Saturday, January 8, 2011

10 Favorite Books in 2010

I love to read other's book lists. I always can find books to add to my "to be read" pile!

I was shocked at how many books I actually finished this year. The only thing I can think to credit it to is that I wasn't pregnant this year. Most of my reading is accomplished during our afternoon quiet time while the younger ones sleep. Having even 30 minutes to lay down is a sanity saver to me and I'm planning to hold onto quiet time as long as possible. My older two are learning to lay down quietly with a book if they don't feel like napping.  When I'm pregnant, I can't stay awake to read, but this year I got through quite a few books during this time.

Here is the ten books in random order that I enjoyed most this year. Some of these books I've already written reviews which I'll link to.

Daughters of Eve, Daughter of God  by Brenda Weaver - Much to think on and grow from in this book. I especially liked that the author shared from her personal life story.

To Kill a Mockingbird [Mass Market Paperback]
To Kill a Mockingbird by Lee Harper - I can't believe I missed reading this in high school! No wonder it is popular!

Four-Season Harvest: Organic Vegetables from Your Home Garden All Year Long
Four-Season Harvest by Elliot Coleman - gardening inspiration for us northerners. My review

Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy
Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh Demoss - Life changing book reviewed here

Gardening When It Counts: Growing Food in Hard Times (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series)
Gardening When It Counts by Steve Solomon - Presently my favorite gardening book. My review

His Word in My Heart: Memorizing Scripture for a Closer Walk with God
His Word in My Heart by Janet Pope - My review - Okay, I had no idea I wrote so many book reviews this year!

Family Friendly Farming: A Multi-Generational Home-Based Business Testament

Family Friendly Farming by Joel Salatin - I don't think farming is in our future but this book was a great read just for it's parenting insights. I'd highly recommend reading this book if you have a desire to pass on your faith or heritage to your children.
Marital Bliss with a kiss of reality

Marital Bliss  by Michelle Beachy and Christi Smucker - my review

Returning Home by Loreen Plett - True story that I couldn't put down! But much to think on when I consider how my beliefs and actions will affect coming generations.
Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi - I loved the inner glimpse of life in Iran robed in a discussion of literature.

And maybe I have to add one more. Can cookbooks be added to your reading list? I have several that I've poured over this year but none like Artisan Breads Every Day by Peter Reinhart. Some of you followed along last winter as I worked through every recipe in the book. But I gained far more than some good recipes. I can honestly say that my baking has changed because of the experience. I'm hoping to work through another cookbook, recipe by recipe in the future.

Now that you know what books I enjoyed last year (and this was only about a third - the cream of the crop) do you have any suggestions for 2011? I'm always on the alert for good books recommended by friends.

7 comments :

  1. Thanks for sharing! I love book lists, too. I've posted mine on my blog. I think I hit 50 books last year just reading after the kids had gone to bed and before my husband did.

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  2. Solomon's book just arrived, and I'm looking forward to working my way through it. We're spending the next year on composting, so I'm going to have some time to think about what to do the next year. ~Liz

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  3. What a great list Gina. I read "To Kill A Mockingbird" last year as we didn't read it in high school either - loved it.

    Suggestions for you in 2011~
    "Whole Grain Breads by Machine or Hand" by Beatrice Ojakangas - I've learned so much just from the introduction.

    "Three Cups of Tea" or "Stones into Schools" by Greg Mortenson - amazing stories of an American helping remote villages build schools for girls in Pakistan & Afghanistan

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  4. just browsing through Marital Bliss. I think my friend found it by browsing your blog! I like it.

    And I'm SO GLAD you found To Kill a Mockingbird. I taught it to freshman English students at least 8 times and loved it every time. That's a sign of an excellent book!

    I'll look through my book journal and see if I have suggestions for you.

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  5. I just put five of these on hold at the library =) So happy to find the gardening and Salatin books there! I think I have my work cut out for me ~ DH found a large hoop house on Craigslist the other night... wishing!

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  6. I know the year is almost gone and this post was at the very beginning, but I am a new reader! (LOL!) I LOVE the book To Kill A Mocking Bird! We read the book and watched the movie in high school. It was really good. I so appreciate the book reviews that you do. It's nice to know what books others have been blessed by.
    Thanks for sharing with us. Have a blessed day!

    Mystina

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