Books you might just love

At the end of last year, I posted a list of my top books for 2015. I had so many people that reached out to me that they really liked this, so I decided I’d post my list throughout the year as well, since they are top of mind!

My plan is to do a post like this three times a year: May, September and January for the prior 4 months. During the January post I’ll list my all time favorites for the year, too!

As you may know by now, I’m a huge reader! I’m an advocate for reading and constantly learning. I will have to say that I’m not much of a fiction reader however, but perhaps someday I will be. So here it goes… My favs from January 1 – April 30:

1. Seven Women & the Secret of their Greatness, by Eric MetaxasWhat I loved: Corrie Ten Boom, Rosa Parks, Hannah More, Joan of Arc… Some I knew and some I didn’t, but learning about women who have literally changed our world is downright inspiring.
2. Throught the Eyes of a Lion, by Levi LuskoWhat I loved: Levi and his family lost a little girl unexpectedly. With great sadness, Levi is able to shine a light on God’s grace and share the painful details but also inspire hope.
3. Seven Men, by Eric MetaxasWhat I loved: Again, Eric crafts an amazing read which outlines how a handful of men exemplify true excellence. He profiles George Washington, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Jackie Robinson and others. SO GOOD!
4. Wake Up Happy, by Michalael StrahanWhat I loved: Practical information and fun stories that share about his life. His “Strahan Rules” include “Don’t pre-judge” and that help will come from the most unexpected places. It has a ton of advice and it’s just fun.
5. The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie KondoWhat I loved: It took me forever to actually buy this book that has been on bestseller lists since it came out. It’s a bit weird, but the idea of simplifying and only have items in your home and life that bring you joy is compelling.
6. Originals, by Adam GrantWhat I loved: Everything! This is my favorite. It’s both a business read and one that will definitely make you a better person in every segment of your life. The insights and breaking down of myths on how we think and act are very cool.
7. Being Mortal, by Atul GawandeWhat I loved: Dr. Gawande has written many great books, but this one tackles the tough issues of ethics and practical realities in the process of the end of our lives. Educational and thought-provoking.
8. A Fellowship of Differents, by Scot McKnightWhat I loved: This book is about the pursuit of UNITY. The book talks about God’s desire for our church and communities to be diverse in order to achieve our true calling.
9. The Lemon Tree, by Sandy TolanWhat I loved: I read this book at the recommendation of Pastor Adam Hamilton in preparation for my Holy Land trip in February. This book is a terrific real life story that illustrates the Palestine/Israeli conflict.
10. H3 Leadership, by Brad LomenickWhat I loved: Brad is a a terrific author. The three “Hs” are Be Humble, Stay Hungry and Always Hustle. He categorizes 20 leaderships under these three areas. It’s easy to read and practical. I passed this one on to my boys who could embrace this as they grow in their college years and develop leadership skills that will help them in their careers and as spiritual leaders in their homes.

I hope you’ll pick out one or two that appeal to you and jump in!

(Photo credit: We Heart It)