Every month I try to read at least one book from the following categories: nonfiction, devotional, and fiction. Non-fiction ensures that I’m always learning something new. Devotionals ensure that I’m keying into my faith. And fiction books are just so enjoyable to read! This is What I Read in January 2016.

And this year I’m going to do things just a little bit different. Since I decided to participate in the 2016 PopSugar Reading Challenge, I’m also going to be listing which category my books fulfill. If you want to join in on the fun, you can check out the list of categories here!

Books Finished:

After the War Is Over by Jennifer Robson

2016 PopSugar Challenge: A book that’s guaranteed to bring you joy.

I read Somewhere in France last year, and loved it. This book doesn’t follow Lilly and Robbie, but instead follows Charlotte and Edward, minor characters from the previous book. So it’s not a true sequel, but more of a spin off. I loved this book as much as the previous, and now have the next entry in the series, Moonlight Over Paris, in my Kindle wish list. I picked this book, because I wanted to start out the year with a book that I knew that I’d love, as it looks as if some challenging reading lay ahead of me this year.

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell

I really love how Gladwell thinks and writes. I just do. After reading and enjoying Outliers and The Tipping Point, I was keen to read another of his books. This one did not disappoint. Generally speaking, the topic is how and why we make the snap or autopilot types decisions in our lives, why it sometimes makes sense to rely on these decisions, as well as how and why they lead us astray. Fascinating.

Trust To A Degree by Horst Christian

2016 PopSugar Challenge: A book set in Europe

Of the books in this series, this was my least favorite thus far. At the end, it appears that Karl has compromised his values, which is inconsistent with his character. However, it is fascinating to have a book about the end of World War II told from the perspective of a German youth forced to work with the Russians. I’ll still read the next book in the series, despite liking this one less than the previous entries.

Money-Making Mom: How Every Woman Can Earn More and Make a Difference by Crystal Paine

I read the Money Saving Mom blog regularly. I love her honesty and down to earth lifestyle and writing. And I’ve found her books to be just as enjoyable and informative as her blog. I picked this one up when Crystal announced it was on sale through Amazon, and found it to be worth the money. Although I won’t be opening any new businesses, I found the tips and guidance to be just as wise for my existing businesses, as well as to have some great ideas that are blog specific. So perhaps you may see some of them being implemented here in the coming months.

Swept Away by Vanessa Riley

2016 PopSugar Challenge: A book based on a fairy tale

I thought this particular challenge would be difficult to fulfill, because I don’t normally read this type of book. However, one of the BookBub recommendations for me was Swept Away, so I jumped on it. And it was a fun little take on the classic Cinderella fairy tale, as well as a pretty quick little read.

Young Babylon by Lu Nei

2016 PopSugar Challenge: A book translated to English

Much of this book felt reminiscent of The Catcher in the Rye to me. The story follows a young man looking for his place in the world in China in the 90s. It was sort of depressing, and introspective, and I didn’t like it. Until he started growing up, and whining less, and then the introspection didn’t bother me anymore because it felt refreshing and thoughtful. This book is one that I’m glad that I stuck with.

Desolation Runby James Snyder

This novel follows inmates who have escaped from prison and provides some of their back story, as they make their way across the country. It also follows their pursuer, as well as some folks that they will eventually come into contact with. It is intense and covers some horrific and graphic subject matter. My Kindle Fire, and text to speech, read a large portion of it to me while I traveled home to the Black Hills to visit family, and kept me entertained. But it sort of felt like the ending was rushed to completion, and was completely unsatisfying in its conclusion. The actions of the characters at the end remained unexplained and irrational compared to their previous MOs. I didn’t like it as much as I thought I was going to when I began reading.

More or Less: Choosing a Lifestyle of Excessive Generosity by Jeff Shinbarger

This book is probably one of my favorite devotionals of late.  The gist of the book is that we all need to decide what constitutes “enough” for us, then to try to use our excess to bless others. One of the key takeaways is that we need to connect with others, especially others who are not necessarily similarly situated to ourselves, so that we aren’t blind to the suffering and need around us.  I read through this slowly because it was so good, and I really wanted to soak the information and ideas in.

Probably my favorite idea from the book is to use our excess gift cards…most of us have them in our wallet just floating around with a little or a lot left on them, some to stores or restaurants that we don’t shop or eat at. In fact, the author started a website called Gift Card Giver to match up these gift cards with charities or those in need.  So you can not only send in gift cards, but also nominate those who could use the gift cards. Such an amazing idea, I think.  And I’ve been tossing around the idea of doing a local gift card drive. Thoughts on this crazy idea?!

A Brief History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper

2016 PopSugar Challenge: A book that takes place on an island

I loved this book, which was told from a teenage princess from the island nation of Montmoray through her journal entries. However, Montmoray is sparsely inhabited, and isn’t wealthy at all. Goodreads recommended this book to me, and it was lovely and exciting, and I loved it!  

Books Abandoned:

None.