For the past couple of years I’ve set a yearly goal on Goodreads. This past year of 2019 I set a goal to read ten books and ended up reading six (I read three completely on my own and three for school). Yes, I know, that is just a little bit sad. But I am super excited for the books I want to read and for this year and to get lost in a book (I miss that feeling right now)! :)
I have always wanted to read more books and always have a book I’m reading, and I’m happy to say that this past semester, Grace and I decided to read To All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr together! We set two weekly goals in terms of how many pages we wanted to read just to stay on track, and we made really good progress! I was super excited to be reading with my bestie Grace (if you’re reading this, so grateful for you and so much love for ya! :)) and to be reading this novel since I had been recommended it and had been wanting to read it for awhile. We are still chipping away at it, but I’m hoping to finish it this week (this break) or very soon! :’)
I remember growing up, I would get so lost in books like the Divergent and Hunger Games series and the feeling of not wanting to put the book down is something I yearn for right now. So, I thought I’d take some time to make a post of some books I want to read right now!
I set my Goodreads goal to ten books again this year, and I am confident that I can achieve it. :) I already have a good line of books I want to read and am chipping away it and am super excited to be reading and learning! :’)
Here are some books I want to read or finish reading and a little backstory behind them:
• THE BIBLE
I definitely want to keep reading the Bible everyday and would love to, at some point, set out to read the whole thing (or eventually have you know :)). (I'm doing a plan right now with a friend that like takes you through the Bible but not through every section.) Here's to reading His word and growing closer to Him!
• To All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
I remember being recommended this book by multiple people and always wanting to read it so super pumped to finally be reading it! :)
• GRIT: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Lee Duckworth
I remember watching her TED Talk and learning about her in high school, and learning about GRIT! I am super into psychology and growing so I’m super excited to be reading this book. :) I also feel super blessed as I am taking her GRIT class next semester (I was lucky enough to get in on a lottery system) so I definitely want to finish this soon (likely this week before getting back on campus)!
• Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely by Lysa TerKeurst
I actually walked by this book multiple times in the Penn bookstore during first semester and really wanted to treat myself by buying it, but figured rather than bringing it home I would order it once I got home. I have a copy with me now and am super pumped to read it! I think we all struggle with feelings of loneliness and FOMO in college and when I found this book and noticed that it was a Christian book I was super drawn to reading it.
• Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis
I had heard of this book before and was reminded of it as one of our readings in Wharton 101 (a pass/fail class we all take at Wharton first semester) was from Moneyball. I was super hooked and decided to rent the book but still haven’t read it so looking forward to reading this! (I also want to watch the movie after reading this book! :))
• The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
I was talking to a friend at Penn and he said this book changed his life/his views so I really wanted to give it a read! :)
• What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence by Stephen A. Schwarzman
My Dad got me a copy of this book so I definitely want to read it through at some point. :)
The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller
This book was brought up this past Sunday during main service at my Church. I hadn’t heard of Timothy Keller before but then my friend also talked about him (cue next book)! I really want to give this a read and maybe some of his other books too. :)
• The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller
My friend talked to us about this book this past Sunday since at High School Ministry the sermon talked about the Parable of the Lost Son. He told us how he read this book and like shared the idea that there’s a reason it’s called the Parable of the Lost Son and not the Parable of the Younger Son since maybe the lost son being referenced is the older son (or both). I definitely had a little “dang, mind blown” moment. :) Would love to talk to you more about this or expand on this idea!
I definitely want to add more nonfiction books to this list like maybe the Harry Potter series (I haven’t actually read through them all) and am okay if I don’t follow this exact list (if I find other books I want to read at the moment along the way). However, just thought I’d take some time to write down a list for my personal inspiration and maybe for your’s too! Also I would love any and all book recommendations!
Super excited! :) Feel free to reach out to talk about these books or more! :’) Maybe I’ll do a book review sometime later… not sure yet but that sounds fun and like a nice way to reflect. :’)
Saved by grace, through faith.
With love,
Joyce
Bible verse connection: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
P.S. I took this picture while reading GRIT at home and playing with an insta filter the other day LOL! :P
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