2018 READS. . . with a few comments here and there.

Book #26  Jackie’s Girl. .  My Life with the Kennedy Family by Kathy McKeon

For some reason this book caught my eye. I was fascinated with the journey that took a young Irish woman from fairly meager means across the ocean to end up working for the Kennedys. She does a good job of telling the story without dishing or sounding sensationalist. Rather it’s here story of finding her way as an Irish immigrant.

Book #25  1 Thessalonians Commentary

Only a Bible nerd would put this on the list- but that is exactly what I am so voila.  This wasn’t my favorite commentary, a bit dated for my taste. But it worked out ok for doing the research for the Pop Up Sojourn Bible study this summer.

Book #24 Peace Like A River by Leif Enger

I picked this book up at a half-price book sale and it’s been sitting on my shelf for a bit. Once I started reading, I had a hard time putting it down. I gave it away for my favorite thing giveaway in my Sojourn newsletter. Highly recommend.

Book #23  Let Your Life Speak. . . Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker J. Palmer

Addie Zierman pulled this book from a shelf and handed it to me awhile back. I just now got around to reading it. Beautiful. I’m thinking of reading it again in another month because there was so much that fit in my life right now. I especially loved the Discernment Circles he talks about and have already tried one.

Book #22  It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again By Julia Cameron

I took a long time to get through this book- probably four months. I did many of the assignments, especially the morning pages which were helpful. I highly recommend it for anyone feeling like they are in a new phase of life, retired or switching gears a bit in their career.

 

Book #21  I’m Still Here. . .Black Dignity in a World Made For Whiteness by Austin Channing

Every white person should read this to gain some perspective. I’m still thinking about some of the things I read and how I phrase certain things when I speak. I’ll probably refer back to it again from time to time.

Book #20   How To Walk Away by Katherine Center

Brene Brown suggested this book and since I love all of Brene’s work, I figured I’d like the book. I wasn’t wrong. It’s been a long time since I stayed up until 2 am reading the last 100 pages of a book because I HAD to know.

While the story is a bit formulaic, I can definitely see why Brene would recommend it. So much of what she talks about in her books are played out through the main character and her dealing with a tragedy in her life. It left me thinking a lot about happy endings and how they often are different than we might imagine.

Also, the family dynamics is priceless. Loved to see how the characters evolved and worked on the junk that all families have in one way or another. You might be able to pick out a few of your own family members mimicked by these characters.

This is a great beach book with a bit more substance than most beach books. But definitely light enough to enjoy during a relaxing summer day.

Book #19  Everybody Always. . . Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People by Bob Goff

I first hear Bob Goff years ago at a Storyline Conference at Point Loma Nazarene University. I’ll never forget how he stood up on the chairs (which were full of people) at the front of the auditorium- his long arms reaching out towards us- and spoke a beautiful blessing over us. He is the most energetic person I know. I think he must put the Energizer Bunny to shame.

I’ve had the opportunity to hear him numerous times over the past few years and never tire of his stories, his updates on life and his enthusiasm. His first book, Love Does, remains one of my favorites.  This book, Everybody Always, is good but repeats a lot of stories I’ve heard from him before. It was a bit hard to get through the first few chapters because of this. However, I’m glad I kept going as the rest of the book had new material and of course as always inspired me.

A couple of my favorite quotes:

“Our problem following Jesus is we’re trying to be a better version of us, rather than a more accurate reflection of Him.”

“If you want to become love, stop just agreeing with Jesus.”

Book #18  Everything Happens for A Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved by Kate Bowler

I think a blogger I follow (not sure which one) suggested this book. The title hooked me. The book was interesting on two levels for me: one this theologian that came out of prosperity Gospel and her thoughts on it and two this mother who faces stage four cancer that totally changes her world.

Kate Bowler has become popular on the major networks, social media and other avenues since she was diagnosed. I like that she has this platform and that she is using it to bring redemption to her suffering (in the words of Viktor Frankl).  Definitely a recommended read.

Book #17  You Can Draw in 30 Days by Mark Kistler

I’ve always been suspicious about these type of books. But I’ve always wanted to learn to draw and it was recommended so I plunged in. Truthfully I loved it and my drawing improved beyond what I imagined during those 30 days. I thought of it like a class and each day I needed to do my homework.

So if you have ever been itching to learn to draw better- try it out.

 

Books #15 and 16   ezGuide for Route 66 Travelers by Jerry McClanahan and Route 66 Adventure Handbook by Drew Knowles

Yes, my hubby and I did this thing. Route 66 – all the way from Chicago to Santa Monica pier. It was wonderful and long and exhausting and fun and hard and adventurous. We love road trips. We love exploring small towns and seeing the country. I’m also into researching places we go so these two books- very different kinds of guides- we perfect. Each night I’d read about the places we’d be hitting up in the morning so we’d know the things not to miss. Example- turkey tracks in the road- cause you never want to miss turkey tracks, right? It takes so little to make us happy.

Book #14  Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

I heard about this book from a book club I was thinking about joining so I read it. I didn’t get to go to the book club, but I loved the book.

It was engaging and pulled me right into the story. There was enough suspense that I wanted to keep reading to learn the outcome. If you like novels, I’d recommend it.

I also loved the contrast between the two mothers in the story. Made me think a bit about my own parenting.

Book #13   Beginnings by Steve Wiens

This is the second book I’ve read by Steve Wiens this year. I loved it. Maybe not as much as the first- just because of the season of life I was in. I’d definitely recommend this one as he breaks down Genesis 1 and parallels it to the beginnings in our own lives. He has a poetic, wise, different lens of looking at life. I like it.

I keep saying I’m going to visit his church, Genesis Covenant, but haven’t been able to yet. I learned about him from a mutual friend and have been following him on Instagram and Facebook since. He’s a fun follow and makes me think.

Book #12  The Dream of You: Let Go of Broken Identities and Live the Life You Were Made For by Jo Saxton

I follow Jo Saxton on Instagram and Facebook soaking in her wisdom and encouraging posts. This was my first experience reading one of her books and I loved it. Unknown to me the content fit perfectly with a retreat I was speaking at called Empowered.

Jo’s story is intriguing to me but she also opens her examples wide enough to allow other voices to speak through their experiences. I liked her different approaches to identity and the dealing with the different places you find yourself in regards to this subject.

A definite recommend for all women!

 

Book #11   Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life and Maybe The World by Admiral William H McRaven

I listened to this book as I was cleaning and organizing. It was a perfect book for that. I often don’t like audible books because I do so much underlining and writing in the margins, however, not so much with this one. It definitely had a different tone than the books I usually gravitate towards. I think it’s important that we read different voices. This one was less compassion and more suck it up and get to it.  Something we all need from time to time.

It’s short. Quick. And not a waste of time.

Book #10: The Gospel of Ruth by Carolyn Custis James

 

I’ve been teaching the book of Ruth during my Sojourn Bible Study and this was a nice addition to the research I do. I’ve never read the author before, but I will in the future. Her historical information was helpful. I also liked approach to Ruth- looking at it not as a romance.

Book #9: Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

I love anything by Brene. I listened to this as I drove to speaking engagements. I wouldn’t get the audiobook as I didn’t enjoy the person reading it as much as the other audiobooks where Brene reads them herself. I probably will end up buying the book and rereading it one day- so I can do all the underlining and circling and marking up that I do with this kind of book.

Book #8: Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan

I’ve read another book by Corrigan so this one was interesting to see where her life has progressed. It was interesting to hear her perspective on faith (or lack of) and the way she dealt with the deaths of two people she loved. Worth a read.

Book #7: Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker

I read this book twice actually. Once right after a fairly traumatic event so I didn’t remember a lot of it except that it was helpful. I had the opportunity to go hear Jen and so I quick read the book again. Loved the book. Love hearing her speak.

Book #6: Bird by Bird. . .some instructions on writing and life by Anne Lamott

Tried to read this before and couldn’t get past the first chapter. This time, however, I breezed through it. Loved it and will probably refer back to it again. Great content for writers.

Book #5: Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt

The biggest take away from the book that I found for me personally: When writing your goals, write the reason for the goals. Why is it a goal? That has helped me stay centered on my goals. Hyatt is the guru of productivity so if you are into that kind of thing, this is a good book. He is a bit intense for me at times so I take away a morsel and use that instead of his whole approach.

Book #4: House Rules by Jodi Picoult

I’ve heard Picoult referred to as a “moral and ethical novelist” which sounds like an accurate description. I appreciate that when I read one of her novels I learn a bit about life through someone else’s eyes. This time I feel like I’ve come away with a better understanding of Aspergers. Also, the story captivated me and I might have stayed awake way too long a few nights reading.

Book #3: Promise Me, Dad by Joe Biden

Recently seeing Joe Biden comfort John McCain’s daughter during a talk show made want to know more about this man and how the tragedies he has faced have informed the way he related to those suffering. There were parts of the book that opened a window into his life and the way he took time for people- really seeing them and taking time with those hurting. He has a remarkable ability to be present with hurting people.

I do wish there was less political commentary. It ruined, for me, what could have been a deeply meaningful book. Instead, it gave me only a few glimpses of the hope this man has and brings to situations. I did feel that he was protecting members of his family by the way he talked about certain topics which I respect.

Book #2: Uncommon Type.  . Some Stories by Tom Hanks

So Tom Hanks is absolutely my favorite actor. Hands down. But who knew he could write?

The book is full of short stories, newspaper articles that tell a story and even a script. It was fun to see a different side to Tom Hanks. I knew about his love of typewriters (something I share) and it was fun to see where a typewriter would pop up in his stories.

Would definitely recommend. And see if you can read it with your voice in your head or if you hear him reading the stories like I did.

 

Book #1:  Whole: Restoring What is Broken in Me, You, and The Entire World by Steve Wiens

I first heard of Steve Wiens through a friend and started following him on social media. I liked what he had to say so I thought I’d try a book. I devoured this book and loved it.

A few quotes that stuck with me:

“We prolong our pain when we try to fix the brokenness without going on a journey of restoration, which includes additional heartache, questions, and long periods of waiting.”

“One of the most courageous things you will ever do is to turn away from shame and return to the face of God, where you will find oceans of mercy.”

“May you have the courage to leave the familiar place behind so that you can go to the place that God will show you, and may you be enlarged so that you can hold God in your very identity as you go.”

Definitely would recommend reading it especially if you are in a place of transition, pain or brokenness.