Contentment Reading Challenge 2011

Hmmm...so, since one of my "reading resolutions" going forward is to read more and finish challenges, I might as well go crazy and join several before 2011 hits, no? :)

The Contentment Reading Challenge is being hosted by a new blogging friend of mine - Amber at Seasons of Humility. Here's the challenge details, copied from Amber's main challenge post:

Contentment Reading Challenge 2011

Hosted by "Seasons of Humility"

The "Contentment Reading Challenge" is based on the idea that we, as avid readers, have many books scattered around our homes (on shelves, in the closet, under the bed, etc.) that we have hoped to read again but have not made the time to do so. It is also based on my own struggles with greed and selfishness--continuing to buy more and more books, while forgetting the wonderful library I already own.*

If you perhaps are going through similar struggles or have had similar ideas, I would love to have you join my reading challenge. This is more of a personal challenge, so don't feel like you have to strictly follow all of the rules in order to be involved. What really counts is our heart attitudes, and while this isn't an overnight change, it's something we can be working on together.

Here are the guidelines:

I will be posting off and on throughout the year about the challenge, and I would love to hear your feedback at those times on how you are doing and what you might be learning along the way. I'd love to have this become a community event, where we can encourage and pray for one another, as well as share in each other's joys as we re-visit some of our favorite books!

In order for this to be a "challenge," it's good to set some goals. Since the ocean is the theme for the devotional posts on this blog ("Sundays by the Sea") here are some of the themed levels you can aim for:

• Floating: Re-reading 5 books you already own. Skimming the surface.
• Wading: Re-reading 10 books you already own. Getting your feet wet in your ocean of books.
• Swimming: Re-reading 15 books you already own. Immersing yourself again.
• Diving: Re-reading 20 or more books you already own. Going deep into the stories you love.  

The challenge officially starts on January 1, 2011 and officially ends on December 31, 2011. I'm sure there will be some fun activities along the way for those involved, and maybe even a celebration at the end, so I hope you can join me!

For us to remember: "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5)

***

*True confessions time - contentment is something that I can really struggle with, so Amber's statement about "forgetting the wonderful library I already own" really struck a chord within me. The maxim "so many books, so little time" is so true - but I've let many years pass "meaning" to revisit old favorites and never getting around to it thanks to all of the  new "must reads" I insist on acquiring. *wink* So this year, I'd like to turn that wishlist of old favorites that I've longed to re-read for years into a reality.

For this challenge I'm going to start by committing to the "wading" level - 10 books.

EDIT 3/5/11: I've decided to simply count any books I've read before and re-read this year as eligible for this challenge, rather than setting a specific list. *whew* I already feel less stressed. :)

Wish me luck, and let me know if you decide to join in Amber's challenge! And help keep me accountable!!! :)