The 20 Book Reading Challenge {Join Me?}

I’m a huge fan of reading. I could lose myself for hours – days even! – in a good book. I’ve read books that have changed both my perspective and my life. But somehow I’ve gotten so busy that I haven’t had much time to read lately. I’ve got good intentions and a stack of books at the ready. After reading this post, I realized that I had to schedule time to read. Otherwise, it’s not going to happen.

So rather than allow my personal and professional development to continue to be somewhat stagnant, 2015 is going to be the year for me to READ.

This year, I’m going to be intentional about reading. Why? While reading a captivating novel is relaxing for me, that’s not the kind of reading I’m talking about. Sure, I’ll be picking up some light fiction along the way, but my 2015 plan is designed to help me tackle some serious non-fiction. This purposeful reading is going to focus on several areas of my life where I need to see some growth.

Here’s my reading list for 2015.

Spiritual & Personal Development

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Let. It. Go. by Karen Ehman
Notes from a Blue Bike by Tsh Oxenrider
Where the River Runs by Kelly Minter
Grace for the Good Girl by Emily P. Freeman
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
You’re Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be by Holley Gerth

Time Management

Say Goodbye to Survival Mode by Crystal Paine
The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst
Essentialism by Greg McKeown

Blogging & Business

Go Pro by Eric Worre
How to Blog for Profit without Selling Your Soul by Ruth Soukup
Rock Your Network Marketing Business by Sarah Robbins
Building an Empire by Brian Carruthers
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches by Dave Ramsey
Do Over by Jon Acuff

Family Life

Growing Up Social by Gary Chapman & Arlene Pellicane
The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey
Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living by Tsh Oxenreider

How to Make Time for Reading

Whew. That list feels a little overwhelming to me right now, especially with the lack of reading time I’ve had lately. I know that reading time won’t magically appear. I have to have a plan. So how do I plan to make time for reading in an already busy schedule?

• Make it a habit. Set aside 30-60 minutes each afternoon for reading. I mindlessly waste more time than that online. Time to turn off the computer and get busy reading.
• Make it portable. I’m planning to carry whatever book I’m reading with me when we leave the house. I’m always amazed at how much reading I can accomplish in 10 minutes in the car (when I’m not driving, of course!), 30 minutes during Emma’s dance lesson, or 20 minutes during homeschool co-op downtime. Those little snippets of time add up quickly. (And fortunately I have a BIG purse!)
• Make it social. I have a group of friends who will be reading a couple of these books with me. Accountability is a great way to make sure that the reading gets done.
• Make it a challenge. I’m definitely stretching myself to get 20 non-fiction books read this year. But having a goal in mind gives me something to shoot for. Without that, I have a feeling my book pile may simply continue to collect dust.

Care to Join Me?

I know some of you are up for a challenge. If you’d like to join me, leave a comment with your reading goal. (If you’re reading via email or RSS, click here to leave your comment.) Your goal doesn’t have to be 20 books. Maybe you’re in a stage of life where 4 books in a year would be a monumental task. Whatever your goal is, GO FOR IT!

Each month I’ll be back to update you on what I’ve been reading and my thoughts on those books. You can jump in and share what you’ve been reading too.

Let’s make this year one filled with great books!