Reading is Amazing - A review and my 2014 Book Challenges

I absolutely love to read! I have loved reading from the time I could pick up a book, as evidenced here:

My early love of reading ;)

There is just something truly magical about sitting down, opening those wonderful smelling pages, and getting immersed in its world!  There is nothing quite like it.  I love all types of stories and read pretty much every kind of book out there.  I used to get lost for hours on end once I started a good one.  Unfortunately, I had to grow up, and it really seems harder and harder to find the time to read these days.  I am trying to set up a routine so that I make sure that I get an ample amount of reading time each day, but that only seems to happen on occasion.  I will eventually get there, I am definitely determined! So, back to what made me begin this post.  I was on Facebook today and came across an article in TIME about reading speed and how browsing the internet could hurt how fast we are able to read.  So, I took this little test they had, try it out here:

Source: Staples eReader Department

My reading speed was 416 words per minute.  Slower than I used to be and slower than what I was expecting, so I definitely have a new motivation for reading more.  Because practice has to help right?!? :) What speed did you get? Was it what you were expecting?

Book Review - Elsie: Adventures of an Arizona Schoolteacher 1913-1916

This is an excellent book on life as a teacher in the new state of Arizona. It was compiled by her granddaughter, who used her diary, letters, and research surrounding the time Elsie Hayes spent in Arizona. She was a school teacher from California who ventured in the "wilds" of a state newly brought into the union. She first taught at Cornville, where they did not have any of the modern conveniences of the time. From there, she taught at Williams for two years. It was quite a fascinating read! I enjoyed learning about how different it was then. I also grew up near that area, so it was fun reading about some landmarks that I am familiar with.

One thing that I did not like was the choppiness of the writing. It was taken directly from her diaries and letters that she wrote and received, but there are a lot of gaps. She had burned a lot of letters that would have been great to fill in a lot of the questions you develop as you go along. With the limitations though, it was quite well put together. I really enjoyed the extra research her granddaughter, Barbara Anne Waite, did to help fill in the gaps that Elsie left.

I would definitely recommend reading this book to get a look at the early times of Arizona statehood!

2014 Book Challenges

And now, I'll get to the book challenges I am going to join in 2014! I have actually never participated in book challenges before.  I am so excited to try some out this year.  The toughest part is going to try to limit myself on how many I do ;) I am coming a little late to the game, but it's not too late to start!

 2014 Ebook Reading Challenge

This one is to challenge you to increase books read on your eReader.  This will be fun, I just got a Kindle for Christmas :)

My goal is to reach DVD Level - 25 eBooks

Book to Movie Challenge

Reading books that have been turned into movies and then watching the movie.

Goal: Movie Devotee - read 6 books and watch their movies

Back to the Classics 2014

I am looking forward to this one.  You have to read 6 books in the 6 categories given.

Banned Books Challenge

Reading banned books.

Goal:  Trouble-Maker: 3-5 Challenged Books

Luck No. 14 Reading Challenge

This one will be fun.  There are 14 categories you have to complete.

2014 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

Challenge to read historical fiction. This is one of my favorite genres!

Goal: Victorian reader - 5 books

Okay, so that is six book challenges! There are so many more that I want to join in, but I should really try to keep these goals achievable haha! Have you ever tried a book challenge?  What book challenges have you joined in this year? Leave the links in the comments, I'd love to check them out!

Linked up at: Modest Mom

Called to Love

It is only Tuesday, but this has already been an extremely long week for me.  I have just been inundated with hateful comments from a situation at work, to watching television shows, to watching the news.  I just cannot seem to escape from it, but it is reminding me how vital that love is to the world and it is our responsibility as citizens of the world, and especially as Christians, to fill it with as much love as possible! I just cannot honestly understand why there is so much hate in the world. I had a couple days of just feeling like I was being buried by it and it had an awful effect on my mood and attitude about everything.

I had to do an attitude check on myself and decide  that I am not going to focus on the hateful things going on, but will focus on the good and combat the bad with love.  I am not going to let all of the negatives in life get me down.  I know that there is plenty of bad things that happen in this world, which I will not ignore, but I cannot let it turn into hate and bitterness.  Instead I am going to focus on love and peace.  I came across this verse today and I thought it fit so well in thinking how we should treat each other:

"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" - Hebrews 12:14

Life really is short, we have a limited time on this earth.  What kind of impact do you want to have?  Do you want to love with abandon or let all of the negative sides of life control you? I find that love can be the more difficult road, but in the end it is way more enjoyable!  I have also had a hard time understanding people that take the hateful road.  How do you deal with them? I have tried many ways and you do have to cater it to each situation.  Sometimes it is appropriate to approach or confront the person and sometimes it is better to be silent and pray.  There will be some people you come across that will be mean and hateful and there will be no changing their mind, so pray for them! If anyone can soften a heart, it is Jesus :) To be honest, I do have a hard time doing this sometimes.  I like to put my two cents into a conversation, but I am slowly learning when that is appropriate and when it is better to bite my tongue and just talk to God about it. What is it that you do when confronted with hate?

How can we show Christ's love everyday?

This year I made several goals for myself.  I am now going to add this one: love more.  I want to consciously make a decision every single day to love everyone, even those that I don't understand, and show the love of God in everything that I do.  It really is vital to remember this:

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." - Matthew 5:43-44

and

"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Galatians 5:14

I cannot imagine the impact that this decision will have on my life, and hopefully the lives around me.  What kind of impact do you think this could have on the world if everyone loved more?  What are some ways that you show love during your day? I often look to my role models who did it so amazingly well.  My husband's grandparents were excellent examples of how to love fiercely.  Here is a picture of them at the beginning of their journey together:

My husband's grandparents showed amazing love their entire lives

Thanks for stopping by, I would love any comments! :)

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