VT Christian Reading Challenge discussion

I "cheated" and started a little early (12/22) but I finished 4 by end of January. Already finished 1 in February and working on number 2.

Originally I was planning on working my way down the list as well, but then ended up rearranging some.

I have finished 4 books ~ unexpectedly two in fiction: "JOHN" a novel by Niall Williams was heavy going and worth every minute. (One word title) Then I opted for kid-lit and let myself play with "The Mysterious Benedict Society."
This exercise has also provided an opportunity for self-awareness. I am noting some tension between the desire to "read-and-contemplate" vs "conquer-the-checklist." I am in two online book clubs, which are intentionally "paced" and several of my current reads are designed as "daily" so finishing these are future goals. But I am finding my "achievement-oriented" self frustrated that I cannot "check it off." Also I am discovering I may enjoy choosing books more tham I actually enjoy reading :-/
I am not reading down the categories in any order, but appreciate the motivation to seek out topics I would not typically pursue. The choices noted on this site have provided some delightful and challenging options...
For example, I have just begun "Desiring God: Worship, Worldview and Cultural Formation" which I noted while perusing another reading list in this group... Also anticipate finishing "Clinging" (on prayer)

I started the day after Challies posted the challenge, and I have read 13 books so far. I am in the middle of two more books (The Death and Life of the Great American School System for Current Issue, and Three Bird Summer for mystery/detective). Even though I don't have one going right now, I like to have an audio book and a couple regular books going at the same time because each type works better for different reading opportunities.

I'm currently an Au Pair so I have a lot of free time, even if I don't always use it wisely for reading...when my situation changes in the middle of the year we will see if I can keep up the pace. Additionally, as an Au Pair, my "library" is in my home country and I don't want to haul home a suitcase full of books so I almost exclusively read e-books.

I planned to start at the top of the list and work down, but I have given myself freedom to skip around a bit too.

Another note- even though I only count 1 book for each category, I thought it would be interesting to mark down each time a book does happen to fit more categories.

I am reading a much greater variety of books and I am quite motivated by the checklist.

Well I've read four so far. Holy War by John Bunyan was very thought provoking and Whose Body? by Dorothy Sayers introduced me to Lord Peter Wimsey. I'm looking forward to reading more of that series later on. I should finish As I Lay Dying by Faulkner this week for my classic novel.

I'm also working on a few longer slow reads too. I chose Origen's Commentary on John for my commentary. And I am chugging away at Volume 1 of Reformed Dogmatics by Herman Bavinck a little every morning. I'm also about halfway through The Book of Mormon as a book someone says changed their life.

I am really enjoying seeing what others are reading.

Great group!

I've completed 5: The House of the Seven Gables; Elisha's Bones; Living Well, Spending Less; When I Married My Mother; and Steal Like An Artist. I'm almost finished with 2 more and have been skipping around on the list.

I started reading for it on Dec 28 and finished my first book on Jan 2. I've read 17 so far, if you count extra credit books. I got a quick start by using audiobooks and by reading some of the easiest first. I'll soon run out of audiobooks to listen to for it. My list of books read is in message 2 here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/.... As you can see, I'm not trying to read in any certain order.

My favorite book was The Advocate by Randy Singer. I read it for "A book that won a ECPA Christian Book Award." My least favorite was Bad Girls of the Bible: And What We Can Learn from Them by Liz Curtis Higgs. I'll probably try that author again but only her fiction. I don't have any goals for February except to continue reading and working toward the completion of the many challenges I'm participating in. I probably won't read as much this month as I usually do since it's a shorter month and especially since I'll be on vacation for a week and probably won't have much time to read.

Isaac wrote: "Well I've read four so far. Holy War by John Bunyan was very thought provoking and Whose Body? by Dorothy Sayers introduced me to Lord Peter Wimsey. I'm looking forward to reading more of that seri..."Am so glad you have been introduced to " Lord Peter" ~ I've known many hours of delightful reading in his company...

I have completed 17 books and the best book was Engaging with Muslims: Understanding their world; sharing good news *13. A book about a current issue*
Currently I'm reading 7 books toward this goal. (I find that I progress better mixing thing up)

My list of books, message 13 -->https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Total Books I have finished: -->https://www.goodreads.com/user_challe...

I completed four books in January.

And Now I Choose: A Story for Those Who Believe They Have No Choice (a book recommended by a family member)

The Communist Manifesto (A book from a theological point you disagree with)

Little Big Minds: Sharing Philosophy with Kids (A book about philosophy)

Jonathan Edwards: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought (A book about revival)

I'm in the middle of a bunch of books right now. We'll see which ones I manage to finish this month.

Deon wrote: "...Currently I'm reading 7 books ..."

I have seven books for this challenge on my Currently Reading shelf, although one of those I haven't read any of in more than a week. There's another book I'm currently reading that I may use for this challenge: The Book of Mormon. I may use it for "27. A book from a theological viewpoint you disagree with" -- if I get it read before the end of the year. I haven't felt much like reading it since two LDS missionaries stopped visiting me. It would be good to get it read before the next set of LDS missionaries comes, though (whenever that may be), along with Doctrine and Covenants Pearl of Great Price. If I don't use any of those for #27, I'll probably read a book written by a Christian.

For #27, are you all reading a book by another Christian or are you reading a book based on a false religion?

I highly recommend Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons. It's the best book I've ever read on witnessing to Mormons.

I have completed 6 books for the challenge, from the first three categories. A children's book : Harry Potter #1. A humorous book: Harry Potter #2. A Graphic Novel. A book with a one-word title: Radical by David Platt. A mystery: The adventures of Sherlock Holmes. And a book with Magic - which is from the last list section: Theft of Swords.

I am currently listening to Knowledge of the Holy by Tozer for my book about Theology. I am looking forward to reading the Poisonwood Bible for my book about a missionary, The Bands of Mourning for my book published in 2016, and All the Light we Cannot See for my Pulitzer Prize Winner.

I have read five books so far, so considering my goal is 52, I'm right on track. One of the books was The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, so taking that into consideration I may be a bit ahead...

At first I thought I would read the books "in order," but that hasn't turned out to be the case and I don't think I will try to do that. I just picked up the biography I intended to read and I don't feel like it. (I'm not sure if it's the particular book, or biographies in general.) So far it's been a good mix of fiction and non-fiction, which is unusual for me as I tend to read mostly fiction (except memoirs, which I enjoy.) I have also added more audio books than I usually do, and I'm really liking that.

My favorite so far is Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson. I'm not surprised as I loved her first book, and can relate to her struggle with mental illness.

I'm not sure about my least favorite. The Fountainhead wasn't really my cup of tea, but it was recommended to me by my brother and he also indicated that he would consider it a book that changed his life. It influenced his decision to drop out of grad school and enlist in the Army. So reading it with that lens made me appreciate it more than I normally would have if I had picked it up on my own. (Side note - if anyone is interested in the book, I highly recommend the audio book. It made it an easier, and more interesting read.)

Though I enjoyed the message of One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp, her writing isn't really my style. However, because of that I had to concentrate and really be in the moment when I read, which had it's benefits.

I'm currently listening to Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer on audiobook. Despite the difficult subject, I'm finding it really compelling. I only listen on my headphones though. I need to pick out my next (physical) book to read. I just started a new job this week, so my desire to read at the end of the day is low. I'm sure it will pick up soon though!

I've read 11 books so far. I tried to hit it hard at the beginning of the year, knowing I'd have more time and likely more motivation than I would for awhile. I'd like to keep ahead (my goal is 52) because I'd love to read more than that if possible. This month is when my reading will slow down some because life is picking up pace again, but I hope to at least keep the pace of a book a week.

My favorite book ended up being one that I randomly picked up at an old book sale called The Music Master- not knowing the author or anything about it - merely that it was a novel about music somehow. It ended up being fascinatingly beautiful, heartbreaking, challenging, and uplifting.

I didn't have any that were bad or terrible. But my least favorite, and one I'm not going to keep, was Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life. It wasn't bad - it just wasn't great or inspiring or really compelling about grace. It lacked the depth I was expecting and wanting from it.

I have stayed on target (4 so far), which I'm grateful for... it may get harder as the year goes on, depending on the "depth" and subject matter of books I end up with.

I find I do better reading two books at once -- one narrative (fiction, biography, history, etc.) and the other more conceptual (theology, other nonfiction), because the two different styles balance my brain somehow. But right now I have two fairly theological ones going, so hopefully I won't slow down (although if that's what it takes to understand better, then I'll just have to pick up the slack later).

I'm staying on target so far. I knew I wanted to leave room for reading non-challenge books, so I'm just on the Avid Reader plan. I've gotten four read so far, and I'm well into my 5th.

I have read 13 books so far. I started with the committed plan but now I am going for obsessed.

I just finished my 8th book and am in the middle of 5 others. I find it easier to read multiple books at a time, usually on a variety of subjects. Currently I have The Grapes of Wrath going, The Shepherd Leader, Achieving Effective Shepherding in Your Church (I am a bi-vocational pastor so many at least one book I have going at all times is focused on ministry), The Bruised Reed which I read in the mornings as part of my devotional time, I'm listening to Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West on audio book while I work (I'm fortunate to have a job that I can listen while working for some of my day so I will always have one audiobook going), and I'm reading through a commentary on the book of James as part of my pastoral studies.

My goal was to read 96 books. Which is 2 books a week minus 4 weeks (started 2 weeks into January and we will be on a family vacation for 2 weeks). But I'm not sure if I'll reach it or not. I am really enjoying the challenge and forcing myself to read more books and books that I otherwise wouldn't have read. So far I've read:
Awe: Why It Matters for Everything We Think, Say, and Do - A Book About Christian Living
The Secret Adversary - A Mystery or Detective Novel
Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines - A Book Published in 2016
Praying the Bible - 100 Pages or less
Feed My Sheep: A Passionate Plea for Preaching - Title comes from a Bible verse
The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914 - A Book by David McCullough
Under Our Skin: Getting Real about Race–And Getting Free from the Fears and Frustrations That Divide Us - A book by first time author

My update: http://plouffes.blogspot.ca/2016/02/2...

I am way behind in my reading! I am reading a Calvin biography that is half in French written by a UK author in the 70s (I think) and I really have to concentrate on it or I get lost. I am also reading Narnia to my kids. I'm halfway through both of those, but being the end of Feb, I should have two already under my belt. Doing the light level as I work construction 8-10hrs a day and also working on my BA degree.

Tyler wrote: "I am way behind in my reading! I am reading a Calvin biography that is half in French written by a UK author in the 70s (I think) and I really have to concentrate on it or I get lost. I am also rea..."

Kudos for working 8-10hrs a day plus working on a degree and STILL finding time to read Narnia to your kids! That's pretty impressive, regardless of where you are in your reading list.