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2018 reading list

  Near the end of 2017 I did something I hope becomes an end of year tradition.  I planned out all the books I’m going to read in the next year.  I read some great books last year and I hope that having a plan will make this year even better.


Why would I plan out a year of reading?

Last year I was able to read a lot more than I have before.  However, there were still long periods throughout the year in which I wasn't reading anything, and some of what I read was just whatever was in front of me, not what I really wanted to read.  Like most things in life, I suspect, having a plan will help align what I do read with my goals.  There are several subjects I’m interested in, and didn’t read about.  There are authors I want to read more of, but haven’t made time to.  And modern fiction?  What is that?  (I  think I read one new book last year)

 I made a realization a few months back.  My pile of books I want to read is much taller than the stack of books I have read in my life.  Continuous learning (including learning by gaining a different perspective through fiction) is a big priority in life.  Reading is a huge part of that.  Combine this with constant reminder that life is short, it goes by faster and faster every year and it's time, there are only so many hours in a day and ... you get the idea.  

 A plan will help make that big pile of books in the want to read pile seem much more manageable and less daunting.

What do I have on my list?

As I mentioned I want to better align what I read with my interests.  As such I’m reading mostly non-fiction with a mix of classic novels and newer fiction.
In the nonfiction side of things I went pretty heavy with newer books on christian living and theology.  This includes several books by Francis Chan, one by John Piper, who I’ve been meaning to read for a long while, as well as Radical by David Platt.  I also have quite a few historic writings from ancient times.  The Republic, Meditations and histories by Thucydides and Herodotus.  This much ancient writing might be a little too aggressive but we'll see.  

 I’ve added a few memoirs involving subjects I’m interested in.  Running, writing and hiking.  As well as a few books on parenting and diet.  

 Sticking to this list I hope to actually be using my time reading to get some real actual learning done on some subjects I really actually want to know more about.

 In the fiction realm I have a mix of novels from some classic writers, some I’ve read before and some I haven’t, as well as some well reviewed novels from last year.  I’ve also mixed in some sci-fi and fantasy just for fun.

 See my full list on Goodreads.

 Do you ever plan out what you are going to read in the future?

 Have you read any of the books I’m planning to this year?  What did you think?

 Have books that probably should be on my list?

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