Favorite Books of 2012

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It's been a quiet week around the blog... mostly because my real life has been anything but. I've been babysitting for different friends kiddos, finishing last minute Christmas prep, and getting my home suited up for Saturday's European invasion (Niall's family is coming for Christmas- three Irish and two Catalan folks will be joining us).

It's been good, but it's been busy!

Today I wanted to take the time to reflect on my favorite books read this year. If you are interested, you can see the entire list of books I read in 2012 here.

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Favorite Homemaking: Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider. Tsh gives excellent reasoning, motivation, and a great action plan for simplifying your home and getting rid of all the clutter! I might have to do a reread and do over in 2013. Because somehow clutter multiplies... it seems like the more I purge, the more stuff appears! Can anyone else relate?

Favorite Fiction: Definitely, hands down, The Hunger Games Trilogy! It was the most engaging, suspenseful, and thought-provoking set of novels I've picked up in a long time. I'll admit the love triangle is a bit silly. I'll admit it is easy to become a little too obsessed with the world of Panem. I'll admit that I couldn't put them down until I had worked my way to the bloody and tantalizing finish. But I think you should read them. Really!

Favorite Biography: It's My Turn by Ruth Bell Graham is admittedly old and not commonly heard of. Oh, how she engaged my soul and encouraged my mother's heart! It was amazing to hear {from her own lips} that a super-giant woman of the faith struggled with the same laziness, doubts, and failures as me. The tales of her childhood missions experience in China will set fire to your bones. If you can find this, read it!

Favorite Spiritual: This is a tough one. More than one title made the list! But I've managed to narrow it down. Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges is a must-read for every Christian. I did not understand what the sin of ungodliness was before I read this book. It will change your thinking on every facet of your life- especially the stones you've left unturned.

Because He Loves Me by Elyse Fitzpatrick was another game changer for my walk with the Lord. If you've been blessed by the ministries of John Piper, Jerry Bridges, and C.J. Mahaney, you will be blessed by Elyse!

Favorite Topical: Why Pro-Life? by Randy Alcorn. I've always been pro-life- but having a miscarriage, and then a micro-preemie, solidified it for me in unspeakable ways. I am so convinced of the evils of abortion- but we live in a world that doesn't even think twice about its "pro-choice" position. Randy Alcorn's little volume is chock full of talking points to share with people who just don't know. There are countless reasons why abortion is wrong, and he gives you the medical and scientific facts you need to reasonably prove it.

Favorite Parenting: The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer. I've discussed my love for this book here and here, but here is a quick summary of why I loved it: it gives a comprehensive, "dummies" guide to giving your kids an excellent home education. Simple enough!

What were your favorite reads of the year? Please share! I'm working on compiling my list for 2013 and always welcome suggestions :).