Top 10 Favorite Books of 2011

Hmm...it's time to reflect. For me, this is also usually a time of (personal) annoyance when I usually look back and wonder why I spent the majority of my reading time in the way that I did. There have been a few years where I end up thinking, "Man! I sure wasted A LOT of reading time!" This year is a little bit better. I'm not as annoyed by my choices. Sure, I see room for improvement (lots of room still!) but I think I'm prioritizing a little bit better. I suppose that this will be a lifelong learning process for me. (Do not guffaw. We all like perfection sooner than we can reasonable *ahem* achieve it!) At any rate, I looked through my list of books read in 2011 and I would have to say that the following ten were my top favorites (all linked to my reviews, with explanations as to why they are making this list):

1. I'm Outnumbered, by Laura Lee Groves



Loved this one. Best book on raising boys to be, as my friend would say, "tender warriors." In today's society it seems as if we're encouraged to raise our sons in one of two ways. Here are your choices:

Raise them to be pansies.
Raise them to be hooligans.

This book isn't entirely popular but I think it is completely reasonable and well-thought out. I was greatly encouraged by it and it's now my top recommendation for mothers of sons, looking for advice and encouragement.

2. Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches, by Rachel Jankovic



Yeah, well, can you tell where I'm at in life right about now? I love my children dearly but some days are awfully hairy! It's good to know that I'm not alone, and also that I'm spending my time wisely and well. This book was spiritually encouraging to me as well as laugh-outloud funny - perhaps because I can identify with much of what she said. If you're a mother of littles, you know what I mean.

3. The Kitchen Boy, by Robert Alexander



This was a very memorable piece of historical fiction surrounding the last Tsar of Russia and his family. Impeccably well-written; I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I read Alexander's second book related to the Tsar, Rasputin's Daughter (also linked to my review) but didn't care for that one quite so much.

4. Practicing Affirmation, by Sam Crabtree



I'm still working on this one. I'll probably be working on this one my whole life. Definitely one to throw on the re-read pile. Somewhere near the top!

5. The Help, by Kathryn Stockett



This one is just brilliantly impacting (in my humble estimation) and engaging. I know I'm not alone and I almost shudder to think that I like a New York Times Bestseller. But there it is. I cannot lie. I loved this book, this story (and The Help movie - linked to my thoughts - also!)

6. Made to Crave, by Lysa Terkeurst



This one was eye-opening and thought-provoking. I think the bottom line is that she made me realize how very little self-discipline I have. And that not just in the area of food but in life in general. It's a painful realization and one that still needs (and receives) a great deal of attention. But this book made me admit certain things to myself that rather needed some admitting.

7. Entwined, by Heather Dixon



Just. Pure. Fun.

8. Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand



Another bestseller. (Sheesh! What's happening to me!?) Very worthy read though. It was both inspiring and uplifting in a a very surprising way. If you haven't read it yet, you ought to. This one goes on my Highly Recommended list!

9. The Gathering Storm, by Winston Churchill (Part I & Part II)



This book made me realize how it is worth taking the time to read a long(er) book. I was challenged by this read, as well as informed by the past. Not only that but I was entertained to boot! (Winston Churchill is terribly witty.) I realized how much I was cheating myself by sticking with short books just so that I could say I read more books or read faster. Churchill requires a bit of careful, thoughtful plodding and the reading exercise was good for me. It whetted my appetite for longer more complex stories. I hope to visit with more during 2012.

10. What Churchill started, Lit! A Christian Guide to Reading finished.



I'll definitely be changing the way I read, think and live after having read this book. I have much more to say on that but I'm saving my thoughts on this title for its own special post where I can sort things out for myself. If you are a reader (and even if you aren't) I highly, highly, highly recommend this book! It's an absolutely DON'T MISS!

After reading through my list of Top 10 Favs I feel more content with myself than I thought I would. I distinctly remember feelings of displeasure in past years, having spent time with books I didn't really care about and didn't apply as well as I could to my own life. This year I feel like I turned a bit of a corner (still turning) and was more choose-y (a good thing) and therefore I can look back over the year and feel that I read books that were edifying to me personally. And by that I mean that I could either glean and apply spiritual truths from those reads or that I was satisfactorily entertained in a positive manner.

I know that there is so much more than I wish to change about the way I approach books in the future but for 2011 I'm going to be content. I'm happy to be feeling content!

What were some of your favorite reads this past year? I'm curious to know what hit the spot with you. I'm sure that many of you have written up like-mannered posts. If you have and care to share, leave a link in the comment section and I'll hop over and read your list.