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.
☆ – 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 76/104.
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 – My review – ★★★★★
✓ 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 Quilter’s Apprentice, by Jennifer Chiaverini – my review – ★★★★
✓ 5. A book by a man – A Grief Observed, by C.S. Lewis – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 6. A book published prior to 2000 – Mountain Born, by Elizabeth Yates – 1944 Newbery Honor Book – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 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 – Fever 1793, by Laurie Halse Anderson – Pennsylvania – my review ★★★★
✓ 9. A book about a current social issue – Hobos, Hustlers, and Backsliders: Homeless in San Francisco, by Teresa Gowan – my review – ★★★★
✓ 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 – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 13. A book of your choice – The Secret Keeper, by Kate Morton – my review – ★★★★★
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 – The Fence My Father Built, by Linda S. Clare – my review – ★★★★★ (The current issue is preservation of Native American cultural sites and artifacts.)
✓ 17. A novel that won a prize – The Last Cuentista, by Donna Barba Higuera – my review – ★★★★★ – 2022 winner of the Newbery Medal.
✓ 18. A book with more than one author – The Year We Disappeared, by Cylin Busby and John Busby – my review – ★★★★★
★ 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 – A Daily Rate, by Grace Livingston Hill – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 21. A book that has a name in the title – The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg, by Rodman Philbrick – my review – ★★★★
✓ 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 – my review – ★★★★
✓ 25. A book about Christian living – Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted, by Gretchen Ronnevik – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 26. A book of your choice – Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano
The Committed Reader
✓ 27. A book from a theological viewpoint you disagree with – A Quaker Book of Wisdom, by Robert Lawrence Smith – my review – ★★★★
✓ 28. A book by someone you think you could be friends with – Nine Coaches Waiting, by Mary Stewart – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 29. A book that won an award – The Crystal Cave, by Mary Stewart – My review – ★★★★
✓ 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 – The Mysteries of Udolpho, by Ann Radcliffe
✓ 32. A book of poetry – Stanyan Street and Other Sorrows</a>, by Rod McKuen – my review – ★★★
✓ 33. A book based on a true story – Heart of a Samurai, by Margi Preus, 2011 Newbery Honor Book – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 34. A book with a photograph on the cover – American Familia: A Memoir of Perseverance, by David A. Morales – my review – ★★★★★
☆ 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 – my review – ★★★★
✓ 37. A book with a two-word title – Good Grief, by Granger E. Westberg – my review – ★★★★
✓ 38. A devotional book – The Bumps Are What You Climb On, by Warren Wiersbe – ★★★★
✓ 39. A novel set in a country that is not your own – The Island of Sea Women, by Lisa See – my review – ★★
✓ 40. A book about art or music – Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art, by Madeleine L’Engle – my review – ★★★★
✓ 41. A book of Christian fiction – Where the Road Bends, by Rachel Fordham – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 42. A book about something fun – Art Before Breakfast: A Zillion Ways to be More Creative No Matter How Busy You Are, by Danny Gregory – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 43. A book by a female Christian author – Under the Tulip Tree, by Michelle Shocklee – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 44. A book whose title comes from a Bible verse – Fire By Night, by Lynn Austin – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 45. A book by a living author 70 or older – The High Sierra: A Love Story, by Kim Stanley Robinson – my review -★★★★★
✓ 46. A self-improvement book – Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic, by Lisa Congdon – my review – ★★★★
✓ 47. A book set during a war – All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque – my review – ★★★
✓ 48. A book you own but have never read – Sadie, by Courtney Summers – my review – ★★★★★
49. A book about euthanasia or abortion – Why Pro-Life? by Randy Alcorn
✓ 50. A book about theology – The Cost of Discipleship, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 51. A book about something interesting – The Sea Glass Sisters, by Lisa Wingate – my review – ★★★★★ – Interesting: riding out a hurricane.
✓ 52. A book of your choice – Thunder On the Right, by Mary Stewart – my review – ★★★★★
The Obsessed Reader
✓ 53. A book about something that fascinates you – Last Family Standing, by Jennifer AlLee – my review – ★★★★
✓ 54. A book about a historic figure or event – American Lightning:: Terror, Mystery, the Birth of Hollywood, and the Crime of the Century, by Howard Blum – my review – ★★★★
55. A book about public speaking – An Essential Guide to Public Speaking: Serving Your Audience with Faith, Skill, and Virtue, by Quentin J. Schultze
✓ 56. A book about animals OR geography – All Creatures Great and Small, by James Herriot – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 57. A book about sports OR art – Breath for the Bones: Art, Imagination and Spirit: A Reflection on Creativity and Faith, by Luci Shaw
✓ 58. A book about marriage OR friendship – Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 59. A book about parenting OR retirement – Hear No Evil, by Mary L. Hamilton – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 60. A book about adoption/foster care OR singleness – Dorie: The Girl Nobody Loved, by Doris Van Stone – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 61. A dystopian novel OR a book of comics – A Time to Die, by Nadine Brandes – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 62. A detective novel OR a war novel – Candle in the Darkness, by Lynn Austin – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 63. A book about theology OR psychology – Under the Magnolias, by T.I. Lowe- My review. ★★★★★
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 – Enough: Discovering Joy through Simplicity and Generosity, by Adam Hamilton
67. A book about science OR worldview –
68. A book about sin OR revival –
✓ 69. A book about the natural world – Shadows on the Klamath: A Woman in the Woods, by Louise Wagenknecht – my review – ★★★★★
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 – The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West, by David McCullough – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 75. A book by your favorite author – Long Way Home, by Lynn Austin – my review – ★★★★★
76. A book you have read before –
77. A book about love –
✓ 78. A Christian novel – Concrete Evidence, by DiAnn Mills – my review – ★★★★
79. A book about theology –
✓ 80. A book about Christian living – The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, by Sara Brunsvold – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 81. A book of your choice – Come Down Somewhere, by Jennifer L. Wright – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 82. An author’s debut book – Madam, Will You Talk? by Mary Stewart – my review – ★★★★★
83. A book about a leader –
84. A book about the Bible –
✓ 85. A book about a region, country, or city – California: An American History, by John Mack Faragher – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 86. A book set in a country not your own – Wildfire At Midnight, by Mary Stewart – my review – ★★★★★ – Set in Scotland
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 – Things We Didn’t Say, by Amy Lynn Green – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 92. A book more than 100 years old – San Francisco During the Eventful Days of April 1906, by James Burgess Stetson – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 93. A book your pastor recommends – Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness, by Gene Edwards – my review – ★★★
✓ 94. A book written by an author you’ve never read before – The Bookseller’s Promise, by Beth Wiseman – my review – ★★★★★
95. A book about something virtuous –
✓ 96. A book that you borrow from someone or somewhere – The Prayer Box, by Lisa Wingate – my review – ★★★★★ – borrowed from Overdrive
✓ 97. A book about spiritual disciplines – The Hour That Changes the World: A Practical Plan for Personal Prayer, by Dick Eastman – my review – ★★★★★
98. A book you have always wanted to read –
✓ 99. A book about sports or an athlete – Tell Me Everything, by Erika Krouse – my review – ★★★★★
✓ 100. A book with a great cover – A Castaway in Cornwall, by Julie Klassen – my review – ★★★
✓ 101. A biography, memoir, or autobiography – Unmasked: My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases, by Paul Holes – my review – ★★★★
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:
Prompts:
The Light Reader
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
The Avid Reader
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
The Committed Reader
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
The Obsessed Reader
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
What’s left for me to read? – My Reading Plans to finish this challenge.
15. A book recommended by a family member – Driving Miss Norma
19. A book with at least 400 pages – Her Mother’s Hope
23. A book about a book of the Bible – Romans Workbook
☆ 31. A book by Jane Austen or one of her contemporaries
☆ 35. A softcover book
☆ 42. A book about something fun
46. A self-improvement book – Find Your Artistic Voice
49. A book about euthanasia or abortion – Why Pro-Life?
☆ 51. A book about something interesting
55. A book about public speaking – Essential Guide…
56. A book about animals OR geography – All things Bright and Beautiful
61. A dystopian novel OR a book of comics – Winter
64. A book about a Christian perspective on Islam – Face to Face With Jesus
65. A book you don’t want to read but think you should – Breaking the Stronghold of Food
☆ 66. A book about business OR generosity
67. A book about science OR worldview – Confrontations, by Jacques Vallee
☆ 70. A book about the local church
71. A book that challenges your thinking on a topic – Stillness and Wilderness: A Bold Ride from Despair to Deep Wisdom and Love, by Elisabeth Lava
☆ 72. A book by a male conference speaker – Life Without Limits, by Nick Vujicic
73. A book by a woman conference speaker – anything by Karen Kingsbury
76. A book you have read before – Dear Mad’m
☆ 79. A book about theology
☆ 80. A book about Christian living
☆ 83. A book about a leader
☆ 84. A book about the Bible
☆ 87. A book you think your mom or dad would enjoy
88. A book by or about a missionary – God’s Smuggler
☆ 89. A book written by a European author
☆ 90. A book about a non-controversial subject
☆ 95. A book about something virtuous
98. A book you have always wanted to read – Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
☆ 102. A book about theology
☆ 103. A book about Christian living
104. A book of your choice – The Lake House, by Kate Morton
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