It is that time of the year again where these types of lists are all over the place. If you are reading this list, I am thankful and hope it nudges you in the direction of some of the books I enjoyed most this year. While this is written primarily for the people at Kaleo Church, I hope this list serves you well. Enjoy!
Favorite Overall Book
The Border Trilogy: All the Pretty Horses, The Crossing, Cities of the Plain by Cormac McCarthy
McCarthy is considered by many to be the greatest American novelist of the 21st century. I’ve enjoyed other books of his in the past but this trilogy became an immediate favorite of mine. Be warned, the three are not connected and can be purchased and read separately. However, the style of writing and storytelling always bring a deep significance and meaning to seemingly mundane and ordinary settings. To make things a bit more special, McCarthy died when I was about halfway through this trilogy, making each word have a bit more weight. If you don’t mind slow unfolding stories with deep meaning and incredible landscape (crazy how he can bring things to life with words), then you will enjoy this.
Favorite Biography
All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir by Beth Moore
What Beth has done with this memoir is invited her readers to the kitchen table to give you a first-hand account of her life. To say that God’s gracious hand has been guiding this woman from the earliest and hardest years of her life would be an understatement. With vulnerability and a side of wit, Mrs. Moore opens her heart in a way that makes you thankful to get a glimpse in to God’s redemptive ways in the midst of joy and sorrow, celebration and lament. My cheeks hurt from laughing and my tissue box was depleted from tears of anger and sorrow.
Favorite Pastoral Theology
Working the Angles by Eugene Peterson
Eugene has shaped me quite a bit over the last 5 years but this book made a profound impact. The main idea of the book is that pastors should be doing what pastors are called to do. While much of the Evangelical complex has pastors overly busy trying to be leaders and CEOs, Peterson labors home what the calling of the pastor is and why Christ’s sheep need shepherds who meditate on God’s Word, pray, and care for souls. I truly think this book could help a lot of pastors, and Christians in general, better understand what it is we are called to be.
Favorite Fiction
Unfortunately, dude to my doctorate program, I didn’t find much time to read fiction this year. Fiction is typically the most enjoyable genre for me. For this year’s favorite, see Favorite Overall book above.
Favorite Military History
Unbroken Bonds of Battle: A Modern Warriors Book of Heroism, Patriotism, and Friendship by Johnny Joey Jones
What this book did so well was show the friendship that is often formed and unique to those in the military. Jones had multiple friends and service members write chapters describing their experience of war and the friendships that helped them survive those horrendous times, and the harder times that come after the military. I was so encouraged and thankful for my time in the Army, the lasting friendships, and the many stories of others.
Favorite Bible Commentary
1 Kings: The Wisdom and the Folly by Dale Ralph Davis
Dale Ralph Davis has been my favorite Old Testament commentator for a while now. His incredible depth and knowledge of Hebrew and the Old Testament alone are worthy of the price of his books. But what he does even better is make incredible applications for today with the perfect balance of truth and wit. Reading this commentary made me thank God often for his Word but also be able to laugh…mostly at myself. Davis is truly an enjoyable commentator to read because he takes the Word seriously but not himself. Refreshing!
Favorite Theology
On Getting Out of Bed: The Burden and Gift of Living by Alan Noble
Normally you would find a bigger biblical theology book in this category. However, this small book may hold some truths that a lot of people in the church could learn from. This book is small in size but incredibly robust in describing first-hand what it is like to live with depression. As someone who suffers deeply from Major Depressive Disorder, I think I underlined the whole book while thinking, “Yes, this is what it feels like.” I wish those who had family or friends with depression would read this book to better understand the daily woes and gifts of depression.
Honorable Mentions
The Spiritual Life by Evelyn Underhill
The Care of Souls: Cultivating a Pastor’s Heart by Harold L. Senkbell
Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman
The Deeply Formed Life: Five Transformative Values to Root Us in the Way of Jesus by Rich Villodas
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer
Old Testament Allusions 