I love to read books. And I frequently get my book ideas from other readers. So here's the 2025 list - along with some notes to help you decide if it's worth your while. Three favorites were John A.T. Robinson's Honest to God, Henri Nouwen's Life of the Beloved and and The Kellogg Brothers...
- God: A Brief History
John Bowker
Jon, the husband of my spiritual Director in Cambridge, Margaret Parker, delivers on a wonderful journey, accessible and extremely interesting, into the human desire to make meeting, and the reality of some sort of life, and being, beyond us. It's a wonderful, long, and colorful foray into nooks and crannies of various religions. You really see how much ethnicity and Location play in our religious convictions. At the end of the day he was constructed Mabs for the journey, that's what religions are, and made a good case for not only the existence of God, but the verity of Christianity and perhaps other maps. Very good read.
- The World of Prayer
Adrienne Von Speyr
Like all of her books, this 1950's Swiss physician, Roman Catholic convert, and deeply insightful writer, never fails to inspire introspection over her topics. This one - on prayer - speaks to me about the grandeur of God - and this ongoing conversation we have with the Almighty that began before we were born and, if we are good at it, continues throughout our lives giving us a taste of that 'eternal life' Jesus talked about. Prayer is not so much asking God for something as it is acknowledging that we are continually in conversation with the Almighty. Prayer is the 'atmosphere we breathe' it is the 'fundamental state of the Christian life.' Well worth contemplation, tho not easy.
- The Fingerprints of God
Barbara Bradley Hagerty
This is a fascinating book about the intersection between spiritual faith and brain science. The author, a Christian science, monitor, journalist, and Christian scientist herself, takes us into a land of interviews with doctors, neuroscientists, and a lot of people who have Divine experiences that are difficult to explain. At the end of the day, she argues that it's not stupid to have religious Faith, it's just as valid as those who choose not to believe, and that science can't really refute the case for something more than what can be examined in laboratory. A very well we wel written and interesting book.
- The God We Worship
Nicholas Wolterstorff
This exploration of liturgical theology, put some magnifying glass to our Eucharistic worship. The author six to unpack the themes behind the actions, the ones that explicitly and implicitly defined the character of God, as we see it. Worship is often taken as some thing wrote, a rhythm that must be endured and not enjoyed. But this book helps us look deeper at the significance statements, made about God, and ourselves. Somewhat helpful.
- The Good Shepherd
Kenneth E. Bailey
This is a deep dive into a huge topic in the Bible. In fact, the image of the good shepherd is found throughout the Old Testament, as well as the New Testament. Bailey, who was born and raised in the Middle East, consults, five different scholarly sources, they are people who have close knowledge of shepherding. It's pretty detailed, but should be useful when preaching on the good Shepherd.
- Pompeii
Robert Harris
What a rollicking ride through a volcano. A novel filled with new learnings about volcanology and history, it is not always easy to follow, but you can get the gist. A really good way to hear about Pompeii before you go there.
- Naked Economics
Charles Wheelan
This is an entertaining and informative book - Economics 101 - explaining confusing terms in accessible ways. It is filled with memorable metaphors and insightful stories that bring home the key concepts and foundations of economics. It's a textbook disguised as a Woody Allen book - or vice versa. Worth reading!
- The Body Keeps the Score
Bessel Van Der Kolk
This was a reread of the first time I read this book back in 2023. It's a chilling reminder of how traumatic life is and the ways we embody that trauma, and thus need to find ways to effectively dispel it. It's amazing how much women suffer, and certainly those who go through war and confront daily traumas, like law enforcement and first responders. He just always good advice too. Be kind to everyone you meet because you know not what battle they are fighting
134 . Independence Man draft
This unsigned, blank cover of a book, certainly, a manuscript of some sort, takes us from James Couzens birth through his election as mayor of Detroit. Many lessons to be learned here, certainly of hard work and determination, also of luck and caprice.
- The Last Juror
John Grisham
Very Greg Iles-y - a Southern murder in a small town told by a young, educated northerner. Entertaining and well-told. Typical Grisham.
- The Beginner's Goodbye
Anne Tyler
This novel, about a quirky man who owns a poaching house, and his marriage to an equally eccentric doctor, her death, and his living with her ghost, make up this book. She's a good writer, and this book opens the imagination.
- The Practice of Finding: How Gratitude Leads the Way to Enough
Holly W. Whitcomb
This is a wonderful little book written by United Church of Christ pastor. It seems that having enough is not a destination we arrive at through accumulation or achievement, but a state of being that we find. And it can be found through intentional, daily practices of gratitude. So the practice of finding is not inact of doing as much as it is an act of being, being grateful, being generous, being thankful. In this book is a kernel of the kingdom of God. Recommended! Lots of good quotes.
- Decolonizing Palestine
Mitri Raheb
This is a fascinating. Look at Palestine jewish/Israeli takeover of this country. The author is a Lutheran bishop, who is a Palestinian Christian. He argues persuasively about his analysis, which charts the colonization of Palestine from centuries old, Anglo-Saxon colonizing traditions. It's incredibly insightful to see how the American church has helped, and two in frequently stood up for, the Palestinians, in light of his really persecution. It's a persuasive argument, and well worth the read. One of the best books of the year.
- Recliaming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age
Sherry Turkle
This is a fascinating analysis of the impact digital age has had on modern life, specifically our inability to converse face-to-face. She notes the cost of this perpetual connection by defining, the anxiety of the tethered self, anchored in a fear of missing out, and a failure to develop an internal dialogue. She traces the erosion through education, workplace, family, and intimacy. She then charts a path to reclaiming the converse. She talks about creating sacred spaces, device, free zones, or solitude can be embraced as well. She talks about the three chairs, the first is solitude or learning to sit alone with yourself. The second is friendship, learning to sit with another person and practice deep listening. And the third is community, learning to participate fully in a group. Unfortunately, this analysis is true, and we need this kind of education, thanks to our embrace of isolating technologies.
- Christianity After Religion
Diana Butler Bass
This is a good book at examining the current religious landscape in America. It documents well, how Christianity has waned in popularity, but it is a bit thin on where we need to go to from here. I think she's being honest, but I think she's puzzled. She talks about going global, seeing ourselves as part of a bigger world, and it doesn't take us too far into strategies from here. And informative book, but not much of a roadmap.
- The Modigliani Scandal
Ken Follett
This simple, trash novel, is my least favorite of his books. The narrative was hard to follow, the characters, unremarkable, and the ending, disjointed. I will stick to his better known books!
- Kingdom, Grace, Judgment
Robert Farrar Capon
What a wonderful gift! To me. To the church. To any preacher. With fresh insight, always rooted and grounded. In grace, this is a wonderful resource to reading Jesus's parables. What I love about this book is its foundation in love. It is search the Jesus not only spoke in parables, but lived a life in parables. It's interesting to see his actions through this lens. Should be a reference book on every preacher's desk.
- Sketches of Jewish Social Life
Alfred Edersheim
What a fascinating foray into Jewish life at the time of Jesus - albeit, written in 1836 by an evangelical, Jewish convert. Not sure how accurate it is - this is a reprint from an evangelical publisher - but it does offer insight worth consideration. The first is the somewhat obvious but rarely considered landscape of the Holy Land: it used to be teeming with rich forests and a huge variety of wild animals - truly a 'promised land' - that can go unnoticed because today, thanks to Roman deforestation and 'progress,' resembles a desert wasteland. This is helpful in understanding the backgrounds of Jesus' life, teachings, and healings.
- Entrepreneurial Leadership
Richard Goosshen and R. Paul Stevens
This 14-year-old book is hardly worth reviewing because the website that it apparently is starting its revolution in leadership upon, no longer exists. It was written by Evangelical authors, from the US and UK who blend business ideas with theological concepts. Certainly it's worth the mental exercise to look at Christianity through this lens, but I doubt I'll pick this book up again.
- Feeding Your Demons
Tsultrim Allione
This is a very interesting book, written by a Buddhist author, a woman, who develops an ancient idea for a western audience, that our demons, the things that we fight, habits, ways of being, can be best addressed when we seek to make them allies, and quit fighting them. I suppose, though that this is just a new strategy and fighting them? She uses visualization and other techniques to suggest a new path for learning from our flaws and foibles - that can transform the way we look at the things that bother us most. It was suggested by my friend Rita from Hoffman, who is always helping me widen my soul's aperture.
- Strength for the Journey
Peter Gomes
This is a collection of sermons from the esteemed, former chaplain of Harvard University. He assembles a number of sermons on topical issues and a variety of scriptures with wisdom, wit, and insight.
- Better Together: Making Church Mergers Work
Jim Tomberlin and Warren Bird
This evangelical publishing house has put out this book to help larger, evangelical churches take over smaller ones. I'm sure you see some of this going on in other denominational settings, but this pair of evangelical writers are experts in church growth. They present a number of models, the most important being the adoption model, which is when when church simply adopts a smaller, struggling church and has that church take on the persona. I'm sure this would be helpful if you were in the market to do this, no matter what the denomination.
- The Politics of Jesus
Obery Hendricks, jr.
This is an informative and well-researched exploration of Jesus as being intently dedicated to bringing about social justice. Mining history, the scriptures, and with modern-day application to past United States presidents, an ordained and seminary teacher, The author makes a strong case for Jesus. Love being played out as activism for the oppressed. It is hailed and recommended by many respected authors and provides alternative insights into many scriptures that have traditionally been interpreted differently.
- Breaking In
Dick Francis
This is a reread of one of his typical English horse mysteries. Here, he plays a jockey, who solves a mystery regarding a malefactor punishing, his brother-in-law and sister. His love, interest, and American News assignment editor, is intertwined with his many races across England.
- Essential Monastic Wisdom
Hugh Feiss
What a delightful collection of monastic wisdom through the ages, mostly, monastic life. Categories are broad; listening, prayer, silence, order, hospitality, humility, patience, discernment, leadership, and of course love. This is a collection of commentaries by a monk, the author, who spent 40 years, and continues to be a religious it is interspersed with quotes from the 1st century until now, from famous monks, the rule of Benedict, and other obscure monks. It is a bit of an epilogia for the monastic life, and a generous celebration of the wisdom it has compiled and continues to share.
- The End of Poverty
Jeffrey Sachs
This 21 year old book is one of possibility to end poverty by 2025. It has to do with disciplined development aid from rich countries, as well as cooperation, in changing the habits of those who receive this aid. Sachs, whose forward is written by the rockstar, Bono, calls for for an understanding of the poverty trap, which is a vicious cycle of no savings, which robs families of capital, and means they fall further behind. The solution is something he calls, clinical economics, and a ladder of development, this calls for wealthy nations to increase they their aid to 0.7% of their gross national product, something that's never really happened. He also debunks the criticisms that aid does not work and that corruption keeps people in poverty. The idea that so many people remain in poverty, although we have certainly made progress, points to the idea that the rest of the world is too selfish, or unconcerned about those who die daily from bad water, and a lack of food. The idea that so many people remain in poverty, although we have certainly made progress, points to the idea that the rest of the world is too selfish, or unconcerned about those who die daily from bad water, and a lack of food.
- Saving Jesus
Robin Meyers
This is an enlightening book, written by a UCC pastor, who wants to recover the roots of Jesus as a teacher, not a savior, Christianity as a compassion, not condemnation, prosperity as dangerous, not Divine, discipleship as obedience, not control, and religion as relationship, not righteousness. It is well written and has a strong social justice tinge to it. It does not mention much about self-love or self-compassion.
- Move: What 1,000 Churches Reveal About Spiritual Growth
Greg Hawkins, Cally
Parkinson
I received this book after being summoned to a small group meeting at Willow Creek Church in Chicago, years ago. The pastor at the time, the iconic Bill heibels, met us and spoke to us privately, he was very keyed up on this research-based group. Group. Research-based, yes, among evangelicals, and their idea of Christian growth. With a book notes that programmatically designed community life is less important than actually engaging and teaching spiritual practices to people that help them pray and read the Bible and, thus, serve the community. I'm not sure how I will apply this to my flock, but it's an interesting exercise and and what is important to Evangelical Christians.
- Brightest and Best: A Companion to the Lesser Feasts and Fasts
Sam Portaro
Just as it is advertised, this is a compendium of one page commentaries on almost every feast in the Episcopal calendar. Sam wrote this as the chaplain to Brent house, the Episcopal ministry at the University of Chicago, and gives practical application to these feasts as well. Worth reading to prepare and celebrate these feasts.
113 . Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes
Kenneth E. Bailey
What a refreshing and delightful commentary on many of the familiar stories and teachings of Jesus from a long-time NT professor in Egypt. Bailey goes into many of the most familiar stories of Jesus with the lens of local and historically grounded, Middle Eastern eyes to shed new light on old stories. A really good reference for the preacher.
- An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth
Chris Hadfield
What a wonderful journey to space and back - through the life and lessons of an incredibly bright and observant scientist - and through observations meant to help us live better lives. Hadfield takes us through a space trip with entertaining and meaningful stories not just about specific events, but about applications he's made to get more out of life. His credo is to be prepared - be a humble team player - and to be optimistic. An inspirational read.
- The Price of Admiralty
John Keegan
This is a terrific tour through 4 important naval confrontations - Trafalgar, Jutland, Midway, and a submarine attack on a WWII convoy - highlighting the evolution from wooden boats to steel ones to aircraft carriers to submarines. Keegan is a naval academy instructor and uses sailors accounts to construct these highly detailed analyses. I liked the point that most tall ship battles never sunk a ship - unless it caught fire - and the most threatening artillery was not a cannon ball but flying splinters from when munitions struck a ship. Very detailed and interesting.
- Life of the Beloved
Henri Nouwen
Best book of the year so far, a wonderful foray into our biggest challenge as humans, which is accepting our belovedness. Henri ruminates on this predicament and gives us a way forward using the framework of Eucharist, taken, blessed, broken, and shared. He breaks down for us the difficulties and rewards of claiming our belovedness, which is at the heart of all of our quests.
- Quest for the Living God: Mapping Frontiers in the Theology of God
Elizabeth A. Johnson
The evolving nature of humanity's consideration of God is under study here. God doesn't change, but our view of God does, says Johnson, an esteemed Fordham Univ. professor. She thus studies various theological trends beginning with Karl Rahner and branching into feminist theology, liberation theology and ecotheology. Hers is a fresh and hopeful way of seeing God in the world.
- The Kelloggs: The Battling Brothers of Battle Creek
Howard Markel
This is a wonderfully written history of one hell of a shit show. These Kellogg brothers were definitely unique... Will, the younger, a born entrepreneur who would have gotten rich in any business, and his 9 years older weirdo - but brilliant brother - John - the doctor who founded the San and attracted luminaries from around the world. But the discovery of corn flakes - gold in them thar hills - served as a constant abrasion between the two whose enmity for one another was, very sadly, never assuaged. Very well written by a University of Michigan prof.
- A Chorus of Witnesses: Model Sermons for Today's Preacher
Thomas Long and Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.
This is a terrific collection of 20th century sermons by noted preachers, Catholic, Presbyterian, probably 20 different sermons. Authors include Paul Tillich, Karl Barth, George, Buttrick, Frederick, Buechner, and others. It's a good reference to keep nearby the preachers desk. Highly recommended.
- Faith that Endures
Ron Boyd-MacMillan
What a talented writer, Ron is! A friend from seminary days in California, his interest is in the persecution of Christians, mostly in Asia. This book attempts to outline what he calls and describes as relatively widespread persecution throughout to Christian church throughout the world. It's a wonderful deep dive into the subject, but is fully evangelical, even outlining the "persecution" of the church in United States, culture, wars, and the refusal of employees to sign anti-discrimination forms. Not the same thing, unless you're an evangelical.
- After the Baby Boomers
Robert Wuthnow
This highly informative, research based book by one of America's top sociologists, tells us how 20 and 30 somethings are shaping the future of American religion. Published in 2007, it depicts a new generation that is less, much less, interested in supporting traditional denominations, and more interested in participating in a Buffet style of faith formation. It's rooted in deep research and well worth the reading.
- The Meaning of Jesus
Marcus Borg and NT Wright
This is a wonderful, most groundbreaking book, about the dialogue between conservative and liberal Christianity. In the late 1990s Marcus and N.T. got together, went to church with one another for a week, and then sat down across the ocean from each other and wrote about their distinctive takes on Christianity. The result is not agreement, but civil discussion and the sharing of some really good ideas. Recommended.
- Excavating Jesus
John Crossan and Jonathan Reed
This interesting book, done by two well-known liberal academics, looks at archaeology and textual criticism to arrive at interesting points of inquiry. They look at the archaeological digs at Sepphoris and Galilee to conclude that Jesus was much more in the thick of social change and liberation. Then we might've thought. He wasn't some backwoods preacher sermonizing to the daffodils, by talking to real people about real liberation. For example, think about the feeding of the 5000, it must've included people from all walks of life, who normally would have eaten separately, but now it together thanks to Jesus.
- The Episcopalian Way of life
W. Norman Pittenger
Written in 1957 by Anna apologetics professor at general seminary in New York, Dr. Pittenger outlines the faith as it was interpreted nearly 100 years ago. Read within the context of its time, it is, or rather six to be, welcoming, and open minded at least those who have reached a certain education level. This is always a problem with Anglicanism and it's need to present the face in a book: it as soon as you can read a book. Anyway, the skeletons there, but much of the faith has moved on.
- Grieving a Suicide
Albert Y. Hsu
What a wonderful resource for those who lose a loved one to suicide! This theologian and writer examines the phenomenon of suicide from a personal standpoint, his father committed suicide, and the author found him. He outlines the anger that's often involved with survivors, banker at the victim for leaving them, and God, for allowing us to happened and angered themselves for not doing more. She also navigates ways to have conversations with others, ways to explain what happened. A really good resource for those who are going through this.
- Mercy
Walter Kasper
This book, which has been praised by Pope Francis, moves the theological center of God's nature to that of mercy. Cardinal Walter argues that the church has neglected mercy as God's nature to its own detriment, and asks not only individuals, but the church as an institution to be an institution of mercy in the world, reflecting, love and care for the poor.
- Full House
Stephen Gould
This profound, yet rather short book, by and esteemed Harvard paleontologist, makes the bold statement that life is not progressive, but is always a result of random variation and Caprice. He uses really imaginative examples, like why batting averages have an improved over the last hundred years, to help us see that progress is not inevitable, rather our very existence is incredibly fragile, and certainly not human centric. This book deserves a lot of thought, theologically, and how we preach, and teach both biblically and authentically.
- A Land More Kind than Home
Wiley Cash
What a wonderful book this is! It's a first time novel for a southern writer, who is talented at weaving a story, and turning a phrase. It is suspenseful, the end is a bit of a letdown, but it is about Father's dealing with their sons and vice versa. Well worth the time.
- The Economics of Discontent
Jean-Michel Paul
This book, gift from my financial advisor Steve Briggs, looks at the rise of populism, and the way our elites are failing us. With details, in a pretty detailed and academic way, the ways that money in the system, continue, worldwide, to benefit the rich. This, may very well be the basis for an overthrow of the present system, unless ways can be found to bring equality to more people. The author is not optimistic, but realistic, and predicting that the next financial crisis will be deeper and wider, and we may not be prepared to handle its ramifications.
- The Urban World and the First Christians
Steve Walton, Paul R. Trebilco, David W. J. Gil
This book is a composition of essays from a variety of New testament professors, many of them evangelicals, who are concerned with how the urban world, in which the gospels were birthed, shaped and formed the faith. These are rich, detailed, academic essays, which are placed into two categories, the first section deals with early Christianity and its ancient Urban settings, while the second part deals with early Christians and what they thought about cities, and how these shaped their vocabulary and worldview.
- The Divine Conspiracy
Dallas Willard
This is the third and final of a trilogy Willard put together on the disciplines of following Christ. He is an Evangelical writer who makes incredible headway into Christian theology by challenging Christians to see eternal life not just as something that happens one day, but something that is in the here and now. His is a challenge to live a right side up life in an upside down world, by taking seriously the disciplines, most importantly, whatever we can do to be aware of the fact that we have eternal life right now. The book summary is a bit better than the book in terms of clarity.
- Getting Things Done
David Allen
You can't really read this book enough. The theme is to find a way to make your mind like water. That is, freeing up all that bandwidth, expended upon remembering things, and being able to use the mind for what it's intended for, to dream and imagine. Allen relies upon time-tested practices such as List making and weekly reviews to assemble a really workable system to help get things done.
- The Language of God
Frances S. Collins
This groundbreaking book, a very accessible apologia in the science, versus religion debate, is written by a renowned scientist. Collins was the head of the human genome project, one of the worlds leading scientists. He went through a spiritual journey of atheism to Christian faith. He painstakingly details the difficulties between Science and religion, and offers a compatible way forward for both of them.
- The Real Hornblower: The Life and Times of Admiral Sir James Gordon, GCB
Bryan Perrett
This book, left after my father's death, is and extensive thesis on the possibility that the fictional C. S. Forester character captain horn blower, was really admiral Gordon. Whether or not, that's true, Gordon was impressive person! Semi illiterate at age 11, he rose to become one of the most highly regarded naval officers of his day. Even after he left the high seas, he continued as administrator of the hospital for sailors, putting in perhaps 70 years of service this is not particularly well, written or easy to read, but it's hard not to in the its main character.
- The Christian State of Life
Adrienne von Speyr
This delightful book, given to me, by a Jesuit, is a witty rumination on how Christians are to live, as married, single, and as members of a religious order, such as a priest. Her central argument is that our lives are always lived in response to God's gift to us. So how can we best offer ourselves back to a God, who has given us everything? It is a very religious rumination.
- Mindful Silence: The Heart of Christian Contemplation
Phileena Heuertz
This is a personal book outlining the experiences of a very bright, articulate evangelical, thinker as she reaches a milestone in her life: the discovery of various Christian contemplation techniques. Roman Catholic, in tone and source, for much of her book, she outlines how she has been touched, and how we can practice, things like contemplative, prayer and silence. She is a retreat, leader, her husband, also, I theologian, as well known and evangelical circl
- The Heart of a Leader: St. Paul as Mentor, Model, and Encourager
Edward S. Little
This insightful little book, written by the former papers will be shipped to the diocese of northern Indiana, challenges, people to couch there at leader ship under the umbrella of mentorship, modeling, and encouraging. Little spends majority of the book unpacking these three themes, how Saint Paul use them, and how we might use them today in our leadership roles.
- Being Jewish after the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning
Peter Beinart
This personally autographed book, from a friend who we brought into Saint David's to speak on the subject, is a very well reasoned, appeal to both Jews and Christians, to recognize the devastating, killing and carnage. That's going on right now in Gaza. Peter calls upon people of good faith to be alert and active in taking a stand this issue. He argues that, among other things, Israel cannot have a democracy, as long as it favors one religion over another. He calls for the equitable treatment of both Palestinians and choose, citing the fact that equality can never come in the face of injustice.
- For the Sake of Heaven and Earth: The New Encounter between Judaism and Christianity
Irving Greenberg
Highly recent, well, respected, monograph by Orthodox rabbi, Irving Greenberg, has met with much applause from Christians and Jews. Greenberg is trying to enlighten us, unite us, and bring Christians and Jews together in those areas in which we see commonality. He talks about a dual covenant theory. This is the idea that god has a covenant, both with Israel, and a separate covenant with Christianity. He sees Jesus, not as a false messiah, but as he failed messiah. And he talks about the importance of partnering together to bring about the repair of the world. It is a respectful, and honorable partnership. The book also includes, at the end, short contributions by Christians, who reflect on the book.
- The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
A House of Prayer for All Peoples
This is a lovely, image filled, small book, put out by the Catholic Church in the archdiocese of Los Angeles. It documents the wonderful construction, design, and vision of the first cathedral built in the United States in the last 30 years. At least Roman Catholic.
- Journey into Love
Kani Comstock and Marisa Thame
This was a book recommended by the folks at the Hoffman process. While it is adjacent to the process and some of its key points, it really goes off on its own to come to some big conclusions with not enough evidence. I certainly cleaned some inside, but it's not for me, at least, perhaps, not yet.
- Julian of Norwich
Veronica Mary Rolf
This is a well-written, hearty overview of the life of this wonderful 14th century Saint. She pulls out various sentences and pericapies.
- Why Is There a Menorah on the Altar?
Meredith Gould
This short book, written for pastors and lay people, is an invitation to not simply adopt symbols of Judaism, but to get to know Jews and their communities, and more importantly the spiritual roots of these symbols, which are quite profound.
- The Artist's Journey
Steven Pressfield
This is a wonderful companion to a previous book of his called the war of art. This one is short, but profound. He details my favorite synonym for the devil, which is the resistance, that's that internal and external force of fear, procrastination and self-doubt which prevents us from doing and finishing our work. He also talks about the artists journey between two realms. There's the physical world and the spiritual world, where ideas originate. The author sees humans as primarily spiritual, our source and destiny.
- Spiritual Practices in Community
Diana Shifflett
This is a really practical book in how to lead small groups of people through a variety of spiritual exercises. Take silence, or scripture, or prayer. She gives step-by-step instructions as to how to lead these things, including visualizations, breath, work, and prayer walks. Walks. She is really interested in helping people grow in their understanding of God using all of their senses. She's an Evangelical author, so this is kind of surprising, and her insights may not be monumental to others, but it's not a bad primer!
- Priscilla: the life of an early Christian
Ben Witherington III
This is a work of fiction by a new testament scholar, an Evangelical tradition. Its primary purpose is to answer the question, who was Priscilla? She's only mentioned a couple of times, so he can use a very broad brush. While a very good author, certainly better than me, a novel is a hard thing to write successfully, and unless you're really interested in this biblical figure, there are probably better novels out there.
- Anam Cara
John O'Donoghue
What a gifted book by a gifted writer, who is Celtic convictions, well documented in Christianity, are so well drawn out and illuminated! And illuminated! His core philosophy is the interconnectedness of all things. He offers a wonderful commentary on love, which he calls the nature of the soul. There's a blessing of old age, and a blessing for death, as he thoroughly understands the nature of the soul as being older than the Earth and its deepest longing as to return to God and this sense of wonder and connection.
- A Mainline Turnaround
Lyle E. Schaller
Lyle is a master. His analytical foray into congregational is rooted more in social science than it is theology or psychology. He is clear and direct, and calls for the church to change what it's doing because, clearly but it has been doing hasn't been working. He paints with a broad enough brush to include a wide range of changes, as long as I have to do with reaching out to the community and accepting a wide breadth of people, not bound down by religion, in its narrow sense, but on spirituality, in its wide sense.
- Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead
David Meerman Scott and Brian Halligan
This is a rather simplistic book about marketing that appears to be more substantive as a book from two huge fans to the band, then it is to people trying to improve their marketing. In other words, it's kind of thin. It tries to write an entire Tome based on Grateful Dead's decision. Let people tape the concerts and freely share these recordings. Yes, it's brilliant and they were the first ones to do it on a wide scale, but an entire book?
- The Gifts of the Jews: How a Tribe of Desert Nomads Changed the Way Everyone Thinks and Feels
Thomas Cahill
This book is more philosophical and even theological than it is chronologically historical. The author tries to prove his point by looking very closely at the Hebrew Bible and somewhat closely at archeology and sociology. But it's not his best book. It rides thin on its premise because of a lack of comparative data. And it doesn't really end, it more or less stops.
- Honest to God
John A. T. Robinson
This was an earth-shattering book when it was published in the early 1960s. Imagine a well-respected Church of England. Bishop calling for the end of religion! He calls upon three theologians to make three points, Paul Tillich to remind us that God is not some separate being different than everything else, but that God is the depth of being, upon which nothing can exist. Bonhoeffer, who's 1944 letters from jail called for the end of religion. Religion, in his definition, means all those religious things that we do, like the Pharisees did, whom Jesus objected to. To. A good line is that churches are not places for religious people to gather to do religious things, rather churches are servant of the world. He then calls upon Rudolph Bultmann, whose idea of myths and mythology, are enlisted to help modern people understand the possibility of metaphor and literary license in interpreting the more supernatural stories of the Bible.
This book certainly has its flaws, the theology, especially the christology, is rather weak. However, I think it makes a good point. Modern humans need a different way to talk about Jesus and believe in Jesus, and I think this book helps us well along the way in doing so. This, so far is my book of the year.
- The Hill We Climb
Amanda Gorman
This is a book made up of one poem: and inaugural poem for the country which was read at President Joe biden's inauguration on January 20th, 2021. It is a thoughtful, imaginative and metaphor-laced Tome of encouragement by the nation's youngest poet laureate. It will inspire and ignite the imagination. Forward by Oprah Winfrey.
- The Science of Happiness
Stefan Klein
This research-based, academically acclaimed book by a renowned author, shows us that happiness is not capricious, but can actually be attained by adopting certain practices and attitudes. Attitudes. Ultimately, relationships are what bring us the most Joy. And the summing up of the book says the best way to be happy is to know yourself.
- Jesus and the Holocaust
Joel Marcus
This is a compilation of Good Friday sermons, done on an anniversary of the Holocaust. The Jew turned New testament scholar, offers a rich background and understanding of how Good Friday should be understood in light of the Holocaust. This is a deeply thoughtful series of sermons and would serve as a good foundation for Jews to actually be invited to a Christian service on this day. Some of the themes include not rehearsing Jewish tropes on this day, but instead standing in solidarity with Jews on God's promises.
- And Then There Were None
Agatha Christie
What a classic! A super ride through a 100 year old murder mystery. Finished in 24 hours. 10 people on an island, dying one by one, and who's to blame? Not telling... I'll
- A Week in the Fall of Jerusalem
Ben Witherington III
This fictionalized tale of the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70 AD, does a good job at unpacking, not only the Romans versus the Jews, but the various factions of the Jews that came into play during this historic moment in history. Through made-up characters, voices, and scenarios, the author tries to take us into a chaotic world of religion and power.
- Dinners with Ruth
Nina Totenberg
This is a warm-hearted memoir chronicling close relationship between supreme Court Justice Ruth bader Ginsburg and award-winning legal affairs correspondent Nina totenberg. They had become friends before either of them reach the pinnacles of their careers, and the book talks about that warm-hearted friendship. Also, side note, Nina's father was a skilled violinist who owned a Stradivarius which was stolen, but later returned after her father had died.
- The General's Son
Miko Peled
This is an inspiring and personal book by the son of a decorated Israeli general who played a huge role in the 6-day war and the institution of the apartheid system that rules Israel to this day. The author followed in his father's footsteps by first believing Israel's military posture was righteous, but then made 180° shift and became a Palestinian activist. The author had moved to California to simply avoid the situation, but his heart went out and he speaks about a one-state solution as the only way forward being quick to criticize and actively pursue Justice in the Holy Land.
- Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila with Spiritual Commentary by Dennis Billy
What an accessible and inspirational book! Teresa of Avalon, who was born in 1515, wrote in a specific, detailed, and dense style, to her fellow nuns who are trying to find deeper unity with God. God. She describes nine levels of intimacy with God, using a castle as a metaphor. Not only unpacking her thoughts, but applying them very practically to the modern spiritual life. Well done!
- John Henry Newman: A Very Brief History
Eamon Duffy
What a terrific biography on a truly talented, intelligent, and epic man. Spending half his career in the Anglican church before converting to Roman Catholicism, his quick wet, his incredible reasoning, and preaching, burned and unparalleled reputation. Early in his career. His sermons were so popular that Oxford undergrads would skip dinner, by the hundreds, to hear him. His most famous quote, at least to me, is that "to Live is to change, and to live perfectly is to change often." This is not just a wonderful life, but it's really wonderfully written by the author. One of the best books of the year.
- Be Kind to Yourself: Releasing Frustrations and Embracing Joy
Cindy Bunch
This is a wonderful little meditation on how to take self-love and self-compassion to the next level. While evangelicals are not known for being particularly kind or loving to themselves, Cindy does a great job and making this book practical and applicable. It's not as good as other books on the same subject, perhaps because it has to be tethered to a theology which is based on performance and piety above all else.
- Christian Spiritual Formation
Diane j. Chandler
This is more of a textbook, written for Evangelical college students. Christian spiritual formation needs to take into account, at least my evangelicals, much more of the emotional side of humanity. This book stays in the head, is much poorer about learning and going through various disciplines. Then it is about really sitting and listening, which should be the cornerstone to any kind of Christian spiritual information.
- The Five Love Languages: the Secret to Love that Lasts
Gary Chapman
This classic, we just sold millions of copies, helps couples learn how to love one another in the way that they like to be loved.
- Visions of Vocation
Steve Garber
This is another Evangelical author who takes a deep dive into work, vocation. This land that stood out for me was this idea of working hard for the kingdom. It's such a continued trope for evangelicals, that it's all about works, when they say it's all about Grace. There's very little in here about actually just being human and much more about doing something with your life to benefit everybody else. What's more, it's so heavily Christian. It would be nearly impossible to give this book to somebody who did not have a Christian vocabulary.
- Living Wisely with the Church Fathers
Christopher A. Hall
This book, written by an evangelical academic, examines the writings of the early church fathers through his lens. It is the third in a trilogy of books that this patristics scholar has written. He is trying to mine bits of wisdom from antiquity to help us live faithful Christian lives. His evangelical lens makes it a bit difficult because his emphasis is on intellect, reasoning, and logic, and does not leave enough room to listen to the whole south, the spirit, and making his case.
- Forgive
Timothy Keller
This was a cherished gift from a cherished parishioner, and he is Timothy Keller at his best, as a scholar, pastor, and committed evangelical. And because of his deep-rooted, as in Christ, it's hard to take this book very far outside the tribe. The Soteriology, he outlines tends to be too much inside baseball, and perhaps not applicable to an audience outside of Christendom. That said, he really offer some helpful insight into the nature and process of forgiveness.
- Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Robert M. Pirsig
Such a classic! The author, a philosophy, professor, uses a cross country, motorcycle trip with his son, to unpack the great divide between a life lived by technology, science, logic, intellect, and the life, live by intuition, emotion, spirit, that is ultimately the better way to live. It's written, so well, it took the author years to get it to the publisher, who took quite a risk, and cashed in! That story is at the back of the book. It is a truly wonderful ride, through the subject.
- God, Stephen Hawking, and the Multiverse
David Hutchings and David Wilkerson
This is a compelling and accessible exploration of the intersection between science, as expressed by Stephen Hawking, and traditional, though evangelical, theological concepts. Both authors have strong backgrounds in science and theology, and they are trying to bridge the perceived gap between these fields. Hawking, who was in agnostic at best, would not agree with these conclusions, but they are not without merit! The authors use evangelical language, cute stories, and relatable, metaphors, to unpack this admittedly, very complex deep dive into science and religion.
- Handmaid of the Lord
Adrienne Von Speyr
This book came from the Jesuit library at Manresa. It's a wonderful reflection, very intellectual, yet very spiritual, on the life of Mary. It takes imaginative license as it looks at Mary's pen, ultimate act of surrender to God. The central seam of the book is her accent, her magnificent statement of ascending to that place of complete surrender to God. It's a combination of essays. There is a profound essay on each important aspect of her life. Will be great for writing sermons when Mary plays a central role.
- Phoebe: A Story
Paula Gooder
This is a really helpful guide to getting to know the biblical character, mentioned in the book of Romans, named Phoebe. Apparently she was a deacon, although the word translated could mean servant. The word Phoebe actually means shining. It's a gentile name. Anyway, the author is a new testament scholar and British, which means her prose is much more appealing than most books of this genre published by intervarsity press. It's got helpful notes at the back to explain why she took the liberties she took. It's so well written.
- Apologetics Beyond Reason
James Sire
In this short book, and Evangelical veteran academic wants to broaden our understanding of how we know something. Instead of cold reason and logic, he advocates for a more comprehensive understanding of how we can know something, taking intuition and personal experience as both logical and reasonable ways of knowing something.
- Scripture and the Authority of God
NT Wright
This short book takes on the debate between the liberals and the conservatives, the conservatives who believe in biblical inerrancy, and the liberals who don't tend to consider scripture anything more than historical documents. In some ways he is setting up straw man, but in essence he's proposing a third way, of taking the Bible. Not so much literally, but seriously, as the saying goes. He argues for understanding that God is alive, therefore scripture is alive, and we do well to take that seriously.
- Philosophy in Seven Sentences
Douglas Goothuis
This is an interesting foray into the huge topic of philosophy by reducing the field to seven sentences by seven iconic philosophers. The author risks being too summative and, as an Evangelical, taking a spin on these philosophies and philosophers that may not be honest and authentic. It is a good primer for understanding the gist of philosophy from a 40,000 ft level.
- Anxiety: Finding Comfort and Reassurance from God
Skip McDonald
This book, which is more like a pamphlet, is an outline of Bible studies that people who are interested in relieving anxiety can used to apply scripture to their malady. It is not for somebody who has been clinically diagnosed with anxiety, but with those who struggle with worry and are overly concerned, and look to the Bible and holy scriptures to help them. Not real helpful if the Bible doesn't speak clearly and profoundly to you.
- Don't Wait Until the Pastor Leaves: Planning for Ministerial Transition Helps Ensure that One Successful Minister Follows Another
Michael Durall
On the face of it, it would appear that this is simply a book on pastoral transitions, however, it includes some really important insights into: the two most important words for a pastor is visit and invite; good stats on how hard it is to be a pastor; great pastors don't make great congregations, great congregations make great pastors; great lists of expectations of a pastor and expectations of a congregation; how to create a vital congregation; why people leave church and a number of other interesting insights. Great job Mike!
- The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline, and A New Hope for Beloved Community
Stephanie Spellers
This is a short but cogent analysis of mainline Christianity in America in around 2010. Stephanie looks at the disruption, decline, and pressing problems of leadership and attendance. Attendance she recommends we get back to a leadership structure that is more comprehensive and shared.
- The Jewish Roots of Christian Liturgy
Eugene J. Fisher, ed.
This is a powerful and eye-opening. Book the links between Christianity and Judaism! It can make a wonderful foundation for interfaith learning, between Jews and Christians. Is really important when it comes to respecting the faith of two major religions, which have often been at odds with one another.
- Patriot
Alexi Navalny
This is a very inspiring book about a man who wore social justice on his sleeve. His bravery and courage is so inspirational, a man who would die for the cause! Lexi is an attorney and politician who was killed by was Vladimir Putin, very publicly and very obviously, and his legacy continues to inspire people to speak truth to power. It's a wonderfully written, first person, narrative of his life, convictions, and desire for truth and Justice to win out in Russia and around the world.
- The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (And Your Children Will Be Glad You Did)
Phillipa Perry
I borrowed this book from Henry Martin on our trip to France. It is a logical argument to take your child's behavior as an expression of emotions they can't yet articulate. It argues that the single most important factor in a healthy parenting strategy is that parent child relationship. She advocates for never lying, always looking for the emotion behind the behavior, and disciplining by beginning with validation of a child's feelings.
- Discovering Christianity: A Guide for the Curious
Rowan Williams
This is a wonderful expression of Christianity, not as a philosophy that seeks to garner adherence, but as a living, dynamic way of moving through the world with purpose and hope. Williams, a former archbishop of Canterbury and esteemed theologian, has made this conversational and his audience is clearly those who have little or no understanding of Christianity. It's also for those who have a stilted view of the faith.
- Thoughts in Solitude
Thomas Merton
This is a fantastic book, which is actually a collection of essays and pieces of advice, etc. Written by Merton from his Abby in Kentucky. He argues that the spiritual life is simply staying awake as to what God is doing. He talks about the false self, which is that self that is constructed according to patterns given to us by parents, friends, and general society. Where is the true self is the one that is connected to God and our deepest person. He makes the point that God loves the desert because it has no value to humans, but it does to God because it is a quiet place where we can meet the Lord in silence, prayer, and meditation. He states that the things we love tell us the people we are. The two enemies of spirituality are laziness and cowardice. He argues that we do not really know how to forgive until we know what it is to be forgiven. His famous solitude prayer is chronicled. On page 83. He argues that we pray to be heard by God to receive God's answer, not our own answer and that prayer is not an end in itself, but it is about hearing from God.
- Guided by the Faith of Christ
Stephen Kaufman
Cleveland doctor Kaufman dives deep into Rene Gerard and his the regarding scapegoating. Kaufman articulates The recurring problem that has plagued civilization, of scapegoating a person or minority population, in order for the majority to feel good about themselves and thrive. It is a seminal work that can revolutionize our thinking about the causes and cures for violence in our world.
- Beyond the Two-State Solution
Jonathan Kuttab
This book, clearly written before the events of October 7, 2024, tries to make the case that a two state solution is possible. He outlines his argument based on shared commitments to greater principles. Unfortunately, especially in this day and age, this solution looks like it's dead in the water.
- The Sforza Castle in Milan
Marsilio, pub.
This book was purchased on our tour of the castle, it gives a fact, failed history and description of this marvelous, 14th century castle. It's filled with photographs and stories and little notes about how the castle was built, developed, and is presently used, as a museum and tourist attraction.
- Your Money or Your Life
Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez
This is a classic book in the the personal finance category, majors on the money saving, liberation side. The authors plug the notion that in order to live, unlike most people, who are in debt, and in financial trouble, you have to order your lives very differently than most people. This means saving a huge amount of money and living on a very modest budget. It is a lesson in courage and commitment to greater things.
- Wired for Love: How Understanding Your Partner's Brain and Attachment Style Can Help You Defuse Conflict and Build a Secure Relationship
Stan Tatkin
This is an insightful book that concentrates on building stronger couples. It does so by elevating the marriage above each individual partner. The exercises can be helpful in drawing one another together. Some of the anecdotes and stories about other couples are helpful as well.
- A Week in the Life of a Roman Centurion
Gary Burge
This is an Evangelical theologians interpretation of what life would have been like for a Roman centurion in the first century. I'm sure there are many things that are true to form, but there are a lot of liberties being taken. Tidbits on what life was like for centurions, and detailed descriptions of at that time in the Middle East.
- One Nation Under God
Kevin Kruse
This is a very important book for anyone who wants to understand how Christianity and the Trump administration have become such close bedfellows. The author takes us back to the 1930s and Franklin Roosevelts new deal. He then follows a little known, but highly successful preacher from Southern California, who pushes back against the new deal, and, in fact, reemphasizes aspects of the Bible that are misinterpreted to give corporate America theological underpinnings to their desires to maximize profit and care less for the social good. This should be textbook reading in seminaries today.
- The Other Side of the Wall: A Palestinian Christian Narrative of Lament and Hope
Munster Isaac
This is a powerful narrative that needs much wider attention. The author, who grew up in Bethlehem, and experienced a conversion at the age of 10 years old to Christianity, tells of his journey to be less evangelical and more social justice oriented church. He talks about his God-given desire to speak out on behalf of Palestine, and to seek peace.
- Incarnational Mission: Being with the World
Samuel Wells
This is a really insightful book about how to walk with, minister to, and consider people to whom God has called us to serve. Wells looks at the poor, the isolated, and marginalized, with great thoughtfulness and kindness. This includes the government, how are we to consider our role? A really valuable resource to parish ministry!
- Sermons Preached in a University Church
George Buttrick
What a gift and blessing is this compendium of amazing sermons. Published in 1959, this former head of the Memorial Church at Harvard gives us a terrific resource and inspiration of well-crafted, insightful, and even timeless sermons. Especially brilliant is the first one on the Lonely Voyage. Ruminations on key feast days of the Church are particularly helpful to active preachers!
- Classic Michigan Food and Drinks: The Stories Behind the Brands
Jon Milan and Gail Offen
This is a wonderful compendium of classic retail brands made or headquartered, or once headquartered, in Michigan. It's a surprising compilation of entrepreneurs, inventors, and savvy business folk who came together to found industries and create interesting products. Favorite stories are Michigan's other big three, verner's, and Sydney Bogg chocolates.
- A Beautiful ConstraintAdam Morgan and Mark Barden
This is a really helpful guide to assist anyone who's seriously contemplating how to get through situations defined by constraint - which is, arguably, every situation... Nonetheless it offers a deep meditation and marination on this really important subject. This would be a good read for a vestry.
- What Episcopalians Believe
Samuel Wells
Not unexpectedly, coming from Sam Wells, this is an intellectually stimulating examination at the theology, practices, and beliefs of Episcopalians and, because he's a CofE priest, he puts this into relationship with the wider, Anglican Church.
- Mrs. Hunter's Happy Death: Lessons on Living from Those Preparing to Die
John Fanestil
This is a fascinating foray into an 19th century, Christian habit of journaling by those on their deathbeds. The author, a Methodist minister, finds a string of such accounts in religious magazines of that era. And he documents how these people really looked forward to dying. They were writing articles about their experiences and their longing to be with Christ when they die. The author, then, tries to update this in normalize it for today's Christian. It's very scriptural, St. Paul and others knew what was awaiting them and had no fear to get there!
- Signs of Life: Nurturing Spiritual Growth in Your Congregation
Jay Sidebotham
This is a helpful book for congregational renewal! Jay, a seasoned Episcopal priest and good friend, points to several 'signs of life' that lead to a 'vitalized' congregation. These include the presence of scripture in the individual and communal life of the parish; maturity in prayer, where lay and clergy are comfortable praying in public and who cultivate their personal prayer lives; intentional discipleship training that leads to maturity; Jesus-centered worship and a communal vibrant sacramental life; empowering leadership, making sure to train and raise up leaders. It's a good book for vestries and other faith leaders in a community.
- Four Elements: Reflections on Nature
John O'Donohue
Short, astute, and insightful book argues that modern humans have become too disconnected from nature, and thus, important, spiritual insights that can help us live. The author tailors his insights around the four elements of air, stone, fire, and water. He drives out and connects various aspects and descriptors of these elements, drawing analogies to help us think more deeply, and us improve our lives.
- Eventually Everything Connects
Phaidon books
This is a big, wonderful, 2025 book! It is a collection of very insightful and intelligent essays on the mid-century modern movement in the United States and beyond. It features interviews and biographies on the main players, rich with photographs, sketches, and renderings of buildings, weavings, furniture, you name it. Of particular interests is a move general motors made under Harley Earl to bring women into the design department of automobiles.
- A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose
Eckhart Tolle
This is a very intelligent View of the world, taking into account, what we know about religion, history, and philosophy. The author explores very deeply the ego, defining it differently than Freud did. But calling for its control. His thesis is that what we need to do is be awakened. We need to be awaken to the potential we have inside of ourselves, to discover life's purpose, and once we are content in ourselves, we will see a reduction of suffering, greater harmony, environmental responsibility. And our fulfillment beyond material game. He is on too much, because he finds heaven
- The Well-Educated Mind
Susan Wise Bauer
This is an excellent book for anybody wanting to read a book. It's an analysis as to what kind of genres are out there, how to read them, and what the true classics and milestones in each area are. And because pretty much nobody has read all of the books she lists, she gives a good companion of a dozen or so under each genre, it's great to keep handy as our reading lists expand!
- Stolen Focus
Johann Hari
This is a borderline groundbreaking book on this generation's trend toward shorter attention spans. The author outlines a handful of reasons why teenagers can only stay attentive for seconds and adults for minutes. Environmental influences like diet and air quality. Play a factor as well. The solution is nothing less than a universal mind. Shift away from corporations at profit over our short attention spans, and inability to make smart purchasing decisions. But I have a hunch of too many people. Are benefiting from this trend to see this end anytime soon.
- Tools of the Titans
Tim Ferriss
This is markedly better than 'Tribe' containing A lot more quotes, tricks, and tactics, that are thought-provoking and introspective. It's a very light. Light, easy read, and worth it. His guests include a wide variety of celebrities, authors, athletes, and academics.
- Tribe of Mentors (skimmed)
Tim Ferriss
This is an interesting book of life advice, dozens and dozens of pretty accomplished people spending one to six pages on how, why, and what they do. The best way to read it is just a cherry pick some of the names that you recognize, and perhaps some that you don't. Athletes, business owners, authors, and entertainers make up the list. You're very interesting, and depending on if you find a nugget here or there, can be inspiring as well.
- This Day: Sabbath Poems Collected & New, 1979-2013 (skimmed)
Wendell Berry
This is a stirring, 356p collection of really clever insights on God, nature, and life's big questions. Berry, a KY farmer, has been writing poems for 5 decades as he lives humbly with wife Tanya on their farm. His insights into life and wordsmithing open the doors of our minds to see things in new ways.
- The Story of God
National Geographic
This substantial magazine is a compendium of statistics on world religion, including origins and trends. It also includes various articles on origins and practices of various religions throughout time and the world. It's a really concise, helpful overview of the role of religion in the world.
- Church (skimmed)
C. Andrew Doyle
This is a long book about a big subject. The author, the bishop of the largest diocese in the Episcopal church, C. Andrew Doyle, has taken on a large task, to inspire, to encourage, and to set forth as a blueprint a way to organize Christian congregations for the work ahead of it. I found it extremely long for the message it's trying to convey, A bit like eating sunflowers, a whole lot of work, and not much meat. He is keen on quoting a wide range of people and their writings, but really general about what to do about it. Perhaps reading this in community with other church leaders would be helpful, because I didn't find too much to take notes about here.
- God in Search of Man (Skimmed)
Abraham Joshua Heschel
This is a classic! So fruitful to consider that humans are not looking for God, nearly as much as God is looking for humans. It is a case for us to simply wake up to the miracle of being alive, the awareness of the unfathomable complexities our existence seems to navigate with such very little attention. This is a joyful and hopeful picture of human existence, not without its challenges, but with intelligent answers to the joys and challenges, humans face daily. A contender for best book of the year.
- Genesis: A Living
Conversation
Bill Moyers
This is the accompaniment to a public broadcasting system, PBS, television production. Production. It is meant to be studied in grooves, as people watch the interaction, then come to a workbook and answer questions. This book is a compilation of those conversations. Thus, it's probably best to watch the TV series. It contains many color and black and white images, and for those who prefer to read over watching television, it's a great substitute. This would be a way to start a Bible study in your home, publicizing it throughout the neighborhood, cuz the goal of this project is to help people grow intellectually and spiritually.
- A Journey Through Genesis
Marek Zabriskie
This is a wonderful, little, 50-day challenge to read the book of Genesis. It cuts Genesis down to 50, bite size devotional pericapes, and invites 25 scholars. Go ahead and offer up devotionals on them. It was designed for personal and congregational use, probably the latter would be better.
- Leonardo da Vinci
Walter Isaacson
This is a beautiful book on, perhaps the smartest and most creative person who ever lived. Da Vinci, from northern Italy, spent most of his life in Milan, and Florence, and ended up living on the estate of the king of France, we are, his painting output had slowed and stopped, but his conversations with king Francis the first kept both of them going. Curiosity is really what pushed da Vinci. He kept huge numbers of notebooks, where he could sketch and write down various things. His work in math, engineering, painting, drawing, and simply dreaming up things for one of his biggest jobs, which was to put on plays, extravagant plays, for the S'Forza family in Milan. Isaacson weaves together the volume of this material, already available on Leonardo, and goes into detail about the Mona, Lisa, the last supper, and his greatest achievements. Wonderful, illustrations, and print it. I'm very heavy paper!
- Big Gretch
Gretchen Whitmer
This very brief, almost pithy, monograph seems to be a way for Michigan's sitting Governor to tell a little bit about who she is, her values, her background, and how she has found success in politics. Politics. What's impressive? Is her desire to compromise and work across party lines effectively. She's obviously a quick study and a former at Dickinson right lawyer and Michigan State law School graduate. She comes across as down to earth and very relatable, also extremely resilient and very hard-working. I don't get the sense that I know her, just that I know what she wants me to think of her.
- Towards Rest
Alabaster Press
This authorless book is a wonderful little meditation on rest. Great quotes from c.s Lewis, Carl Barth, and Walter brugerman, it was a gift from Judy Walsh. A striking me is that the problem isn't always that. We've said yes to too many things but that we've said yes to the wrong things. Also, that rest is the ultimate form of resistance: it resists anxiety, unbridled, ambition, and relentless demands. Setting up a rhythm of rest, daily, weekly, and yearly, is so important! Because it's in these margins where God speaks so profoundly.
- On My Way Home
Jay Samonie
This is a self published autobiography of a Catholic priest, born in the 30s, ordained in the 50s and 60s, and of Lebanese descent. He went to seminary right out of grade school, and never looked back. During his time serving as a parish priest, in the diocese of Detroit, he experienced several mystical events, visions, of lights and other images. He is quick to state that he never strays from the Roman Catholic Church. It's nice that he wrote these things down, and I'm sure a lot of people will be touched by them. This was a gift from Pat Hardy.
- As If: Ethics and Artificial Intelligence
Nigel Shadbolt and Roger Hampson
This is a really thought-provoking book that asserts that our interactions with artificial intelligence should be done as if that artificial intelligence were human. It's because AI learns from humans, and if we treat AI, and thus traini, AI, like humans who have values, morals, and ethics, we can expect that out of our artificial intelligence. It is a call for as many humans as possible to train AI so that it can become as human as possible, as it is a machine that is highly subject to human programming. Treating AI, as if human ethical principles apply, would not only make AI more ethical, but perhaps ourselves as well. Recommended.
- The French Foreign Legion (skimmed with AI)
Douglas Porch
Considered to be the Bible of French foreign legion history, this weighty tome is a deep dive into a historic and complicated history of a country, needing to do some thing with a bunch of foreigners in their midst, many would be considered the dregs and misfits of their time. The author doesn't glorify, nor condemn his topic, but gives lots of details and personal biographies around key characters as well as details from the battlefield on the engagements it's under took. Like his book on Morocco, it assumes the reader has more than a passing familiarity with French military personnel and terminologies. This book borders a textbook.
- The Conquest of Morocco (skimmed much with AI)
Douglas Porch
This is a very detailed book by a very knowledgeable historian. You have to keep Google nearby, in order to make sense of the various tribal names and indicated vocabulary of Moroccan terms. But he punctuates this chronological narrative with a couple of really interesting character biographies. Not the least of which is commander Lyautey and the bandit El Raisuni. It's amazing how such a backward country, so uncivilized and primitive, meets modernity, and hast to respond somehow. It's a sad story, not only because, why would the French have to colonize anyway? And couldn't there have been a more compassionate way to help this backward nation? Enter a new Era? Very insightful.
- Code to Zero
Ken Follett
This is yet another dandy ride through intrigue, this one centered on the 1950s space race and a plot between Russian and American spies. It is signature Ken, and is a compelling, good, beach read.
- Naked Prey
John Sandford
This is a wonderful little thriller. The main character, Lucas, is an investigator who teams up with others to solve the case of a stolen car ring that has gone bad because of a psycho sheriff deputy and his crazy, manipulative mother. It is well written and fast-paced. I will probably read more of his books, he seems to have written a number of them. Total Beach book.
- Glitz
Elmore Leonard
A truly 1980's anchored book that tells the story of a Miami detective being followed by a psychotic ex-con whom he had put away. It starts and ends in Puerto Rico and includes a love affair and 1980s jargon throughout! This was among the books that my father had held on to, one of the few books before his death.
- Never enough
Jennifer Breheny Wallace
This is an informative book on the increasing amount of pressure and unhealthy behaviors resulting from a hyper competitive society for children and teenagers. Jennifer uses personal stories of teens. She's interviewed in hyper competitive, Rich, areas of the United States. States. Her solution is that people need to know that they matter. People need to know they have a purpose, young people need to be instilled with this through doing chores and having a sense that they matter to their families, and ultimately to the world.
- Rage Prayers
Elizabeth Ashman Riley
This is a selection of prayers, rooted in the theology of the Psalms, that give voice to the frustrations and anger of a priest who has been through the ringer. I didn't notice the word Jesus in any of the prayers, perhaps it was there, but I did not notice. Elizabeth 's petty and not so petty anger, and her desire express and work through that alongside God. I look forward to finding occasion to use these prayers, and to meditate on this gracious invitation to see God in all things, especially our anger and frustration.
- When things Fall apart
Pema Chodron
This is a wonderful little book, whose subtitle is heart advice for difficult times, and gives us an outline of Buddhist teaching regarding suffering. It is rooted in a certain kind of teaching by Trungpa Rinpoche and has little nuggets that are worth ruminating upon. You will learn much Sanskrit and find many connections to Christian theology.
- A Week in the Life of Rome
James L Papandrea
This book is pretty weak. The storytelling is not great, and the theology bends pretty far to the right. As in most books, written by scholars, there is some thing to gain here, but it's not worth too much time.
- Good to Great and the Social
Sectors - Jim Collins
This slim volume, and addendum to the good to great book, focuses on non-profits. The book begins with the statement that great nations are not the sole product of economic growth and power, but need social sector advancements to be truly great. He argues that greatness, which is fulfilling your mission, is not the result of circumstance, but conscious choice and discipline. He walks us through several concepts to help us get there. Well worth the read.
- 10 Lessons to Transform Your
Marriage - John/Julie Gottman
This highly practical book addresses the top 10 problems couples run into, areas they get stuck in, and opportunities for sage advice. Written in the form of case scenarios, they break down conversations, the good and the bad, and offer ways to better communicate. This is really helpful. If you find yourself in the scenarios described. It is an okay refresher for those of us who are not struggling in these ways.
- The Last Runway
Tracy Chevalier
This is a delightful novel that tells the story of two sisters and we're reading from England and their Quaker community, to join other Quakers in the fictitious town of faith. Well. It's just south of Oberlin. If you like quilts, Old English, diction, and a love story, oh and of course the Quaker religion, it's a book for you! Lighthearted with a little bit of learning...
- Jewish Spirituality
Lawrence Kushner
This is a wonderful little book! It gives you a bit of background, and a pretty good overview, you might choose. Believe what they believe. It came out of a conversation with an Episcopal priest, and it includes a general themes of Judaism, furious historic rabbis accounts, including stories, of their and is a recommended overview for anyone wondering about Jewish spirituality.
- The Respectful Leader
Gregg Ward
This short book is mostly a fictional tale that is meant to underline a time-honored truth: the Golden rule, treat others as you would like to be treated. The end of the book explains what this tale is about, and how the characters that treat one another. With respect, end up much farther ahead.
- Nuns on the Bus
Sister Simone Campbell
This is a detailed biography of a devout Christian, a very clever nun, who went to law school to better equip her work. On behalf of the poor. This details her life, her convictions, and her experiences as a social activist who got in trouble with Rome in the 2000s, and spoke at the Democratic national convention as a part of her campaign to bring Justice and equality to the poor. The poor. It's really inspiring and insightful regarding contemporary social issues and the religious.
- Secrets of Closing the Sale
Zig Ziglar
This is an incredibly insightful book that can help in every discipline in life, because persuasion is important no matter what you do. Particularly of note is this idea that selling is just a transference of feelings:feelings are transferable, meaning that if you want to sell something, you darn well better. Believe it! There are tons of personal anecdotes, many of them dated, but most of them with a moral. This book encourages you to be true to yourself, to be honest, thoughtful, and always putting the needs of the customer before your own.
