STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
Many bookstores have a ‘staff recommendation’ shelf. I’ve always enjoyed reading notes from employees with regard to which books they suggest I read and buy. If I know the employee, it’s fun to wonder why they picked a particular book. If I don’t know the employee, I ponder what sort of person they might be based upon their particular selection.
With summertime upon us, the church staff thought it would be fun to suggest some titles for your summer reading. I’m wondering what connections you’ll make between staff members and the title suggested. I’m hoping in the pages and in your wonderings, you will experience some relaxation, thought, entertainment, inspiration and more…
— Jim
JIM DANT RECOMMENDS…
FURIOUSLY HAPPY: A FUNNY BOOK ABOUT HORRIBLE THINGS
BY JENNY LAWSON
If mental illness is in any way part of your life (you struggle with mental illness or you love someone with a mental illness), Furiously Happy may be just the gallows humor you need. Jenny Lawson writes honestly and hilariously about her struggle with severe depression (and a host of other conditions), as well as her husband’s struggle with her. The language and content can get a little edgy, but the humanity and transparency are refreshing and healing.
WILL RAYBON RECOMMENDS…
THE MAKING OF AN ORDINARY SAINT: MY JOURNEY FROM FRUSTRATION TO JOY WITH THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
BY NATHAN FOSTER
As mundane as it might sound – Nathan Foster is Richard Foster’s son. He grows up watching his dad practice and preach the disciplines, and he finds all of it ridiculous. As he grows older he finds something missing from his life and so chooses to explore the disciplines in new and refreshing ways. What he discovers is a new joy as he begins a journey that changes both his life and deepens his spirituality.
FRANK SMITH RECOMMENDS…
FORGIVE AND FORGET: HEALING THE HURTS WE DON’T DESERVE
BY LEWIS B. SMEDES
For most of my life, I tried to practice forgiving and forgetting, but for me it didn’t work because when someone hurt me, I could remember what they did or said to me. Smedes’ book taught me that it is when I remember the hurt and it doesn’t affect my relationship with the person that hurt me, then I know I have forgiven them. This book changed my life.
KENDRA PLATING RECOMMENDS…
HOLY ENVY
BY BARBARA BROWN TAYLOR
This latest work by Barbara Brown Taylor has been life-giving to me over the last few weeks.
MITTI TAYLOR RECOMMENDS…
UNBROKEN
BY LAURA HILLENBRAND
A true story of running Olympian Louis Zamperini and what takes him from a defiant child to survivor of a WWII Japanese prisoner of war camp. It is a masterful blend of sports, history and overcoming terrific odds that you will not want to put down.
JULI MORROW RECOMMENDS…
TO THE LIMIT: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE EAGLES
BY MARC ELIOT
I have recently discovered this book about one of my favorite bands from the 70’s. The Eagles didn’t grant many interviews during their prime. This is a fun read to learn about what was happening behind the scenes.
GAIL HOUSE RECOMMENDS…
THE GREAT DIVORCE
BY C. S. LEWIS
A great read about a bus ride from hell to heaven – a meditation about grace and judgment, good and evil, choices, taking chances, letting go, moving forward or returning to the familiar.
BOOTIE COTHRAN RECOMMENDS…
LET YOUR LIFE SPEAK
BY PARKER PALMER
This book hit me at the right time in my life. It encourages finding and listening to the voice inside of you that is your true self, typically very easy to find and listen to as a child, but our “adulting” lives often try to find happiness elsewhere.
LAURA STOUT RECOMMENDS…
NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA
BY CHANEL CLEETON
It’s a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick :), AND it’s an engaging historical fiction novel that weaves love stories among insightful perspective on Cuba’s complex history and culture.
KYLE MATTHEWS RECOMMENDS...
BEING MORTAL
BY ATUL GAWANDE
Far from a “maudlin slog” on a topic we’d rather avoid, Gawande’s storytelling and insights about the best current thinking on end-of-life care make this a highly readable and worthwhile book. It may alter your own plans and will certainly equip you to offer real help to friends and family.