There are so many great new books, and all of us have only limited time for reading. This summer I have shared a monthly list of the top ten books I have read:
The final post in the summer series follows. All books mentioned were published in 2017, and are rated on a 1-5 scale allowing for the top of the scale to be extended to a 5+ for the best of the best.
- (5.0) Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America by Michael Eric Dyson (Macmillan, 2017)
- (4.5) Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight Out of This Wild and Glorious Life by Jen Hatmaker (Thomas Nelson, 2017)
- (4.5) The Year of Small Things: Radical Faith for the Rest of Us by Sarah Arthur and Erin F. Wasinger (Brazos Press, 2017)
- (4.5) Move: How Decisive Leaders Execute Strategy Despite Obstacles, Setbacks, and Stalls by Patty Azzarello (Wiley, 2017)
- (4.5) Beyond the Offering Plate: A Holistic Approach to Stewardship edited by Adam J. Copeland (Westminster John Knox Press, 2017)
- (4.0) The Leading Brain: Powerful Science-Based Strategies for Achieving Peak Performance by Friederike Fabritius and Hans W. Hagemann (TarcherPerigee, 2017)
- (4.0) Psyched Up: How the Science of Mental Preparation Can Help You Succeed by Daniel McGinn (Penguin Group, 2017)
- (4.0) Popular: The Power of Likability in a Status-Obsessed World by Mitch Prinstein (Viking, 2017)
- (3.5) Formed by Love: Volume 5 in the Church’s Teachings in a Changing World Series by Scott Bader-Saye (Church Publishing, 2017)
- (3.5) How Your Congregation Learns: The Learning Journey from Challenge to Achievement by Tim Shapiro (Rowman and Littlefield, 2017)
So What?
This month’s list includes titles focused on major contemporary issues – including racism and congregational giving -alongside practical wisdom for living life well in and beyond one’s workplace. As I remember the many lessons I learned while engaging this quality content, I am reminded of a few takeaways that are a common thread among several books mentioned
- Be yourself. Authenticity matters. It is essential.
- Grow yourself. Focusing on small wins or relatively minor progress yields results that often exceed expectations.
- Recognize you are never alone. Being and growing yourself are both done in community. Whether striving to increase likability, performance, or understanding be intentional about never journeying alone.
As the summer draws to a close, I invite you to share the book you read this summer that impacted you more than any other.