My 12-in-12 Reading List

Ahhh. It's not just limited to learning new things (see my previous post) ... it's about making sure that there is some fun reading happening on a regular basis.

Yes -- I am guilty of reading way too many non-fiction, educational or health-related books. And cookbooks. I love cookbooks and well, they really aren't the same thing.

So this list is being created in an effort to make sure that I'm challenging myself to read at least one book every month that is purely for pleasure. Chick Lit, Mysteries, Historical Romance ... whatever. It just should be that kind of book.

I actually already started on this and am just getting around to blogging about it. I'm also planning on using the creation of a Reading Challenge the theme of an Excel spreadsheet I'm planning to create as part of my Learn MS Office 2010 program. But I digress. Here's what I have planned for the coming year.

August: A Vintage Affair (Done. Loved it. Suggested by Meghan. Not my typical read and I loved the change.)

September: The School of Essential Ingredients (In progress. Another suggestion of Meghan's that I'm thoroughly enjoying.)

October: The Wicked Witch Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery)

November: The Penny Pincher's Club

December: Fever Dream

January: A Reliable Wife

February: Home Safe

March: Little Women (Yes -- this will be the first time I've read this classic. I'm embarrassed to admit it but hopefully it will just be the first of many classics that I'll be reading in the future.)

April: The Shack

May: The Art Of Racing In The Rain

June: Perfection: A Memoir of Betrayal and Renewal

July: These Is My Words

Most of these books I either already have sitting in my "To Read" pile next to my bed or they are downloaded onto my Nook and are ready any time I can get to them. I'm really hoping that I will have read all these books well before the month they have been slotted to. Really my goal in having this list is to keep these books at the forefront of my mind so when I'm thinking, "Hmmm. What next?" I will have a go-to list to refer to. It's so easy to forget about all the great books waiting for you when you step into Barnes and Noble and see all the new releases.

Just a note to self -- there are several other books that I'm hoping to get to as well -- Broken Into Beautiful (Gwen Smith), Mosaic (Amy Grant), Born To Run ... just to name a few.

My plan is to do a quick book review after I complete each title. Keeping my fingers crossed about that one!

Update 9/28/10: Add Merle's Door: Lessons From A Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote to the list!