It's that time of year when travel and gatherings are upon us all, and who, in all this madness, has the time or the inclination to read blog posts? Because it's next to no one, I will be closing out the year on the blog with two final posts that will hopefully tide you over until the new year, and, if you're so inclined, provide reading material.
Because I love books, I offer an annual recap of the best and brightest of everything I've read throughout the year. If you don't like to read, shame on you and I'm sorry. On to your next blog of choice. If you do love to read, add these to your list (and give me your favorites in the comment section, pretty please, or I will show up unannounced at your house and look in all your rooms):
An absolute must-read because of its originality, beauty, language, and perspective on God: Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl: Wide-Eyed Wonder in God's Spoken World by N.D. Wilson
The book I've probably talked about most with others (and begged them to read): The Insanity of God: A True Story of Faith Resurrected by Nik Ripken
The book I enjoyed (re)reading with my boys (ages 10, 8, and 5): Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
The books that made me laugh out loud: Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan and A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet: Southern Stories of Faith, Family, and Fifteen Pounds of Bacon by Sophie Hudson
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| Another good book spotted: A Million Little Ways by Emily Freeman |
The most helpful (and encouraging) books I've read regarding ministry this year: Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor by D.A. Carson and Accidental Pharisees: Avoiding Pride, Exclusivity, and Other Dangers of Overzealous Faith by Larry Osborne
History book about a topic I thought I knew about but really didn't know about much at all: Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly
A book I keep thinking about: Anything: The Prayer That Unlocked My God and My Soul by Jennie Allen
Most fascinating missionary biography (my favorite genre): In the Land of Blue Burqas by Kate McCord
Most interesting and thought-provoking: Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church by Michael Horton
Favorite fiction book: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Two biographies about two authors that I enjoyed: Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee by Charles J. Shields and C.S. Lewis-A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet by Alister McGrath
A book that helped me mother better: Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson
A book that has beautiful words and even better recipes: Bread & Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table (with Recipes) by Shauna Niequist
And that's the list, folks. In case you want to see previous lists, here's the one from 2012
and the one from 2011.
What are your faves that you've read this year?
