2016 Challies Reading Challenge — “Experiencing” it As I Go!

I feel a little silly calling this “my experience” already, but I wasn’t sure what else to call this!  This post is going to be very full of words and not so full of pictures, and some of you might want to skip it, but I wanted to be able to put this all in one place.  A friend let me know about Tim Challies’ 2016 reading challenge.  (Read more about it and get a printable list here.)  The idea is to read a variety.  I don’t know whether I’ll finish the whole thing in a year or not; I’m not going to push myself to.  I just want to work through the list eventually.  But some categories are easier than others to find (and what’s easy for me might not be what’s easy for you)! [Update: Challies’ 2018 challenge is available.  I’m still working through 2016, though!]

So…I wanted one single location to keep track of the books I’ve selected for this challenge, others that were recommended to me as possibilities, where I still need recommendations, etc.  And I thought someone else might benefit, which is why I’m putting it “out there.”  But I realize this might not be the most exciting post for those not doing the challenge, so don’t feel bad about skipping this post and waiting for the next “normal” one. 🙂  I’ll try to keep this updated along the way for anyone using it as a resource.  (I may also pack this with links.  Also not typical, but it seems it may be easier for someone to not have to go find one of these books if it grabs his/her attention.)  If you have favorites for any of these, I’d love to hear them (especially, but not only, if they fit one of the categories I’ve indicated I’m actively seeking suggestions for).

I’m trying to balance stretching for the things I really want to read with not wanting to spend a million dollars on books!  So there’s a mix here of stuff we already have, books I’ll be buying, Kindle freebies, and items the library has.

The following books are also on my to-read list, but I haven’t decided where to assign them yet:  God’s Glory Alone; Waters of Creation (about baptism) [about theology?]; Word, Water, and Spirit (also about baptism) [about theology?]; Jeremiah’s New Covenant: An Augustinian Reading

 

* means the book is the book I chose to satisfy that category for the challenge.
tent. means it’s a tentative choice

[UPDATE 1/4/2020: I’m still working through this same list!  I’ve done some other reading, but it duplicates categories, and I’m still working toward having the whole list checked off for variety’s sake.   A few of my selections have changed along the way, but I’m still plugging along!]

The Light Reader

A book about Christian living

The Things of Earth: Treasuring God by Enjoying His Gifts [READ – 2019]

A biography

*The Black Count [READ – 2016]

A classic novel

*The Count of Monte Cristo [READ – 2016]

A book someone tells you “changed my life”

*Etched in Sand (Thank you, Sarah!) [READ – 2017]

A commentary on a book of the Bible

Either Revelation: Four Views [READ – 2019] or Let’s Study Revelation

A book about theology

*Introducing Covenant Theology [READ – 2016]

A book with the word “gospel” in the title or subtitle

*The Gospel for Real Life [READ – 2017]

A book your pastor recommends

When People are Big and God is Small

A book more than 100 years old

Frankenstein [READ – 2017]

A book for children

*The Hunger Games (Assuming these books count as “for children.”  I’m sure I’ll be reading plenty of picture books!) [READ – 2016]

A couple other favorite children’s books I read during this period — either with the kids or alone — included Amos Fortune, Free Man; A Poem for Peter; and Words on Fire.

A mystery or detective novel

The Secret Keeper  [READ – 2016]

A book published in 2016

Not a problem, given that I review books regularly, but I don’t have a specific title selected for this category yet. Core Christianity [READ – 2016]

A book about a current issue

Allah: A Christian Response has been recommended.  (I like that this isn’t an issue that’s already listed further down.)

The Things of Earth: Treasuring God by Enjoying His GiftsThe Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte CristoThe Count Of Monte Cristo (Unabridged)Introducing Covenant TheologyThe Gospel for Real Life: Turn to the Liberating Power of the Cross…Every Day (Now Includes Study Guide)The Hunger Games (Book 1)Allah: A Christian Response Reprint Edition by Volf, Miroslav published by HarperOne (2012)

The Avid Reader

A book written by a Puritan

Mortification of Sin (Owen) has been recommended.  Another friend recommended “anything by Owen.”  So it will probably be something by Owen, if not that specific one.  I’ll check the Christian Classics Ethereal Library to see what options they have.  (My husband also suggested Of Plymouth Plantation, as a less conventional option.)

A book recommended by a family member

I put out a call for recommendations to family members, and so far these are the options: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (I already read that one, though), Hands-Free Mama, Hands-Free Life, Hemlock Bay (also a mystery), The Mephisto Club (also a mystery)

A book by or about a missionary

I’ve read about Amy Carmichael, Nate Saint, and Jim Eliot.  I’ll probably borrow one of books in the Sower series from my mom, unless someone has a stand-out recommendation in the meantime.  Michael also suggested The Heavenly Man, which we own, so that’s another possibility.

A novel that won the Pulitzer Prize

tent. The Killer Angels or The Color Purple. [READ – 2019; this was quite crude, so be aware if you plan to read it.]  Slavery by Another Name looks really good, too, but it’s non-fiction.

A book written by an Anglican

“Anything by J.I. Packer” has been recommended.  (He would also qualify as an author with initials.)  Another friend specified Knowing God.
One friend says he Googled for Anglicans and settled on JC Ryle and TS Eliot.

A book with at least 400 pages

Word, Water, & Spirit [STARTED – 2016]

A book by C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien

I’ve already read the Narnia Chronicles, the Space Trilogy, God in the Dock, Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, some book of Lewis’s correspondence with young readers, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien’s biography, and Letters.  Oh, and Surprised by Joy.

So I’m looking at Farmer Giles of Ham (a collection of short stories by Tolkien).  And/or if I take this category as a “by or about” category, If I Had Lunch w/ C.S. Lewis by Alistair McGrath, which I have on my Kindle.  I also found a “new” one by Lewis that I’d not heard of, free on Kindle!  Spirits in Bondage: A Cycle of Lyrics.

A book that has a fruit of the Spirit in the title

(That would be love, joy, peace, patience/longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith/faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control.)  I have some of these in other categories but haven’t picked on for this one, specifically, yet.  *Joy Unspeakable

A book with a great cover

Visual Theology

A book on the current New York Times list of bestsellers

The Woman in Cabin 10 [READ – 2017]

A book about church history

The Untold Story of the New Testament Church

A graphic novel

something from the library — probably a “classic” comic book.  I’m leaning toward The Essential Captain America. Post Tenebras Lux

A book of poetry

*The Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats [READ – 2017]

The Mortification of Sin (Unabridged)The Heavenly Man: The Remarkable True Story of Chinese Christian Brother YunThe Color PurpleKnowing GodFarmer Giles of Ham : The Rise and Wonderful Adventures of Farmer Giles, Lord of Tame, Count of Worminghall, and King of the Little KingdomIf I Had Lunch with C. S. Lewis: Exploring the Ideas of C. S. Lewis on the Meaning of LifeEssential Captain America, Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials) (v. 1)

The Committed Reader

A book from a theological viewpoint you disagree with

*Kingdom Come: The Amillennial Alternative Children of the Promise [READ – 2017]

A book written by an author with initials in their name

the aforementioned *Spirits in Bondage, by C.S. Lewis [READ – 2016]

A book that won a ECPA Christian Book Award

tent. Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus [READ – 2019]

A book about worldview

Bahnsen has been recommended. *The Biblical Basis for Modern Science [STARTED – 2017]  On Guard [READ – 2018] also Naming the Elephant [2018]

A play by William Shakespeare

MacBeth

A humorous book

?? Mary, Mary, Quite is on my Kindle already, so that’s an option.  All of Piers Anthony’s Xanth books are pretty silly/fun.  P.J. O’Rourke  is also in the running.  A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the White House F for Effort [READ – 2018]

A book based on a true story

Probably Spilled Milk Amos Fortune, Free Man [READ – 2018]

A book written by Jane Austen

I’ve read Pride & Prejudice (good), Sense & Sensibility (okay), and Emma (awful).  Which one should I read next?  Update: the consensus seems to be Persuasion, so *Persuasion it is! [READ – 2016]

A book by or about Martin Luther

*On the Bondage of the Will.  (I’m open to reading an excellent book about Luther, too, but this has been on my mental “to read” list for a while.)

A book with 100 pages or less fewer

The Chief End of Man (This one actually ends a little way into page 101, but there’s an introductory essay first, so I’m counting it.)  *Family Worship

A book with a one-word title

Uncomfortable [READ – 2017]

A book about money or finance

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A novel set in a country that is not your own

Well, this is not hard.  I’m going to make it a little harder, though, and rule out all those Regency novels and the like by saying a novel set outside the U.S. or UK.  Update: With my Amazon Prime account, I have a few books to choose from each month for “Kindle First,” and I can order one free.  This month one of the options was *The Moonlit Garden, so I’m going with that. [READ – 2016]

Kingdom Come: The Amillennial AlternativeSpirits in Bondage: A Cycle of LyricsSeeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters ChristianityMacbeth (Folger Shakespeare Library)PersuasionOn the Bondage of the WillThe Moonlit Garden

A book about music

*Why Classical Music Still Matters

A memoir

*Between Black and White (I’ll be reviewing this later this year.) [READ – 2016; review here]

A book about joy or happiness

*Expanded Joy

A book by a female author

I read *Remembering Wholeness (by Carol Tuttle).  However, I strongly DO NOT recommend it.  It’s a lot of wacky, heretical theology; just don’t go there. [READ – 2016]

A book whose title comes from a Bible verse

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A book you have started but never finished

Moby Dick or Desiring God

A self-improvement book

There are also a ton of options here!  I think I’m going to go with *The 11 Laws of Likability, which I’ve actually just started.

A book by David McCullough

tent. 1776.  Maybe John Adams.  Because we have those.  (I think.  I know we have the former.  I think we have the latter.)

A book you own but have never read

So many options!

A book about abortion

Tilly is good if you want fiction.  Unplanned is sort of documentary-style — it’s something of an “expose” from a former Planned Parenthood employee.  I haven’t read it, but I’ve read some magazine articles by the same author on the subject — sort of the “mini” version.  Then there’s Gianna: Aborted…and Lived to Tell About It (which I, likewise, have read “mini versions” of).  But then there are books about the issue as an issue, too.  Decisions, decisions…

Turns out our library has *Unplanned, so I’m going with that. [READ – 2017]

A book targeted at the other gender

*The Exemplary Husband

A book by a speaker at a conference you have attended

I don’t attend many conferences (and haven’t attended any for years), so there are relatively limited options here.  Sarah Mae (of Allume), as well as Ann Voskamp (but I’m not a fan of her writing style), Angie Smith, Sally Clarkson.  Those are the primary speakers I remember at Allume (then Relevant — it’s been that long!).  It’s been even longer since Women of Faith that I don’t even remember who spoke.

Had to look it up.  I think it was this one: “Irrepressible Hope.”  So Patsy Clairmont, Barbara Johnson, Nicole Johnson, Marilyn Meberg, Sheila Walsh.  Most of those seem better suited to the “humor” category.  (And I know Sheila Walsh as a children’s author.)

Any suggestions here?  ‘Cause nothing’s really jumping out at me as, YES, Read THAT!

Possibly Desperate

A book written by someone of a different ethnicity than you

Really?  Now I have to check the author bio images, too?  Seriously, though, there are several books already on the list that are from authors I know offhand are of a different ethnicity, but I’m going to have a hard time choosing a book this way!  I think I’m going to go with *Family-Driven Faith.

Why Classical Music Still MattersBetween Black and White: From Evanston to Englewood to EverywhereExpanded Joy: 52 Projects to Increase the Purpose, Passion and Playfulness in Your LifeMoby-DickThe 11 Laws of Likability: Relationship Networking . . . Because People Do Business with People They Like1776Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader’s Eye-Opening Journey across the Life LineThe Exemplary Husband: A Biblical PerspectiveDesperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to BreatheFamily Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God

The Obsessed Reader

A book published by The Banner of Truth

*The Religious Affections (Jonathan Edwards)

A book about the Reformation

A friend recommended Christianity’s Dangerous Idea.

A book written by a first-time author

*The King Sword, by Micah Cooley, who we think is a first-time author

A biography of a world leader

tent. Theodore Roosevelt: An Autobiography, because it’s on my Kindle.  (The Real Lincoln is also excellent, and Ben Franklin’s autobiography is considered a classic.  I don’t know if you’d call Ben Franklin a “world leader,” but he was certainly influential!)

A book used as a seminary textbook

Jeremiah’s New Covenant: An Augustinian Reading (I don’t actually know for sure if this is used as a seminary textbook, but I’m going to count it.  Especially since I have several other books on the list already that I know are.) [READ – 2017]

A book about food

I have plenty of options here.  I particularly want to read up on fermented foods this year. *Wild Fermentation is my “official” choice. [STARTED – 2016]  I’m now also looking at Dishing Up Virginia, which is a community reading selection for our region (a “what if everyone in the region read the same book?  kind of deal).  The Art of Fermentation [READ – 2019]

A book about productivity

I’ve read several of the “big-name” options already, like Getting Things Done, Master Your Workday Now!, The Four-Hour Workweek, and Steven Covey’s book (it’s been a while; can’t remember the title).  (Plus a lot of off-the-wall indie books and the like.)  Any other favorites?  (Tim Challies’ own book, Do More Better, has also been recommended.)

A book about relationships or friendship

I’ll be posting a review about this soon, but either in the marriage category or here, Stop the Fight! is pretty good.  I already finished it, though, so that won’t work for the challenge for me.

A book about parenting

There are actually four of these in my “to read” stack: The Entitlement Trap, Raising Godly Tomatoes, Making Brothers & Sisters Best Friends, and Raising Real Men.   I think Making Brothers & Sisters Best Friends will be my selection for the previous category, and *Raising Real Men my official choice for this one.  I instead read Motivate Your Child (which is excellent!) [READ – 2016]

A book about philosophy

Karl Barth, *Dogmatics in Outline

A book about art

*Layout Essentials: 100 Design Principles for Using Grids, which is on my wish list.  (Does graphic design count as art?)  If you’re new to art, Isms: Understanding Art is well done.   Understanding Comics [READ – 2017]

A book with magic

something by Robin Hobb — probably either Fool’s Assassin or Blood of Dragons  The Mercy Thompson series [READ – 2017 – Note: This is a very well-written series, but may not be for everyone.  It does contain mature themes.  The first few books do an amazing job of talking about foul language, etc. without actually using it, but there are a handful of words and an explicit scene here or there after that.  They don’t come across as excessive or “there for ratings,” as it were; they’re only there if they actually further the narrative.  The series also includes a homosexual couple.]

A book about prayer

Is it cheating to include my own book here?  It’s on my list to work my way through  *Prayer Practice: 90 Days of Praying Outside the Box.  (Praying for Your Elephant is a great recent book on prayer, too.  Of course there are classics, too, and every prayer book has its own unique angle.)

Christianity’s Dangerous Idea: The Protestant Revolution–A History from the Sixteenth Century to the Twenty-FirstThe Tor Trilogy – The King SwordTheodore Roosevelt; an AutobiographyWild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-Culture FoodsMaking Brothers and Sisters Best FriendsRaising Real Men: Surviving, Teaching and Appreciating BoysDogmatics in OutlineLayout Essentials: 100 Design Principles for Using Grids (Design Essentials)Fool’s Assassin: Book One of the Fitz and the Fool TrilogyBlood of Dragons: Volume Four of the Rain Wilds ChroniclesPrayer Practice: 90 Days of Praying Outside the Box

A book about marriage

tent. When Sinners Say ‘I Do’.  I’ve been hearing people talk about this.  I’m on the fence about it, though.

A book about a hobby

But which hobby to choose?!  Do herbalism books count as “a hobby” if that’s what I’m going to school for?  No-Excuses Art Journaling [READ – 2019]

A book of comics

The Incredible Hulk #1 [READ – 2017]

A book about the Second World War

tent. Unsung Hero.  This is a biopic, but I’m not certain if it’s WWII.  The subtitle is Coming of Age in the Dust Bowl which, obviously, precedes WWII, but I’m not sure how much time it covers. While You Were Mine (READ – 2016 [historical fiction])

A book about sports

Driven [READ – 2017]

A book by or about a pastor’s wife

tent. The Pastor’s Wife

A book about suffering

Trusting God; God’s Grace in Your Suffering [READ – 2017]

A book by your favorite author

That would be Michael Phillips.  But I don’t have a title selected yet. Based on what’s available at our library, probably A Perilous Proposal From Across the Ancient Waters [READ – 2017]

A book you have read before

tent. Grace-Based Parenting

A book about homosexuality

What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? has been recommended

A Christian novel

I have lots of favorites here.  Michael Phillips, Lyn Austin, and the Thoenes are my favorite Christian authors, overall.  Frank Peretti has some good stuff, too, although it varies from book to book.  And I’ve read some really good indie-authored books on Kindle in this genre, too.  I’ll have to go find titles in case anyone else is looking.  (Indie authors should be a category in this challenge!) Ciao, Bella! [READ – 2016]

A book about psychology

Psychology.  ‘Cause I have to either take or test out of the class. 😛 [READ – 2017]

A book about the natural world

Probably an herbalism or wildcrafting book, although I haven’t ruled out other options.  [READ]

When Sinners SayAn UnSung Hero: Coming of Age in the Dust Bowl (A Greatest Generation Account Book 1)A Perilous Proposal (Carolina Cousins #1)Grace-Based ParentingWhat Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?Psychology (3rd Edition)Nature’s Garden: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants

A book by or about Charles Dickens

*The Cricket on the Hearth [READ – 2016]

A novel longer than 400 pages

I haven’t picked an official title for this one, although my “Russian” selection is over 400 pages, as are one or two of the other novels already on the list. The Treasure of the Celtic Triangle [READ – 2017 (Sequel to From Across the Ancient Waters)]

A historical book

I’m not sure what this category was intended to be.  Historical fiction?  A book written long ago in history?  (But that seems to be covered by “in the 20th century,” “over 100 years old,” etc.)  A nonfiction book about history?  (But that also seems to be more-or-less covered.)  Any of the above? *The Search for God & Guinness [READ – 2016]

A book about the Bible

The People’s Bible has been recommended, as have How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth and How to Read the Bible Like a Seminary Professor.
I’m tentatively going to go with How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, because it’s the only one of the three we own. [New Testament books for my apologetics class — 2018 — and Learn to Study the Bible 2019]

A book about a country or city

I’m still mulling over this one, but I might grab one of the books about Lithuania or Slovenia that are on my wish list.  (These are genealogy-related for me.)  I’m fudging this one and going with the historical fiction novel Words on Fire.  My oldest got it for me for Christmas, and it’s about the book smugglers during the Russian occupation of Lithuania. [READ – 2019]

A book about astronomy

I’m not sure.  I have The Reformed Approach to Science and Scripture and Unraveling the Christmas Star Mystery both on my Kindle, but I don’t know enough about them to know if they really fit the category.  There’s also The Astronomy of the Bible.

A book with an ugly cover

ACTIVELY SEEKING RECOMMENDATIONS

A book by or about a martyr

*John Hus: A Brief Story of the Life of a Martyr

A book by a woman conference speaker

—

A book by or about the church fathers

*City of God

A book about language

tent. Fluent in 3 Months.  There are so many takes on “about language,” though.  I also like books about etymology and idioms.  (Eats, Shoots, and Leaves is fun, for those who haven’t read it.) Help Your Child with a Foreign Language

A book by or about a Russian

tent. something by Dostoyevsky.  If you’re looking for something lighter, Judith Pella and Michael Phillips have a series (historical fiction) called The Russians.  The Brothers Karamazov is the Dostoyevsky title I was able to find free on Kindle.  There’s also Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina.  Update: Anna Karenina is the one I chose. [READ – 2016]

A book about leadership

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

The Cricket on the Hearth (Christmas Books series Book 3)How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth: Fourth EditionThe astronomy of the Bible; an elementary commentary on the astronomical references of Holy ScriptureJohn Hus A brief story of the life of a martyrOn the Bondage of the WillTHE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV (illustrated, complete, and unabridged)Anna Karenina

A book about public speaking

*The 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching (Preaching books count as public speaking, right?  ‘Cause I have two preaching books on my list.) [READ – 2016]

A book by Francis Schaeffer

Genesis in Space and Time How Should We Then Live?

A book by a Presbyterian

*God’s Glory Alone   [READ – 2106]

A book about science

I’m going to count *The Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic Oils (this semester’s textbook), although plenty of this year’s reading counts as “about science.” [READ – 2016]

A book about revival

Fireseeds and Spiritual Awakening have been mentioned.  Any others?  I decided on Jim Cymbala, but I’m not sure which one.  There are a few: Fresh Power, Fresh Faith; and Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire.  We own them all, so that was the deciding factor in going with one of these over the previously-mentioned options.

A book about writing

*The Art of the Personal Letter  [READ – 2016]

A book about evangelism

*Making Friends for Christ.  The Gospel and Personal Evangelism  has also been recommended.  [READ – 2016]

A book about ancient history

tent. Rarest Blue: The Remarkable Story of an Ancient Color Lost to History and Rediscovered. I’m hoping to review this later in the year.  I definitely want to read it, but it’s kind of throwing me for a loop with regard to categorization.  [READ – 2016]

A book about preaching

*Preaching the Whole Counsel of God [READ – 2016]

A book about the church

This is a really broad topic!  tent. True Community (Jerry Bridges)

A book about adoption

*You Can Adopt without Debt [READ – 2016]

A photo essay book

ACTIVELY SEEKING RECOMMENDATIONS  Patterns in Nature [READ – 2019]

A book written in the twentieth century

*Rockefeller Medicine Men

The 12 Essential Skills for Great PreachingThe Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic OilsFresh Wind, Fresh Fire By Jim Cymbala, Dean MerrillMaking Friends for ChristRarest Blue: The Remarkable Story Of An Ancient Color Lost To History And RediscoveredPreaching the Whole Counsel of God: Design and Deliver Gospel-Centered SermonsTrue Community: The Biblical Practice of KoinoniaYou Can Adopt Without Debt: Creative Ways to Cover the Cost of AdoptionRockefeller medicine men : medicine and capitalism in America

Extra Credit

A book from a library

Bone Crossed (part of the Mercy Thompson series) [READ – 2017 — although several of the books I’ve read are from the library]

A book about business

The Persuasion Slide [READ – 2016]

A book by an author under 30

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A book published by a UK-based publisher

The majority of my natural health texts are from the UK, so this shouldn’t be a problem.  But nothing is assigned here yet.

A book you borrow

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#vtReadingChallenge