2016

When I was a child, yes, before the internet, one of my favorite things to do was a trip to the library. The best day at school was when the class was taken to the library to check out a book. During the summers my group of friends would get dressed up and go to the library. And, of course, there were those special days when the bookmobile bus would drive into the neighborhood, park on a designated street and wait for me to climb those 3 or 4 steps in to search for a book. I felt rich as I wandered the rows of books looking for my next adventure, reading about places I had never been and opening my heart and mind to the power of another’s story. Oh how grateful I am to my family and teachers who taught me how to read.

Reading causes me to slow down, to stretch myself, to be a treasure hunter and often fact find if what I’m reading is true and learn from others. Reading brings me comfort, laughter, leads me to a new idea and often is a restful place to land from my own life.

Because of recently downsizing our home, my commute to work has become an hour longer each day but you know what – it has been a blessing. Because of the internet and Audible.com, I can now download a book on my iPhone and play it through my car radio. The little girl in me is delighted for this new library that is so easily available. The commute flies by. My coworker and friend, Amy and I started listening to books on our commute years ago. It is a great way to remind us that the workday hasn’t started yet in the morning and ended in the afternoon. We have been known to sit in front of her house because we have 15 minutes left and then broke out in applause at the ending while listening to The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I am sure we were quite a sight to those outside the car.

Don’t get me wrong – I also read on Kindle; and I still treasure holding a book in my hands, turning the pages with my highlighter and pen in hand in case something catches my attention.

This year I set a goal to read 40 books, as well as my bible. I have met 3/4 of this goal and I am currently reading the kindle version of Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow and listen to Among the Gods by Lynn Austin (which is the 5th in the series Chronicles of the Kings – I will be sad to finish this series). The books of 2016 are a snapshot of my year – learning about people who settled our country, the kings of the Old Testament, maneuvering the grief of a loved one, many areas of our history – Chicago World Fair and the women who stepped in to work the shipyards during WW2, downsizing a house and discovering there is a freedom in having less stuff, learning to cook more with organics and non-GMO ingredients as well as becoming very attached to a kitchen appliance I’d been scared of – the pressure cooker.

I have been wanting to document and share my reading list for sometime and with Christmas less than 3 months away, I thought this might be a resource to all my fellow readers.

The Justice by Angela Hunt

The Keeper of the Ring Series by Angela Hunt

The Last of the Mohicans by James Cooper

A Good Yarn (Book 2) by Debbie Macomber

Susannah’s Garden by Debbie Macomber

The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber

Brides for Brothers by Debbie Macomber

A Woman’s Place by Lynn Austin

A Proper Pursuit by Lynn Austin

Faith of My Fathers (Chronicles of the Kings #4) by Lynn Austin

Gods and Kings (Chronicles of the Kings #1) by Lynn Austin

Song of Redemption (Chronicles of the Kings #2) by Lynn Austin