Why should you care what I read? You shouldn’t. However, I know that many of you love to read and some of us have shared or asked for book recommendations. Here’s a running list as I finish books.
January:
Comeback, Claire and Mia Fontaine – it was just OK.
February
This is How We Do It, Carol Evans – a quick-read primer for working mothers and for those who work with them
Gifted to Lead, Nancy Beach – read this
Generation Me, Jean M. Twenge – I’m not sure my 1.5 gen fits into the category as neatly, but it was a good read and blog discussion on Jesus Creed
March
Glamorous Powers, Susan Howatch – not your typical spiritual formation book, but worth the read
Glittering Images, Susan Howatch – again, people will wonder what you are reading. You may wonder what you are reading.
April:
Guyland, Michael Kimmel – it made me pray for my boys a little longer.
The Blue Parakeet, Scot McKnight – get over the title and read this if you’re interested in exegesis, women in ministry and the third way.
Falling Leaves, Adeline Yen Mah – I kept hoping the writing would capture more emotion…
The Shack, William P. Young – the Holy Spirit is an Asian woman in this book. What’s not to like? Well, the writing wasn’t all that. I’m just saying.
May:
The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Michael Pollan – I will never be able to “just eat” without wondering about the food.
Columbine, Dave Cullen – a great read, disturbing story
June:
Reconciling All Things, Emmanuel Katongole & Chris Rice – please read this.
Making Room for Leadership: Power, Space and Influence, Mary Kate Morse – please, please read this.
July:
Crow Lake, Mary Lawson – good pool reading.
The Bridge at No Gun Ri: A Hidden NIghtmare From the Korean War, Hanley, Choe & Mendoza – don’t try to read this pool-side.
Infidel, Ayaan Hirsi Ali – to be honest I was a bit disappointed.
Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman, Elizabeth Buchan – the title alone made it worth it. A good summer read with a few spots that made me think through marriage, identity and love.
August:
The Family Orchard, Nomi Eve – more guilty pleasure, summer reading. It was OK.
If I Stay, Gayle Forman – I picked up this book for Bethany, but we both ended up enjoying it.
The Pilot’s Wife, Anita Shreve – Let’s just say August was a lighter month.
September:
Resilience, Elizabeth Edwards – a good, quick read.
Dating Jesus: A Story of Fundamentalism, Feminism & the American Girl, Susan Campbell – another great title and good read. The middle started to drag a bit, but her last few chapters made me stop and think.
Julia Child, Laura Shapiro – a friend and I went to see Julie & Julia (Hey, all you male critics who bashed the movie. Maybe you didn’t like the movie because you didn’t “get” it. I think a lot of women “got” it.), and she picked up this small book about a larger than life personality.
October:
Reconciliation Blues, Edward Gilbreath
November:
The Next Evangelicalism, Soong-Chan Rah
The Enneagram in Love and Work, Helen Palmer
The Opposable Mind, Roger Martin