Top Five Books of 2021
There are few blessings greater than that of a good book. While I enjoyed many good books this year, there are five that stand out as favorites. Here’s my list for 2021.
The Wisdom Pyramid by Brett McCraken
Our attention is arguably the most valuable resource on the planet. (Facebook certainly agrees.) The rapid growth of technology over the past few decades has increased opportunities for distraction, discouragement, and confusion. In The Wisdom Pyramid, Brett McCracken offers a resource that we can use as a filter for our information consumption. What I loved about this book was the sheer simplicity. It wasn’t fancy, but it was a refreshing reminder of the importance of Bible intake and local church as fundamental sources of wisdom for the Christian. If you find yourself regularly frustrated by the “alternative facts” all around you, I’d highly recommend this biblical, accessible, and encouraging book.
Click here to purchase The Wisdom Pyramid
Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
In this autobiography, “the Boss” gives us an in-depth look at his upbringing, musical beginnings, and the people/events that influenced his iconic career. Like Springsteen, the book was a little rough around the edges, but I was impressed by his beautiful prose and storytelling skills. More than anything, I enjoyed seeing him mature both as a musician and as a man. Springsteen may have been “born to run”, but over time he felt the growing pull for home, family, and deep roots. While he doesn’t write from a Christian perspective, I appreciated the shared values around these issues. Lastly, I listened to the audiobook of this, because he was the narrator. That really added a lot to my experience of him and the book as a whole. If you enjoy music history, this would be a fun and surprisingly encouraging read.
Click here to purchase Born to Run
A Burning in My Bones by Winn Collier
Few people have affected my perspective on the heart of pastoral ministry more than Eugene Peterson. This biography by Winn Collier was a faithful portrait of Peterson with his warts and all. Collier also captured the spirit and essence of Eugene with his beautiful writing. I think one mark of a good biography is that you forget you’re reading it all together and become truly entrenched in the life of the subject. That happened throughout this book. Whether you’re familiar with Peterson’s work or not, this is a wonderful look at the life of a man who, in many ways, serves as a foil to the celebrity-centric view of church ministry that is so prevalent today.
Click here to purchase A Burning in My Bones
My Last Name by Eric Schumacher
This hauntingly beautiful story had a profound affect on me. The plot was simple, but the force behind it was anything but. Like the John Prine song, Hello in There, this story reminded me of the value and dignity of the folks we often forget about. It portrayed both the intense sadness and wonderful beauty of death. More than that, it showed the real and gentle presence of Jesus through it all. As I put this book down, I cried. Whether they were happy or sad tears, I couldn’t tell, but I was grateful for the experience. Eric Schumacher is a fine storyteller (and a great follow on Twitter). I look forward to seeing what’s next.
Click here to purchase My Last Name
The Art of Pastoring by David Hansen
I loved this book. While Hansen comes from a different church perspective than myself, I found this book so encouraging and refreshing. His main theme is that a pastor is a parable of Christ. He uses this theme to draw out several implications for the nature and work of pastoral ministry. Like Eugene Peterson, Hansen stands against many of the trends of modern, American evangelicalism. Written in a semi-biographical form, Hansen weaves his own life and story into the message of the book. In my short experience as a pastor, I’ve faced the temptation of making ministry overly complicated and busy. This book was a breath of fresh air and will likely set guardrails on my ministry for years to come.
Click here to purchase The Art of Pastoring
I’d love to hear from you! What are a few of your favorite books from this past year?