On My Bookshelf {The 2011 and 2012 Lists}

by Mandi on December 28, 2011

reading

source: Mo Riza

For many years, I was so busy with my littles and working from home that I rarely made time to read. Then, I got a Kindle and picked up where I had left off many years before, reading 2-3 books a week. There are still times when I have to read less to make time for family events or work projects, but reading is my #1 choice for relaxing & learning, and I make time for it as much as I can!

My favorite source for reading material is Amazon’s free Kindle books. I’ve gotten more than 600 books over the last two years, and I’ve discovered more than a few authors and series that I love. Although I prefer to read on my iPad — at least while I anxiously await the delivery of my Kindle Fire next Wednesday — Amazo n offers free Kindle apps for your PC, Mac, iPhone, BlackBerry, Android or Windows 7 phone as well!

When I do buy a book, I like to use gift cards I’ve earned through Swagbucks — guilt-free shopping at its finest!

I didn’t start keeping track of the books I read untiI the second half of the year, but I thought I’d do a recap of the books I read as well as my plan for 2012:

The 2011 List

Dystopian Novels

The Hunger Games Trilogy was by far my favorite series this year. It is a gripping story that draws you in and keeps your attention, even when you’re not reading it. I’ve told pretty much everyone I know about them, and I’m looking forward to the movie in March!

Historical Fiction

Thrillers:

Christian Fiction:

Memoir:

Non-Fiction:

The 2012 List

Biography & History

Health & Home

Christian Living

Miscellaneous

Dystopian Novels

**My to-be-read list comes from a variety of sources, including recommendations from Shaina at Food for My Family, Megan at Sorta Crunchy, Crystal at Money Saving Mom, Amy at Mom Advice and Katie at Good Life Eats!

What are you reading this month?

Mandi Ehman is the founder and publisher behind Life Your Way as well as a wife and homeschooling mom to four beautiful girls. She lives with her family on a little slice of heaven in wild, wonderful West Virginia and loves coffee, chocolate, easy meals, beautiful things and minimalist spaces.

  • http://adopttaiwan.wordpress.com/ Cindy

    This is a great list – thanks for sharing! I used to read all the time, but with four kids, it’s harder now. But my wonderful husband bought me my first Kindle and now I can’t stop reading. I just finished “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” last night…wonderful book! I saw it on your 2012 list. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

    Cindy

  • http://alma376.blogspot.com/ Erin

    I just finished reading Jane Eyre on my phone (free Kindle app and free book). I’m reading a bunch of homeschool books right now and also working on #4 of the Flavia de Luz series. They are a lot of fun!

  • Joann

    I really enjoyed several of the books on your list in 2011.  Room and The Hunger Games have stuck with me and were excellent.  I’m reading Clutter Busting and Playful Learning at the moment.  Kate’s blog (Kisses from Kate) is very inspiring and challenging. 

    Can’t wait to walk through 2012 with you…virtually.

    • http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life…Your Way

      Hey Joann! I actually found Room pretty disturbing, but I do agree that it stuck with me…just not sure I wanted it to, LOL.

      Looking forward to 2012 as well!

  • Deb

    Russell Moore, not Mahaney for Adopted for Life.  It is CJ Mahaney. ;)

    • http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life…Your Way

      I keep meaning to fix that – thanks for pointing it out! I knew it didn’t seem right, but by that point in the list, I was feeling a bit brain dead!

  • http://my-cup-of-joy.blogspot.com/ Andrea Mitchell

    I think you’ll enjoy The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. We picked it up earlier this year and I couldn’t put it down. It was fascinating!

    • http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life…Your Way

      People keep telling me that. I may go ahead and get it next!

  • http://beyondthedefaults.com/ Abby Butts

    I reread the Hunger Games series this year and read The Giver, both books stuck with me for a long time. I also just got a new Barnes and Noble gift card to use for my Nook and I can’t wait to pick out some new books. Divergent is on my list of books to read.

    • http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life…Your Way

      Fun! I never would have guessed I’d enjoy that genre as much as I do!

  • http://makeithappenmama.blogspot.com/ Emily @ Make It Happen Mama

    The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Rebecca Skloot) was a very interesting book, but not as good as I expected it to be (I got it off paperbackswap.com, so received it about 6 months after “wishing” for it – lots of anticipation time!). I was disappointed by how surfacey the account of her family were, but it is still a great read!

    • http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life…Your Way

      I’ve herad so many rave reviews that I’m afraid I’ll feel the same way!

  • http://www.quirkybookworm.com Jessica @ Quirky Bookworm

    I liked Graceling — although I wouldn’t call it dystopic, it’s just straight-up fantasy. Katsa is an amazingly tough heroine though!

    I keep meaning to read Eats, Shoots, and Leaves too.

    I’ve been writing my own “Best of 2011″ posts, and ended up having to write three of them, because if I put them all in one post it’d be way too long! I’ve read a lot of great books this year. Highlights include rereading all the Anne of Green Gables, The Hunger Games trilogy, Team of Rivals, First Family: Abigail and John Adams, Caleb’s Crossing. The Man From Beijing, The Darkening Field. Etc. Etc. Etc. :)

    I really recommend Caleb’s Crossing if you like historical fiction.

    • http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life…Your Way

      Interesting, Jessica – I’m not a fantasy fan (although I’ve been surprised by what I liked in 2011, LOL), so we’ll see what I think!

  • Sonali

    I am avid reader myself, Mandi.  You have a GREAT list of books up here.  I wondered if these are all free to download.  Also, I am in awe of you homeshchooling youe kids, how do you do it?

    Fellow mom blogger who is working towards minimalism in her space :-)

    • http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life…Your Way

      Hi Sonali! Most of the books I read in 2011 were free at one time or another, although they usually don’t stay that way for long, so I just pick them up as I come across them.

Previous post:

Next post: