Lisa notes

5 Books I Recommend – April 2018

By LisaNotes April 23, 2018 Books I Recommend 46 Comments

Here are five books I recommend from what I read in April. Once a month we share our current reading lists at Jennifer’s.

Books I Recommend

1. Still Evangelical?
Ten Insiders Reconsider Political, Social, and Theological Meaning
edited by Mark Labberton

My review here of Still Evangelical?

How do you define “evangelical”? Do you consider yourself one? Listen to ten varying voices in this new book. Some I agree with; some I don’t. But they are all good for thought and discussion.

2. Tears We Cannot Stop
A Sermon to White America
by Michael Eric Dyson

I don’t know where to begin with this book. Just read it. It’s hard, it’s meaningful, it’s important. Michael Eric Dyson has words of wisdom to white America that we need to hear. It is one of my favorite books of the year so far.

“And without white America wrestling with these truths and confronting these realities, we may not survive. To paraphrase the Bible, to whom much is given, much is required. And you, my friends, have been given so much.”

3. Why Evangelicals Need the Wilderness
(Evangelicals After the Shipwreck Book 2)
by Ed Cyzewski

In Book 1 of this series, The Great Evangelical Retreat, Ed Cyzewski suggested evangelicals need to take a retreat and get it together. In this Book 2, he suggests where to go: the “wilderness.” The wilderness can mean different things to different people, but being a people of faith requires us to occasionally step aside from our routines and find our roots again of trusting in God.

“The wilderness could be a place of daily solitude, a resolution to avoid public recognition for a season, or a more extreme desire to make solitude and time away from the daily challenges of life a priority.”

4. The Life You Can Save
Acting Now to End World Poverty
by Peter Singer

I’m not a Peter Singer fan on everything; we differ wildly on what constitutes a life. But I do appreciate his approach in this book. Can we do better at taking care of the poor in our world? Most definitely. He touches on why we do, why we don’t, and how to make a more positive difference. I learned a lot here.

5. Thanks, Obama
My Hopey, Changey White House Years
by David Litt

I enjoy reading insider books. Regardless of whose administration it is, it’s fun to get the backstories from the White House. And especially when they’re told by a speechwriter who knows how to write. David Litt’s memoir about his years as one of the youngest speechwriters is funny and insightful.

“I don’t blame those who came to believe their jobs made them more than human. A demigod complex is the malaria of the D.C. swamp.”

Reading Now

  • Natural Causes
    An Epidemic of Wellness, the Certainty of Dying, and Killing Ourselves to Live Longer
    by Barbara Ehrenreich
  • The Excellence Dividend
    Meeting the Tech Tide with Work that wows and Jobs that Last
    by Tom Peters
  • Leaving Time
    by Jodi Picoult
  • The Way of Abundance
    A 60-Day Journey into a Deeply Meaningful Life
    by Ann Voskamp
  • Girl, Wash Your Face
    Stop Believing the Lies about Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be
    by Rachel Hollis
  • 42 Seconds
    The Jesus Model for Everyday Interactions
    by Carl Medearis

* * *

What good book have you read this month? Please share in the comments.

Whats-on-Your-Nightstand-at-_5-minut

My books on Goodreads
Previous reading lists

46 thoughts on “5 Books I Recommend – April 2018”

  1. Barbara Harper

    Your post made me almost literally drop my jaw – I was surprised we’re coming up on the 4th Tuesday of the month already! Granted, there’s still a week left of the month. But still. That quote from Litt’s book made me smile – sounds like he does have a way with words. Your book list is always challenging.

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I know; it doesn’t seem right that it’s already time for another Nightstand post! It’s easier when the last Tuesday falls towards the very end of the month instead. 🙂

      It was definitely enjoyable reading Litt’s book because not only were his stories interesting, but he could tell them well. There are some books I struggle to read, not because the content isn’t worthy, but because the writing is just difficult to get through. I know writing is not everyone’s strength, yet so many feel compelled to write books anyway just because it’s possible. 🙂

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  2. Lynn D. Morrissey

    I always appreciate these posts, and the one you linked us to on Evangelicalism. I commented on that one and appreciated an online space to voice an opinion. I love that you are constantly reading, Lisa, and widening your horizons… and ours! 🙂
    Read on! Barbara Bush would be proud of you!
    Lynn

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    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I love that you referenced Barbara Bush. 🙂 Literacy is such an essential skill! I know of a young child now who is really struggling to read and will fall further behind if they can’t catch up soon. Reading is so important.

      Yes, I do recommend the Still Evangelical book….there were times I got bored with some of the authors’ chapters, but then the next one would revive my spirits again.

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  3. Pam Ecrement

    I always love these book lists, Lisa. Thanks much for the great recommendations. If you have not read Unified by Tim Scott and Trey Gowdy, I would recommend it as an excellent read for those of us concerned about the increasing divide within our nation and communities.

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  4. bill (cycleguy)

    I’ve read Defining Deception by Costi Hinn (Benny’s nephew). Excellent book on the New Apostolic Reformation. I highly recommend No God Enough by J.D. Greear. If you like well-written fiction I would recommend a trilogy by Glynn Young. I am in the process of reading The Way to Brave by Andy McQuitty and also his book, Notes from the Valley (his cancer journey). I’ve also just begun Favor by Greg Gilbert. I have some others on my shelf but I’m guessing these will keep me busy for a period (especially with it getting warmer out so I can ride). Have a good one Lisa!

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I’m always happy to see you drop some book titles here, Bill. I mark them and get samples sent to my Kindle. And then hopefully one day I’ll actually get to read the entire books! 🙂 Yes, those books “on our shelf” (even a virtual shelf) can get delayed when the weather starts getting nicer. I’m glad you’re not afraid to get out and ride after your traumatic experiences.

      Reply ↓
  5. Beth

    Interesting! I’m intrigued by the wilderness book, Lisa. I bet it’s got a lot of good-for-the-soul principles even though they might taste bitter going down! 😉 Thanks for sharing and I’ll be pinning to my Books Worth Reading board!

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  6. Dianna

    The Life You Can Save is the title that intrigues me because it is a topic that is close to my heart. It is also scary when you state that this author is not someone you agree with on what constitutes a life. Still…I think I am going to give it a go. Thank you for your reviews, Lisa.

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      The Life You Can Save did have a lot of good information. But the author’s views about other matters would appall you if you read about them. 🙁 His name sounded familiar to me, so I looked him up to see if he was who I thought. Unfortunately, he was. His caring view for many people seems inconsistent with his views overall. Nonetheless, he still had good things to say in this book!

      Reply ↓
  7. BettieG

    Thank you for always sharing such great thoughts on the many books you read, Lisa! I’m still lingering over my last few pages of an Amy Carmichael book, “His Thoughts Said, His Father Said,” that I’m just ready to finish! But I am thankful to be joining a book launch for “Loving Your Friend Through Cancer.” It was such a timely launch, since one of our best friends is really struggling through a hard season with cancer now. I am so grateful that books are so much easier to get today!

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Amy Carmichael has so many wise thoughts. I’m sure that is a good book to linger on. I’m sorry that one of your friends is battling cancer. Such a horrible disease. 🙁 I have a friend whose daughter was just diagnosed and I can barely stand thinking about it, it’s so sad.

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  8. Betsy de Cruz

    I love your book posts, Lisa, and you, for thinking and looking further than our Christian Bubble. I’ll recommend the speechwriter’s book to my mom and son. Both of them LOVE reading on politics. Tears We Cannot Stop sounds like it would break me, but sounds like an important read. I was so saddened by the situation of the two African American ENGINEERS arrested at Starbucks while waiting for a business meeting, and at least encouraged by Starbucks’ response.

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I hope your mom and son like the speechwriter’s book. I found it so intriguing. Yes, that Starbucks situation just doesn’t seem possible to me, but I know these kinds of things happen all the time. May we continue to become more aware of them so things can change!

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    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Yes, I am enjoying the stack I’m in right now! I need to dedicate more time to just sit and read because some of them I’ve been going through for several weeks and making very little progress.

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    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Yes, Still Evangelical is an intriguing book because of all the different authors who chimed in. I’m glad they were all collected in one book, even when some of them had differing viewpoints.

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  17. Lois Flowers

    Lisa, your list of five is intriguing, as always! What really caught my eye, though, is your list of current reads because I’m actually reading two of them right now too … “Girl, Wash Your Face” (which I am LOVING) and “The Way of Abundance” (which I’ve barely started). 🙂

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I’m enjoying Girl Wash Your Face too because she is so real. I appreciate her honesty.

      Ann Voskamp is always a thoughtful writer so I’m having to go slower in that one.

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  18. Linda Stoll

    I need to head over and read your review of Still Evangelical?, Lisa. And I appreciate Ed’s take on where we find ourselves in our faith walk during these days of cultural and political upheaval.

    Praise God, He hasn’t changed a bit even as all around us seems to be swaying.

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Ed has quite a way with words. He is able to share things in a way that makes sense and reaches deep down at the same time.
      Yes, I am SO grateful that God does not change. We all need some stability in our lives! 🙂

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    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Sometimes I feel like it takes me a long time to get through any particular book though since I dabble in several at once. 😉 But when I try reading one book from start to finish by itself, I can hardly do it. ha.

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  22. Jean Wise

    You sure read such a variety and challenging books. I tend to stay too much to my comfort zone ones. Love your list as it inspires me to step out and read new ones. The quotes you pick out too are great. Ones to reread and linger over. Thanks for sharing your list with us, Lisa

    Reply ↓
    1. LisaNotes Post author

      You’re welcome, Jean. Sometimes I follow a prescribed list of things I want to read, but other times I grab whatever looks good on my library’s “new non-fiction” shelf and see what happens. 🙂

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  23. Gayl

    These do sound like a great collection to read and challenge our thinking. Thanks for sharing them with us at the #LMMLinkup. Blessings to you, Lisa!

    Reply ↓

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