books of 2014

One year ago, I worked on goals for this year. One of the goals was centered on reading. An avid reader in my younger years, I had become so busy in recent years that I hardly ever read for pleasure. So I wanted to challenge myself for 2014: Ten books in twelve months. I figured it was roughly one book a month (with some grace period in case I got behind). But, as I dove into a series of books, I soon reached my goal halfway into the year! I changed my reading challenge from ten to eighteen books, I met my goal! 20 books in 12 months! This may not seem a lot to some, but for me, it is a great reminder that I can make time for something that gives me great delight. It meant decreasing distractions like Pinterest and television, but in exchange, I gained so much more! I learned world history through novels, studied theology, and "met" a few people who did not allow their handicaps to keep them from pursuing their purpose.

Here are the twenty books of 2014. I recommend each of them!
(And check out my goodreads account for other favorites!)

biographies

Ghost Boy by Martin Pistorius (my review)

Hudson Taylor by James Hudson Taylor

Fanny Crosby: The Hymn Writer by Bernard Ruffin

Open Your Eyes: 10 Uncommon Lessons to Discover a Happier Life
by Jake Olson & McKay Christensen (my review)

novels

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

The Golden Key by George MacDonald

Leota's Garden by Francine Rivers

Bianca's Vineyard by Teresa Neumann

Domenico's Table by Teresa Neumann

theology

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller

The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler (my review)

Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way by Shauna Niequist (my review)

Cold Tangerines: Celebrating the Extraordinary Nature of Everyday Life by Shauna Niequist

Hope Rising: How Christians Can End Extreme Poverty in This Generation by Scott Todd

Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist by John Piper (my review)

Meet Me in the Meadow: Finding God in the Wildflowers by Deborah Hedstrom-Page

Loveology: God. Love. Marriage. Sex. And the Never-Ending Story of Male and Female by John Mark Comer

Whispers of Hope: 10 Weeks of Devotional Prayer by Beth Moore (my review)

currently reading

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Jesus Among Other Gods by Ravi Zacharias

What books did you read in 2014? Any that you'd recommend? 

 Carl Vilhelm Holsøe "Girl in an Interior" 19th Century