I never thought that I would be one to do a book meme (book lingo for a challenge) on my site, but I found one that I believe will help me out. If you know me, you know I love all things organizing (This site initially belonged to my Professional Organizing business). So anything that will help me organize this crazy TBR (To Be Read) list I have is fantastic. I found Down The TBR Hole on the blog, A Book. A Thought. The original creator of the meme has taken her site down but here are the rules:
Why am I doing this one? At the present moment, I have 4,679 books on my To Be Read list. Yes, I do. My problem is, whenever someone, somewhere recommends a book, I add it to my list. 25% of the time, I will check on what the book is about to see if it is something I will read, but most of the time, I add.
I know, logically that I will never get through this list and read all of these books. But I also never have to worry about being without a book recommendation. I do expect to remove some books off this list by doing this meme (weekly is my goal but don’t hold me to that just in case life happens). Let’s get started.
1. Knowing God Intimately: Being as Close to Him as You Want to Be by Joyce Meyer 
I own a physical copy of this book (or maybe my mom technically owns it, and I borrowed it indefinitely) and I have this dream of reading every book I own. I love Joyce Meyer’s teaching, but I’ve only read one of her books, half-way. But I also have a ton of her books (or my mom does). Plus this topic is something I could always use a refresher on. I’m keeping this one mostly because I own it.
2. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
This book is only on my list because I have heard so much about it. From my experience, that isn’t always a good thing. I’m not even sure how I feel about the Law of Attraction. I did try and watch the Netflix special and couldn’t make it past the first 10 minutes. I’m removing this one.
3. Discerning the Voice of God – The Bible Study Book by Priscilla Shirer
I’ve already done this with a small group and own the Bible Study book, so I am assuming I meant to add the actual book Priscilla Shirer wrote. That book also happens to be on this list so I will be removing this one.
4. Girls with Swords: How to Carry Your Cross Like a Hero by Lisa Bevere
I own this book because I started it with a large group at church, but we never finished the book. Now that I think about it, our large group never finished the last three books we were supposed to read, including one by our lead Pastor. Nevertheless, I didn’t like this book enough to finish it on my own. It could have been the slow pace of reading a chapter or two a week to stay on track with the group. Or maybe the season I was in. I’ve heard Lisa Bevere preach once and enjoyed her, but I wasn’t a fan of one of her husband’s books, so I’m a little concerned with how I will feel about her books. But since I own a physical copy of the book, I’m keeping it on the list.
5. I Want It All: Exchanging Your Average Life for Deeper Faith, Greater Power, and More Impact by Gwen Smith
Not sure how this book ended up in my collection, but it is another one that I physically own (and this one actually belongs to me). I’m on this kick lately of knowing that there is more to life than just living so the pull to exchange an average life is enough to say I am keeping this book on the list.
6. Women of the Bible by Frances VanderVelde
I don’t know how I ended up owning this one, but it’s on my Kindle app, so it isn’t going anywhere. I think I went through a season of wanting to know all I could about women in the Bible. I probably wanted to see how they were able to do life. I’m keeping this one.
7. Chazown: A Different Way to See Your Life by Craig Groeschel
Guess what? I don’t own this one. I’m also a little over reading books about the vision or call for my life. That is to give God glory, and however He wants me to do that, He has told me or will let me know. I’m removing this one.
8. Women Living Well: Find Your Joy in God, Your Man, Your Kids, and Your Home by Courtney Joseph
I use to love Good Morning Girls, and I am sure I downloaded this book on Kindle when I was following their reading plans. I still like them, but they aren’t in-depth enough for me in this season, but they are great for people just beginning to get into the Word of God. As for her book, I love the cover and have wanted to know more about Courtney. I know she has had some life changes since this book, but I would still like to read it. I am keeping it since it’s on my Kindle app.
9. Start Balancing by Kristy Dickerson
I found out about Kristy Dickerson by using her Start Planners. When she came out with this book, it was so adorable, and I was all for trying to organize, simplifying, and balancing this thing called life. I started the book but didn’t finish it. Unfortunately, since then, I have realized that Kristy herself isn’t all that balanced. She has created and launched quite a few businesses in the past few years, and I’ve noticed that she just isn’t juggling like she was. Which is more like real life. Maybe she needs a bigger team; perhaps it’s just a growing or stretching season. Either way, I’m not interested in the book anymore, especially since I realized there isn’t really a thing called a balanced life. I own a physical copy of this book, but I am removing it because I don’t plan on finishing it.
10. Rhythms of Grace: Discovering God’s Tempo for Your Life by Kerri Weems
Remember up above when I said my church started three books during Large Group and never finished? Including one by our Pastor? This is it, which is hilarious considering shortly after we entered a season where we picked back up honoring the Sabbath. The book was great. I had to force myself to slow down to stay on the same page as the group, which is honestly what made me put it down. I’m sure I only had a few more chapters to go also. But I’m keeping this book on the list because it was so good.
Final count: Removing 4; Keeping 6; TBR down to 4,675
I know…that number seems crazy. And it is. But just think, I removed 40% of the books on today’s review, which means there is hope for my list. Plus I am reading a bunch still. I have eight books right now borrowed on my apps that once I read and finish them, will be able to come off. I’m making progress.
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