My Progress on the 2022 Christian Reading Challenge - #vtReadingChallenge

I’ve decided to do the 2022 Christian Reading Challenge which I found on Tim Challies’ blog. He’s a pastor in Toronto, Canada. I find this to be a great alternative to the secular challenge I’ve done in past years. This Christian Reading Challenge includes both Christian and secular reading opportunities, so it is perfect for me.

Go to this link if you want to read the original posting by Tim Challies with all the rules (or ideas about how to break the rules to fit with your preferences in life):
The Christian Reading Challenge

Thank you, Pastor Tim Challies, for this challenge!

There are four levels in this challenge: (1) light reader, (2) avid reader, (3) committed reader and (4) obsessed reader. I will start at the beginning but intend to go to the end. At least, I’ll give it a try. There are 104 prompts in this challenge so to complete the challenge I’ll have to read an average of two books per week during 2022. That sounds like a lot for me, but I read over one hundred books in 2021 so maybe I can do it again.

The list on this page is a living document for my own use while I’m doing this challenge. I will add to it and change things until the end of the year.

For a complete numbered list of the prompts that you can use on your own blog, see the bottom of the page.

My reading list codes:
☆ – I own the book and am ready to read.
★ – I’m reading it.
✓ – I finished reading it. Yay!

Note: The prompts are from the challenge list. The book choices are mine. If you decide to do this challenge you will choose your own books.

So far I’ve finished 8/104.

The Light Reader

I’ve planned out the fist section prior to starting and I’m particularly happy about this selection of books because I already own them all and won’t have to go out and buy any of them.
☆ 1. A book published in 2021 or 2022 – The Children’s Blizzard, by Melanie Benjamin
✓ 2. A memoir or autobiography – Beautiful Country, by Qian Julie Wang – my review – ★★★★
✓ 3. A novel – A Redbird Christmas, by Fannie Flagg – my review – ★★★★★
☆ 4. A book by a woman – The Library Book, by Susan Orlean
☆ 5. A book by a man – Enough: Discovering Joy through Simplicity and Generosity, by Adam Hamilton
☆ 6. A book published prior to 2000 – Mountain Born, by Elizabeth Yates – 1944 Newbery Honor Book
✓ 7. A book with the word “gospel” in the title or subtitle – By Canoe and Dog Train: The Adventures of Sharing the Gospel with Canadian Indians, by Egerton Ryerson Young – my review – ★★★★★
8. A book with an image of a person on the cover –
☆ 9. A book about a current social issue – Why Pro-Life? by Randy Alcorn
✓ 10. A book for children or teens – Miss Hickory, by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey – 1947 Newbery Medal Winner – my review – ★★★
✓ 11. A book about suffering – Man’s Search for Meaning, by Victor Frankl – my review – ★★★★★
☆ 12. A book about Christian living – Adventures in Prayer: How to Reach for God’s Helping Hand, by Catherine Marshall
☆ 13. A book of your choice – Shadows on the Klamath: A Woman in the Woods, by Louise Wagenknecht

The Avid Reader

More possibilities. I reserve the right to change books if I find something else that fits a prompt. these are just suggestions to myself.
✓ 14. A book written by a Puritan – The Sovereignty and Goodness of God: Being a Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, by Mary Rowlandson – my review – ★★★★★
☆ 15. A book recommended by a family member – Driving Miss Norma: An Inspirational Story About What Really Matters at the End of Life, by Tim Bauerschmidt
16. A book about a current issue – San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities, by Michael Shellenberger (about homelessness)
17. A novel that won a prize – TBA (I’ll read whatever wins the Newbery Medal this year.)
☆ 18. A book with more than one author – Women Counseling Women, edited by Elyse Fitzpatrick
☆ 19. A book with at least 400 pages – Her Mother’s Hope: Marta’s Legacy Series Book 1, by Francine Rivers
☆ 20. A book by an author who was alive in the 1800s – North and South, by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
☆ 21. A book that has a name in the title – The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg, by Rodman Philbrick
★ 22. A book on a bestseller list – Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers, by Dane C. Ortlund
★ 23. A book about a book of the Bible – The Book of Romans: Bible-Study Journal, by Darlene Schacht
24. A book about theology – Theology Simplified: The 8 Foundational Truths of Your Glorious Redemption, by Bob Yandian
25. A book about Christian living – Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted, by Gretchen Ronnevik
☆ 26. A book of your choice – The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill – 2017 Newbery Medal Winner

The Committed Reader

I’m looking for books to fit these prompts now.
☆ 27. A book from a theological viewpoint you disagree with – Stillness and Wilderness: A Bold Ride from Despair to Deep Wisdom and Love, by Elisabeth Lava – just guessing that this spiritual journey memoir isn’t going to have the outcome I’d like most to read about.
28. A book by someone you think you could be friends with –
29. A book that won an award – Merci Suárez Changes Gears, by Meg Medina – 2019 Newbery Medal winner
✓ 30. A book about relationships – Somebody Someday: A Journey of Homelessness, Faith, and Friendship, by Joye Holmes – my review – ★★★★★
31. A book by Jane Austen or one of her contemporaries –
32. A book of poetry – Stanyan Street and Other Sorrows, by Rod McKuen
★ 33. A book based on a true story – Heart of a Samurai, by Margi Preus, 2011 Newbery Honor Book
☆ 34. A book with a photograph on the cover – Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope, by Van Ryn, Cerak, Tabb
☆ 35. A softcover book – The Ambassador’s Call: True Stories, Allegories & Miraculous Memoirs, by Gregory Addie
★ 36. A book with 100 pages or less – Rejection: Healing for a Wounded Heart, by June Hunt
37. A book with a two-word title –
★ 38. A devotional book – Jesus Always, by Sarah Young
39. A novel set in a country that is not your own – Jewel of the Nile, by Tessa Afshar
40. A book about art or music – Beauty Will Save the World, by Brian Zahnd
41. A book of Christian fiction – Her Daughter’s Dream, by Francine Rivers
42. A book about something fun –
43. A book by a female Christian author – Tramp For the Lord, by Corrie Ten Boom
44. A book whose title comes from a Bible verse –
45. A book by a living author 70 or older – A Daughter’s Choice, by Margaret Ford
46. A self-improvement book – The Bumps Are What You Climb On, by Warren Wiersbe
47. A book set during a war – All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque
48. A book you own but have never read –
49. A book about euthanasia or abortion –
✓ 50. A book about theology – The Cost of Discipleship, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer – my review – ★★★★★
51. A book about something interesting – Breath for the Bones: Art, Imagination and Spirit: A Reflection on Creativity and Faith, by Luci Shaw
52. A book of your choice –

The Obsessed Reader

I hope I get as far as this section later this year.
★ 53. A book about something that fascinates you – The Quilter’s Apprentice, by Jennifer Chiaverini
54. A book about a historic figure or event –
55. A book about public speaking –
56. A book about animals OR geography –
57. A book about sports OR art –
58. A book about marriage OR friendship –
59. A book about parenting OR retirement –
60. A book about adoption/foster care OR singleness –
61. A dystopian novel OR a book of comics –
62. A detective novel OR a war novel –
63. A book about theology OR psychology –
64. A book about a Christian perspective on Islam –
65. A you don’t want to read but think you should –
66. A book about business OR generosity –
67. A book about science OR worldview –
68. A book about sin OR revival –
69. A book about the natural world –
70. A book about the local church –
71. A book that challenges your thinking on a topic –
72. A book by a male conference speaker –
73. A book by a woman conference speaker –
74. A book about history –
75. A book by your favorite author –
76. A book you have read before –
77. A book about love –
78. A Christian novel –
79. A book about theology –
80. A book about Christian living –
81. A book of your choice –
82. An author’s debut book –
83. A book about a leader –
84. A book about the Bible –
85. A book about a region, country, or city –
86. A book set in a country not your own –
87. A book you think your mom or dad would enjoy –
88. A book by or about a missionary –
89. A book written by a European author –
90. A book about a non-controversial subject –
91. A book about words or language –
92. A book more than 100 years old –
93. A book your pastor recommends – Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness, by Gene Edwards
94. A book written by an author you’ve never read before –
95. A book about something virtuous –
96. A book that you borrow from someone or somewhere –
97. A book about spiritual disciplines –
98. A book you have always wanted to read –
99. A book about sports or an athlete –
100. A book with a great cover –
101. A biography, memoir, or autobiography –
102. A book about theology –
103. A book about Christian living –
104. A book of your choice –

The entire numbered list for the 2022 Christian Reading Challenge, in case you need it for your blog:
 <h2>Prompts:</h2> <h2>The Light Reader</h2> 1. A book published in 2021 or 2022 2. A memoir or autobiography 3. A novel 4. A book by a woman 5. A book by a man 6. A book published prior to 2000 7. A book with the word “gospel” in the title or subtitle 8. A book with an image of a person on the cover 9. A book about a current social issue 10. A book for children or teens 11. A book about suffering 12. A book about Christian living 13. A book of your choice <h2>The Avid Reader</h2> 14. A book written by a Puritan 15. A book recommended by a family member 16. A book about current issue 17. A novel that won a prize 18. A book with more than one author 19. A book with at least 400 pages 20. A book by an author who was alive in the 1800s 21. A book that has a name in the title 22. A book on a bestseller list 23. A book about a book of the Bible 24. A book about theology 25. A book about Christian living 26. A book of your choice <h2>The Committed Reader</h2> 27. A book from a theological viewpoint you disagree with 28. A book by someone you think you could be friends with 29. A book that won an award 30. A book about relationships 31. A book by Jane Austen or one of her contemporaries 32. A book of poetry 33. A book based on a true story 34. A book with a photograph on the cover 35. A softcover book 36. A book with 100 pages or less 37. A book with a two-word title 38. A devotional book 39. A novel set in a country that is not your own 40. A book about art or music 41. A book of Christian fiction 42. A book about something fun 43. A book by a female Christian author 44. A book whose title comes from a Bible verse 45. A book by a living author 70 or older 46. A self-improvement book 47. A book set during a war 48. A book you own but have never read 49. A book about euthanasia or abortion 50. A book about theology 51. A book about something interesting 52. A book of your choice <h2>The Obsessed Reader</h2> 53. A book about something that fascinates you 54. A book about a historic figure or event 55. A book about public speaking 56. A book about animals OR geography 57. A book about sports OR art 58. A book about marriage OR friendship 59. A book about parenting OR retirement 60. A book about adoption/foster care OR singleness 61. A dystopian novel OR a book of comics 62. A detective novel OR a war novel 63. A book about theology OR psychology 64. A book about a Christian perspective on Islam 65. A you don’t want to read but think you should 66. A book about business OR generosity 67. A book about science OR worldview 68. A book about sin OR revival 69. A book about the natural world 70. A book about the local church 71. A book that challenges your thinking on a topic 72. A book by a male conference speaker 73. A book by a woman conference speaker 74. A book about history 75. A book by your favorite author 76. A book you have read before 77. A book about love 78. A Christian novel 79. A book about theology 80. A book about Christian living 81. A book of your choice 82. An author’s debut book 83. A book about a leader 84. A book about the Bible 85. A book about a region, country, or city 86. A book set in a country not your own 87. A book you think your mom or dad would enjoy 88. A book by or about a missionary 89. A book written by a European author 90. A book about a non-controversial subject 91. A book about words or language 92. A book more than 100 years old 93. A book your pastor recommends 94. A book written by an author you’ve never read before 95. A book about something virtuous 96. A book that you borrow from someone or somewhere 97. A book about spiritual disciplines 98. A book you have always wanted to read 99. A book about sports or an athlete 100. A book with a great cover 101. A biography, memoir, or autobiography 102. A book about theology 103. A book about Christian living 104. A book of your choice