I love reading...

...but only books that really pique my interest.

I'm kind of a book snob. Regardless, there are always books I have started or dream of starting that never quite make the cut, but that is going to change...maybe.

Here is a list of 20 books I want to read (or at least start) in 2018.

1. "A Million Miles In A Thousand Years"

The author of "Blue Like Jazz," Donald Miller shares about the beauty of life and the concept of "story." I've already started this one and I'm in love.

2. "Sabbath"

Wayne Muller. Again, I've started this one and also fell in love with Muller's musings on how to create a sabbath styled life.

3. "Freedom of Simplicity"

Ah yes, Richard J. Foster. Since I'm a Christian Spiritual Formation major, Richard Foster is always recommended reading. Yep, started this one too and again am incredibly interested in Foster's experiment and thoughts on simplicity.

4. "The Return of the Prodigal Son"

Yep, I started this one too (a few years ago...) This one is by Henri J.M. Nouwen, one of my heroes. The best combination of art, real life, and Jesus.

5. "The Artist's Way"

My bud, Shannon, gifted me this awesome book on creativity by Julia Cameron. She and I are both currently working on it and are absorbing Cameron's approach to leaning into your creative self.

6. "Jesus"

Ah, Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola. I started this book with a small group a few years ago, a group that eventually dissolved before the monstrously-large appearing book was finished. Regardless, it has been my goal to continue the amazing Christo-centric theography.

7. "Patched Together"

This one I have actually not started. Brennan Manning (another one of my heroes) penned this book as a novel that is intimately connected to his own story. Can you say "genius?"

8. "Jesus Wants to Save Christians"

If you know me at all you probably know about my strange obsession with Rob Bell. That's about all I can say about this one that I also have not started.

9. "The Beauty Myth"

I have been reading this for a few months after diving into "Reviving Ophelia" a book on a similar topic. Already, Naomi Wolf has blown my top off with this interesting take on modern (modern being the 1990s) beauty.

10. "Present Over Perfect"

I've read at least one other book by Shauna Niequist and enjoyed what I've found, so I figure this one, with a compelling topic, would also be enjoyable.

11. "Ruthless Trust"

Again we have some Brennan Manning. There isn't much to say except that I want to read as many of his books as possible.

12. "Hallelujah Anyway"

Anne Lamott always has a special viewpoint on life and faith, and I suspect this book delivers on that expectation.

13. "How to Be Here"

Yes, here is some more Rob Bell. I love this topic and I adore his thoughts.

14. "Room of Marvels"

Fun fact, I actually know James Bryan Smith, but I don't call him that. This has been recommended to me by many other people, and I definitely am intrigued by just about every thought that is birthed out of JBS's mind.

15. "Hidden in Christ"

JBS again. This is another I have been wanting to pick up for many years.

16. "Mothers, Daughters, and Body Image"

A friend shared this one with me before Christmas break, and ever since I have wanted to dive into it.

17. "Beyond the Mirror"

I like me some Henri J.M. Nouwen obviously, and this subject of life and death further sells me this title.

18. "Blue Nights"

I recently finished a book by Joan Didion and fell head over heels in love with her. This 2011 release of hers is, I'm sure, delivers just as much incredible writing.

19. "Hope for Families of Children with Cancer"

Yeah, I have a very diverse interest in reading materials. This one by Lynda T. Young and Johnathan Ward was picked up at a secondhand bookstore.

20. "Spark"

Jason Jaggard spoke at a Friends University chapel last year, and with it came a shameless promo for this book of his that I have yet to start.