48 Books I Read in 2016 (And the 3 That Changed My Life!)

48 Books I Read in 2016 (and the 3 that changed my life!) | Making the Most Blog

At the beginning of 2016/end of 2015, I announced that my goal for 2016 was to read 24 books–two books a month.  While I didn’t blow my goal out of the water with 66 like last year, I still was able to get a lot of reading done and ended up doubling by goal by reading 48 books.

As a recap, here are the books I completed in 2016:

  1. Animal Farm by George Orwell
  2. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
  3. Where Is God When It Hurts? by Philip Yancey
  4. Make It Happen: Surrender Your Fear.  Take the Leap.  Live on Purpose.  by Lara Casey
  5. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
  6. The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis
  7. The Externally Focused Church by Rick Rusaw
  8. Breaking Busy: How to Find Peace and Purpose in a World of Crazy by Alli Worthington
  9. Smashwords Book Marketing Guide by Mark Coker
  10. Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage: 12 Secrets for a Lifelong Romance by Greg & Erin Smalley
  11. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
  12. Letters to My Daughters: The Art of Being a Wife by Barbara Rainey
  13. The Daniel Plan Jumpstart Guide: Daily Steps to a Healthier Life by Rick Warren
  14. The Homeschool Guide: Everything You Need to Know for Successfully Homeschooling Your Children by Vanessa Bilotta
  15. Healing ADD: The Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the 6 Types of ADD by Daniel G. Amen
  16. Myths and Misunderstandings of ADD and ADHD: Non Hyperactive ADD and Hyperactive ADHD in Children and Adults: Misunderstood, Misdiagnosed and Missed Opportunity by Robert Scott
  17. Book Marketing is Dead: Book Promotion Secrets You MUST Know BEFORE You Publish Your Book by Derek Murphy
  18. The Fantasy Fallacy: Exposing the Deeper Meaning Behind Sexual Thoughts by Shannon Ethridge
  19. Looking for Lovely: Collecting the Moments That Matter by Annie F. Downs
  20. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy J. Keller
  21. Hope Unfolding: Grace-Filled Truth for the Momma’s Heart by Becky Thompson
  22. 5 Minutes with Jesus by Sheila Walsh
  23. Beauty Begins: Making Peace with Your Reflection by Chris Shook
  24. The Longing in Me: How Everything You Crave Leads to the Heart of God by Sheila Walsh
  25. Giddy Up, Eunice: Because Women Need Each Other by Sophie Hudson
  26. Heart Made Whole: Turning Your Unhealed Pain Into Your Greatest Strength by Christa Black Gifford
  27. Chase the Lion: If Your Dream Doesn’t Scare You, It’s Too Small by Mark Batterson
  28. Becoming a Woman of Excellence by Cynthia Heald
  29. Raising a Young Modern-Day Princess: Growing the Fruit of the Spirit in Your Little Girl by Doreen Hanna
  30. Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst
  31. Undefiled by Harry Schaumburg
  32. The Happiness Dare: Pursuing Your Heart’s Deepest, Holiest, and Most Vulnerable Desire by Jennifer Dukes Lee
  33. A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis
  34. Unreasonable Hope: Finding Faith in the God Who Brings Purpose to Your Pain by Chad Veach
  35. I Will Carry You: The Sacred Dance of Grief and Joy by Angie Smith
  36. If: Trading Your If Only Regrets for God’s What If Possibilities by Mark Batterson
  37. Manage Your Day-To-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind by Jocelyn K. Glei
  38. Whatever the Cost: Facing Your Fears, Dying to Your Dreams, and Living Powerfully by David and Jason Benham
  39. How to Be Rich: It’s Not What You Have.  It’s What You Do With What You Have by Andy Stanley
  40. She Reads Truth: Holding Tight to Permanent in a World That’s Passing Away by Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams
  41. One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land by Priscilla Shirer
  42. Social Media Marketing Workbook: 2016 Edition – How to use Social Media for Business by Jason McDonald
  43. Sparkly Green Earrings: Catching the Light at Every Turn by Melanie Shankle
  44. Blog, Inc.: Blogging for Passion, Profit, and to Create Community by Joy Deangdeelert Cho
  45. Digital Minds: 12 Things Every Business Needs to Know About Digital Marketing by WSI
  46. Understanding Digital Marketing: Marketing Strategies for Engaging the Digital Generation by Damian Ryan

Out of all of these books, there were only three this year that stood out as influential books, although majority of the books regarding digital marketing platform and social medias did help also.  These are books that I am constantly recommending to others, that I will continue to read again and again, and whose messages impact my life daily.  I have listed them below with one sentence that describes their influence on my life and/or how you will be changed by reading them.  I hope you’ll allow them to impact your life in 2017.

  • Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
    Despite the fact that I’ve been a Christian for 25 years, my eyes were opened to so many facets of the Christian faith through C.S. Lewis’ explanations.
  • The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy J. Keller
    This book really helped me to understand the objections to Christianity and how to respond to them.
  • If by Mark Batterson
    “If” is such a powerful word, and if used in the right context can open up the doors to many wonderful opportunities.

What about you?  Did you read any life changing books this year?  I’d love for you to share them with me in the comments!

Back To Top