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Book List of 2015

I've decided to keep track of all I read in 2015 in one blog post. The good news is I am finally keeping a list of books I want to read, too. 

I've gathered my to-read list for a while now from conversations, Facebook, friends' blog posts, and even my pastor's sermons. For years, I've been collecting friends' recommendations on Pinterest, but I think this list will work more effectively. (What? Don't you use Pinterest for books?) 

All of the books but one are available at my library or I already own. (I may not be able to read that one, but I will still try.) My intention is to not purchase any books for me  during 2015. Can I do it? I don't know. However, if I have this nice list of books accessible to me, I think I am more likely to meet that goal.

I know I'll read other books this year, but most of the books I'll read will come from this list.

* Indicates a book I highly recommend.
Names after title and author remind me who recommended them.

Books completed in 2015

  1. Clutter Free,* by Kathi Lipp. Linked to my review.
  2. Between Deep Valley and the Deep World, by Amy Dolnick Rechner. Very good for Maud fans, but short.
  3. For Women Only,* by Shaunti Feldhahn. It's a must-read for women.
  4. So You Want to Be Like Christ?, by Charles Swindoll. Not a quick read for me, but excellent.
  5. Persuasion, by Jane Austen. Didn't enjoy as much as PnP, but still eager for more Austen. Linked to my hardcover, very nice edition with a great intro.
  6. The Fantastic Family Whipple, by Matthew Ward. It's a middle-grade novel about a family who breaks world records every day...all except Arthur. I'll read the next one to support a great name and see the next adventure, even if the family has some dysfunction (namely obsession with breaking the records).
  7. Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Linked to my review at Little House Companion.
  8. As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust: A Flavia De Luce Novel,* by Alan Bradley. Flavia is banished to a school in Canada where she has a new mystery to solve. I've listened to all of the Flavia books on CD, but this time, I read it. Now I want to go back and read all of them again! Highly recommend these books.
  9. Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good, by Jan Karon. Father Tim has his little troubles and big troubles in this cozy book. I'm now wanting to reread the whole series. (sound familiar?)
  10. 1984, by George Orwell. (still reading)
  11. The Penderwicks in Spring, by Jeanne Birdsall. This is one of my favorite middle-grade series. It reads like an instant classic. This particular book was read quickly (maybe 3 days). And I cried. A lot. And I loved it. The four Penderwick sisters are growing up, but love still keeps the family together. We don't own this series, but I think we will one day.
  12. Say Goodbye to Survival Mode: 9 Simple Strategies to Stress Less, Sleep More, and Restore Your Passion for Life,by Crystal Paine. This is the second book I purchased for my Kindle (which I've had for 3 years...mostly I read free books). It was worth it. I liked Crystal's straight-forward and practical advice for living a life with purpose and passion.
  13. She Is Mine
  14. Wonder
  15. The Hobbit
  16. The Hiding Place
  17. Caddie Woodlawn
  18. Under the Lilacs
  19. The Housewife Theologian
  20. Bugged: How Insects Changed History
  21. A Little House Reader
  22. Go Set a Watchman
  23. AND MANY MORE... I read #22 in July and haven't added any to the list since then and likely missed a bunch.

Books Completed with the Children in 2015

  1. Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C.S. Lewis. More enjoyable this time, but not my favorite Narnia book.
  2. 26 Fairmont Avenue,* by Tomie DePaolo. Wow. This one surprised me at just how much I loved it. Oh, and it's really short.
  3. Farmer Boy, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. They all loved Almanzo and his family.
  4. The Silver Chair, by C.S. Lewis

My to-read list:

  1. Persuasion, by Jane Austen
  2. The Housewife Theologian, by Aimee Y. Byrd - Carrie
  3. 1984, by George Orwell. (My pick for Reading to Know Book Club in April.)
  4. The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien- Derek (my husband)
  5. The Governess of Highland Hall, by Carrie Turansky- Shonda
  6. One Light Still Shines: My Life Beyond the Amish Schoolhouse Shooting, by Marie Monville- Pastor Bill
  7. Lisette's List, by Susan Vreeland- Judy
  8. Driftless, by David Rhodes- Ann (interlibrary loan, if possible)
  9. The Language of Flowers, by Vanessa Diffenbaugh- Krista
  10. Saving Lucas Biggs, by Marisa de los Santos and David Teague- Becky 
  11. Be the Mom, by Tracey Lanter Eyster- Tammy
  12. The Wednesday Wars, by Gary D. Schmidt- Amy
  13. Call the Midwife, by Jennifer Worth- Lisa
  14. Fantastic Family Whipple, by Matthew Ward 
  15. Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling
  16. The Hiding Place, by Corie Ten Boom
  17. The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green  Listened on audio.
  18. In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote (Harper Lee helped research and write this book; she is not credited.)
  19. Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate, by Jerry Bridges -Pastor Bill
  20. The Kitchen House, by Kathleen Grissom- Kellie
  21. The Search for Delicious, by Natalie Babbit- Carrie
  22. Paperboy, by Vince Vawter- Amy
  23. So Young, Brave, and Handsome, by Leif Enger- Carrie
Additional Titles (edited after original list):
  1. Six Ways to Keep the Little in your Girl, by Dannah Gresh
  2. In His Steps,by Charles Sheldon
  3. Caddie Woodlawn, by Carol Ryrie Brink

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I earn a small percentage at no cost to you. Thank you!
~ Annette
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10 comments

  1. TiciaJanuary 12, 2015 at 9:18 AM

    Looks like an interesting assortment of books to read.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2015 at 9:20 AM

    I'm working on a book list for the year. I like having some intentionality in my reading but some freedom, too, for new finds. From your list I have read Persuasion, The Hobbit, and The Hiding Place. Also 1984, but that was back in high school and I don't remember much about it. Respectable Sins is on my TBR list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annette WhippleJanuary 12, 2015 at 11:03 AM

      I think I'll have plenty of room for new titles, too. :)

      Delete
  3. JeannieJanuary 12, 2015 at 10:42 AM

    I've only read 1, 3, 17 on your list. I read with an online book club called The Blissful Bookworms and occasionally something extra. This year I plan to read some books that will enhance my spiritual life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annette WhippleJanuary 12, 2015 at 11:03 AM

      Besides the Bible, I find when a book really hits home with me, it's great for my spiritual growth.

      Delete
  4. CarrieJanuary 12, 2015 at 12:48 PM

    Oh, I'm glad that you are keeping a list! It's always fun to see at the conclusion of a year.

    And I can't WAIT to hear what you think of The Search for the Delicious. Such a short, fun book that really packs a punch!

    ReplyDelete
  5. BlueroseJanuary 12, 2015 at 1:50 PM

    (I'm having trouble with commenting today, so if this goes through multiple time, I apologize!)

    This is a great idea! I've been using Goodreads to keep up with my books, but I've realized that it's apparently not foolproof. There ended up being a great deal of mix-up concerning my reading challenge there AND one of my favorites ended up being left off my list, because I couldn't see it as I browsed through my "read" books. :S So, I'm thinking I'll be like you and make a list like this for this year! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. DorieJanuary 15, 2015 at 8:56 AM

    Persuasion is an excellent choice! I may be a bit bias about that as I just adore Jane Austen's writing style. Love, love your 2015 goal of no cost. You CAN do it. And, as you probably already know, my personal library is always open for you. I have For Women Only and Respectable Sins on my library list. I'm also thinking about trying to delve into some Christian classics or historical sermons...I'm not really sure it will be formulated into a theme, but I would like to challenge myself to read some of them.
    What people don't use Pinterest for books?! I like the visual of the books all on one board, am I alone in this? :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mission MamaMarch 23, 2016 at 10:01 AM

    One Light Still Shines is an excellent book. I would read it again. Amazing story of faith and redemption and forgiveness. Highly recommend!

    ReplyDelete

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