2020 It's the Harback Life Reading Challenge

Artwork by Shannon Maddox

The Book Nook Reading Challenge has come to a close.  I exceeded my 40 book reading goal by completing 46 volumes.  Time for a whole new reading challenge.

Like my other reading challenges, this one doesn't have any specific instructions or types of required books.  However, some books may be part of various categories.  Examples include:

• Kiddie Lit - This year, I want to enjoy more children's books.  As a "retired" preschool teacher, I miss reading good books to children.  Plus, there are books from my childhood and teen years I'd like to revisit.
• Recommended Reads - books recommended by trustworthy sources.
• Glorious rereads - books I enjoyed so much that I'm reading them again.
• Everybody's Reading It - books that everybody and their grandma read that I'm just now getting to.
• Nobody Admits to Reading It - books that others have said to stay away from (whether they've read it or not).
• Impulse Reads - Books I bought, borrowed, or checked out of the library for no other reason than "hey, this looks interesting."

My rating system continues as follows:

✮✮✮✮ = Outstanding
✮✮✮ = Pretty good
✮✮ = Could have been better / could have been worse.
✮ = Not so great

Ain't nobody got time for that = DNF (did not/would not/could not finish)

This year's goal is once again 40 books.  If you'd like to follow my reading progress, see my Goodreads page.

Whether you read one book or 100 this year, I would enjoy some company.  Drop in a comment once and a while to let me know how it's going.

So, what are your reading goals for 2020?
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Books Read and Reviewed:

Completed books will be marked as a link to the review.

Book 01

Book 02 - A glorious reread.

Book 03 - Another glorious reread.

Read, but not Reviewed:

1. The Way of Serenity by Father Johnathan Morris.
2. The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life by Hannah Whittal Smith.
3. Froggy Goes to Bed by Jonathan London.
4. Christians in the Age of Outrage by Ed Stetzer. 
5. Life and Practice in the Early Church by Steven A. McKinnon 
6. The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith 
7. Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
8. The Story of Christianity, Volume 1 by Justo L. Gonzalez
9. 9 Things You Simply Must Do by Dr. Henry Cloud 
10. The Good and Beautiful Life by James Bryan Smith
11. The Religious History of America by Edwin Gaustad and Leigh Schmidt
12. Reliving the Passion by Walter Wangerin Jr.
13. Quilts of Gee's Bend by Susan Goldman Rubin (kiddie lit) 
14. Holy in Christ by Andrew Murray.
15. Journey into Grace by Darlene Sala, et al.
16. All of Grace by C. H. Spurgeon
17. The Weigh Down Diet by Gwen Shambin
18. A Life God Rewards by Bruce Wilkinson
19. Secrets of the Vine by Bruce Wilkinson
20. Bamboo and Lace by Lori Wick, a reread.
21. Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas 
22. Never-Say-Diet Book by Richard Simmons, a reread. 
23. The Beauty of Intolerance by Josh and Sean McDowell
24. Eat This Book by Eugene Peterson
    
25. Breaking Free by Beth Moore
    
26. Tactics by Gregory Koukl
27. The Story of Christianity, Volume 2 by Justo L. Gonzalez
28. The Bluebird and the Sparrow by Janette Oke, a reread
29. The Long Road Home by Lori Wick, a reread
30. If I Had Lunch With C. S. Lewis by Alister McGrath
31. Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt
32. Invitation to a Journey by M. Robert Mullholand Jr.
33. Never Give Up by Joyce Meyer
34. Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
35. The Message:  The Bible in Contemporary Language translated by Eugene Peterson.
36. Thirsty for God by Bradley P. Holt.
37. As a Man Thinketh by James Allen.
38. The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal
39. An Experiment in Criticism by C. S. Lewis
40. The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis
41. Conspiracy of Kindness by Steve Sjogren
42. A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis
43. God is in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
    
44. Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis 
45. The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis
46. The Weight of Glory by C. S. Lewis
47. Shepherd's Abiding by Jan Karon, a seasonal reread.
48. The Quiet Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott, a seasonal reread.
49. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, a seasonal reread

Ain't Nobody Got Time for That!:

• Wired That Way by Marita Luttauer
• Radical by David Platt

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End of the year update.

 

Well, as you can see, I more than exceeded my goal of 40 books and read 51.  This was a different kind of year all around--some good, some bad.  However, it was a great year for reading.  Thanks so much for joining along on this literary journey.  

 

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE.

 

Are y'all ready for my 2021 challenge?  The new challenge is:

 

 So, head on over to that challenge here and let's see what 2021 holds.

50 for fifty: Introduction

NOTE:  I know this is dated January 1, 2020 but being posted in mid June.  After the Covid-19 insanity hit, this list seemed out of place--and, quite frankly, a downer since I couldn't leave the house.  Now that things are easing up and life will eventually get back to some sort of normalcy, I'm ready to tackle this head on.

I've previously done these 101 in 1001 challenges (see  #1 here, #2 here) to mediocre results.  Don't get me wrong, I've had some great adventures doing these, but I came away from the end of the time limit disappointed because of what wasn't done. I decided to try something a little different this time.

I turn 50 in 2022.

50...

Let that sink in...

No, I'm not old, thank you!

If you've read my blog for any length of time (OK, well, not since quarantine, but you get my point), you know that life has been a struggle for an extremely long time.  These fun lists are an impetus for finding little pockets of joy and delight that hopefully spill over into the lives of others. The thing that has made these lists hard to complete is trying to complete them alone or trying to let them happen organically. So, if this list isn't successful, I most likely won't do another one. BUT I think it will succeed!

Start date:  January 1, 2020
End date:  May 30, 2022 (my 50th birthday)
Note: Items subject to change without notice.

1. Give myself $5 in fun bucks for each item completed on this list. ($100 so far)
2. Complete a secret spiritual goal.
3. Successfully paint a larger than normal (larger than 18x24) canvas.
4. Get to my goal weight of 150 lbs.
5. Read 100 books. (Completed 11/15/21).  One bonus dollar for each additional book read. (9 so far)
   
6. Pay off at least one major debt. (Paid off Discover Card 07/07/20)
7. Finish my Theology degree (Conferred 05/08/21).
8. Finish the Bible correspondence course.
9. Continue to "Dink it and Sink it" - Eat at 5 places I've never eaten before (Completed 04/20/21) #1 - Del Taco - The good?  Fries with a taco combo.  The bad?  Too pricey for what it was.  Will I eat there again?  Only if I have coupons.  #2 - Rosie's Diner - Great place in Aurora.  The breakfast food was tasty and the service was great.  I'll definitely eat there again. #3 - Jus Diner - A little out of the way place in Aurora.  Great food but not much of a waiting area.  That's going to be a problem when winter sets in. #4 - Buffalo Wild Wings - Good wings.  Not as good as Coop De 'Ville in Jacksonville, Alabama, but still good wings. #5 - Wing Stop - Even better than Buffalo Wild Wings and as good as, if not better than. Coop De 'Ville.   One bonus dollar for every extra new place ($5 so far). Black Bear Diner in Aurora, CO. Dickey's BBQ in Lakewood, CO.  Mad Greens in Lakewood, CO, Kickin' Chicken in Lakewood, CO, The Redbird Coffee in Jacksonville, AL (I ate a pastry there, so it counts).
   
10. Have 5 painting parties. (Completed 02/19/21). One bonus dollar for every extra painting or "make it" party ($6 so far)
    
11. Run at least one 5k.
12. Work out with someone I admire.
13. Create an inspiration notebook, vision board, or both.
14. Visit home at least once.  (Completed 11/15/21).
    
15. Release at least eight episodes of my podcast.
16. Publish something...even if I have to self publish it.
17. Take a Bob Ross painting class.
18. Have company over at least 10 times (Completed 09/09/21).
19. Buy my dream purse.  (Completed 03/23/21)
20. Buy my dream craft case. (Completed 10/01/20)
    
21. Try 5 artistic techniques I've never done before. (3 so far) - #1 & #2 - Decoupage and paper flower making. #3 Using a compass to draw circles.
    
22. Try 5 new art/craft products I've never used before. (2 so far) - #1 - Chalk paint, Zip-tie mounts,
    
23. Try 5 foods or drinks I've never had before. (4 so far) #1 - Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream (the brand I tried was pretty good). #2 - Takis (all heat no flavor, won't be eating them again). #3 - Sour gummy worms (liked them at first, but with these, less is more). #4 - Peach Dump Cake (I didn't like it.  It was too sweet and the texture wasn't what I expected).
    
24. Get a good digital camera and accessories.
25. Pick up cross stitch again and finish at least one project. (Completed 07/01/21)
26. Pick up plastic canvas again and finish at least one project (Completed 05/09/21).
27. Pick up knitting again and finish at least one project. (Completed 12/15/21).
28. Pick up watercolors again and finish at least one project. (Completed 12/29/21).
29. Practice bass guitar at least 25 times (9 times so far).
30. Make 200 pairs of baby booties for Colorado Family Life Center. (Completed 02/28/21).
31. Make 12 baby blankets for Colorado Family Life Center. (Completed 11/15/20)
    
32. Finish decorating my apartment.
33. Have 12 Christmas crafting days. (11 so far)
34. Meet my secret giving goal. (Completed 12/20/20, Completed again 12/31/21)
    
35. Do at least five Dollar Tree craft challenges (Completed 11/21/20).   #1 - Canister Set, #2 - Clothespin American Flag, #3 - Mesh Wreath,  #4 - Harvest Sign, #5 - Rustic Pumpkins. One bonus dollar for extra projects ($1 so far) 3 tiered tray,
    
36. Get all my dental work done.
37. Buy 5 pieces of merchandise in support of a small and/or online business.  (Completed 03/03/21)  #1 - "Common Sense is a Super Power" mug from the Rick and Bubba Show - a radio show from back home #2 - National Championship shirt from Wakefield's, a department store from back home that now has an online store. #3 - A jewelry set from Paparazzi Jewelry - Amber from This Southern Girl Can is a consultant, so buying from her supports a small business. #4 - "Whaat?!" t-shirt from Moriah Elizabeth.  #5 - JSU Football banner from San's Creations 4U - My niece's small craft business.
38. Finish reading through The Message translation of the Bible. (Completed 10/30/20)
    
39. Sell at least 5 pieces of my art. (Completed 8/26/21) One bonus dollar for each extra piece sold  (2 so far)
40. Learn 5 new recipes. (Completed 06/17/21)  06/15/20 - Homemade Granola, 09/07/20 - Crock Pot Barbecue Ribs, 10/10/20 - Ro-Tel dip,  April 2021 - Roasted Asparagus,  06/17/21 - Miss Rosie's Homemade Lemonade. One bonus dollar for each extra recipe: 
    
41. Get a massage.
42. Get a manicure and pedicure.
43. Paint at a "paint and sip" at least once. (Completed 07/11/21)
    
44. Make at least 5 successful quilted or sown projects.  (3 so far).  #1 - Tablecloth for dining table.  #2 - Houndstooth "Auntie's Workshop" apron, #3 - Decorative sofa pillows
    
45. Use a grocery pickup service at least once. (Completed 10/07/20).
    
46. Learn to cook beans from dry that don't have the consistency of B. B. pellets. (Completed 07/06/20.  Did it again 7/25/20 to make sure it wasn't a fluke)
47. Get a promotion at work.
48. Find a lucrative side hustle. (Completed 09/23/21 - Taught my first class as an adjunct)
    
49. Make at least one small scrapbook, whether manual or digital. 
50. Have a birthday party for my 50th.  I don't know if I can list this one since throwing your own party is considered tacky and desperate, but it's on here!

Honorable mentions; Any additional adventures or cool stuff that happens, or complete any uncompleted items on my two previous 101 in 1001 lists.

From my first 101 in 1001 list:

• #60 - Go to the zoo. (Completed 05/29/21) 
• #74 - Learn to make Rosie Johnson's homemade lemonade. (Completed 06/17/21)

From my second 101 in 1001 list:

• #39 - Get an external hard drive. (Completed 06/22/21)