Reading is an important habit for all of us. Of course, our number one book to read is the Bible. I have several ways to keep track of my reading. When I finish a book that I own, I write the date in the front. Since I started blogging, I also try to write a short article for the book review section of my blog for each book that I have read, including the borrowed ones. I have missed one or two. My wife keeps notes including actual quotes in her computer from each book that she reads. This is especially helpful to her as it preserves usable material from books she has read out of the public library.
Both JoAnne and I always have several books going at once. Inevitably, some get neglected while others take priority. This is just part of the way it is. But eventually, most of them get finished. Summer is a great time for reading. I always manage to finish several books, as I did this year. You can catch the three recent reviews in my book review section.
Choosing books to read is the heart of the matter. I try to choose books that enrich the work that I’m doing. And I usually have at least three different areas going at once to provide variety. Often one is for fun or for my health. I highly recommend the discipline of reading. Whether it is from physical books or on electronic screens does not matter.
I usually have at least one book that challenges or encourages my spiritual life and/or my prayer life. This is a discipline I have maintained for many years. The recent biography of Smith Wigglesworth was such a book. Other books, I read to help me in my various responsibilities like the Gary McIntosh’s book on Taking Your Church to the Next Level. Currently I am reading a book about college administration that is related to my work as a trustee at Houghton College. Over the last several years, I have usually had at least one book related to leadership on my shelf with a bookmark part way through it. For example, I finished a John Maxwell book last winter on being a people person (I haven’t reviewed it for my blog yet).
