I set a purpose to end 80 books in 2020. I ended up solely ending 67 books, however I learn and listened to some nice books, so I’m going to name {that a} win — even when I fell wanting my purpose!
I’ve cherished utilizing GoodReads to trace my studying. It’s actually motivational to see my progress and to have a one-stop place to see all of the books I learn + my star score of them.
Of the 67 books I learn in 2020, I picked 10 favorites. These have been the ten that impacted me probably the most, that I loved probably the most, that resonated with me deeply, and/or are those that I’ll carry classes from for years to return.
Listed below are my Prime 10 Picks (in no specific order):
The Giver by Lois Lowry
It’s uncommon that I re-read books, however each as soon as in awhile, I take pleasure in a e book sufficient to re-read it. The Giver was one such e book. It’s intriguing and makes you suppose at a deep stage.
I don’t know that “take pleasure in” is essentially the phrase I might use to explain my emotions on it. Possibly “genuinely thought-provoking” could be a extra correct phrase.
Kaitlynn and Silas really recommended that I learn it aloud to them, in order that’s really what motivated me to tug it out. Silas hadn’t learn it earlier than and it sparked so many nice discussions. And once I ended the e book this time, I had a unique tackle the conclusion than I did final time.
Right here’s my assessment that I wrote once I learn the e book again in 2017 and it’s nonetheless legitimate:
Lastly, I learn The Giver for the primary time. And also you guys, I don’t fairly know what to say about this e book. At first, I used to be so pissed off by the ending. That’s it?!?! No! There must be extra!
After which I needed to ponder and ponder over the e book. I couldn’t get it out of my mind. What am I lacking? Why is it haunting me?
The extra I contemplated, the extra I actually began to like the e book and the highly effective means it reminds us that with out ache and struggling, we are able to’t expertise emotional connection or really really feel at a deep stage. If we took all the ache away from the world, it will additionally take away a lot depth and the flexibility to expertise life in full shade.
I needed I might have learn this e book with a e book membership. And I completely perceive why some individuals like it and a few individuals don’t prefer it in any respect. Have you ever learn it? If that’s the case, I’d love hear your ideas on it.
Be aware: This e book talks about issues that might probably be disturbing or upsetting to delicate youngsters. I’d suggest studying it forward of time and probably studying it with them.
Get Your Life Again: On a regular basis Practices for a World Gone Mad
I knew inside studying only a few pages of this e book that I used to be going to like it. I’m solely vaguely acquainted with John Eldredge and had by no means learn any of his different books, however I actually discovered this e book worthwhile and provoking.
In reality, I discovered it so useful, that Jesse and I recorded a podcast collectively with a few of my preliminary ideas from the e book final week. Then, we invited John to return do an interview with me the place he shared much more about what first prompted him to put in writing this e book (he was feeling burnt out and hooked on his cellphone and e mail) and every day practices which have helped him to regain his perspective, renew his soul, and refresh his spirit.
We recorded the podcast episode with him immediately and I can’t wait to share it with you subsequent week! I feel you’ll discover his ideas on caring to your soul, the facility of the one-minute pause, and cultivating magnificence in your life to really be an inspiration!
And, should you can’t inform, I additionally undoubtedly suggest studying this e book!
Get Out Of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Poisonous Ideas
Y’all! Have you learnt how a lot our ideas can affect our life — for good or for dangerous? If we dwell on poisonous ideas, it might probably wreck so many issues in our life — from our perspective to {our relationships} to our marriage and a lot extra.
Should you wrestle with insecurity, stress, frustration, or feeling like you might be failing, this e book is for you. If you end up doubting whether or not God is sweet or if He actually cares about you, this e book is a should learn. Should you really feel like you might be caught, overwhelmed, or consistently frazzled, learn this e book.
I believed that the primary few chapters have been particularly helpful. Jennie Allen shares actually about her personal journey with getting caught in unhealthy beliefs and thought patterns after which shares how she discovered a means out.
Whereas a few of the e book appeared a little bit redundant and like there was some filler info (particularly the second half of the e book), I discovered her insights to be very worthwhile. My favourite half was the illustrations that gave tangible methods to vary your pondering.
The Boy on the Picket Field
We learn this aloud as a household and it was a winner e book — that means, all of us loved it and located it participating. It’s the true autobiographical story of Leon Leyson, a boy who survived the holocaust because of being on Schindler’s Record.
Whereas I’ve learn a whole lot of books about World Warfare II, this one introduced perception and perspective on some issues that I hadn’t heard earlier than. I believed it was an particularly good learn for our present instances because it reminds you of how a lot we nonetheless have, despite the fact that it might probably really feel like there’s a whole lot of unrest, unknowns, and upheaval in our lives.
It sparked a whole lot of nice dialog and dialogue across the dinner desk. Do notice that a few of the materials it covers may be scary or unsettling for youths who’re particularly delicate. Whereas it didn’t delve into the atrocities of battle and focus camps in actually graphic phrases, it did cowl a few of the hardships and brutality that the Jews suffered.
Elevating Fear-Free Ladies
Whether or not you’ve sons or daughters, I feel it is a worthwhile learn. Sure, all of her tales, anecdotes, and recommendation is extra girl-driven, however I feel a lot of it applies to boys (and adults!), too.
There may be an epidemic of hysteria occurring amongst our youth. This e book gives you some beginning locations, nice instruments, and many food-for-thought that can assist you fight your youngsters’ nervousness.
I discovered so many new insights, clever recommendation, and sensible concepts for us to implement in our dwelling by the pages. This e book is just not a substitute for counseling or remedy, however it will be a implausible beginning place should you really feel like your baby may be fighting nervousness.
The Complete-Mind Little one
I actually can not cease speaking about this e book. Poor Jesse has needed to hearken to me rave time and again about it!
This was extremely really helpful to by one in every of our children’ counselors and and one in every of their therapists prior to now few years and I lastly learn it. It’s full of nice recommendations and techniques for serving to our children course of the world, relate higher with others, and really feel extra cherished and safe.
It’s not written from a Christian perspective, however I discovered the sections on mind science to be fascinating and actually enlightening. If you’re a father or mother or work with youngsters in any capability, I extremely suggest this e book that can assist you higher love, perceive, educate, and nurture the children in your life.
Be aware: I might have given it 5 stars, however I disagreed with a few of the factors (and felt a couple of weren’t fully Biblical) so I solely gave it a 4-star score.
Romancing Your Little one’s Coronary heart
Romancing Your Little one’s Coronary heart is a e book I feel each Christian father or mother ought to learn. In reality, it’s among the best parenting books I’ve learn.
Whereas a few of the illustrations might sound a little bit outdated or not one thing which are relatable for your loved ones (the creator may be very a lot an outdoorsman kind of individual and he and his spouse raised their youngsters in the identical vein), the premise of the e book is one thing I feel all of us want to listen to.
It’s really easy for us as dad and mom to concentrate on rules-based parenting and spending our days correcting our children as a substitute of cheerleading them and studying to speak effectively with them. And whereas boundaries and parameters are essential, we are able to miss relationship within the course of, if we’re not cautious.
I really like how the creator actually challenges dad and mom to take the time and take the time to construct relationships with our children, to hearken to them, to embrace them for who God created them to be, and to not attempt to make them into one thing they aren’t or that we predict they’re purported to be.
Catch Me If You Can
I can’t cease speaking about this e book! It’s the fascinating story of Frank Abagnale who was a daring con man and imposter. I listened to the audiobook and saved having to cease it to share yet one more unbelievable story with Jesse of one thing that he did.
Frank traveled all around the world posing as a pilot, cashed 2.5 million {dollars} in cast checks, and even labored as an legal professional and medical physician (when he hadn’t gone to high school for both!).
Should you want a superb hear of a narrative that’s nearly so loopy which you could’t consider it’s true, I like to recommend this e book. It’s additionally a superb reminded that not the whole lot is prefer it appears and we shouldn’t take the whole lot at face worth! It additionally was such a telling story about how cash can’t purchase happiness.
I’m giving it 5 stars as a result of I couldn’t cease speaking about it. I’d love to listen to your ideas should you’ve learn it/listened to it.
Be aware: There may be some language and a few PG-13 subjects in it.
Standing Sturdy
I cherished this e book and gleaned a lot from it (as you possible know should you observe me on Instagram since I saved speaking about it there!) This e book is Alli’s story of struggling by some laborious seasons and what she discovered about trusting the Lord within the face of adversity.
Right here’s one submit I shared on Instagram because of studying this e book:
You aren’t sufficient — in your personal power. However, in Christ, you are able to do ALL issues!
As @alliworthington goes on to say in her new e book, Standing Sturdy, “It’s possible you’ll not really feel in a position to stand sturdy. It’s possible you’ll be crammed with self-doubt. While you hear others speak about nice ladies of God, you might say, ‘Oh, that’s not me.’
“However good friend, it’s you. You’re greater than you suppose you might be.
“A superpower exists inside you. If you’re a believer, the Holy Spirit lives in you. We are able to’t hold strolling round feeling powerless like life is going on to us, like we’re victims. The Spirit of God lives inside us, empowering us for greatness. We simply need to faucet into it.”
If you wish to hear extra of my ideas on this e book and listen to a few of the highlights, you’ll want to hearken to my podcast episode with Alli Worthington.
Atomic Habits
That is, by far, my very favourite e book on habits. James Clear, the creator, does such an important job of unpacking why and learn how to construct good habits.
I’ve learn a whole lot of e book on this matter and I really feel like he has a really contemporary and inspiring method. The e book is just not written from a Christian perspective so I disagree with a few of his worldview and conclusions, however there are such a lot of nice nuggets of fact and inspiration on this e book.
Should you really feel like you might be ceaselessly failing at observe by otherwise you simply can’t appear to stay with good habits, I extremely suggest studying this e book.
I listened to it a few yr in the past and cherished it a lot that I purchased a tough copy after which slowly learn it once more this yr. That tells you ways worthwhile I discovered it!
Honorable Mentions
5 Days in November — A really intimate and private have a look at what it was like to guard Mrs. Kennedy throughout the days main as much as and after President Kennedy was assassinated
Orphan Practice — A must-read for anybody who’s contemplating adoption or foster care. That is well-written and interesting and sheds mild on the orphan trains (part of historical past I hadn’t heard of) plus modern-day foster care struggles. Be aware: It incorporates a couple of sections on baby molestation that may be triggering to some.
Forgiving What You Can’t Neglect — A lovely story of learn how to sensible stroll out forgiveness when it feels unattainable. Hearken to my podcast episode with Lysa TerKeurst on this matter right here.
Coming subsequent learn: my studying objectives for 2021 + a listing of books I plan to learn.