Summer Reading List
A week from today, God willing, I will be lying on a beach with my Kindle. One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to read books, including the ones that I read for pure enjoyment.
Here are some books that are on my list for my upcoming vacation and for the rest of the summer.
J-Curve: Dying and Rising With Jesus in Everyday Life
Paul Miller is one of my favorite writers. I loved his book A Praying Life. I’ve already started reading J-Curve, and I’m loving it. This falls under the category of books that are both enjoyable to read and beneficial.
Check out the trailer to the book below, but this is probably one you should just go ahead and buy and read.
One Giant Leap: One Giant Leap: The Impossible Mission That Flew Us to the Moon
It’s fifty years since the moon landing, which explains the plethora of books and movies on the subject. The movie Apollo 11 is riveting, by the way.
I’ve been reading One Giant Leap after hearing the author speak at the Toronto book launch. It’s helping me understand the space race between Russia and the States, as well as how much of the necessary technology simply didn’t exist when Kennedy announced his goal of getting to the moon. As the July 20 anniversary approaches, it seems like the right time to be reading this book.
The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life
I enjoy reading David Brooks. The Second Mountain has been getting good press from people I respect. It’s about the quest for a moral and meaningful life beyond what we normally think of as success. I can’t think of a more appropriate topic.
Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life
Distraction may be one of our greatest enemies. I want to read Rapt because I need to develop my focus, not only for the sake of my work but for the sake of my soul.
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland
Say Nothing is getting good reviews. It looks like a disturbing but interesting account of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. I suspect I’ll learn a lot from reading this book.
Books on Sex
To prepare for a series on sex that I’ll be preaching this Fall, I’m reading through a number of books on the subject: God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines, which takes the affirming view so that I can better understand that perspective, as well as Cultural Engagement, which outlines different views on some current hot topics.
I also plan on reading Out Of a Far Country, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel, People to Be Loved, Guiding Families of LGBT+ Loved Ones, Us vs. Us, Cheap Sex, The Meaning of Sex, and Sex in a Broken World, and possibly a few more.
What books are you reading this summer? I’d love to get your recommendations and reviews.
