9 Books I've Loved This Year

Let’s talk about books! What are you reading lately? Here are my favorites so far in 2019, including some novels (I feel like I’m getting back into fiction after a lonnggg hiatus….)

Favorite Non-Fiction Reads

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Touch Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown

Such an important book. As I was reading a copy from the library, the head of staff where I work bought copies for everyone so that we could all read this book – that’s how good it is.

The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker

We in churches are constantly gathering – but most of our forms have been handed down to us – either by ancient tradition or just the “we’ve always done it this way” traditions every church has. The Art of Gathering challenges us to think deep about what our gatherings are for, and how we can use gatherings to create meaning in our lives.

This Is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn to See It by Seth Godin

Marketing from a heart of generosity. This book is probably not what you expect (unless you already know Seth Godin’s work), and it’s full of ideas for small organizations like churches.

Outer Order, Inner Calm: Declutter and Organize to Make More Room for Happiness by Gretchen Rubin

A slim book full of ideas and strategies for cleaner, calmer homes and offices, from one of my favorite thinkers.

I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott

I knew this memoir would be good, but I didn’t expect the gut-punch of “oh that’s me” when Mary Laura Philpott began talking about needing to be productive.

Favorite Novels

Let’s start with the two novels that are square in my favorite genre of British murder mysteries. They checked all the boxes for me: well-crafted plot, likable (and not so likable) characters, and a light hand with gore. (I also read Horowitz’s Sherlock Holmes mystery The House of Silk, which I thought I would love because: SHERLOCK HOLMES. But the narration by Dr. Watson quickly became tiresome.)