Since 2009 I have reviewed and/or rated more than 1,200 newly published books focused on ministry and leadership here on So What Faith. And, each December I've published a list of my top ten books of that year (for the latest edition, see 16th Annual Top 10 Books of the Year). A decade into this I decided to begin publishing a list of all authors who appeared on two or more top ten lists. I have since shared expanded versions of that list in 2024 and 2025. The list grew from 12 to 16 to 18 Read More …
Books
16th Annual Top 10 Books of the Year (#2282)
Welcome to the 16th annual So What Faith’s Top 10 Books of the Year. This year I read 84 books published in 2024. The top ten are listed below in alphabetical order by author’s last name: Top Ten Top Two The two books on this year’s top ten that had the greatest impact on me are Prior Lists There are so many great books published in recent years. Two of this year's top authors appeared on prior lists: Incredibly this marks Diana Butler Bass' fifth Read More …
5 Star Books Published in 2025 (#2278)
Welcome to the seventh annual edition of So What Faith’s 5 Star Books of the Year! This list is comprised of books rated 5 or 5+ on a scale of 1 to 5. To be eligible the book must have been published in 2025 and I must have read and rated it this year. This year, just 14.4% of all books rated received a rating of 5 or 5+ to earn this honor (in prior years the percentage has ranged from 15% to 17%). Past Years Be sure to check out prior lists Best of the Best Stay Read More …
Great New Books for December 2025 (#2276)
The best new books I’ve read in the last month are A Beautiful Year Advent arrived just a few days ago, ushering in the beginning of a new church year. In her twelfth and newest book, Diana Butler Bass invites readers to journey through the Christian calendar week by week, offering timely reflections that gently reorient us toward the Way of Jesus. Whether you prefer to savor her wisdom one meditation at a time or, like I did, devour the entire book in a single sitting while Read More …
Great New Books for November 2025 (#2266)
The best new books I’ve read in the last month are Migrant God Isaac Samuel Villegas writes with pastoral sensitivity and prophetic courage about what he knows best: the lives and struggles of migrants. As an immigrant justice community organizer, an ordained Mennonite minister, and a PhD student in religion at Duke University, Villegas crafts a work that educates, encourages, and empowers. While many Christians are moved to act by Scripture’s clear and consistent call to Read More …
Great New Books for October 2025 (#2261)
The best new books I’ve read in the last month are For Such a Time As This When life feels uncertain and overwhelming, finding words capable of grounding and restoring is a rare gift. For Such a Time as This: An Emergency Devotional by Hanna Reichel could not be more timely. She speaks directly into the chaos of the moment with practical wisdom for healthy boundaries and faithful resilience. More than a devotional, Reichel's words have the power and the gentleness to become Read More …
Great New Books for September (#2256)
The best new books I’ve read in the last month are Welcome Back Three authors on this month’s list are returning to So What Faith: The American Religious Landscape What is really going on with religion in America? The best place to start exploring this question is Ryan P. Burge’s The American Religious Landscape: Facts, Trends, and the Future. Whether you’re new to the topic, a religious leader navigating recent shifts, or simply curious about the role of religion Read More …
Great New Books for August 2025 (#2249)
The best new books I’ve read in the last month are A Change of Habit While I'm not generally a fan of memoir or one to heap praise on debut authors, I'm thankful I picked up a copy of Sister Monica Claire's A Change of Habit: Leaving Behind My Husband, Career, and Everything I Owned to Become a Nun. I was drawn in by her storytelling then captivated by her story. With a voice that’s authentic, candid, and deeply reflective, Sister Monica Claire takes us on an extraordinary journey Read More …
Great New Books for July 2025 (#2239)
The best new books I’ve read in the last month are Miracles and Wonders Elaine Pagels, an esteemed historian of religion who has taught at Princeton since 1982, offers a thorough and fascinating exploration of Jesus' identity in her latest book, Miracles and Wonder: The Historical Mystery of Jesus. This must-read volume unfolds chapter after chapter with the questions everyone asks and follows each with Pagels’ thoughtful consideration of the possible answers, including her Read More …
Great New Books for June 2025 (#2231)
The best new books I’ve read in the last month are Welcome Back Four names on this month's list are repeat authors or editors Read More …