Before I was a writer I was an avid reader. I still am. Here's a list of the books I read in 2009.
1. Infidel by Aayan Hirsi Ali: the true life account of a woman who fled to Holland from clannish Somali Islam in order to escape an arranged marriage. It resonated deeply with me. You can read my book review of Infidel here.
2. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen: a former climber devotes his life to building schools for children in rural Pakistan & Afghanistan. Mortenson's unflagging compassion and determination are inspirational.
3. United States Catholic Catechism for Adults: all I knew about Catholicism was second-hand, pseudo-knowledge. Going to the source and reading this easy-to-read catechism for myself was a wonderfully enriching, enlightening experience.
4. Churched by Matthew Paul Turner: Turner's laugh-out-loud experiences while growing up inside a fundamentalist church are told in a hilariously sarcastic voice. I winced, nodded in recognition and shouted "YES!" throughout the entire book. A funny, engaging read.
5. Jesus Land by Julia Scheres: another memoir about life inside strict fundamentalism, including a brutal, Christian boot-camp/reform school for "rebellious" teens. A real tear-jerker with a devastating ending.
6. The Shack by Wm. P. Young: this popular bestseller was just OK. I might need to re-read it because my lingering impression is annoyance, not inspiration. You can read my book review here.
7. The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence: I read this book at least once every three years. Lawrence's practical perspective on communing with God in our everyday lives is something I always appreciate.
8. He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter J. Ciszek: a remarkable life of faith that is formed in the trenches of imprisonment, persecution, loneliness, work camps and deprivation. This memoir filled me with such hope.
9. John Adams by David McCullough: I read 3/4 of this massive, definitive work on the life of John Adams before I had to return it to the library. Interesting and informative…but very long.
10. Twilight by Stephanie Meyers: the worst book I read this year. You can read my scathing review here (incidentally, one of most popular posts this year).
11. Evangelical is Not Enough by Thomas Howard: the best book I read this year. Howard's gracious reverence for the evangelical faith of his youth is coupled with a growing appreciation for the ancient traditions of orthodox Christianity. Howard uses a C.S. Lewis-esque logic to explain how the worship of God through liturgy and sacrament is the fullness of Christian experience. I loved this book so much I am hoping some of you will purchase it because I'd love to host a book club right here on my blog!
12. Crazy for God by Frank Schaeffer: the son of evangelical demi-god, Dr. Francis Schaeffer, offers a telling insight into growing up as the pastor's kid. Frank Schaeffer, now an outspoken critic of evangelical fundamentalism, shares how he "helped found the religious right and lived to take all (or almost all) of it back."
13. Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner: I read this book on my return flight from Chicago. It was fictional brain-candy–precisely what I needed to distract me from my flying phobia. A solid plot and realistic, engaging characters. New moms will like this one.
14. A Book of Love Poetry edited by Jon Stallworthy: during a particularly depressing month this past year, love poetry buoyed my spirits. I even memorized Shakespeare's sonnet "That time of year thou may'st in me behold…"
15. Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert: a fascinating, science-rich study on the brain and the sometimes random elements that conspire to create the elusive mixture we call happiness. Long on research and short on answers, I enjoyed the book but ultimately felt a little dissatisfied. Still, a good read.
16. Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic by David B. Currie: a fundamentalist recounts his journey into the Catholic Church and how he wrestled with some of the particularly difficult aspects of Catholic doctrine that seem to frustrate most born-again/Bible-believing Christians; ie. transubstantiation and Mary. Currie's reasoning is both helpful and encouraging.
17. Home Sweet Rome by Scott & Kimberly Hahn: a former Presbyterian pastor, Scott Hahn writes compellingly about his inspiring and heartbreaking journey into the Catholic Church. It's an intriguing memoir–one part theology, one part love story.
18. The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell: in her uniquely sardonic writing voice, Sarah Vowell gives us a fresh look at the oft maligned, stereotyped, hilarious and maddening Puritans. It's a fantastic, easy-read and brings 17th century America to life. However, by book's end I had wearied of her ceaselessly cynical editorializing.
So, what did you read this year? Any suggestions for my 2010 reading list?
And anyone interested in doing a book club on "Evangelical Is Not Enough" ?
