In
2018 my resolution was to read 18 books in the year (not including books read
to my children). Since I do a lot of audiobooks while I cook, clean, or
organize stuff, it was rather easy to get through all 18. Generous friends also
let me borrow their hard copies of books I didn’t have access to any other way.
I’ve separated them into two basic groups like last year: Christian Living and
Life from Other Perspectives. The focus this year was once again to try and
learn more about how other groups live their lives and how I should live mine.
The descriptions come from Amazon but the opinions are my own.
Christian Living
- Keeper of the Angels’ Den by Geoff Benge and Janet Benge
Suddenly, Corrie's ordered life
was lost in the insanity of war. With bravery and compassion, her family and
countless other Dutch citizens risked everything to extend God's hand to those
innocents marked for certain execution in a world gone mad. Corrie ten Boom's
life of determination, faith, and forgiveness in the face of unimaginable
brutality and hardship is a stunning testimony to the sustaining power of God.
Inspiring story of extreme
bravery in the face of evil. Great story for both kids and adults!
2.
Present over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
Written in Shauna’s warm and
vulnerable style, this collection of essays focuses on the most important
transformation in her life, and maybe yours too: leaving behind busyness and
frantic living and rediscovering the person you were made to be. Present
Over Perfect is a hand reaching out, pulling you free from the constant
pressure to perform faster, push harder, and produce more, all while
maintaining an exhausting image of perfection.
Since I am a person who
struggles with my own imperfection, this was a great read. It was a fabulous
reminder that I am imperfect, no matter how much I try to be perfect, and being
present with those around me is more important than hiding my imperfections.
3.
No Greater Love by Mother Teresa
No Greater Love is the
essential wisdom of Mother Teresa — the most accessible, intimate, and
inspiring book of her teachings. Thematically arranged to present her
revolutionary vision of Christianity in its graceful simplicity, the book features
her thoughts on love, generosity, forgiveness, prayer, service, and what it
means to be a Christian. A passionate testament to deep hope and abiding faith
in God, No Greater Love celebrates the life and work of one of the
world’s most revered spiritual teachers.
Mother Teresa’s life has always
been an inspiration to me, so it was great to read her words and hear her
perspective on how to love others.
4.
The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis
The classic Weight of Glory
by C.S. Lewis, the most important Christian writer of the 20th century,
contains nine sermons delivered by Lewis during World War Two. The nine
addresses in Weight of Glory offer guidance, inspiration, and a
compassionate apologetic for the Christian faith during a time of great doubt.
C.S. Lewis is one of my
all-time favorite authors. It’s hard to condense all of Lewis’s wisdom from
this book, but this quote encompasses the meaning of the title: “The load, or
weight, or burden of my neighbour’s glory should be laid daily on my back, a load
so heavy that only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be
broken. It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and
goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk
to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly
tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if
at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each
other to one or other of these destinations.”
5.
Bittersweet by Shauna Neiquist
"This is what I’ve come to
believe about change: it’s good, in the way that childbirth is good, and
heartbreak is good, and failure is good. By that I mean that it’s incredibly
painful, exponentially more so if you fight it, and also that it has the
potential to open you up, to open life up, to deliver you right into the palm
of God’s hand, which is where you wanted to be all long, except that you were
too busy pushing and pulling your life into exactly what you thought it should
be. I’ve learned the hard way that change is one of God’s greatest gifts, and
most useful tools. Change can push us, pull us, rebuke and remake us. It can
show us who we’ve become, in the worst ways, and also in the best ways. I’ve
learned that it’s not something to run away from, as though we could, and that
in many cases, change is a function of God’s graciousness, not life’s cruelty.”
A friend recommended this book
and it was a perfect read for 2018. Leaving our mostly familiar life in
Thailand to a brand-new and totally different life in England was 100%
bittersweet. It was encouraging to be reminded that everyone goes through
bittersweet periods in life, but those times should be seen as a time of
growth.
6.
Tramp for the Lord by Corrie Ten Boom
In 1940, Corrie ten Boom was
living with her father and sister above their watch shop in Haarlem when their
country was invaded. Armed with the gift of their faith and their belief in
doing what was right, this devoutly Christian family provided sanctuary for
persecuted Jews. Before long, the Nazis captured Corrie and her family and sent
them to a concentration camp, where Corrie lost both her sister and father. But
remarkably, throughout this turbulent time, from her near-destitute days in
postwar New York to her heart-stopping adventures in Africa, Corrie sustained
the faith in God that helped her become one of the most beloved evangelists of
her time.
If you can’t tell, our family
has a small obsession with Corrie Ten Boom. A friend recommended this book to
me and I was not disappointed! It’s a great account of Corrie’s life after
World War II.
7.
Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the
World than Actually Changing the World? by Eugene Cho
Eugene Cho has a confession:
"I like to talk about changing the world but I don't really like to do
what it takes." Cho does not doubt the sincerity of those who want to
change the world. But he fears that today's wealth of resources and
opportunities could be creating "the most overrated generation in history.
We have access to so much but end up doing so little." He came to see that
he, too, was overrated. As Christians, Cho writes, "our calling is not
simply to change the world but to be changed ourselves." In Overrated,
Cho shows that it is possible to move from talk to action.
This was a good reminder that
even my best intentions are useless without action.
8.
Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker
In this highly anticipated new
book, beloved author Jen Hatmaker parlays her own triumphs and tragedies into a
sigh of relief for all normal, fierce women everywhere. Whether it’s the time
she drove to the wrong city for a fourth-grade field trip (“Why are we in
San Antonio?”) or the way she learned to forgive (God was super clear:
Pray for this person every day, which was the meanest thing He ever said to
me. I was furious.), she offers a reminder to those of us who sometimes
hide in the car eating crackers that we do have the moxie to get back up and
get back out. We can choose to live undaunted “in the moment” no matter what
the moments hold, and lead vibrant, courageous, grace-filled lives.
This was a light and funny
read. A great reminder to live in community and have courage to do whatever the
Lord calls us to.
9.
Undaunted: Daring to Do what God Calls You to Do by Christine Caine
Christine Caine offers
life-transforming insights about how not only to overcome the challenges, wrong
turns, and often painful circumstances we all experience, but also to actually
grow from those experiences and be equipped and empowered to help others. Using
her own dramatic life story, Caine shows how God rescued her from a life where
she was unnamed, unwanted, and unqualified. She tells how she overcame abuse,
abandonment, fears, and other challenges to go on a mission of adventure,
fueled by faith and filled with love and courage. Her personal stories inspire
readers to hear their name called, just as Christine heard her own―“You are
beloved. You are the hope. You are chosen”―to go into a dark and troubled
world, knowing each of us possess all it takes to bring hope, create change,
and live completely for Christ. Part inspirational tale, part manifesto to stir
readers to lives of adventure, Undaunted shows the way with spiritual wisdom
and insight.
Christine Caine is the founder
of A21, an anti-trafficking organization that does incredible work rescuing
individuals around the world. She has an amazing story and her action is
challenging and inspiring.
10.
Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown
“True belonging doesn’t require
us to change who we are. It requires us to be who we are.” Social
scientist Brené Brown, PhD, LMSW, has sparked a global conversation about the
experiences that bring meaning to our lives—experiences of courage,
vulnerability, love, belonging, shame, and empathy. In Braving the
Wilderness, Brown redefines what it means to truly belong in an age of
increased polarization. With her trademark mix of research, storytelling, and
honesty, Brown will again change the cultural conversation while mapping a
clear path to true belonging.
I’ve enjoyed other titles by
Brene Brown and was not disappointed with this either. A good reminder to
continue to reach out to those who have differing opinions and try to bridge
gaps of misunderstanding. “True belonging is not passive. It's not the
belonging that comes with just joining a group. It's not fitting in or
pretending or selling out because it's safer. It's a practice that requires us
to be vulnerable, get uncomfortable, and learn how to be present with people
without sacrificing who we are. We want true belonging, but it takes tremendous
courage to knowingly walk into hard moments.”
11.
Boundaries by Henry Cloud
Does your life feel like it's out of control? Perhaps you
feel like you have to say yes to everyone's requests. Maybe you find yourself
readily taking responsibility for others' feelings and problems. Or perhaps you
focus so much on being loving and unselfish that you've forgotten your own
limits and limitations. Or maybe it's all of the above. In the New York
Times bestseller, Boundaries, Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend
help you learn when to say yes and know how to say no in order to take control
of your life and set healthy, biblical boundaries with your spouse, children,
friends, parents, co-workers, and even yourself.
I read this at a friend’s recommendation and it
was easily one of the most impactful books I have ever read. It was especially
eye-opening for me as a parent, but it also made me realize some unhealthy
habits in myself and others. Highly recommend reading this book!
Life from Other Perspectives
12.
The Culture Map by Erin Meyer
Americans precede anything
negative with three nice comments; French, Dutch, Israelis, and Germans get
straight to the point; Latin Americans and Asians are steeped in hierarchy;
Scandinavians think the best boss is just one of the crowd. It's no surprise
that when they try and talk to each other, chaos breaks out. In The Culture
Map, INSEAD professor Erin Meyer is your guide through this subtle,
sometimes treacherous terrain in which people from starkly different
backgrounds are expected to work harmoniously together. She provides a
field-tested model for decoding how cultural differences impact international
business, and combines a smart analytical framework with practical, actionable
advice.
Another great recommendation
from a friend! This was easily one of the most interesting books I have ever
read. As a person who has worked cross-culturally, there were many times when I
found myself nodding my head and thinking, “Now that makes sense!” I highly
recommend this for anyone who works in or among different cultures.
13.
Freedom from Fear and Other Writings by Aung San Suu Kyi
Freedom from Fear - collected
writings from the Nobel Peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi - edited by her
late husband, whom the ruling military junta prevented from visiting Burma as
he was dying of cancer - reflects her greatest hopes and fears for her fellow
Burmese people, and her concern about the need for international co-operation
in the continuing fight for Burma's freedom. Bringing together her most
powerful speeches, letters and interviews, this remarkable collection gives a
voice to Burma's 'woman of destiny', whose fate remains in the hands of her
enemies.
Reading words of strength and
hope from someone who was on house arrest by the government of her own country
was challenging and inspiring. Sadly, it seems that the current State
Counsellor of Myanmar has forgotten her own words: “It is not power that
corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of
the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.” I hope Aung
San Suu Kyi will remember her previous plight and mistreatment as she considers
the minority groups in Myanmar to whom she is turning a blind eye.
14.
Harvest of Empire by Juan Gonzalez
Harvest of Empire spans
five centuries-from the first New World colonies to the first decade of the new
millennium. Latinos are now the largest minority group in the United States,
and their impact on American popular culture-from food to entertainment to
literature-is greater than ever. Featuring family portraits of real- life
immigrant Latino pioneers, as well as accounts of the events and conditions
that compelled them to leave their homelands, Harvest of Empire is
required reading for anyone wishing to understand the history and legacy of
this increasingly influential group.
Even though I have studied
Latino culture and Spanish language for many years, I learned so much from this
book. I was rather ignorant about the political and economic histories of the
countries from which the U.S. gets most of its Latino immigrants, so this was
eye-opening for me. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a more
well-rounded view of the causes of Latino immigration in the U.S.
15.
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
In 2010, Sandberg gave an
electrifying TED talk in which she described how women unintentionally hold
themselves back in their careers. Her talk encouraged women to “sit at the
table,” seek challenges, take risks, and pursue their goals with gusto. Lean
In continues that conversation, combining personal anecdotes, hard
data, and compelling research to change the conversation from what women can’t
do to what they can. Sandberg provides practical advice on negotiation
techniques, mentorship, and building a satisfying career. She describes
specific steps women can take to combine professional achievement with personal
fulfillment, and demonstrates how men can benefit by supporting women both in
the workplace and at home.
I borrowed this book from a
friend mostly because I wanted to see what all the hype was about. It was worth
all the hype and encouraged me to be more proactive in my career.
16.
Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin
On October 28, 1959, John
Howard Griffin underwent a transformation that changed many lives beyond his
own—he made his skin black and traveled through the segregated Deep South. His
odyssey of discovery was captured in journal entries, arguably the single most
important documentation of 20th-century American racism ever written. The story
that earned respect from civil rights leaders and death threats from many
others endures today as one of the great human—and humanitarian—documents of
the era. This is the story of a man who opened his eyes and helped an entire
nation to do likewise.
Another brilliant
recommendation from a friend (how am I so lucky to have so many smart
friends??). This first-person account of racism was both captivating and
shocking, especially since the only thing the author changed about himself was
his skin color (his name and profession stayed the same). Great,
thought-provoking read!
17.
The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
Written with a sparkling voice
and breakneck pace, The Radium Girls fully illuminates the inspiring
young women exposed to the “wonder” substance of radium, and their
awe-inspiring strength in the face of almost impossible circumstances. Their
courage and tenacity led to life-changing regulations, research into nuclear
bombing, and ultimately saved hundreds of thousands of lives.
I had never learned much about
the heavy use of radium in the early 20th century before reading this book. It
was informative and entertaining as I learned about the individual women’s
lives as well as the general opinion of radium at the time and how some
industries fought to keep the negative effects of it secret. The ordeal that
these women had to endure to receive justice is heartbreaking. Great read!
18.
I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
When the Taliban took control
of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to
be silenced and fought for her right to an education. I AM MALALA is the
remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for
girls' education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and
encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who
have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons.
Of course, I had heard of Malala Yousafzai and
was vaguely familiar with her story, but I learned a lot from this book, not
only about her personal life story, but also about the difficulties many girls
like her face in trying to get an education. Malala also attends Oxford
University, so I am holding out hope that I will bump into her one day and
eventually become best friends. :)
What
books are on your “to read” list for 2019? I’d love to hear your
recommendations!
