Maybe I am the one person in the world who looks forward to all the “Top __________ of 2017” lists that come out at this time of year. Almost without exception, I learn about some new app (album, movie, book).
Books are about the only thing I consume enough of to develop a list of my own. Well, that’s not true. I could write a similar post about ice cream, but that would be revealing too much of my secret shame. ??
I set a goal this year to read 45 books. As of today, I have completed 51 and may be able to get to 53 or 54 before years end. This year’s reading has been filled with some really great titles. In fact, at least three of the books below have made a significant impact on my life and family.
Instead of trying to give a hard ranking to each of the books, I am taking a slightly different approach. I identified several different categories and then decided the best fit for each.
One other small note before we get to the rankings. These are my top books that I read in 2017. That is not to say that all these were written this year – just to be clear. Also, if I previously reviewed the book earlier in the year, I have included a link to that post if you want to learn a little more.
Ok, onward!
Most Enjoyable – The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss
I read more fiction this year than any other time in the last five years (helps to have re-read the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the last 4 of the Harry Potter series). But, the book that I enjoyed the most this year was the first in the Kingkiller Chronicles. The story is an epic fantasy that follows a young boy’s coming of age story as he tries to discover the truth behind his family’s murder at the hands of a mysterious band of warriors.
The book is the first in a series of three. Unfortunately, only two of the three have been completed. After finishing the first two books in January, I was dying to get my hands on the final volume, but alas, it is still being written. Hurry up, Patrick!
If you are a fan of the Harry Potter, Narnia, or Middle Earth universe, I think you will like this series. I hesitate to compare it to those classics because it stands on its own while carrying the same sense of magic and adventure.
Most Helpful – Three Free Sins, Steve Brown
“What if I told you, you could have three free sins?” Steve Brown opened his radio show with this statement and sparked a discussion about the nature of grace and forgiveness.
Steve likes to poke the evangelical bear, but his provocative nature shouldn’t be allowed to obscure a simple, beautiful declaration of God’s love for his people through the good news of the Gospel.
It’s not that this book broke a lot of new ground in my thinking, rather it was a wonderful, freeing reminder that God isn’t mad at my inability to keep all the rules. If you have ever felt crushed under the way of your own or others expectations of you, read this book! I bet it will help you as much as it has helped me.
Most Challenging – The Tech-Wise Family, Andy Crouch
Andy Crouch’s work appears twice in this list. While this isn’t the first work of his that I read this year, it has certainly resulted in the most dramatic changes in our family.
Everywhere, all the time technology is fundamentally changing us. Crouch skillfully argues that families need to take the necessary steps to put technology in its proper place. While not an evil in and of itself, technology can provide an unwelcome distraction, keeping us from connecting and engaging in real life.
Jennifer and I were convinced that we needed to make some changes in how we engaged with the devices in our life. We removed the TV from our living room, disconnected the internet at the house and work to limit our screen time for us and the kids. The first two changes actually weren’t that hard. The third…well… those shiny little iDevices are so tempting sometimes…
If you have concerns about the effects “technology everywhere” get this book, read it and figure out how to apply it to your family’s needs.
Most Important – On Tyranny, Timothy Snyder
I saw an episode of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Dr. Snyder talking about his new book and immediately had to get it. This short, simple book will scare the pants off of anyone paying attention to our political climate.
On Tyranny traces the signposts on the way towards tyrannical dictatorships. Using some of history’s most famous despots, Snyder forces his readers to consider whether or not history repeats itself.
Regardless of your political leanings, I think this is an important book to read. There are certain principles that are imperative to our freedoms. Sacrificing (or even threatening) those freedoms can lead to disastrous consequences.
Favorite Book of the Year – Strong and Weak, Andy Crouch
Strong and Weak challenged me to reconsider how I think about power and what it truly means to flourish.
What is the best course of action? Do we pursue power that enables us to assert our will into our life’s circumstances? Or do we withdraw into inaction, trusting the world to its fated course come whatever may?
To these questions, Crouch would say that is a false dichotomy. The two are not mutually exclusive. Using a 2 x 2 chart, he argues that it is possible to pursue both power and weakness – a lifestyle that leads to true human flourishing. Of course, our model here is Jesus, a man the Bible calls both the Lion and the Lamb.
The truth is I am still trying to digest this book. I will most likely read it again before the year is over. It is not long. And it is not difficult to read. I just feel it has something to say still to me that I haven’t processed yet.
As a person who has had the opportunity to walk both in circles of immense power and wealth and also deep addiction and systemic poverty, I know the vacancy of both lifestyles when lived disconnected from each other.
Pick up this book and read it during 2018 and let’s try to figure out what it means together!
So there you have it, my top books of the year. Did you read any of these yourself? What did I leave out? I would love to hear which books made the biggest impact on you this year? Drop me an email, comment below or find me on Twitter and let me know.
Honorable Mentions: Grant, We Were Eight Years in Power, the Wingfeather Saga, Lincoln in the Bardo
Wanna see everything I read in 2017, check out my Goodreads page here.
