the huge chunk of time to open up to do it all at once, because lets face it how often do we get a huge chunk of free time.
48. Simplify Your Homeschool Day
(Author: Tamara L. Chilver)
Simplify Your Homeschool Day was divided into 5 sections, including practical tips to shorten your school day, communication skills that nurture learning, enlisting support, learning to let go and making time for you. I found it to be heavy on tips on how to teach your child more effectively and light on tips as to how to make time for yourself although the idea was if you teach your children effectively they will learn at a faster pace and therefore you will end up with more time for you.
49. How To Embrace A Minimalist Wardrobe-Making the Most Out of Your Closet
(Author: Kristen D. Smith)
How To Embrace A Minimalist Wardrobe although full of what I thought were great tips for how to create a basic working wardrobe and get rid of all the items that are simply taking up time and space in your life, was very short. More like an e-booklet than a ebook. This little book however would be great to read before facing the battle with your closet, it might be just what you need to finally win.
50. Before the Dawn
(Author:Carolyne Aarsen)
read review here…..
51. Sweet September
(Author: Goyer Tricia)
read review here…..
52. Chasing Hope
(Author Kathryn Cushman)
Read full review here…..
52. How To Blog For Profit Without Selling Your Soul
(Author Ruth:Soukup)
I read How To Blog For Profit in an evening and an afternoon but it is going to take me months to process all the valuable information the author Ruth shared . Her chapter on Pinterest alone made it worth the asking price as it had increasing traffic ideas from Pinterest I have not read in any other Pinterest ebook and I have ready at least a half a dozen. She of course says success boils down to great content but she explains in simple terms exactly what great content is and how to start producing it yourself. If you have a blog and want to see your page views soar I recommend you buy How To Blog For Profit Without Selling Your Soul.
(Author: Mandi Ehman)
100 Days of Christmas is filled with many inexpensive and simple treats and items that you can either make for your family or as gifts for others over the Christmas season. If you don’t like searching around Pinterest for ideas for new recipes and gift ideas but still want a few new ones for the upcoming season I would recommend you pick up 100 Days of Christmas .
54. Becoming the Confident Mom You Always Wanted To Be
(Author: Susan Heid)
I found Becoming The Confident Mom You Always Wanted To Be to be directed at new moms and since I am already almost 18 years into the mom gig a lot of what the author talked about I have already done. If you are a new mom though still trying to figure out motherhood there is a significant amount of information in this ebook that might help you.
55. Speak Love: Making Your Words Matter
(Author: Annie F Downs)
Speak Love is directed at teenage girls but it has words of wisdom on how to use our words for love for women of all ages.
56. To Know You
Read my review here…
57. Just One More Thing Before You Leave Home
Read my review here….
58. Blog At Home Mom
I read this in a little over an hour. A short book, but a thought provoking book. If you are struggling to balance Blogging and Motherhood this book has some great ideas of how to make it work.
59. Say Goodbye To Survival Mode
Can’t tell you too much yet…except that if you are all struggling to just get through the day, if you often feel like there is no time for life beyond the laundry and dirty dishes pile, you need to pre-order my friend Crystal Paine’s new book “Say Goodbye To Survival Mode”.
I am loving all about Kathryn Cushman books as of late. Leaving Yesterday did not disappoint, yet another book by Cushman where I found myself so emotionally involved with the characters that they became almost to real to me by the finally pages of the book.
Waiting For Daybreak is another great book by Kathryn Cushman that will have you thinking about why little white lies are not any better than big huge lies, and how we can’t help God.
The Purpose of Christmas is a small simple impactful read that will put your heart where it belongs at Christmas time.
63. Confessions of a Raging Perfectionist
Confessions of a Raging Perfectionist is a book that will remind you that life is messy and that is okay.
64. The Inbetween
The Inbetween is a reminder that life is not about the finish line but instead about the journey.
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