A Thousand Acres: Dayna's Books of 2016

Behold, 2017. That means 2016 left. But I’m carrying with me some good thoughts from interesting authors, growing and changing me I hope.

I read 24 books this year. I always go for 40 and always hit low 20’s. For 2017 you’d think I’d try for 30, but I’ll stick with 40.

Here are the books I’d like to reread if time for it allows:

(Side note: this does not necessarily mean these were my favorite reads, just that they are books I’d like to re-engage at some point because of the depth and beauty I experienced.)

1.Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

A Greek myth retold by the master, it is at once understandable and difficult to fully grasp. I’ve never looked forward to picking up a fantasy read like this before, and definitely want to revisit this one. It was a mirror to my soul but I couldn’t quite grasp the image.

2. Watership Down by Richard Adams

Apparently, when Richard Adams tried to get this gem published, those he approached didn’t know who to market it to. It was too complex for children, and too imaginary for adults. We listened to this on audiobook as a family. It is over 16 hours long, so it is ideal a road trip or two or three.

This is a that story deals with a community of rabbits. That description alone has halted me from reading it, classic though it is. I’ve never been able to fully enjoy Ralph S. Mouse or even Charlotte’s Web because I struggle entering imaginary worlds where animals and human characters interact on an equal level. Must be my farm girl background.

Thankfully the rabbits don’t interact with the humans as friends, but are realistically afraid of them. I’m going to use the word depth again, sorry. The depth of the community relationships as this band of rabbits struggles to find a place to create a new warren is completely incredible. Sociologists really should use this as a textbook.

3. 40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Cole

This is a Lenten guide. I’m thinking about going through it with a group of people again this Lenten season. Though it is full of more ways to fast or decrease than I was able to fully participate in, it was a wonderful challenge for my days.

Each day is broken up with scripture, deep devotional thoughts, and an explanation on the history of lent. I wish the history of lent would be put into its own section instead of broken up into pieces, but that’s my only idea for improvement.

4. Humble Roots by Hannah Anderson

I keep thinking she’s Hannah Hurnard, when actually this author is a modern day woman approximately my age living in the countryside of Virginia as a rural pastor’s wife, writer, mother, and avid gardener.

She uses all of her experiences; ministry, writing, parenting, and especially gardening to explain the truths of humility. Her premise starts with Jesus’ promise in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest.”

I know I missed things in this gem, and I love all the agricultural analogies. I want to return.

5. The Quotidian Mysteries by Kathleen Norris

Really, Norris is in her own league. (C.S. Lewis is in his own league too, of course.). As I read this tiny collection of essays on the liturgy of the ordinary, I suddenly saw my own dish doing and laundry folding as beautiful. I’ll pick it up again when the mundane becomes cumbersome.

Others I loved but probably won’t get to again include:

Fiction:

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery (well, I’ll probably read this again)

The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCoughrean

Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain

The Penderwick’s by Jeanie Birdsall

Home by Marilynne Robinson

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Anthem by Ayn Rand

The Bird in the Tree by Elizabeth Goudge

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander--I LOVED this on audiobook. At 2 hours long, it is a quick listen and incredibly told; a completely deserved Newberry award winner. I’ve listened to it at least three times, and will listen again.

NonFiction:

Design Your Day by Claire Diaz-Ortiz

Eat This Book by Eugene Peterson

The Life Giving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarckson

Essentialism by Greg McKeown

Roots and Sky by Christy Purifoy

God With Us, an advent devotional by Greg Pennoyer and other editors

None Like Him by Jen Wilkin (I may reread this as well)

Girl Meets God by Lauren Winner--This one really made me think and wrestle with my beliefs. It is about a girl who becomes a devout Jew and then transitions into a belief in Jesus as Messiah. Still, nine months after reading it, I think about her description of Incarnation and what a powerful pull that had on her. Maybe this should be a re-read.

If you are still reading, I have bonus material:

This was my favorite podcast of 2016. I listened to it over and over. During our family’s epic vacation to the Beartooth Mountains, we listened to it two days in a row while heading up the Beartooth Highway for hiking daytrips. Interestingly, listening to this podcast in that setting was one of the most memorable pieces of our trip.