Books: Some of my favs from 2023
“A book is a gift you can open again and again.” — Garrison Keillor
I was asked twice this week questions about books I’m reading. “What are you reading?” And an icebreaker at Staff Meeting asked, “Any books that were influential this last year?”
I know not everyone likes to read. And I hesitate to post a picture with a pile of books. We don’t need any more reasons to feel like we’re behind or not doing enough in life. But maybe you’re wanting to read more or interested, like I always am, in what others are reading. Some of these came at the recommendation of others. So perhaps this sampling will prompt a title you would appreciate.
I have found reading a way to sharpen, deepen, prepare, expand and sometimes sanctify myself. George Martin said, “A reader lives a thousands lives before he dies…the one who never reads lives only one.” I think I know what he means. I feel like reading takes me some place. Call it a healthy escape sometimes. But also an enlightening, necessary trip. A lift from where my mind is mired.
I have chosen some of my favorites here, because they helped me in my devotional walk with God, or spoke to me during my dad’s passing, or brought me to tears or laughter, or helped me feel like I was learning from people long dead whose voices still speak, or gave me ideas for preaching and teaching.
“Why don’t you read on a device like Kindle?” I do, sometimes. I probably read four books that way last year. A bunch more are in queue on my phone. It’s handy at airports and such. But I love the physical feel of a book in my hands. And I mark things up a certain way I’ve become used to and I index my books so I can find stuff later … and I’m an old dog.
“Do you ever listen to books?” Nope. If I listen to something it’s podcasts, music, lectures or sermons. (I know, boring, right?). But I know a lot of people devour audio books and I think it’s great.
“How much do you read?” I was asked. I make it a goal to read 50 books a year. (Yes, I keep a list. It helps me keep straight what I’ve read and when…and I’m sure also satisfies some sick goal setting thing in me). Went a little over 50 in 2023, but have chosen a few that I’m glad I read. Most of these I would highly recommend. I don’t read much fiction (except in the news — that’s a joke!) but may try to fix that in 2024.
A few comments:
The Fourth Quarter of Your Life: Embracing What Matters Most by Allen Hunt & Matthew Kelly
“The Fourth Quarter of Your Life” is a must read for anyone getting up past 55 or 60 or older. Seriously. Our Elder team read it together. Great discussion questions for couples, friends, families, about what’s truly important in life.
Os Guiness is a gift to the Church and his “Signals of Transcendence” will make your heart soar…and confirm the hidden ache you feel in your soul which points you to God. Skeptics and doubters in God might appreciate his honest look at how God has left his fingerprints all over everything.
Every Moment Holy, Volume I : New Liturgies for Daily Life by Douglas Kaine McKelvey
“Every Moment Holy” is all the rage now, and made its way into our family this year, too as Christmas gifts. There are now three volumes of thoughtful prayers and worshipful readings for nearly every occasion in life – and I mean that. There are readings and prayers “For the Preparation of a Meal” and “For waiter and waitresses” and “For First Responders” and medical professionals and the changing of diapers. There are prayers and readings for stargazing, sunsets and one we used at the arrival of the first snow. There are blessings for the setting up of a Christmas tree, a birthday, and for a husband and wife at the close of a day. Perhaps the most helpful and useful are the ones about lamenting or sorrow, like the prayer when you’re missing someone or a blessing for someone facing the slow loss of memory. Highly recommended.
“The Blue Book” has beautiful readings, tied to scripture, with a depth rarely found in contemporary devotional stuff. Can guide you through a year.
Longing for a Homeland: Discovering the Place You Belong by Dr. Lynn Anderson
“Longing for a Homeland” I read while watching and waiting with Dad for him to go Home. There are tear stains on some of the pages .
The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction by Justin Whitmel Earley
“The Common Rule” I like so much I gave it away to all of our staff leaders at Mountain. If you would like encouragement to create habits to create space for fresh prayer, sharing meals more meaningfully, controlling outside noise from social media, and practicing an actual Sabbath principle – this book will be a favorite of yours, too. Our elder team read this one, too, and committed ourselves to kneeling prayer, scripture before phone in the morning, one meal with others, and fasting.
Arthur Brooks is amazing and his “From Strength to Strength” is great for anyone wanting to think about releasing old habits and forming new life practices as we age past the early stages of ambitious try-hardism.
Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution by Carl R. Trueman
“Strange New World” is an important book that helps us see the bigger picture of how we got where we are as a society on this side of the sexual revolution. Identity politics today didn’t arrive out of nowhere. I found myself wishing some of my friends would read this so their worldview would not be so easily hoodwinked and shaped by the current zeitgeist.
God's Wisdom for Navigating Life: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Book of Proverbs By Timothy Keller and Forgive by Timothy Keller
Tim Keller passed away this year, and through his battle with pancreatic cancer I found myself reaching for more of his stuff. It’s always good and rich.
Dusk Night Dawn: On Revival and Courage by Anne Lamott
Anne Lamott is probably not orthodox but I love her spirit and everyone needs to read great writing sometimes. She feels like an old, crazy aunt to me.
Throw in a little Bonhoeffer and N.T. Wright and those are some of my favs from 2023.
WHAT BOOK ARE YOU GLAD YOU READ LAST YEAR??
“You are the books you read, the films you watch, the music you listen to, the people you meet, the dreams you have, the conversations you engage in. You are what you take from these.“ — Jac Vanek