In keeping with tradition, here’s a collection of books I enjoyed and/or found helpful this year.
(For the 2020 list, click here, 2021 here. 2022 here)
I’ll put the fine print first:
If I say that I “enjoyed” a book, that does not mean that I fully endorse the authors or volumes listed. To me, “enjoyment” means I found it helpful, interested, thought provoking and/or well written. There may be questionable content or language that some might find offensive. You’ve been warned.
All the links shared (click the picture of the book) go to Amazon. Amazon is a retail behemoth. If you prefer to shop smaller and/or local, you can support a local bookstore like Peregrine Book Company, or the wonderful people at Hearts and Minds books in Pennsylvania. They can order them for you.
You can always check the local library. Some of the titles are available in Yavapai County!
If you read one of the books below, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. Let’s get coffee.
If Keller writes it, it’s likely worth reading and the book “Forgive” is no exception. This was by far the most helpful book I read in 2023 and is one of the few “must reads” for followers of Jesus.
A real and raw story about the mess of marriage, adultery, and community. Harrison Scott Key’s book is sobering and hilarious. His writing is clever and the book helps give perspective on the mystery of matrimony.
Beth Moore’s autobiography has landed on many-a-lists for this year and for good reason. Here’s a snippet “It’s a peculiar thing, this having lived long enough to take a good look back. We go from knowing each other better than we know ourselves to barely sure if we know each other at all, to precisely sure that we don’t. All my knotted-up life I’ve longed for the sanity and simplicity of knowing who’s good and who’s bad. I’ve wanted to know this about myself as much as anyone. This was not theological. It was strictly relational. God could do what he wanted with eternity. I was just trying to make it here in the meantime. As benevolent as he has been in a myriad of ways, God has remained aloof on this uncomplicated request.”
From the same author who brought us “Boys in the Boat” comes the story of the Donner party and the tragedy that struck in the winter of 1846. If cannibalism (out of desperation…not for fun) makes you squeamish…Maybe find a different book? Fun fact: There were two Wolfingers in the Donner party. I don’t think we are related.
Stephen King named this book as his all time favorite and for good reason. It’s a classic western with just about everything in it. Heroes and villains. Love and lust. War and peace. Tragedy and triumph. Clocking in at almost 900 pages, this book is a commitment, but well worth it.
Some Others:
1920’s:
I’m not sure how I ended up in a mini rabbit hole of this decade, but two books bring some niche American history to what seems like a wild time.
A Fever In the Heartland - Timothy Egan - The wild rise and collapse of the Ku Klux Klan in the 20’s. I can’t believe this was only 100 years ago.
Killers of the Flower Moon tells the story of the Osage Tribe in Oklahoma, the flood of riches from oil, murder, and building of the FBI.
Christian Formation:
Three books this year stuck out above the rest (for me)
Run With Horses - Eugene Peterson - I’m pretty sure that if I’m writing a book list, not only will Tim Keller be on it, but Eugene Peterson seems to always have a sport too. This is his volume on Jeremiah with some keen insights and application for life today.
The Heart of Anger - Christopher Ash - A deep dive into anger with a good analysis of the human heart and Jesus’s loving help.
You Are Not Your Own - Alan Nobel - A little dense, but really good look into modern society and the counter culture claims of the gospel and approach to life with Christ. The subtitle is great, “Belonging to God in an inhuman world.”
Other Fun Biographies:
Timothy Keller - Releasing shortly before his passing, Collin Hansen shows us who and how Tim Keller was shaped to become the pastor/theologian that he was.
Charles Barkley - A pull no punches look at the life and career of Sir Charles Barkley.