Favorite Books of 2019

‘Tis the season to talk books. I enjoy reading across several genres, and here’s a few I enjoyed this year. I share them in the order I read them and recommend each for your learning and pleasure:

Eat This Book – Eugene Peterson. The value of the scriptures from one of my favorite writers.

12 Rules for Life – Jordan Peterson. A controversial book, but one I would suggest every young man read. Growing up is hard to do, and this book lends a hand.

Gilead – Marilynne Robinson. And elderly pastor passes on wisdom to his young son.

The Cross and the Lynching Tree – James H. Cone. I’m learning and trying to understand the experiences of my brothers and sisters. This book helped me move deeper.

Gates of Fire – Steven Pressfield. A historical novel about the battle of Thermopylae and the final heroic stand of 300 Spartans. Not much better for late night page-turning.

At the Hands of Persons Unknown – Phillip Dray. I saw this book quoted often by other authors referencing lynchings. So I read the source. Serious and sickening, Dray uncovers the ugliness of this aspect of American history.

The Boys in the Boat – Daniel James Brown. A true story about rowers during the depression and on through their Olympic experience. I love a book that sticks it to Hitler.

Creative Confidence – Tom Kelley. Everyone can be creative. This book helps you figure out how to find creativity in yourself.

We Regret To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families – Philip Gourevitch. Stories from the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Mankind’s capacity for evil remains staggering.

Making Sense of God – Timothy Keller. An appeal to skeptics about the role of faith and religion in our lives. While not a skeptic, I always enjoy the encouragement and stimulation I get from reading Tim Keller.

The True Believer – Eric Hoffer. A study on mass movements. I’m working to further one (Christianity), so why not look for insight from a scholar who’s studied the phenomenon?

American Nations – Colin Woodard. The America we speak of is actually an amalgamation of 11 different nations. Fascinating to me as he nailed the regional affiliation of the Ozark Mountains where I grew up.

Hit Hard – Pat & Tammy McLeod. My friends’ personal story and insight on moving through life amidst ambiguous loss.

Lincoln on Leadership – Donald T. Phillips. Principles of leadership from the greatest leader in American history.

Red Famine – Anne Applebaum. Five million Ukrainians died from famine imposed by Stalin’s communist regime. Man-made tragedy on an unbelievable scale.

Disappearing Church – Mark Sayers. I loved the podcast, This Cultural Moment, so I read his book. Now I love his book. Wonderful insight into the world in which we minister.

Just Mercy – Bryan Stevenson. Fighting for justice in our justice system.

The Holy Bible (NIV Old Testament; David Bentley Hart’s New Testament) – Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Hart’s insightful translation of the New Testament, highly word-for-word, made me stop and think. Which is a good way to go about reading the Bible.