Happy New Year, dear friends! At the beginning of each year, I publish a rather ambitious list of 20ish books that I’d like to read in the coming year. I refer to this list often throughout the year as I’m determining what I will read next, but I only read around half of the actual list. The other 10-15 books I read tend to be books that I’m previewing for my children or my class, books I’m reading with others for book clubs or studies, and books that grab my interest as they are published throughout the year. I’ve found this little list to be a helpful guide to my reading life, nonetheless.
What do I put on this annual book list? I tend to choose books by favorite authors, books that have been recommended by friends, books that I’d like to read to my students or children, and books that will add to my knowledge or spiritual growth in some way. This list is a good starting point for goals in January. It helps me to set the course of my heart throughout the year and to be intentional about what I’m putting in my mind.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. ~Proverbs 4:23
Maybe you like book lists to launch your own reading goals in January? Here are 25 books that I would love to read in 2018!
1. Reading People by Anne Bogel
2. The Lifegiving Table by Sally Clarkson
3. Be the Gift by Ann Voskamp
4. The Read Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie
5. Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin
6. Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson
7. Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
8. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
9. The Undoing of Saint Silvanus by Beth Moore
10. If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey
11. Church of the Small Things by Melanie Shankle
12. Looking for Lovely by Annie F. Downs
13. She Reads Truth by Raechel Myers
14. Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper
15. Living Well, Spending Less by Ruth Soukup
16. My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
17. The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay
18. Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
19. No Greater Love by Mother Teresa
20. Wishtree by Katherine Applegate
21. Everyone Communicates, Few Connect by John Maxwell
22. Think Orange by Reggie Joiner
23. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
24. Raising World Changers in a Changing World by Kristen Welch
25. Gracelaced by Ruth Chou Simons
Tell me, friends. Did any of these books make your own book lists for the coming year? I would love to hear what you’re reading in the comments!
Happiest 2018!
From my heart to yours,
~Courtney
You may also be interested in:
My Favorite Fourteen Reads of 2017
My Very Own {Tentative} Book List for 2017
My Highly-Optimistic Book List for 2016
I read the Austen Escape last year and loved it! I never think about creating a list. I go to the library and Goodreads and browse. That is actually a good idea
I read Looking for Lovely and Women of the Wors this year, from this list. Both of them are great and so highly recommend them!! I love this list and will put some of them on my own list for 2018. Happy reading!!
That’s wonderful to know, Allison! Thank you for the feedback!!! In that case, I will definitely read Looking for Lovely and Women of the Word. I’m really looking forward to reading both of those. Happy reading to you, as well!