30 Books in 2018 Reading Challenge

Getting Back to the “Old Me”… the “Me” before kids

A few weeks ago a friend of mine had shared a screenshot of her “GoodReads” list on her personal instagram account and it clicked… I really need to get back to the things that I love and have missed over the last couple of years. Cue the excitement when I learned of and signed up for the 30 books in 2018 reading challenge.

Growing up I used to always have a book in hand it was truly something I really enjoyed. Perhaps it was my course load in college or the addition of kiddos that took me away from my love of reading. Maybe it was all the household chores. I’m not sure but it was likely all of the things listed above. One thing has become extremely evident, I’ve truly missed reading. There’s just something about reading a good book curled up on the couch under a warm blanket…

30 Books in 2018 Reading Challenge

Of course I have read a book here or there over the years and some more than others (kid books anyone?) but nothing like before I had my children. Needless to say, I downloaded the GoodReads app in the middle of January and have pretty much been reading about a book a week since.

“The More that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr Seuss

If I’m being honest I’m not exactly sure where the number 30 came from perhaps it was a suggestion on the GoodReads app? I wanted to share with you guys my current reading list. I know this list will change and evolve but regardless I wanted to share my starting list. It’s going to be fun to watch this list evolve over the course of the year.

30 Books And Counting

1. Stronger than the Struggle – Havilah Cunnington – (*2/2/2018)
2. The Magic of Motherhood – Ashlee Gadd – (*1/24/2018)
3. Dance, Stand, Run: The God-Inspired Moves of a Woman on Holy Ground – Jess Connolly – (*2/18/18)
4. Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely – Lys TerKeurst – (*4/16/18)
5. Sing!: How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church – Keith & Kristyn Getty – (*2/25/18) 
6. Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living – Shauna Niequist – (*3/16/18)
7. Wild and Free: A Hope-Filled Anthem for the Woman Who Feels She is Both Too Much and Need Enough – Hayley Morgan & Jess Connolly – (*4/3/18)
8. If You Only Knew: My Unlikely, Unavoidable Story of Becoming Free – Jamie Ivey – (*4/5/18)
9. Fierce Faith: A Woman’s Guide to Fighting Fear, Wrestling Worry, and Overcoming Anxiety – Alli Worthington
10. Becoming MomStrong: How to Fight with All That’s in You for Your Family and Your Faith – Heidi St John – (*3/27/18)
11. Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul – Hannah Anderson
12. Between Heaven and the Real World: My Story – Steven Curtis Chapman
13. Kill The Spider: Getting Rid of What’s Really Holding You Back – Carlos Enrique Whittaker
14. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear – Elizabeth Gilbert
15. The Magnolia Story – Chip and Joanna Gaines & Mark Dagostino – (*2/27/18)
16. Capital Gaines: Smart Things I Learned Doing Stupid Stuff – Chip Gaines (*2/3/18)
17. Kisses From Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption – Katie Davis Majors
18. Daring to Hope: Finding God’s Goodness in the Broken and Beautiful – Katie Davis Majors
19. Loving My Actual Life: An Experiment in Relishing What’s Right in Front of Me – Alexandra Kuykendall
20. Own Your Life: How to Grow a Legacy of Faith, Love, and Spiritual Influence – Sally Clarkson
21. Eat. Pray. Hustle: Dream Chasing God’s Way – Havilah Cunnington
22. A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living – Emily Ley – (*3/10/18)
23. Cultivate: A Grace-Filled Guide to Growing an Intentional Life – Lara Casey
24. The Turquoise Table: Finding Community and Connection in Your Own Front Yard – Kristin School
25. Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight Out of This Wild and Glorious Life – Jen Hatmaker
26. Always Enough, Never Too Much: 100 Devotions to Quit Comparing, Stop Hiding, and Start Living Wild and Free – Jess Connolly & Hayley Morgan (releases April 24th, 2018)*
27. Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be – Rachel Hollis – (*3/9/18) 
28. More Than Just Making It: Hope for the Heart of the Financially Frustrated – Erin Odom
29. Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone – Brene Brown
30. This Is Me: Loving the Person You Are Today – Chrissy Metz. – (*4/7/18)
31. Love, Skip, Jump: Start Living the Adventure of Yes – Shelene Bryan – (*4/26/18)
32. Adamant: Finding Truth in a Universe of Opinions – Lisa Bevere – (*4/30/18)
33. Eat. Pray. Hustle.: Dream Chasing God’s Way – Havilah Cunnington – (*4/30/18)

*Books italicized, * and with dates have been read.

*I will be adding books that I read that are not on the list… Apparently I do this a lot. 😉 I was deleting books so that the list would stay at “30” but how silly is that? If a book made my list its because it was highly recommended to me or a book I truly want to read. As of April 30th, 2018 I have read 17 books. My 3 favorites (so far) from this list would have to be Stronger than the Struggle by Havilah Cunnington, Becoming Mom Strong by Heidi St. John and definitely Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis!

2018 is my QUEST to Read More

I’m sure that over the course of this year that I will be on and off with my reading and that my list may look vastly different by the end of the year. Personally I am very excited to read “all the books.” I’m really excited about this book challenge. Never before had I even heard of a book challenge, I’m glad I downloaded the GoodReads application. Reading 30 books in a year is probably super easy for some people. I am aware of the challenge this is going to be for me and I am truly excited.

Do you have a GoodReads account? Let’s connect on there! I’m not exactly sure how to do so but, don’t be shy. Send me an email or leave a note below and we’ll figure it out! Also, I am curious if you have any book recommendations for me? I am always open to hear your recommendations! Thanks everyone!

*List Updated 5/1/2018

2018 GoodReads Book Challenge (Month 2)

Girl Wash Your Face By Rachel Hollis Book Review