Books, Books and More Books (Update)

In March, I put out a list of books that I would like to read for this year. The list was ambitious, I know, but I love reading and think it is so important to keep my mind sharp and open to new vocabulary, concepts and thought processes which help shape my own ways of thinking.

I have made a dent in my list and actually veered away from my list in some cases to include other books not listed. Some of them have been very quick reads and others have been more difficult to digest in a short period of time for me.

Mid year winners:

Top Read: (tie)
Choosing Forgiveness - Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Biblical Womanhood in the Home - Nancy Leigh DeMoss (editor)

Both of these books were excellent reads and ones that inspired me to makes changes in my life.
Based on my last post, Choosing Forgiveness really appealed to where I am spiritually and have been going through personally. Very convicting book and one that is full of godly truth and wisdom that is not brutal but fair and honest. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has a pulse and interacts with anyone at anytime. Yes, that would be you.

Biblical Womanhood in the Home, edited by Miss DeMoss, is a short read but packed with very practical and insightful principles for women no matter what state you are in: young or older, single or married, with or without kids. I also highly recommend this book as well for women who are looking to strengthen their sphere of influence in their home for godly purposes.

Quickest Read:
Quiet Strength - Tony Dungy

I read this book in one night. It is not the shortest read (think mapquest - not the shortest route but the quickest), but one that I appreciated because I love sports, football and I really respect the Indianapolis Colts organization. I enjoyed reading about Coach Dungy's unlikely path to Head Coach of the Super Bowl champion Colts and the way that God utilized him all along the way in the lives of other people. I respect him tremendously after reading his story and believe that he is an example of perseverance under pressure. Great for the sports nut.

Heaviest Read:
God is the Gospel - John Piper

I completed this book in a bible study early in the year and it was one that made me think. I know there are some that really love Piper and others that don't enjoy reading him at all. I enjoy him but I always "gird up" when I begin a new book of his because I know he will change my way of thinking and approach things differently than I tend to come at things. I enjoy the challenge of rethinking topics that have been ingrained in me from the time I was a child and tackling them from a different perspective. It is one book that I will be reading again and using for reference often.

I have now read 12 books and am in the middle of 3 more. I am certain that, if the Lord allows, I will read my 20 books, but now my list has grown to 38 books for the year. I am also quite certain that there is NO WAY I can read all 38 books by the end of this year. This is not including my Bible reading. I am going to make a valiant effort.

I will open the floor again. Are there any books that you have read that you would like to recommend? Doesn't matter the topic - can be frivolous, easy reads or those that you think you will read over and over again for years to come.