December 30, 2015

10 Great Reads of 2015


I aimed for 45 books this year and was able to surpassed it to 65 books. I'm surprised that I read this many, though I admit some were quite short reads. : )

Again this year I read a lot of non-fiction, as that's what seems to resonate with me lately. My favorites of this past year, include eight non-fiction and two fiction books.

I also read from my Bible, the book of Acts, the book of Jeremiah and I made it half way through Revelation. I've read both Acts and Revelation several times before, but this was the first time I'd read through the whole book of Jeremiah. I found it amazing. What an amazing God we have! This book taught me that God never gives up on His people. His love is never-ending and He pursues those He loves, despite our rebellion.

“Praise the LORD of hosts,
For the LORD is good,
For His mercy endures forever” Jeremiah 33:11


I'm also including a link to my 'most read post' this year called, '6 books I still think about.' I was pleasantly surprised by the response. : )

Here's the link: 6 books I still think about

Now onto my top 10 reads of 2015...


Christmas Bells - This was a lovely fiction read. Part modern day story, part 19th century story with the setting of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and his family. Read my thoughts HERE



 
The Cross He Bore - This was probably my favorite of all and will be read again and again. It was good to be reminded of what happened that day and I loved how the author implores the reader to meditate on God's Word, which shares the sufferings of our Savior. Read my thoughts HERE
 



Surprised by Oxford - I really enjoyed reading this beautifully written memoir by Carolyn Weber. Read my thoughts HERE



Women of the Word - This book had some great ideas and tools to help you read your Bible more efficiently and bring more out of your Bible reading. Read my thoughts HERE




'Another Jesus' Calling - This was a book that answered a lot of questions. It's an exposé, if you will, on Sarah Young's book 'Jesus Calling.' I found it eye-opening and encouraged me "to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" Jude 1:3. Read my thoughts HERE




The Case for Grace - This book was filled with beautiful stories of God's grace. Read my thoughts HERE




Finally Alive - Do you want to know what it means to be born again? To be finally alive? John Piper explains it so well in this book. Read my thoughts HERE
 



Strange Fire - This was somewhat of a controversial book, but I found it very informative. Especially when it comes to the Holy Spirit, which I share about in my post HERE




Wolves Among Us - This is the second fiction read I'm including. It dealt with a disturbing subject, the witch hunts of the 16th century. Read my thoughts HERE




Plain Faith - This was another amazing memoir written by an Amish couple who share their journey out of the Amish church and lifestyle. Read my thoughts HERE




*This year I have decided to include an honorable mention. R.C. Sproul's book, 'The Holiness of God.' I haven't got around to writing about it yet, but found it to be thought-provoking and humbling. I'm looking forward to sharing about it in the new year.






                                         Happy New Year Everyone and Happy Reading in 2016!

36 comments:

  1. I love to read too Cathy, but I'm not quite up there with you! An interesting selection and I'm really intrigued by Jen Wilkin's book. I've been looking for a book like that so I'm glad you enjoyed it. "Wolves Among Us" also piqued my interest. Thank you for sharing :) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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    1. Hi Crystal, Jen's book was really good and 'Wolves Among Us' was so interesting. It's amazing how easily people can be deceived by others and wonderful when people stand up for what is right! I loved that about this story. Hope you enjoy these books. Happy New Year to you too! : )

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  2. A great reading list Cathy, I read mostly non-fiction as well... unless someone really recommends a good novel. Happy New year to you!

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    1. Hi Marja, nice to see you here. Happy New Year to you too! : )

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  3. These are very intriguing books. There are a few I would like to check out this year. I am pinning to my book board so I can come back when I am ready. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Glad you stopped by Miranda! Hope you enjoy whatever books you choose to read this year. : )

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  4. Jen WIlkin's book is already on my TBR list after I heard her speak via webcast at a Revive Our Hearts conference a couple of months ago. And I think I'd like to read Christmas Bells and Plain Faith, so you've added to my already unwieldy TBR list. Thanks for linking up at the Saturday Review.

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    1. Jen's is a great book and resource. I need to have a look through it again! Hope you enjoy your reading this year Sherry! : )

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  5. I look forward to all the books you will be sharing about in 2016.

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  6. Your book list is so interesting! Especially Strange Fire and Women of the Word. I'm heading to Amazon right now :)

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    1. Hope you enjoy them both. They are definitely thinking books! Thanks for stopping by. : )

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  7. A very interesting list! I'll have to add "The Cross He Bore" to my Easter reading when I really like to focus in on what Jesus did for us. I'm adding some more of these to my tbr lists too!

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    1. You won't be disappointed with 'The Cross He Bore.' It was so good. I'm looking forward to reading it again and I don't usually re-read books! Glad you stopped by Susanne. : )

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  8. Oh I may have to check out The Women and the Word book. I haven't studied the Bible, only read it. And I'd love to learn some tips and tools for this next important step!

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    1. This is a great book for that. It can be a bit intimidating though, so don't worry about following everything right away. Take it at your own pace. Thanks for stopping by Carrie! : )

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  9. Great reading list! I'll be curious to see what you have to say about the RC Sproul. Have you read Chosen by God yet? That is one of his books that reads particularly well alongside The Holiness of God, and it's one of the more accessible explanations of doctrine I've found.

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    1. I haven't read 'Chosen by God' yet but it's on my long TBR list! Thanks for the recommendation and for stopping by. : )

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  10. Thanks for posting this list! I've been looking for a good book to read at the beginning of 2016 and now have several to choose!

    Blessings, Joan

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    1. Hope you enjoy what you chose to read this year Joan. Glad you stopped by. : )

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  11. Great list! Reading 65 books in one year is very impressive! I'm lucky to read one book a month. Have a blessed New Year!

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    1. Thanks Samantha, I'm really not that fast of a reader, I guess I just spend more time at it. : ) Happy New Year to you too!

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  12. What a great compilation. I'm super impressed with your reading list too and I'm going to have to check out at a few of these. Thanks for the recommendations! Your neighbor at #tellhisstory.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Tiffany! Hope you enjoy the ones you pick. : )

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  13. Congratulations on surpassing your reading goal for 2015! Love to hear what you enjoyed the most also, Thank you for sharing with #TheCozyReadingSpot

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    1. Hi Marissa, thanks! It always fun to get to your goals and then start all over again in the new year. Happy New Year to you! : )

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  14. Great list! I have not read any of these but am an avid reader. Congrats on reading 65 books last year. Happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks Mary! Happy New Year to you too. : )

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  15. Excellent books listed here! I especially love "Finally Alive," "Women of the Word", "The Holiness of God", and "Another Jesus Calling". Thank you so much for sharing this post with us at Grace & Truth, now I've got more suggestions to look up for reading this year.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed these posts Holly! Thanks for stopping by. : )

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  16. A great list! Mine was all fiction this year. I should probably aim for a little more balance in the coming year, but I make no promises! :) I'm so glad you shared this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com this week!
    Tina

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    1. Thanks Tina! Always nice to have you visit here. : )

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  17. I don't have a list for my reading this 2016 yet. These surely are great reads to consider.

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    1. Glad you found some suggestions here Lux. Happy New Year!

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  18. I loved Jen Wilkins' book. I have Surprised by Oxford on my TBR list. I've seen a few blog posts about the Jesus Calling book and what's wrong with it. I'm sure that book would be very informative. It's ironic, I guess, that I gravitate more toward fiction, but most of my top books any given year are non-fiction.

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    1. I usually read a lot of fiction, but find my favorites lately have been non-fiction too. Funny how that happens!

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Feel free to leave your own thoughts in the comments. I try to respond to all of them by the end of the week. : )