Here are ten books I’m glad I encountered in 2013.
Bren e Brown‘s “data with a soul” may be the most important book you read for awhile. She lays out issues of shame and authenticity in a way that make you feel known. You will be a better human if you read this book.
Prodigal Christianity: 10 Signposts into the Missional Frontier
David Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw
Ecclesia Network friends Fitch and Holsclaw’s pitch for missional neo-Anabaptism. It’s important.
Vinoth Ramachandra
One of the best books I read in MAGL. Comparative religions written by a Christian from Sri Lanka.
The Social Animal
David Brooks
David Brooks parable using brain science, behavioral economics and even a pitch for neo-federalism. You might not buy his politics, but he is a model thinker.
Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me: A Memoir. . . of Sorts
Ian Chron
Don’t let the ridiculous title fool you. It’s a story about the adventures of life, addiction and where the divine fit in.
Snow Crash
Neak Stephenson
The Matrix meets Raiders of the Lost Ark. Do not read if you are a charismatic Christian with thin skin.
The Power of Habit
Charles Duhigg
How habits work. Read if you want to be a better human. Read especially if any part of your life contains the word “discipleship.”
What We Talk About When We Talk About God
Rob Bell
God is: With us—For us—Ahead of us.
Nothing fans haven’t heard Rob say before, but written for a different audience. The Love Wins fiasco has forced Rob to find a new audience outside the evangelical world. This is a pretty good pitch.
Attached
Amir Levine and Rachel Heller
An introduction to Attachment theory. Great reading if you’re asking “why am I still single.”
Fables
Bill WillIngham
Grimms fairy tales meets Friends. So much fun.
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