What I Read in 2016

When a new year begins, I love to look back at the year before and remember all the memories and experiences that the year brought.  Among the things I love to look back on from the prior year is the books that I read.  In 2016, I read a total of 51 books.  For 2017, I've set my goal at reading 55 books.  Below, I have the sorted by type (Christian, fiction, and nonfiction) and the ratings that I gave each book.  There are some really great reads here...if you are looking for something to read!  Each book is linked to its page on Goodreads - which is one of my favorite websites!  I use Goodreads to track the books I read, find new books I want to read, and link to authors and other readers who enjoy similar genres.  It's worth checking out if you love to read!

I Am a Church Member by Thom Rainer

4 out of 5 stars

Bitesize Theology by Peter Jeffrey

4 out of 5 stars

The Story

4 out of 5 stars

Journey into God's Word by J. Scott Duvall

4 out of 5 stars

Killing Calvinism by Greg Dutcher

4 out of 5 stars

Five Habits of a Woman Who Doesn't Quit by Nikki Koziarz

4 out of 5 stars

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKerust

3 out of 5 stars

Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

5 out of 5 stars

The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul

5 out of 5 stars

AHA: The God Moment That Changes Everything by Kyle Idleman

5 out of 5 stars

God's At War: Defeating the Idols that Battle for Your Heart by Kyle Idleman

5 out of 5 stars

Steadfast Love by Lauren Chandler

5 out of 5 stars

Seasons of Waiting by Betsy Childs Howard

5 out of 5 stars

Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliott

4 out of 5 stars

God's Good Design: What the Bible Really Says About Men and Women by Claire Smith

5 out of 5 stars

Faith Works: A Study on James by Jen Wilkin

5 out of 5 stars

The Envy of Eve: Finding Contentment in a  Covetous World by Melissa B. Kruger

5 out of 5 stars

Word Filled Woman's Ministry by Gloria Furman

5 out of 5 stars

Found: God's Will by John Macarthur

3 out of 5 stars

High Definition Commentary: James by Stephen Runge

5 out of 5 stars

Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

4 out of 5 stars

The Chance by Karen Kingsbury

5 out of 5 stars

Bungalow 2 by Danielle Steele

3 out of 5 stars

One Dangerous Lady by Jane Stanton Hitchcock

3 out of 5 stars

The Crown by Kiera Cass

5 out of 5 stars

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

5 out of 5 stars

Season of the Machete by James Patterson

2 out of 5 stars

Save the Date by Mary Kay Andrews

4 out of 5 stars

Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck

4 out of 5 stars

Captiva Island by Kathy Lee Sumner

4 out of 5 stars

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

3 out of 5 stars

Porch Lights by Dorothea Benton Frank

3 out of 5 stars

First Sight by Danielle Steele

4 out of 5 stars

Melt With You by Jessie Evans

2 out of 5 stars

The Beginning by Karen Kingsbury

4 out of 5 stars

Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

4 out of 5 stars

Shopaholic to the Stars by Sophie Kinsella

3 out of 5 stars

The Vacationers by Emma Straub

2 out of 5 stars

Shopaholic to the Rescue by Sophie Kinsella

3 out of 5 stars

Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight

4 out of 5 stars

Black Lake by Johanna Lake

4 out of 5 stars

Blueprints by Barbara Delinksy

2 out of 5 stars

All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda

4 out of 5 stars

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

5 out of 5 stars

The Perfect Girl by Gilly Macmillan

2 out of 5 stars

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

4 out of 5 stars

Look Again by Lisa Scottoline

4 out of 5 stars

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

5 out of 5 stars

Nothing Like Love by Abigail Strom

2 out of 5 stars

The Girl at the Bar by Nicholas Nash

4 out of 5 stars

Unplanned by Abby Johnson

5 out of 5 stars

As you can see, there is a wide variety of books listed here.  And if you are looking for some recommendations, here is what I would suggest from what I read in 2016.  If you are looking for a Christian title, Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin would be my top pick, and The Envy of Eve by Melissa Kruger and AHA by Kyle Idleman would be close seconds.  In the fiction category, I would highly recommend The Girl at the Bar by Nicholas Nash.  This book does not release until February 1 (I had the opportunity to read a prerelease copy of the book), so I would definitely put this on your reading wishlist.  Besides that book, Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult and The Woman in Cabin 10 were some of my absolute favorites as well.

One of the things that I love about using Goodreads is the ability to track the books I read, and keep on pace with goal I've set for myself for the year.  This year, my goal is 55 books, which is slightly over what I read in 2016, but if I stay intentional about my reading, completing 55 books this year shouldn't be too hard to accomplish.  You can read more on being intentional about my reading in my post from yesterday.  

How many books did you read in 2016?  What was your favorite book of the year?  Have you set a reading goal for the new year?