So my family has this tradition. Every New Year’s we sit down and do two things. First, we list our high’s and low’s for the previous year. Then, we make a list of hopes for the new year. Not resolutions, but hopes. It’s not really goal-setting (well, maybe a little), but more things we’re intentionally pursuing that we want to celebrate with each other when we accomplish.
At the beginning of 2019, I officially finished my doctoral program and found myself with time to read the things I wanted. So I set a goal of finishing 25 books - a little more than 2 per month - and believe it or not I actually followed through. So, just for fun I thought I’d get back to some blogging (or at least one post) and highlight the books by title and a brief synopsis. I always appreciate these lists I find online for recommendations, so take it for what it’s worth. (Disclaimer: I have not authority as a book reviewer other than I’m a proud Enneagram 5 and a voracious consumer of words.)
Here’s the list, in order of when I read them:
Culture Care - Makoto Fujimura’s incredible work calling on the people of God to do the work of creativity with intentionality. Best quote: “Our failure is not that we chose earth over heaven: it is that we fail to see the divine in the earth, already active and working, pouring forth grace and spilling glory into our lives.”
Underground Church - Brian Sanders paints a portrait of the Underground Church in Tampa and offers some questions for the church to consider today.
Leading with a Limp - Written by Dan Allender, this is one of my favorite books on leadership for those in ministry. A truly counter-narrative to the common ideas of leadership.
The Medici Effect - Frans Johannson writes a fascinating book about the power of intersectional ideas in innovation.
Moonglow - Years ago, I read Michael Chabon’s Pulitzer prize-winning The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, and it has remained one of my favorite novels of all-time. Chabon continues that power here in Moonglow, a mix of memoir and legends, and a poignant reflection on a grandfather facing the end of life.
Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Sees Racism - Drew G.I. Hart’s work explores the imperative for our churches today to do the hard work of racial reconciliation. This is a powerful and necessary work with a prophetic voice.
Under the Dome - Stephen King. Yep, guilty pleasure. And way better than the show.
Working the Angles - Eugene Peterson has been a mentor for my life in ministry for a long-time. Re-reading this reflection on the call to pastoral ministry was timely and encouraging.
Sabbath as Resistance - Another counter-narrative to the current ideas of rest and Sabbath, Walter Brueggemann’s book is a call to the true nature of Sabbath.
Unclean - Richard Beck writes a theological and sociological piece exploring the nature of disgust, uncleanness, and redemption.
Washington Black - Esi Edugyan is a new voice in my life. Washington Black is one of the best novels I’ve read in a long-time.
Finn - The first novel I discovered in a small, independent bookstore in South Carolina, Jon Clinch’s expansion of the Huck Finn story is dark and haunting, and full of compassion for the brokenness of family.
Adopted - It’s difficult to express the power of this book in my life this year. Kelley Nikondeha’s theological exploration of the Biblical nature of adoption came at a pivotal time for me as our family engaged an adoption process of our own.
Swamplandia - Karen Russell’s setting is the Florida swamplands, and her characters are full of wonder, danger, and perseverance.
Underground Railroad - The second novel found in South Carolina, Colson Whitehead’s fictional exploration of the liberation train is amazing. Read it, soon.
Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens novel jumps across decades and weaves a powerful story of love and vengeance.
Gay Girl, Good God - Jackie Hill Perry. A powerful story of redemption.
The Storm-Tossed Family - Russell Moore. An important work examining the Gospel and its relationship to families.
Is Mormonism Christian? - Ernest Dean and Jacob Gurley. A helpful primer for apologetics and those engaged in the exploration of Mormonism and its comparison to Christianity.
Educated - It’s tough for me to name a “favorite” book of the year, but Tara Westover’s memoir of growing up in a fanatical family has to be close to the top of the list. I couldn’t put it down.
The Celtic Way of Evangelism - George G. Hunter III. Someone gave me this book years ago. I picked it up this year and carried it with me on a trip to Ireland. I fell in love with the story of St. Patrick and the implications of how his evangelism might impact our churches today.
Ordinary Grace - William Kent Krueger. Krueger was another voice new to me this year. And, his is a voice that provided the best novel I read all year. Amazing story.
Goldfinch - Donna Tartt. Followed the hype… haven’t seen the movie… not my favorite.
A Million Little Ways - A quick and easy read, Emily P. Freeman’s reflections on God’s work through our own imaginations.
The Furious Longing of God - Brennan Manning, along with Eugene Peterson, is a spiritual giant in my life. Somehow, I had missed this book. Finding it was a gift I needed as the year wound down.
Innovation on Tap - Eric B. Schultz imagines a barroom full of famous entrepreneurs, and he tells each of their stories with reflections on innovation and entrepreneurial vision along the way.
This Tender Land - William Kent Krueger returns as I end the year. Much like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, this story of brothers Albert and Odie stands as another great read to end the year.
End of Year Awards:
Best Book: Educated, Tara Westover.
Best Novel: Ordinary Grace, William Kent Krueger
Best Theology/Inspirational: The Furious Longing of God, Brennan Manning or Adopted, Kelly Nikondeha.
Least Favorite Book: The Goldfinch, Donna Tartt