Fall Reading Challenge

I am so excited to participate once again in Katrina's Reading Challenge! (Thank you again, Katrina, for this wonderful idea!)

I have to admit- for the past two challenges, I have not made it completely through my list. But that's OK, right? This challenge has always helped me stretch just a bit and probably read one or two more books than I probably would have otherwise.

Since we're on the subject of books, I know some have recently stated how they don't think Christian fiction is all that well-written. And that can be true, some of the time.
I know we all have different opinions (and some of these folks are actually blogging friends of mine and wonderful people, to boot)- but I have to respectfully disagree.
Sure, there is some real fluff out there, and I have read some of it. But there's fluff in all genres, as well.
For me, finding good Christian fiction is so worth it, because sometimes God can really use it to speak to me in so many ways.
Just like Jesus Himself used parables and stories to drive home a point, I think a good story can be an instrument truly used by God to teach and encourage, challenge and uplift.

And of course, it's OK to just relax and unwind, and even have a smile and a laugh, too!

Now, I'll tiptoe off my soap box...because I have to admit that I should really read more non-fiction than I do. And that is, once again, my challenge to myself this time.

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So, I'll be extra challenging and list my Non-fiction list, first:

1) Maria by Maria Von Trapp.
I read this one something like 20 years ago, and I though I didn't get to it on my prior challenge, I'm really going to try to re-read it again this fall!

2) Taking Care of the "Me" in Mommy by Lisa Welchel.
I was excited to see this at my church library and will be checking it out soon! (It was through Lisa's website that actually led me to blogging in the first place!)

3) Love Found a Way- Stories of Christmas by Ron Mehl.
We had the profound privilege of having this man as our pastor for several years. He is now with the Lord...but reading His words makes me feel as though I am hearing his voice once again. He was a writer of many books, pastor of one of the largest churches in the area, yet his tender and humble spirit was what you first noticed above all else.

I'm going to limit my must-read non-fictions to just three since I'm trying to be realistic for once! But there are a few others out there I hope to get to if I have time!

Now for the Fiction:

The Prince by Francine Rivers.
I really had hoped to get to this before now, but better late than never! I've only read one F. Rivers book so far, but judging from that one, I have a feeling I won't be disappointed.

2. Chateau of Echoes by Siri L. Mitchell.
I was doing some looking around on the computer last night and found this one recommended by another Christian author. So when I saw that my church library had it this morning, I decided to grab it! :)

3. Marley and Me by John Grogan
I've been wanting to read this for over a year...can't wait! (And now I see there are several children's versions available!)

4) The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
After reading The Wedding last year, I am so looking forward to this one!

5) Out to Caanan by Jan Karon.
As some of you know, I am working my way through the much beloved Mitford series. I am just a couple chapters into this one, the 4th in the series.
So, of course, I am going to have to add to my list....

6) A New Song by Jan Karon.
(And for those of you who are Mitford fans...did you hear the great news? She's started a whole new series, continuing on with Father Tim!!!)

There's several more I'd love to read this fall, but let's face it...I always bite off more than I can chew...it's will be closing in on the Christmas season...I'm a home school parent...um, and I blog.

Here's a couple read-alongs I plan on doing with my girls, too...

Pippi in the South Seas by Astrid Lingren.

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
(This looks like a wonder series, not unlike the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I discovered this was written back in 1935 but surprisingly, I had never heard of this heroine before!)

Plus, it goes without saying that I'll be reading some non-fiction to them- and probably countless Kindergarten-age books to my youngest!

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Well, hmmm...do you see a pattern here? As in my fiction books outnumber my non-fiction by 2-1?

I'll also be doing a two different Beth Moore Bible Studies...one hosted by Myrna via her blog on A Woman's Heart, and also through a woman's study at church called Motherwise, we'll be doing Moore's study of Daniel.

So, it's not too late to get in on the challenge. Go on over and sign in...or at the very least, go see what everyone else is reading!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a good book....