Books for the New Year
Okay, let’s be honest—and make it work for us, instead of against us: we all start the new year with good intentions and then end up kind of petering off around early to mid-February when we run out of steam. Some of us get a second wind around spring break before slumping again in April, and then we hope to goodness to get our feet back under us at some point during the summer. This is reality. It’s ugly, but it’s also…somewhat…okay. Not great, but doable.
This year, I say, let’s recognize our proclivity towards fading in February and make hay while the sun shines. What do I mean by that? Simply this: let’s start the year with good books before we burn ourselves out and find ourselves with neither the time nor the inclination to read anything of actual substance. In other words: save the fluff novels for when you really need them.
In light of that, I come bearing gifts of book recommendations. Drum roll, please.
Or not.
Picture to inspire us for the twelve month long road ahead.
Bring a book so you don’t get bored.
Book suggestion number one: Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work by Timothy Keller with Katherine Leary Alsdorf. A friend lent me this book back in December, and the fact that a mere five weeks later I’m already done with it, when only reading it in 10-15 minute increments in the morning before the kids descended upon me like a hoard of horrifying hoydens—sorry for the digression—the fact that I’m already done with it should tell you that it is accessible. It’s also been incredibly thought provoking, causing me to dig deeper into my beliefs and preconceptions not just about work and rest but also about sin and grace. And no, you don’t want to know how many times I sent quotes from it to the Man. I’ve lost count. He’s lost count. But he hasn’t lost the desire to read this book, so the second I finished it, I plopped my borrowed copy onto his desk, even though we both know he’s going to end up listening to it as an audiobook.
If you have ever wondered why your work matters or how to work well without burning yourself out or what it can look like to bring your Christianity to your job, this book is for you.
Book suggestion number two: Sum It Up: 1,098 Victories, a Couple of Irrelevant Losses, and a Life in Perspective by Pat Summitt. This book, you guys. Sure: I am now definitely nervous that I have early onset Alzheimer’s but…it was totally worth the read. It was inspiring and challenging, funny and sad. The Man told me to read it, and he was 100% right. Of course, then he had the annoying experience of having me send him quotes from the book that he had literally just read, but frankly: he walked himself into that one.
If you need to be challenged to up your game (pun intended) or just need an engaging story to help you with your own perspective, this book won’t waste your time. Also, you will be thoroughly entertained. Not required: interest in basketball or a die-hard love for the University of Tennessee.
Book suggestion number three: Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga. I sent this book to my mom for Christmas this year. Unfortunately, I’d already told her about it, so she’d gotten it from the library before Christmas even bothered to roll around. Yet another year of excellent gift choices on my part Some of us just didn’t get that spiritual gift, okay?!. Anyway, a middle grade novel about a young Syrian refugee learning to navigate America and adolescence, there was so much humor and beauty in this book and so much truth.
If you feel stuck in the way you see the world and want to spend some time in someone else’s shoes, you’ll be glad you read Other Words for Home. It was beautiful.
I’m sure I could tack on another five suggestions, but this is it for right now…because maybe we need to start small so that the inevitable Fading in February isn’t quite so dramatic this year. A little bit at a time, okay, everyone?
And in addition to books, let’s throw in some time outside in nature, an attempt at earlier bedtimes, and a vegetable or two. Subtract a bit of mindless internet scrolling, be more purposeful in our prayer lives, and keep a closer eye on the words we let stroll through our minds, and we might end up with a year worth paying attention to.
Even if February knocks us down a few pegs.
And it seems like it always does.
Happy New Year, and happy reading, friends. Get out there and use those library cards.
