2023 Summer Reading List: Mine
Nerd week continues!
In the last post, I shared ten titles (plus a bonus) that I hope you’ll consider for your summer reading.
Today I’m sharing what I’m going to attempt to tackle between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. (And by the way…I received over 40 suggestions from friends on what I should read. Stay tuned until the bottom of this post, and I’ll share the entire list.)
All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir (Beth Moore) This was one of the most consistent recommendations I received. Also, my wife wanted a hard copy of her very own. So win win.
Creative Followership: In the Shadow of Greatness (Jimmy Collins) A consistent recommendation from my Chick-fil-A friends.
Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith (Michael Reeves) This goes on the list to satisfy my brother-in-law, who secretly judges me because I don’t read enough theology books.
Don’t Burn Out, Burn Bright: How to Thrive in Ministry for the Long Haul (Jason Young and Jonathan Malm) This title won’t release until late July, but like all of Jason and Jonathan’s works, it’s on pre-order.
From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life (Arthur Brooks) I’ll turn 50 this October, and a scary amount of reading over the last year has focused on what’s waiting on the other side of that hill. (Do they sell this in large print? Asking for a friend.)
The Hospitable Leader: Create Environments Where People and Dreams Flourish (Terry Smith) I’d planned to read this several years ago. Then one of my sons stole it and never gave it back. So I’m giving it a second try with a second copy.
Lead with Hospitality: Be Human. Emotionally Connect. Serve Selflessly (Taylor Scott) My bibliophile friend Bob Adams threw this out as one of his top recommendations.
Lost in the Taiga: One Russian Family’s Fifty-Year Struggle For Survival and Religious Freedom in The Siberian Wilderness (Vasily Peskov) This one may prove to be a challenge, as it’s long out of print. But thanks to a heads up from Trevin Wax, it looks fascinating enough that I want to search it out.
Mere Christianity (C.S. Lewis) I read this one several years ago, but want to get into it again this summer.
The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 (Garrett Graff) The friend who recommended this one said the audiobook is the way to go.
Rembrandt Is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art through the Eyes of Faith (Russ Ramsey) I am far from what you’d call an artist or even an art enthusiast. I’m hoping this one will help me think in a new way.
The Secret Power of Kindness: 10 Keys to Unlocking Your Capacity to Change the World (Greg Atkinson) Another summer release.
The Silmarillion (J.R.R. Tolkien) Last summer / fall was the season of Tolkien. I tackled The Hobbit (again) and The Lord of the Rings series for the first time. I’ve heard that Silmarillion is…shall we say…a challenge.
The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You (Julie Zhuo) I’ve heard so many good things about this one from several people. It’s time.
Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What it Says About Us) (Tom Vanderbilt) I’m just enough of a nerd that this looks to scratch an itch.
Welcome: Loving Your Church By Making Space for Everyone (Jen Oshman) I’m excited to see another female voice in the area of guest services.
That’s the 16 books that made the cut for my summer reading. But I’ve collected the 40+ titles in one doc. Check it out and see if you can find your titles for the summer!
What are you planning to read? Comment below.
I love your book recs, friend–dropped several of these in my Amazon cart, including Jason’s and Greg’s pre-orders!:) And btw, fifty is nifty!
I can’t wait to get started on all of these! My rule-follower self is waiting until the official Memorial Day weekend to start.