17. Read!

I've always been a voracious reader. Books got me through junior high and high school. #nerd

For many years, I had my library card number memorized. I adore libraries and bookstores. There's something thrilling about rooms overflowing with books. I could spend hours reading every book jacket and adding to my collection.

But it's not just me. Reading is touted as beneficial for many reasons:

See also: this article.

I admittedly do not have a wide range of interest when it comes to fiction. I love my inspirational fiction. But last year, I read 30 books between my 29th and 30th birthdays with an emphasis on broadening my horizons. I did find many that I enjoyed (and a few that I hated). No matter the genre, I love getting lost in a book. I have a major problem with tearing through books as fast as I can - at the expense of my responsibilities and sleep.

As much as I love fiction, though, I also have to recommend Christian Living books. Nothing has grown and challenged me as much as reading books about faith. I don't zip through them nearly as quickly as my fluff fiction because I have to really concentrate and think through them as I'm reading. 99% of the time, I use the library for my fun reading. But I almost always buy Christian Living books so I can underline and write in the margins. I love searching for answers to my questions about God and the Bible, finding encouragement about parenting and marriage, and gleaning wisdom from men and women who are far smarter and more experienced than I.

So now that I've gushed about my love of books, I'm going to share some of my favorites with you. It's a long list. Prepare yourself.

Christian Living Books
(These are the ones that challenged/caused me to think the most. Not necessarily my favorite.)

Radical - David Platte
Crazy Love - Francis Chan (my review)
Forgotten God - Francis Chan (my review)
Trust in an Age of Arrogance - C. FitzSimons Allison (my review)
The Mission of Motherhood - Sally Clarkson (my review)
Loving God with All Your Mind - Elizabeth George (my review)
A Woman After God's Own Heart - Elizabeth George (my review)
Spiritual Parenting - Michelle Anthony (my review)
Walking With God in the Season of Motherhood - Melissa Kruger
Give Them Grace - Elyse Fitzpatrick (my review)
Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart - J.D. Greear
Just Do Something - Kevin DeYoung
Crazy Busy - Kevin DeYoung (my review)

Fiction Favorites
I have way, way too many favorites to share them all, so here are the top 8(ish).

1. Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers
2. The Atonement Child - Francine Rivers
3. Eve's Daughters - Lynn Austin
4. Hidden Places - Lynn Austin
5. All She Ever Wanted - Lynn Austin
6. The Cheney Duvall Series - Gilbert and Lynn Morris
7. Diamond of the Rockies Series - Kristen Heitzmann
8. The Michelli Family Series - Kristen Heitzmann

Really, I'd recommend anything by Francine Rivers, Lynn Austin, or Kristen Heitzmann. Some of my other favorite Christian authors are Becky Wade, Colleen Coble, Dani Pettrey, and Susan May Warren.

If I haven't convinced you yet, here are 5 more reasons to read:

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