It’s mid-January and I am finally ready to share my top books.
I like to wait until the new year to do this because, well, you never know what that last book of the year will bring. It just so happens that I finished one of the best books I read all year on December 31.
We can find so much power in the books we read. The opportunity to learn and grow from others through reading is one of the best parts of life, from my experience. It’s like having a variety of mentors who offer valuable insights to propel you forward.
If you, too, are a reader of primarily non-fiction, this list may be helpful in picking your next “game changer.” If you aren’t a reader, then I have added a brief overview from a few of the books, to give you a flavor and perhaps pique your interest.
To give you some perspective, I read 49-ish books this year. So many good ones. If I had to sum it up, I’d say, in no particular order the top 13 would be:
- Untamed by Glennon Doyle
- Inspired by Rachel Held Evans
- See No Stranger by Valerie Kaur
- A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson
- Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho
- Second Mountain by David Brooks
- How the Bible Actually Works by Peter Enns
- Breath by James Nestor
- Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty
- The Socrates Express by Eric Weiner
- The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
- As Kingfishers Catch Fire by Eugene Peterson
- Manifesto for a Moral Revolution by Jacqueline Novogratz
Here are some of my insights into why:
Inspired (Rachel Held Evans): This is all about trying to find some solid ground when the Bible seems to create confusion at times, and the society around us often showcases faith as not bringing out the best of us… The trail this book led me on brought me to my word of the year, which is “deeper,” making it clear that I needed to work to understand context and history in order to truly understand. Honestly, I can’t wait for that education. This quote captured me immediately: “The Bible’s ancient refrains have given voice to the laments of millions of oppressed people and, too often, provided justification to their oppressors. ” Does that resonate with anyone else? That only touches the surface. Evans absolutely slays this book and calls us to be better and smarter and not accepting of everything at face value without challenging ourselves to further exploration.
See No Stranger (Valerie Kaur): I had the opportunity to hear this author speak way before the book came out at one of the “Seven Days: Make a ripple, change the world” events. Kaur is a renowned Sikh activist, filmmaker and civil rights attorney. This intro at the front of the book highlights well the crux of the story: “(she) declares revolutionary love as the call of our time, a radical, joyful practice that extends in three directions: to others, to our opponents and to ourselves. It enjoins us to see no stranger but instead look at others and say, ‘You are part of me I do no know yet.’ Starting from that place of wonder beings to change: It is a practice that can transform a relationship, community, a culture and even a nation.”
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction (Eugene Peterson): Talk about that “trail” Evans started, this book is flat out central to that path. Peterson is also the author of the message interpretation of the Holy Bible. If you have the Bible App, you can toggle back and forth on different versions, and I find this quite useful to see how various prophetic voices have been called to interpret the same stories. This book is now over 40 years in print, but it is as contemporary as ever. One amazing excerpt: “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life, your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking around life and place it before God as an offering” (Romans 12:2) Peterson dives in, “The psalm’s emphasis on actual, physical service (not a spiritual intention, not a desire to be of service) is picked up in the invitation to present our everyday, ordinary life. The motivation for service (not coerced or demanded) is picked up in the phrase, “God helping you.” But most significant is the remarkable last phrase, logiken latreian, “place it before God as an offering,” which another translation renders “reasonable service.” Service that makes sense. The service we offer God is extended into specific acts that serve others. We learn a relationship –– an attitude toward life, a stance of servitude before God, and then we are able to be of use to others in acts of service.” Peterson calls us to dive into meaning and brings the text forward in a manner that is logical. I find this very helpful.
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man (Emmanuel Acho): Over the past several years, I have tried to pick up books that help me understand the history of injustice that our nation has allowed that continues, sadly, during our lifetime. I am thankful that so many beautiful authors have recognized the need for a national education. Acho provides a simple and profound read. He comes alongside the reader as if you were at a coffee shop with him chatting about life’s big questions. He is kind and yet clear. You won’t miss the point. One powerful excerpt: “Say you and I are in a race and the starting line official held me back for the first two hundred meters, giving you a two-hundred meter head start. If that were to happen, the only way to level out that race would be to either stop you from running or put me on a bike to catch up to you. This is white privilege in a nutshell.” Folks, it’s good. This could be a good one for the younger folks in our lives, with the help of an adult guide. (He’s also a former NFL player so that may get their attention.)
Untamed (Glennon Doyle): You may have seen this on several top books list. It was a runaway best seller in part due to Doyle’s transparent, fun and easy approach that she has within social media channels (and her excellent other books). She pretty much opens up her personal life for all to see and showcases vulnerability like none other. It’s honest and gritty. From the inside cover: “It is a story of how one woman learned that a responsible mother is not one who slowly dies for her children, but one who shows them how to fully live… discovering that the brokenness or wholeness of a family depends not on its structure but on each member’s ability to bring her (their) full self to the table.”
If you are interested in others, just send me a message and I’ll be happy to share. There is just SO MUCH good in expanding your knowledge that I hope you might pick up at least one and give it a try.
For those who can’t do the reading thing, don’t even get me started on the podcast world. I will definitely have to do a top podcast review at some point. For the drive across town, or across the country as may be the case, podcasts are a genius way to achieve the same goal.
Praying many blessings over you today. I hope that you have the most incredible week ahead.