Let's Bust a Recap : 2016

Hey-o! It's New Years Eve. Time to bust a recap of my reading accomplishments for 2016. And not to toot my own horn or anything, but I read every book on my list (except one) and then some. My official goal for this year was to read 20 books. #nailedit

I also had a secret goal which was to read 24 books. #nailedthattoo

Granted, I read three full novels in the last week alone, but goals are goals and if the housework has to take a hit in order for me to achieve them, then that's just a sacrifice I'm willing to make. The only book from my original list that I decided to give up on was In Their Own Voices by Simon & Roorda. After our adoption came to an end in May, I lost the motivation to continue that one, and I don't really feel bad about it. 

So without further ado, here's a little review of everything I read this year:

Theodore Roosevelt by H.W. Brands : completed 1/3

Obviously, I read the majority of this book prior to 2016, but I couldn't quite wrap it up by the end of last year. It was a real hallelujah moment when I turned the last page on this one.

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee : completed 1/11

So good! I can't believe I had never read this one before.

The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper : completed 2/9

Couldn't put this one down. Probably the most thrilling thing I read this year.

A Midsummer-Night's Dream by William Shakespeare : completed 2/12

Not gonna lie, kindof a let-down after all the hype surrounding this little play, but it was still good. I mean, it's Shakespeare after all. 

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen : completed 4/15

A re-read (duh) and completely lovely (as usual).

The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex by Sheila Wray Gregoire : completed 5/5

Still feels awkward telling you people I read a sex book this year, but the truth is the truth and this may have been the most encouraging thing I read this year.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens : completed 6/14

I think this may have been the longest book I read this year (not including TR since I read most of that one before this year), but it was excellent.

His Excellency by Joseph J. Ellis : completed 6/25

So nice to read a manageable biography after slugging through TR for such a long time. I'd love to read more from Joseph J. Ellis.

The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis : completed 7/1

Little Men by Louisa May Alcott : completed 7/5

Possibly my favorite read for the year. I loved this book.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain : completed 7/27

Departures by Robin Jones Gunn : completed 7/31

Such a fun one! It was like going on summer vacay with my high school girlfriends that I haven't seen in forever. 

Macbeth by William Shakespeare : completed 8/15

Let Me Be A Woman by Elisabeth Elliot : completed 9/6

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne : completed 10/26

Perfect October read. After I finally made it through that dadgum introduction, I couldn't put this one down. I highly recommend reading it during the month of October.

Secrets of the Blessed Man by Paul Tassell : completed 10/29

Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss : completed 11/9

Sandy Toes by Robin Jones Gunn : completed 11/17

Y'all. The next two books in The Baby Years are both coming out next year. April and October according to this blog post. They're taking up two valuable slots on my 2017 book list, but I am so excited!!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak : completed 11/29

Chilling. Possibly the most unconventional book I've ever read. 

Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham : completed 12/12

Meh. Whatever.

The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan : completed 12/23

Beautiful, beautiful book. Written in 1678 by English author John Bunyan, it is considered one of the most significant works of English religious literature. It has been cited as the first novel written in English but has been translated into over 200 languages, and it has never been out of print since its original publication. I haven't written a recap of this one (or any of the final ones on this list) because I just finished it a week ago (and I've pretty much been reading non-stop the whole rest of this week), so consider this a mini-recap of The Pilgrim's Progress. I honestly wasn't sure I was going to get through this one this year but a little determination goes a long way. I absolutely loved this book, but it's not one I could get through very quickly. I had to stop and digest it bit by bit. My favorite part of Part I (Christian's journey) was his capture by the Giant Despair and his subsequent escape from Doubting Castle. My favorite part of Part II (Christiana's and her children's journey) was hearing the stories of characters such as Mr. Fearing, Mr. Feeble-mind, Mr. Despondency and his daughter Much-afraid reminding me how tender my sweet Lord is and how I should live without fear. We've got several Wednesdays in January already dedicated to quotes from this classic work. Again: beautiful book.

Child of Grace by Irene Hannon : completed 12/24

This one was loaned to me, and I wanted to read and return it before the year was over. Totally a generic Christian romance, and I totally read it in less than 24 hours. #cantstopwontstop

Hannah's List by Debbie Macomber : completed 12/28

Another loaner. First Debbie Macomber book I've ever read. It was about a wife leaving her husband a list of 3 women she wanted him to consider dating and marrying after she passed away. Interesting, but the characters were difficult to like, and can someone tell me why this whole opposites-attract, we-hate-each-other's-guts-but-then-somehow-end-up-together storyline has caught on and become such a common plot for movies and books? I mean, is that the way it happens for anyone in real life? It's tired, and I don't buy it.

Gardenias for Breakfast by Robin Jones Gunn : completed 12/29
This was my personal reward book. I decided back when I bought this book in July that if I finished everything on my list, I could read this one--but only after I finished everything else. DONE! Reading Gardenias for Breakfast was like taking my own private little victory lap. And what a precious book to end the year with, too. I was crying sweet heart tears at the end of this mother-daughter story. Y'all already know I feel this way, but RJG can do no wrong.

So there you have it. 24 books in 12 months. Fun fact: the three novels I read this past week all had significant characters named Hannah in them. My name has never really been a super-popular one, so I found that out of the ordinary. What have you read this year? Anything worth recommending? Have you accomplished any goals or resolutions this year that you're proud of? I hope so, and I hope you enjoy bringing in 2017 tonight with the ones you love. Check back tomorrow for my 2017 book list and see ya next year!