2026 Baby Got Stacks Reading Challenge

Artwork by Shannon Maddox
aka "Auntie"

 

Welcome to the 2026 "Baby Got Stacks" reading challenge!

Before we get started, let's do a little review.  Last year's challenge was a stunning success.  My goal was 100  books; I read 119!  This year I'm mixing things up a bit.  My total goal on my Goodreads challenge is 125 books. Part of that goal (chronicled here) is to read 100 children's books.  I'm using the Scholastic 100 Greatest Books for Kids list as a guide along with reading other children's books that pique my interest.  I've not read most of the books on the Scholastic list, so this should be fun. 

For those new to my blog, I divide my reads into several categories.  Sample categories for this year's reads include:

• Glorious rereads - books I enjoyed so much that I'm reading them again.
• Recommended Reads - books recommended by what I hope are trustworthy sources.
• Cross References - books referenced in other books I read. Not exactly a recommended read, but similar.
  
• Everybody's Reading It - books that everybody and their grandma read that I'm just now getting to.
• Impulse Reads - Books I bought, borrowed, or checked out of the library for no other reason than "hey, this looks interesting." 
• Kiddie Lit - Children's books.  This year, they get their own list. 

My rating systems is as follows:

✮✮✮✮ = Outstanding
✮✮✮ = Pretty good
✮✮ = Could have been better / could have been worse.
✮ = Not so great.  What the heck did I just read?  I'm finishing this one purely out of spite.
Zero stars = Ain't nobody got time for that = DNF (did not/would not/could not finish)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Books Read and Reviewed:

Completed books will be marked as a link to the review or Goodreads comments. *indicates a volume from my personal collection.

Book 01 *- A glorious reread and a revisited review.                                            
Book 02 *                                             
Book 03         
Book 04
Book 05

Read but Not Reviewed: *indicates a volume from my personal collection.

Regular reads:

1. The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton ✮✮  (Category:  Cross Reference)
2. The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron* ✮✮✮✮ (Category:  Glorious reread) 
3. Enjoying Jesus by Tim Chester  ✮✮✮✮
4. The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawerence* (Category:  Reread and Cross Reference)  
5. How Can I Practice Christian Meditation?  by Joel Beeke*  ✮✮✮✮ (Category:  Glorious reread) 
6. Struggles in the Spiritual Life by Timothy Gallagher  ✮✮✮1/2
7. Phantastes by George MacDonald  ✮✮
8. Sanctuary of the Soul by Richard J. Foster  ✮✮✮✮ (Category:  Glorious reread) 
9. The Little Flowers of Saint Francis by Brother Ugolino Boniscambi ✮✮  (Category:  Cross reference) 
10. Spurgeon:  A Life  by Alex Diprima ✮✮✮✮ 
11. A Call to Prayer by J. C. Ryle  ✮1/2    
12. Prayer by Timothy Keller  ✮✮✮✮   
13. Hudson Taylor:  Deep in the Heart of China by Janet & Geoff Benge ✮✮✮✮
14. Prayer and Praying Men by E. M. Bounds  ✮✮✮1/2  
15. Before Amen by Max Lucado  ✮✮✮✮  
16. Bait of Satan by John Bevere   ✮✮✮  
17. Spurgeon and the Poor by Alex Duprima ✮✮   
18. God's Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis (Category:  Glorious reread) ✮✮✮  
19. How to Memorize Scripture for Life by Andrew M. Davis  ✮   
20. Forward by Ronnie Floyd  ✮  
21. The Risen King by Charles Spurgeon *  ✮✮✮✮  
22. The Nicene Creed by Kevin DeYoung  ✮✮✮✮  
23. The Hope of Easter by Joshua Cooley * ✮✮✮1/2 
24. The 5 Levels of Leadership by John C. Maxwell  ✮✮  
25. The Lord's Prayer by Kevin DeYoung ✮✮✮✮  
26. Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung ✮✮✮1/2  
27. On the Christian Life:  A New Translation by John Calvin  ✮✮✮1/2  
28. The Hole in Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung  ✮✮✮✮  
29. Impossible Christianity by Kevin DeYoung  ✮✮✮✮  
30. Journey Through Acts by David Cook ✮✮✮1/2  
31. Holy Helps for a Godly Life by Richard Rogers ✮✮✮1/2  
32. Union with Christ by Sinclair Ferguson  ✮✮✮1/2  
33. Just Courage by Gary Haugen  ✮1/2  
34. Made for His Pleasure by Alistair Begg ✮✮
35. The Best of Jonathan Edwards Sermons by Jonathan Edwards  ✮✮✮✮  
36. Jesus, the High Road Leader by John C. Maxwell and Chris Hodges ✮✮✮✮  
37. Garden City by John Mark Comer  ✮1/2  

"My Inklings Summer" Reads

1. Letters on Living the Faith by C. S. Lewis ✮✮✮✮  
2. The Great Divorce by C. S. Lew is ✮✮✮✮  (a glorious reread) 
3. An Experiment in Criticism by C. S. Lewis ✮✮✮1/2  (a glorious reread) 
4. The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien ✮✮✮ (also counts in the Kiddie Lit category)

Category:  Kiddie Lit

1. The Cookcamp by Gary Paulsen ✮✮✮1/2 
2. Alida's Song by Gary Paulsen  ✮✮✮1/2 
3. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan ✮✮✮✮ 
4. Skylark by Patricia MacLachlan ✮✮✮✮ 
5. Caleb's Story by Patricia MacLachlan ✮✮✮1/2 
6. More Perfect than the Moon by Patricia MacLachlan ✮✮✮ 
7. Grandfather's Dance by Patricia MacLachlan ✮✮✮1/2
8. Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮ 
9. Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems ✮✮✮✮  
10. Knuffle Bunny Free by Mo Willems ✮✮✮✮   
11. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans ✮✮✮✮        
12. Madeline and the Bad Hat by Ludwig Bemelmans ✮✮✮✮   
13. Madeline's Rescue by Ludwig Bemelmans ✮✮✮✮ 
14. Madeline and the Gypsies by Ludwig Bemelmans ✮✮1/2  
15. Madeline in London by Ludwig Bemelmans ✮✮✮✮ 
16. Madeline's Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans ✮✮1/2 
17. Matthew Henry by Glenda Mathes & Joel R. Beeke ✮✮✮     
18. John Bunyan  by Glenda Mathes & Joel R. Beeke ✮✮✮  
19. The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder  ✮✮✮✮ (A glorious reread)   
20. Jonathan Edwards by Glenda Mathes & Joel R. Beeke  ✮✮✮ 
21. Anne Bradstreet by Glenda Mathes & Joel R. Beeke  ✮✮✮  
22. John Owen by Glenda Mathes & Joel R. Beeke  ✮✮✮  
23. Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! by Dr. Seuss  ✮✮✮1/2  
24. The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮ 
25. The Pigeon Has to Go to School by Mo Willems ✮✮✮✮  
26. Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late by Mo Willems ✮✮✮✮ 
27. The Duckling Gets a Cookie by Mo Willems ✮✮✮✮  
28. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems ✮✮✮✮  
29. The Pigeon Finds a Hotdog by Mo Willems ✮✮✮✮  
30. The Pigeon Wants a Puppy by Mo Willems ✮✮✮✮  
31. Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems ✮✮✮✮  
32. Stuart Little by E. B. White ✮✮✮  
33. Charlotte's Web by E. B. White ✮✮✮✮     
34. There is a Bird on Your Head by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮     
35.  Are You Ready to Play Outside by Mo Willems ✮✮✮✮     
36.  Elephants Cannot Dance by Mo Willems ✮✮✮✮     
37.  Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems ✮✮✮✮     
38.  I Will Take a Nap by Mo Willems ✮✮✮✮      
39. Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems ✮✮✮✮  
40. Does a Bulldozer Have a Butt?   by Derick Wilder  ✮✮✮1/2 
41. I Made These Ants Some Underpants! by Derick Wilder  ✮✮1/2  
42. Edwina:  The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct by Mo Willems ✮✮✮✮  
43. That is NOT a Good Idea by Mo Willems ✮✮✮✮  
44. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak  ✮✮✮✮  
45. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats  ✮✮✮✮  
46. The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White  ✮✮✮✮  
47. Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮  
48. Hurray for Amanda and Her Alligator by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮  
49. Nanette's Baguette by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮     
50. Think Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison
51. The Pigeon WON'T Count to 10!  by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮     
52. Will the Pigeon Graduate? by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮     
53. It's My Bird-Day by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮        
54. I Really Like Slop by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮   
55. Time to Pee! by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮1/2     
56. Froggy's First Kiss by Jonathan London  ✮✮✮✮   
57. Froggy Plays Soccer by Jonathan London  ✮✮✮✮   
58. I'm a Frog by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮   
59. My Friend is Sad  by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮   
60. I Love My New Toy by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮   
61. Pigs Make Me Sneeze by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮     
62. A Big Guy Took My Ball! by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮     
63. My New Friend is So Fun! by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮       
64. The Story of Diva and Flea by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮1/2    
65. Let's Say Hi to Friends Who Fly!  Willems  ✮✮✮1/2    
66. The Pigeon Won't Say the ABCs!  Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮       
67. I Am Invited to a Party!  by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮       
68. I Will Surprise My Friend! by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮       
69. Happy Pig Day! by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮         
70. Opposites Abstract by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮ 
71. Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮ 
72. The Thank You Book by Mo Willems  ✮✮✮✮ 
73. Horton Hears a Who! by Dr. Seuss  ✮✮✮1/2  
74. Froggy's Best Christmas by Jonathan London  ✮✮1/2  
75. Froggy Bakes a Cake by Jonathan London  ✮✮✮✮   
76. Hooray for Diffendoofer Day by Dr. Seuss et al ✮✮✮✮    
77. The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss  ✮1/2  
78. Brother Andrew:  God's Secret Agent by Janet and Geoff Benge ✮✮✮✮     
     

First Line Friday Entries for the Year: 

*indicates a completed volume.  They may have a separate review or a "last words" section.

#41

#42

#43

#44

#45 

Ain't Nobody Got Time for That!:

• The Supernatural Power of Prayer and Fasting by Ronnie Floyd (audiobook):  I read about 1/3 of the volume, but couldn't finish it.
• The material was quite repetitive but never got to the point.  The thesis is that there are supposedly 12 ways God will change the life of a Christian who regularly worships through  prayer and fasting.  However, the author never got around to them.
• Floyd was very ambiguous about his own experience.  That's not helpful.
• The author narrated his own book.  For many authors, that's not a problem.  I have found, however, that some people who are great writers and speakers do not do well with reading out loud.  Unfortunately, the author of this volume is one of them.  Also, part of the book sounds like he recorded the audio while fighting allergies or a terrible cold. This is a case of where a professional narrator was needed.
• When People are Big and God is Small by Edward T. Welch (audiobook):  This is another volume I abandoned about 1/3 of the way through.
• While it is true that individuals can have problems with excessive people pleasing and co-dependency, and Christians face the temptation to fear people more than God, Welch goes about correcting it in a way that seems more dangerous to the psyche and spirit.  
• He disparages mental health clinicians although he is a licensed counselor.  From his about page on the Desiring God website: Ed Welch is a faculty member and counselor at the Christian Counseling & Education Foundation (CCEF). He has counseled for over forty years and has written extensively on the topics of depression, fear, and addictions.  So let me get this straight, a person who writes that mental health clinicians only serve to help their clients become more self-centered (and thus pleasing others for personal gain) is himself a long standing counselor?  Tell me how that makes sense. 
• Welch, like some other authors I've read (although they weren't as obnoxious), seem to not be able to take Jesus' commands to, "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’" (Matthew 22:37-39 NIV) at face value.  He asserts that verse 39 doesn't mean what it says.  He doesn't believe that loving oneself is a factor in how we love others.  Without going into a long theological discussion, let me just say--that doesn't make horse sense.  Don't make me quote the great RuPaul here. Have you ever seen a farmer grow a crop without seeds?  No, you haven't.  The same holds true for "growing" love.  How can one love God without first receiving the implantation of the seeds of His love (see 1 John 4:19)?  How can one love him/herself without a working understanding of the seeds of God's love for him/her?  How can one love others without loving yourself? 
• 
• He completely lost me at his scathing disdain for Maslow's hierarchy of needs (see chart).  For those unfamiliar, this was developed by psychologist Abraham Maslow in the mid-20th century.  Modern psychology and counseling materials represent this hierarchy as a pyramid with the most pressing needs at the bottom and each successive need is built on the fulfillment of the need below it.  While I do not agree with all of Maslow's theories and I've only taken enough college-level counseling courses to know that rather than being a mental health professional I needed to hire one, this simple--yet not so simple--chart is pretty spot on. Although love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization can be misinterpreted as selfish, the mentally healthy person will understand that those needs are best served by a proper balance of appropriate self-care and care for others.  There is nothing on this chart that we can provide for others unless we have it for ourselves.  Again, see my example above.  Welch seems to suggest that the only real needs humans have are those at the bottom of the chart (physiological needs) and the rest are not required but are simply feeders of American consumerism.  So, as a counselor how does advise someone if the person suffering from a lack of these basic needs isn't American and doesn't have America as his or her point of reference?  I'm terrified to know what kind of "counselor" this man is.  Is his goal to make God big and people not just small, but NPCs?