Best Books of 2008

One of my 2009 goals is to read 52 books, or one a week. Now before you fall off your rocker laughing at me, you should know I have almost completely quit watching tv (no cable= less time wasted), I am a very fast reader, and as best I can tell, I read 26 books in 2008 (possibly more, but I didn't start keeping track on www.goodreads.com until May). So I'm really just doubling my efforts.

I mostly read non-fiction, but I read a few great fiction books this year so I might try some more this upcoming year. Here are some of my favorites from this past year, with a few random thoughts:

Fiction: "These is My Words" by Nancy Turner (Compelling, as were the sequels), "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" by Kim Edwards (sad but intriguing), "American Wife" by Curtis Sittenfeld (fictional account of Laura Bush's life from a liberal viewpoint)

Non-Fiction: "Epicenter" by Joel Rosenberg (a must read immediately for any Christian who wants to understand current world events. This book blew me away).

Favorite "on the job" books: "For Women Only" by Shaunti Feldhahn (this was my second study of it, so I practically have it memorized, but it is so helpful) and "A Mother's Heart" by Joan Fleming (a spiritual classic for all SAHMs).

My financial career/interests: I did read "The 4 Hour Workweek" by Timothy Ferriss (he has a big of an ego) and"Hot Flat and Crowded" by Thomas Friedman (interesting but uninspiring), but I wasn't particularly impressed by any of the finance and economics books I read. So I'll wait until 2009 for a new favorite to emerge...

You would never guess I would read these books, but I loved them: "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver (if anyone could convince me why to go organic, it would be her), and "Dreams from My Father" by Barack Obama (it was fascinating, I think everyone should read the life story of our new President).

Happy Reading! I haven't compiled my official list of "52" yet, so if you have any suggestions, send them on.