A Summer Booklist for Growing Deeply
I don’t know if it’s the former librarian in me, but I am always building a booklist. I’m never not collecting books and because my brain and soul process in seasons, a good seasonal booklist is one of my love languages. If you’re a fellow bookworm, here are 3 for you to consider throwing into your summer bag. This list is a mix of deep theology, solid history, and some of the most beautiful storytelling I’ve read in a long time.
Rich's first book, Deeply Rooted, was a game changer for me, so as soon as I saw the title for his second book, I preordered it and it did not disappoint. I took it with me on my trip to Mexico City, and I don't know what it is about reading on a plane, but it just hits differently. Good and Beautiful and Kind is an honest yet hopeful look at the state of the world and, really, at the state of our hearts. It highlights the threats that attempt to fracture us internally and from each other. After the last few years we've had, it can be easy to become hopeless or disassociate from the harsh headlines and heavy news stories. This book offers solid theological foundations and actionable steps for what it looks like to live out the transformative law of love.
“Jesus offers a way of being human that is powerful enough to tear down the walls of hostility we have grown accustomed to. His gospel gives us a vision of loving well. It’s a healing, enemy-reconciling, truth-telling, justice-embodying, sin-conquering vision” - Rich Villodas
I was not exposed to the debate on women in ministry until a few years ago. It may have been because my dad's sending pastor was a woman that he never did anything but empower my leadership formation. Regardless of the resistance or recoginition you may have experienced in your own leadership, I think it’s vital for us to have a robust theological and historical foundation for why we do what we do. It is so encouraging to know that since the start of the Early Church, women were there. Tell Her Story is a denser read, but I'm filing this under my resource books that I plan to refer back to in the future.
“One of the things that becomes clear as we look closely at the many women involved in ministry leadership in the first century is that they were recognized by Paul because of their commitment, competency and perseverance in the work of the gospel.” - Nijay K. Gupta
3. All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir
Okay, now this book I’m going to come right out and recommend that you get it through audible. I’m usually a book-in-hand kind of girl, but I will make an exception for tia Beth (that’s what I call her because, in my mind, we go waaaay back) telling her story with an Arkansas accent. It’s everything. I’ve loved many of her books and studies but this was different. The story and truth-telling here is next level. Team Tia Beth forever!
If you get a chance to read any of these, come back and let me know what you thought! Also, I’m still looking for a fictional summer read, so if you have one, share away in the comments below. I’ve added the Amazon links to the titles of each of these books, but if you get the chance to grab these at your locally owned bookstore, that’s always best!
Con Amor, Ivette
