Goodreads Challenge Report for 2017

In January of this year, I set a goal for myself to read 50 books in 2017, which felt daunting since I also needed to write and release books of my own. But reading is really, really important to me, personally and professionally. I can't be a great writer if I'm not also a great reader. 

According to Goodreads, I've read 60 books, which amazes me! I'm sure my new addiction to Audible greatly helped. I've recommend books throughout the year on my Facebook page, but I thought it would be fun to put a bunch of them all in one place.* I've broken them down into several categories. Which of these books have you also enjoyed? Which of them catch your eye to add your to-read pile?

*I have reviewed almost all of these books on Goodreads, so feel free to look up my thoughts there if you'd like. I'm skipping all the linking on this blog post, though, because...it's Christmas time, and I haven't started wrapping gifts. Oh also, I still need to write 1500 more words today in my current work-in-progress. 

Award Winners

Left to right, we have winners of the Carol Award, a Christy Award, and the Goodreads Choice Award. I loved each of these! 

Contemporary Christian Fiction 

I lean heavily toward historical fiction, but I'm glad I made time to read these!

Time-Slip Fiction

This was a fabulous year for timeslip fiction (two stories, one historical, one contemporary, linked in critical and sometimes myserious ways).

Historical Christian Fiction

Boy did I enjoy my historical fiction this year! Some were newer releases, and some titles had been languishing in my to-read pile for longer than I'd like to tell you. 

Nonfiction

I read LOTS of nonfiction that I didn't track on Goodreads (research for my novels), but here are some highlights I did.

Mainstream Fiction

My favorite from the mainstream fiction I read this year was The Nightingale and Ordinary Grace, although I will continue to read Geraldine Brooks (my favorite by her is Year of Wonders, but I read that years ago).

Classics

The first three in this batch were read-alouds to my kids. (It was my second time reading Anne and Laura.)

Advance Copies

I had the privilege of reading advance copies for several books this year. One was my critique partner's, one was to write the foreword (Chrsitian Publishing 101) and the rest were for endorsement. You're all in for a treat next year!

Currently Reading

Last but not least, here is what I'm reading now, in addition to the Bible, of course. Yes, it's a lot. This is my m.o., though, nothing to be alarmed about. I am a polygamous reader.

What have been some stand-out reads for you in 2017?