Books I'm Reading
These last few weeks have been an orgy of reading for me. As I glanced over the books on my desk this morning it occurred to me that I rarely find such a rich assortment of books at one time. I thought that you might like to know what they are:
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp – this is the best book I have read for a long time and I am currently on my third read of it. I would highly recommend it for a book club as well as individual reading.
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Hayley Barton. Those of you who read my series on Leading Spiritually know that this was one of my best resources for group discernment and spiritual leadership. I think it is a must read for anyone in spiritual leadership.
Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality by Richard Rohr. This is a book that had sat on my shelf for a couple of years. When I finally started reading it last week I was riveted. There is much about the upside down nature of God’s power and the wonder of God’s love. It is a revolutionary invitation to move into the ways of God.
A Hidden Wholeness:The Journey Toward an Undivided Life by Parker Palmer. I have just started reading it, but am already hooked. Listen to this quote: The soul is creative: it finds its way between realities that might defeat us and fantasies that are mere escapes. All we need to do is to bring down the wall that separates us from our own souls and deprives the world of the soul’s regenerative powers.
Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes:Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians by Kenneth e Bailey. This commentary has blown all my ideas about Paul. It is a gold mine of new discoveries that I am thoroughly enjoying. I can’t wait to get my hands on his earlier book Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes.
The Cost of Community: Jesus, St Francis and Life in the Kingdom by Jamie Arpin Ricci. This deceptively simple little book has been more challenging than I wanted, once more calling me to consider the cost of true discipleship.
6 comments
Thank you for the challenging and thoughtful reading list, Christine. I have most of these books and have been challenged by the ones I have read… I look forward to reading those next on my list. I echo your sentiments regarding The Cost of Community by Jamie Arpin-Ricci. I just finished it and have a full review of it on my blog. I look forward to Parker’s book as well as Kenneth Bailey’s.
Thank you also for the recent series you’ve shared on spiritual leadership.
wow – thanks for sharing, with the wealth of stuff on offer, its good to hear a first hand recommendation – blessings.
Thanks Jeff – always good to get some feedback
Philippa you are welcome – I know it seems like a lot of books to read at once & I would not necessarily doing it the way that I do but they are certainly all worth putting on your wishlist
Honoured to make the list. Thanks Christine! (and Jeff!)
I love “Strengthening the Soul of your Leadership” and was just at a Pastor’s Prayer retreat led by Ruth Haley Barton. It was sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Conference of the Free Methodist Church and held at Warm Beach Camp in Stanwood. Wow! The book is awesome too. Thanks for recommending it.