Fall Into Reading: The Results

The Fall Into Reading Challenge is over and I'm posting my results today. Sadly, all my ambitions to read every parenting non-fiction book I own met a sad end. Fiction, well, that's always another story. Here is my original list of books that I wanted to read.

Did you finish reading all the books on your fall reading list? If not, why?

On my non-fiction list I did actually read and fully complete one book. One. Uno. And that book was wonderful! How to Be a God Chaser and a Kid Chaser by Tommy Tenney. It's because I liked the book so much that I became distracted from the rest of my non-fiction list and bought/swapped to get a few other books by Tenney which I am in the middle of reading and thoroughly enjoying: Finding Favor with the King. One is a daily devotional and the other a book based on the story of Queen Esther.

My fiction list fared extremely well and there were several books that were even added to the list. While I didn't finish reading one of the books (I did start it....) I found at least five other books (which I forgot to record) and then re-read several of my old one too. What can I say?

My non-fiction list:

Professionalizing Motherhood by Jill Savage
Skydiving for Parents by Jane Bullivant (about 1/2 done)
Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp
Rivers of Grace by Mark and Patti Virkler
Have a New Kid by Friday by Dr. Kevin Lehman (one chapter)
How to Be a God Chaser and a Kid Chaser by Tommy Tenny
Dreaming with God by Bill Johnson
Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver
The New Strong-Willed Child by Dr. James Dobson

My fiction list:

Sunset by Karen Kingsbury
The Shack by William Young
Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell (about 1/2 finished)
A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks
The Longing by Beverly Lewis
A Lady of Hidden Intent by Traci Peterson
A Daughter's Inheritance and An Unexpected Love by Judith Miller/Traci Peterson

Why didn't I finish all my books?

I mentioned in my first post that fiction books are very hard for me to read. I think it's mainly due to the fact that it requires my undivided attention. Something that is extremely difficult for me. Generally the non-fiction books I read have to be done in small chunks because they require processing and if I have to put a book down....well, I get sidetracked.

Did you stick to your original goals or did you change your list as you went along?

I printed off my list of goals, but I did add several books to my fiction list and definitely changed my non-fiction list. I still want to read the multitude of parenting books on my list. Someday.

And my goals of rewarding myself with a fiction book when I finished a non-fiction...well, let's just pretend I got sucked into the fiction realm and not that I lack self-discipline, k?

What was your favorite book that you read this fall? Least favorite? Why?

Favorite non-fiction is the one I still reading: Finding Favor with the King. I love the story of Queen Esther and how Tenney relates our lives as Christians to the life of Queen Esther.

Favorite fiction: The Shack by William Young, a book I'm going to have to re-read because it was chocked full of things that I am still processing. I have pages earmarked and places underlined because of some of the thoughts and ideas he presents in the book. Loved it!

My other favorites were the series I started by Judith Miller/Traci Peterson. Although that also leads me to frustration since there is still a third book in the series. They are historical fiction and I love period fiction. :)

My least favorite was Cranford. I am still reading this, so perhaps it will pick up a little, but I'm just having trouble finishing it up (and shhhh! I think I'll be watching the movie and be okay with this one).

Did you learn something new because of the Fall Into Reading challenge?—something about reading, or yourself, or a topic you read about?

Pushing myself and setting a goal for myself was great because I was determined to read something on that fiction list and through reading at least one, I found the two books that I am reading and loving now.

What was your favorite thing about the Fall Into Reading challenge?

Meeting new bloggers and seeing the books and suggestions on everyone else's blogs. I didn't end up reviewing any of the books (although I might do one in the future on some that I'm still reading). But...definitely reading other's blogs and meeting you all!

Check out how everyone else fared during the challenge by visiting Katrina's blog Callapidder Day's.