Photo courtesy of Claire Brocato

I’ve put off posting my booklist for 2012 because I keep making changes to it, reviewing it, making more changes, and so on.  Stifling personal progress!  So I went back to my original list, am sticking with it, and finally posting it today.

I love to read other people’s book lists and many of those lists  inspired me while I created mine.  Crystal Paine of Money Saving Mom has been instrumental in motivating me to create and stick with my 2012 Goals (which I’ve not posted, but will do this coming week).  Crystal writes about public accountability (posting yearly and weekly goals) and how this helps her stick to her goals–I think highly of this concept.  I liken it to public shaming (although I don’t think that’s what Crystal has in mind) and I’d like to avoid that.  She also shares her book lists each year which encourage me as well.

My book list plays a large role in my goals for the year–each group of books offers me something different; outlets with inspiration, education, motivation.  And as I work on my disciplined life and accountability, my hope is that at least some of these books aid me in my quest to meet this year’s goals.

I’m including 34 books on my list.   A few of the books are short e-books and quick reads (I don’t own an e-reader, but I downloaded the Kindle for PC software for free which enables me to read the short e-books).  A couple are cookbooks (I read more cookbooks in bed than I do novels).  In addition, I’ll read other books that grab my attention throughout the year, but I’m “committing” to just those on my list.

Many of these books have been on my bookshelves for some time while others come highly recommended or have been on my mental book list for years.  I’ve requested the ones I don’t own from my public library–I can’t say enough positive things about the library.  I do miss the Dewey Decimal System though.  Remember those card catalogs?

Without further ado (because I’ll change it if I don’t hurry up already) here is my 2012 Book list.

Faith, Family, & Parenting

Seasons of a Mother’s Heart by Sally Clarkson (I’m hoping her books are as amazing as I’ve heard they are!)

Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Contentment by Linda Dillow (Highly recommended by so many.  Can’t wait to begin this one)

The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers: Reclaiming Our Passion, Purpose, and Sanity by Meg Meeker

The Me Project: 21 Days to Living the Life You’ve Always Wanted by Kathi Lipp (I hear so many wonderful things about Kathi’s books.  Had to put a couple on my list)

The Husband Project: 21 Days of Loving Your Man–on Purpose and with a Plan by Kathi Lipp

Don’t Make Me Come Up There! by Kristen Welch

Read for the Heart: Whole Books for WholeHearted Families by Sarah Clarkson

Educating the WholeHearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson

Homemanagement & Homemaking

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler by Tsh Oxenreider (e-book)

Plan It, Don’t Panic by Stephanie Langford (e-book)

Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider (e-book)

Keeping House: The Litany of Everyday Life by Margaret Kim Peterson

A Life That Says Welcome by Karen Ehman

The Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook: 2,000 Recipes from 20 Years of America’s Most Trusted Cooking Magazine  (I read the magazine in bed so why not the book?)

The America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook

Interest

One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus

Imperfect Justice: Prosecuting Casey Anthony by Jeff Ashton ( I need closure.  Sadly, this trial consumed me and I.need.closure)

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell (yay!)

Persuasion  by Jane Austen(re-read)

Best of Stillmeadow by Gladys Taber (So tough to find her books!)

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson  (started, but never finished)

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

Entre Nous: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl by Debra Ollivier (A little light-hearted fun)

Unbroken by Lauren Hillenbrand

The Help by Kathryn Stockett (I’ve resisted this one for a long time, but since a copy sits on my shelf I’m giving it a shot)

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Stout

Nicholas and Alexandra: The Classic Account of the Fall of the Romanov Dynasty by Robert K. Massie (A trip to Russia piqued my interest)

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Finances & Budgeting

The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey (I’ve listened to and watched Dave as well as followed some of his writing, but I want to dive into his books this year.)

The Money Answer Book by Dave Ramsey

Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey

The Money Class by Suze Orman (I’ve always liked her straightforward style and money smarts.)

The Money Saving Mom’s Budget by Crystal Paine

I’d be thrilled if you shared books you are reading/plan to read this year, some of your favorite reads, or thoughts and feedback on books on my list.  If you’d like to provide a link to your book list, I urge you to do so!

Photo courtesy of the talented Claire Brocato.  Thanks, Claire!