Books Worth Mentioning
A semi-brief list of books David Drury thought were worth mentioning these days, with a minimal amount of commentary and in no particular ranking.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” ―Dr. Seuss
This past year, in the words of my colleague Liz Heaney, “I spent more time canceling travel plans than traveling in 2021.” However, in downright Seussian manner, the places I’ve been in the last year have been many because of my favorite pastime: reading.
It is tempting for me to make some kind of “top ten” list of books I read in the last year, or to write something witty, enticing, or insightful about each of these books to get you to buy them and gobble them up like so much Holiday food. Instead, I will just list many several here that are on my mind here at the beginning of the year because they had a place in my life in the last year. I surely don’t remember a bunch of the books that were in my life this year, some of them might be better than these, but I won’t remember that until I push send to you. Some books lie dormant in the mind like a lost distant relative you loved but forget about until you remember. So it goes.
Some of these books I read long ago, but returned to re-read in the last year for some reason of significance, unbeknownst to you, and perhaps me. Some I encountered for the first time and they blew my mind. Others I just think deserve a mention for some reason or another, and I took the time to mention them. Take that for what it’s worth.
So, here I offer a semi-brief list of books I thought were worth mentioning these days, with minimal commentary and in no particular ranking, so as to not pressure you in any way. You don’t need to read these or appreciate them. But I did.
Note: After popping a bunch of titles from my old circulation pile here in the DruGroup Galactic Offices of Human Nature Research & General Propaganda (pictured here) I did go back and reorganize them into a few categories. Feel free to skip down to whichever one might have interest to you as I doubt most will like every category I like reading in. The categories are: Theology, Fiction, Leadership, & Discipleship. Although I stray into other zones all the time, volumes in each of those categories are always in my circulation, so it makes sense that the list organically ended up that way.
Theology
The Christian Imagination - Jennings
One of the most important books I’ve ever read. It’s complicated. The book and the history. It’s essential. I thought I had my head pretty screwed on straight about church history and matters of race. Um, nope. This one unrolled before me like a scroll, on both sides of Jennings masterpiece “are written words of lament and mourning and woe.” (Ezekiel 2) So I opened my mouth, and ate the scroll Jennings gave me to eat.
Doubting Thomas - Most
What a remarkable march through doubt in scripture and thought. Though the prism of the patron saint of doubters, the Apostle Thomas, Most helped me see that the gospels are a record of encounters with doubt and experiences that shape belief and the land of possibility and vibrant narrative that lies between.
Perhaps - McNall
Speaking of possibilities, Josh McNall penned a new title that just hit my circulation that seeks to “reclaiming the space between doubt and dogmatism” which might be my favorite subtitle of the last several years.
Rise of Christianity - Stark
This one is fast becoming a modern classic. Sociological sciences meet church history and the result is illuminating.
Fiction
Man alive, this might be the best fiction novel I’ve read in the last five years. It’s remarkable and clearly constructed by a genius who did his research. I don’t even have any inclinations toward the subject matter or time period he wrote this historical fiction in, but it came alive and blew me away.
Brave New World - Huxley
A re-read confirmed in 2021 what I’ve always thought: Huxley got it more right than Orwell.
I, Robot - Asimov
Just got this one for Christmas, but it’s short and sweet and I’m turning pages fast. Asimov was a seer in many ways that might still be forthcoming in the future.
Leadership
Platform Revolution - Parker, Van Alstyne, & Choudary
The most intriguing book on technology and organizational leadership I’ve read in a decade. I’ve never read a book that more quickly made me wonder if 99% of us are all wasting our time doing something from an era that will quickly be erased by a new era in business and leadership. Still figuring out what this one means in the world, and for me.
Strong and Weak - Crouch
I return to this modern classic in leadership every few years and did again this year, writing about the model in it.
Scatter - Andrew Scott
A helpful illumination of what it means to “Go therefore, and take your job with you” like the subtitle says. The introduction might be worth the book, and Chapter 7 is where the book really becomes most relevant and has something new to say.
Marketplace Multipliers - Multiple voices, with Drury
Related to Scatter, there’s this one. Yes, I put my own book on this list! But hey, it’s not my book really. It’s 17 different marketplace people who talk through their faith and influence in their workplace. I just helped them by being the writer.
Who - Geoff Smart and Randy Street
Returned to this one I read long ago when it came out and began writing on some of the insights it sparked.
Discipleship
Houses that Change the World - Simson
This one gives a great overview on the why, how, and what of house churches. The part on the history of house churches was the most instructive to me. And no, this picture has nothing to do with the book, except that when I googled “houses that change the world by simson” there were hardly any pictures of this book but a whole bunch with Homer Simpson, so here you go. How’s that for a bait and switch?
Fascinating tiny book… such a quick read. It’s historical fiction in some ways, I guess, about what the earliest churches in the first century must have been like. Takes place at an imagining of Priscilla and Aquila’s house church and it’s really memorable.
Surprise the World - Michael Frost
Interesting little book on missional habits of life.
What if Jesus was Serious? - Jethani
Worth it for the book design alone… liked the drawings.
Microchurches - Sanders
Returned to this one again. The back half is most useful to newcomers or those that want to just start one. The front half is most interesting to those who want to think a little more on the “big why” of microchurches.
Embracing the New Samaria - Mandes
My friend Alejandro released this new title—a helpful march through the changing nature of the United States and what it means for ministry to be incarnational in such a changing landscape which includes immigration and diversification.
Okay, there you go, a bunch of books I thought were worth mentioning.
What books do you think are worth mentioning to me in return. Reply to this or leave a comment to let me know.
One of my recent favorites: Christ and the Common Life: Political Theology and the Case for Democracy, by Luke Bretherton (Eerdmans, 2019).
Another: The Bronze Scar: Understanding how PTSD Feels to Help Victims and Those Who Support Them, by Steve West (www.bronzescar.com)
Thanks for doing this. I am reading the “what if Jesus was serious” book and find it very challenging. It’s one of those one has to read thru a few times to suck the bone marrow.
I have pinned your email and am looking forward to reading those.
I am also almost finished with “Love Does” by Goff, who lives it well and radically and is refreshing.