Top Books of 2012

2012 was a great year!  Possibly the best this far for my wife and I. We had our first baby, celebrated our 5 year anniversary, took random road trips to Hot Springs, AR, the Grand Canyon,  Sedona, AZ, and a couple of Bed & Breakfasts here in Oklahoma.  We bought and renovated our future home although we are sticking to campus life for now.  It's been a wonderful year!

Due to all of these great adventures, one of the things I've slacked on this year is reading.  I never thought it possible but I have become an avid reader.  Thats pretty big considering I do not recall ever reading an entire book until I graduated college!!  Since then I don't know how many I've read because counting seems silly but I am usually excited about finishing a book so that I can start another.

Of the few books I made time to read this year, these were the most influential.  They changed the way I think and in turn changed my life.  I'm sharing them with you in hopes that your life may be influenced should you choose to read them.

Here are MY top 10 books of 2012! :)

Life
Love Does by Bob Goff - This book is a collection of the author's personal stories about learning to engage in your life.  It challenged me to focus less on planning my life and more on living it.  After you read this book you'll feel like Bob is one of your best friends who encourages you to not just love with your words but with your hands and feet.  Be ready to look at your life, your job, your family, and everything else differently.

You may also like A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller.

Parenting
Baby Wise by Gary Ezzo - When we asked for advice on parenting a lot of people we admire as parents recommend that we read Baby Wise.  We read it and immediately put it into practice.  It gives specific steps on how to put your baby on a schedule and get them to sleep through the night.  We do not follow it to a 'T' but we do use the basic foundations and have been pleased.  Definitely the most helpful book on parenting we have read thus far.

I will also note that there are quite a few parents out there that are not fans of Baby Wise and its methods.  It didn't work for them or their kids for one reason or another.  I can only speak of my experience which has been a amazing one.  If you have a newborn or are about to, I recommend that you at least give it a shot.

You may also like The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp.

Spiritual
The Resolution For Men by Kendrick & Alcorn - If you are interested on learning how to become a better husband or father then this book is for you.  This book will challenge you in multiple ways and is filled with tons of practical ideas to help you in multiple areas.  It is bold.  If you're not interested in becoming a better man you will be offended.

You may also like The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley.

Leadership
Visioneering by Andy Stanley - If you are looking for a leadership book that will also challenge you spiritually, this is the book for you.  According to Stanley, visioneering is painting a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be If you are the leader of your home, school, work, church, or community, this book will help you develop and strengthen your vision.

You may also like The Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley.

Financial
The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach - Ok so I technically didn't read this in 2012.  It was actually one of the first financial books I read in 2006 and has served as the foundation for how I handle my personal finances.  I would not be as financially stable if it were not for this book.  I recommend it for everyone, especially those just starting in the real world.  I only read one financial book this year called The Cheapskate Next Door.  Although boring, it was filled with some good ideas, most of which are outlined in The Automatic Millionaire anyway.

You may also like The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.

These 5 books have changed my life for the better.  I believe in them so much that I got a copy for all of my blog readers!!  Rather than mailing them to you, I left them at your local library so feel free to pick one or all of them up anytime....for free!!

You may be turned off by the fact that there isn't any fiction on this list.  Nothing against fiction books, I just don't get into them because it is hard for me to learn from them.  Change only comes with new information.  Take the time to read up on some new information in 2013!

What were your favorite books of 2012?  Leave them in the comments below or post it on facebook or twitter!