Jon Acuff

Empty Shelf Challenge: October

November 4, 2014 by Abbigail Kriebs 2 Comments

I’m really impressed that I have managed to keep track of everything I read this long in the year. I mean, 10 months? Impressive (at least it is to me – I’ve never done any year long challenge before, so I am feeling pretty accomplished at this point).

Here is what I read in October as I continue the #EmptyShelf challenge. It’s pretty basic: starting December 23rd, you empty one shelf of a bookcase in your house completely. Hence, “Empty Shelf.” Then, through the entire next year, you fill that shelf with the books that you read.

To read what I’ve read this year by month:

January // February // March // April // May // June // July // August // September

So… October. It was a blur. I had a work trip the first week of the month, and then my boss went on vacation the next week. I had two photo sessions this month, one that I took and one where photos were taken of me (I got some new head shots done), both of which I hope to share with you soon. We made it through launch week at The Collaboreat, along with our first two Twitter chats, and I started dreaming about new possibilities for the blog and the photo business and my life in general. Now that I’ve written all that out, I’m not so upset with myself for not reading more than I did. It’s all about perspective, huh?

47.) The Protector (The O’Malley Series #4) by Dee Henderson – I continued on with The O’Malley Series, one that I read as a teen. It’s Christian fiction, which is not something I usually read because of the bland characters, but the O’Malleys all have vibrant personalities and cool jobs. It’s fun to re-read these now, just some light fiction for days when my brain needs to rest.

48.) The Healer (The O’Malley Series #5) by Dee Henderson

49.) At Long Odds by Hannah Hooton – I read this on my iPad on a plane this month (the only time I usually read on my iPad). It was a free download and the book was good – entertaining and fun, but very predictable, as most romantic comedy novels are. Still worth a read if you like horse racing and a good plot.

50.) Chasing Charlie by C.M. Newman – Also read this on my iPad on a plane. This book had an engaging plot, but was SO long. So, so long. It needed some major condensing, but overall was one I wanted to keep reading. Fun fact: I had no idea this was Christian fiction until about a third of the way through the book, which I think was it’s crowning glory. The ending felt a bit stilted, a little anti-climatic compared to the rest of the novel.

51.) Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon – It’s probably not a secret anymore that I am a big Austin Kleon fan (he’ll probably be mentioned in a blog soon). You’ve probably seen me tweeting about him in recent weeks, and I finally made it to the top of the list to get “Steal Like an Artist” from the library. I loved it, as I predicted, so I will be purchasing this one as soon as I have book money to spend. I’ve got the follow up, “Show Your Work” sitting on my coffee table now for my next read.

So… what have you been reading as the leaves fall? Share your latest favorite in the comments!

Image courtesy of Mr. TinDC on Flickr Creative Commons.

Empty Shelf Challenge: September 2014

October 2, 2014 by Abbigail Kriebs 2 Comments

September was a busy month, despite the fact that I am supposed to be slowing down and savoring life. Well, I did some more savoring, but life hasn’t slowed down any. Makes me wonder how I was doing even more before…

Here is what I read in September as I continue the #EmptyShelf challenge. It’s pretty basic: starting December 23rd, you empty one shelf of a bookcase in your house completely. Hence, “Empty Shelf.” Then, through the entire next year, you fill that shelf with the books that you read.

We’ve finally unpacked all our boxes, but I have even less shelves than I used to. I still don’t have a dedicated shelf for the challenge, and at this point I am guessing that I won’t by the end of the year. It’s still been a neat way to keep track of what I read, so I am going to keep calling it the Empty Shelf Challenge.

Here is what I am tackling next.

To read what I’ve read this year by month:

January // February // March // April // May // June // July // August

Here’s September’s line up:

43.) One Click: Jeff Bezos and the Rise of Amazon.com by Richard L. Brandt – While Brandt is obviously not a fan of Amazon, this book gave an a great overview of Bezos and the inception of the company. If you just want a general idea of how the company got its start and because a mega-corporation (all while never turning a profit), this is a good option.

44.) The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown – So, so good. After reading Daring Greatly last month, this was a good follow up, discussing different ways we can focus on letting go of perfectionism and really living life as we are meant to life it. I like here writing style better in Daring Greatly, so start with that one.

45.) The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows – This is one of my favorites. I was feeling out of sorts on a Sunday, so I sat down with this and read it cover-to-cover, staying up well past my bedtime to do so. Worth it.

46.) The Truth Seeker (The O’Malley Series #3) by Dee Henderson – The O’Malley Series is one that I read as a teen. It’s Christian fiction, which is not something I usually read because of the bland characters, but the O’Malleys all have vibrant personalities and cool jobs. It’s fun to re-read these now, just some light fiction for days when my brain needs to rest.

So … what did you read this month?

Empty Shelf Challenge: August 2014

September 4, 2014 by Abbigail Kriebs 3 Comments

I’m resting, and a large part of that for me is reading.

A good book has always allowed time to stand still for me, which is exactly what I need these days.

Here is what I read in August as I continue the #EmptyShelf challenge. It’s pretty basic: starting December 23rd, you empty one shelf of a bookcase in your house completely. Hence, “Empty Shelf.” Then, through the entire next year, you fill that shelf with the books that you read.

To read what I’ve read this year by month:

January // February // March // April // May // June // July

Nonfiction Books Inkwells Images Empty Shelf Abbigail Kriebs

Here is what I read in August:

39.) Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown – Ever since I stumbled upon her TED talk on vulnerability (worth the 20 minutes of your time, really and truly), I’ve been interesting in her research on shame and wholeheartedness. This was a great read, which I subsequently purchased, and its a topic that I am pondering more and more as I put my writing out there – or try to overcome hesitations to do so.

40.) The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente – This was a delightful book, one that I definitely want to read again and again. Read my full review here.

41.) Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives by Richard A. Swenson, M.D. – After Scott and I explained to our pastor our need to step down from the youth ministry for the time being, he lent me this book. While I have been reading about and studying the idea of a simpler life and have more margin for a couple of years now, it was nice to read once again that margin is important and that taking the steps needed to restore it in your own life is not being selfish. I love that Swenson delineates between mental and physical strain, and talks about the need for margin being a “semi-visible” pain that needs to be addressed as much as an illness with obvious circumstances:

Living without [margin] does not cause a sensory pain, but instead a deep-seated subjective ache. Because the ache and heaviness are only semi-visible, the pain of margin-less living is hard for us to talk about. “

I would recommend this book to anyone who just feels like life is moving too fast these days for them to enjoy it. I know I needed more margin when I wasn’t enjoying even the best things, because I was too busy preparing for the next thing. There was no time for reflection or anticipation in life, and I am looking forward to restoring that joy to life this fall.

42.) Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem by Kevin DeYoung – I borrowed this book, too, from our pastor. I think we must be similar, Type-A academics, because he highlights almost all the same passages that I would have highlighted were it my book. If you are a Christian and feel “too busy” all the time, read this book. It helped me recognize that I feel frazzled because life has no rhythm, no natural routine of work and rest – it’s all work, all the time, and my self and my husband – and Christ! – are just getting the leftovers. I have a feeling that I will be flipping back through this book again and again in the coming weeks, as I recalibrate and recharge.

So there’s what I read in August. I said in January that I wanted to read more nonfiction this year than I had in years past, and if this month (and the photo above) is any indication, I think I am well on my way.

What did you read in August?