God and the Unnecessary
God doesn’t need to make things beautiful when he’s made them purposeful — yet he does!
The Ferryman and His Wife by Frode Grytten, Translated by Alison McCullough
So, so good and lovely — the story, the characters, the scenery, the writing.
Lázár: A Novel by Nelio Biedermann
Three generations of a wealthy family in Hungary going through the destruction of the empire, communism, fascism, and wars. Great writing, characterization, and story.
Joyful Anyway by Kate Bowler
Kate Bowler is great. No saccharine words about having God in your life fills the hole in your heart from grief and unfulfilled desire. Profound sentences mixed with laugh-out-loud gems. Wisdom.
Seeing God in Everything
A simple prayer practice that keeps God in the forefront. The Examen prayer.
Contrapposto by Dave Eggers
Funny, interesting, quirky novel about an artist, his friend and lover, and his life.
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
A book of letters from and to a woman of 87 years. I was surprised what a good story I found in the correspondence.
Helping to carry
“We get by with a little help from our friends.” Including our friend Jesus.
Better Ways to Read the Bible by Zach W. Lambert
A well-written, easy-to-read book about different “lenses” (sets of assumptions) we use and can use to understand the Bible. A balm to the soul.
How to be Okay When Nothing is Okay: Tips and Tricks That Kept me Alive, Happy, and Creative in Spite of Myself by Jenny Lawson
Funny, insightful, and fun to read.