Books:
A Brief Reading List

I love to read and what I read often changes me. Each week in my newsletter I offer updates on my recent reads, but some books stay with the reader longer than a week or so. Below are some books that have shaped and continue to shape how I see and experience the world.

This book is both gentle and profound. The meditations are short, but they stay with me and serve as a reminder that even a few words can issue an invitation that sits with me and gradually soaks into my heart. If you want to familiarize yourself wit

This book is both gentle and profound. The meditations are short, but they stay with me and serve as a reminder that even a few words can issue an invitation that sits with me and gradually soaks into my heart. If you want to familiarize yourself with Ignatian spirituality, the this book is a great place to start. Its tone is as gentle and inviting as Ignatian spirituality.

This book is beautiful, inspiring and encouraging. It made me want to live my life differently and learn new ways to be with nature. The idea of learning to live in reciprocity with nature is one that has stayed with me and inspired me over time.

This book is beautiful, inspiring and encouraging. It made me want to live my life differently and learn new ways to be with nature. The idea of learning to live in reciprocity with nature is one that has stayed with me and inspired me over time.

This book is beautiful inside and out. The Northumbrian community is both gentle and welcoming and this prayer book from them contains those same characteristics. Whether you try their morning, midday or evening prayers, the format is simple and the

This book is beautiful inside and out. The Northumbrian community is both gentle and welcoming and this prayer book from them contains those same characteristics. Whether you try their morning, midday or evening prayers, the format is simple and the reflections are short yet meaningful.

The Lost Words is a delightful book. The illustrations are lovely, detailed and draw you in. The words are suited to each creature. The overall effect is a desire to notice what is so easy to miss - the extravagant beauty around us and the unique val

The Lost Words is a delightful book. The illustrations are lovely, detailed and draw you in. The words are suited to each creature. The overall effect is a desire to notice what is so easy to miss - the extravagant beauty around us and the unique value each creature brings.

This collection of female mystics is a great introduction to voices like Hildegard of Bingen and Mechthild of Magdeburg. The way they see the world is both familiar and new. Like An Ignatian Book of Days, this collection is short enough to be easily

This collection of female mystics is a great introduction to voices like Hildegard of Bingen and Mechthild of Magdeburg. The way they see the world is both familiar and new. Like An Ignatian Book of Days, this collection is short enough to be easily readable, but meaningful enough to stay with me throughout the day.

This book is the best description I’ve read of prayer experiences and comes closest to describing the way prayer has shaped me. It managed to put into words things that have seemed beyond words to me. This book is not for casual reading - it’s a bit

This book is the best description I’ve read of prayer experiences and comes closest to describing the way prayer has shaped me. It managed to put into words things that have seemed beyond words to me. This book is not for casual reading - it’s a bit dense for that - but it is illuminating and a worthwhile read for those who have - or long for - a rich prayer life.

This is a lovely and profound book. Thurman sees Jesus with clear eyes and shows how Jesus knew what it was like to be a man with his back to the wall. As a white Christian, this book is convicting and encouraging. Convicting because the white church

This is a lovely and profound book. Thurman sees Jesus with clear eyes and shows how Jesus knew what it was like to be a man with his back to the wall. As a white Christian, this book is convicting and encouraging. Convicting because the white church in America often wears blinders. Encouraging because there is another way -- the way of love.

Tish Harrison Warren links each chapter of this book to a component of the liturgy. This book doesn't just feed the mind - it offers practical ways to deepen our walk with Jesus while also encouraging the reader to think more deeply. If you're intere

Tish Harrison Warren links each chapter of this book to a component of the liturgy. This book doesn't just feed the mind - it offers practical ways to deepen our walk with Jesus while also encouraging the reader to think more deeply. If you're interested in reading a book that will help you see how Sunday morning worship is intrinsic to life Monday through Saturday, read this book.

I loved this book — from content to narration. The chapter on Brigid was probably my favorite with the one on John Muir a close second. If you’re a Christian who sees beauty in the earth and human bodies, if you’re a Christian who wants a broader und

I loved this book — from content to narration. The chapter on Brigid was probably my favorite with the one on John Muir a close second. If you’re a Christian who sees beauty in the earth and human bodies, if you’re a Christian who wants a broader understanding of the sacred and the secular, this book is a perfect companion.

It's amazing what depth can be packed into a picture book. This is a story of creativity, of discouragement, of encouragement, of seeing things anew. Whether you have children or not, seeing your world in an "ish" way is a powerful way to live.

It's amazing what depth can be packed into a picture book. This is a story of creativity, of discouragement, of encouragement, of seeing things anew. Whether you have children or not, seeing your world in an "ish" way is a powerful way to live.

This book explores why laughter, humor and joy are not only good things, but Godly things. If you are someone who thinks church is too serious for its own good, I strongly encourage you to read this book. If you're not quite sure why joy, humor and l

This book explores why laughter, humor and joy are not only good things, but Godly things. If you are someone who thinks church is too serious for its own good, I strongly encourage you to read this book. If you're not quite sure why joy, humor and laughter are necessary components of faith, this book may just show you.

Mary Oliver's attention to detail, love of nature, and willingness to look for God in the grass and the animals make her poetry accessible and relatable. Devotions is a collection of works from her lengthy career and Why I Wake Early is my personal f

Mary Oliver's attention to detail, love of nature, and willingness to look for God in the grass and the animals make her poetry accessible and relatable. Devotions is a collection of works from her lengthy career and Why I Wake Early is my personal favorite stand alone volume. Mary Oliver will encourage you to look closer, breathe slower and live in the present.

What a beautiful book. Nye is a Palestinian American and her perspective in these poems was meaningful to me. Alternately moving, amusing and thought provoking. If you aren’t already heartbroken about what’s happening in the Middle East right now, yo

What a beautiful book. Nye is a Palestinian American and her perspective in these poems was meaningful to me. Alternately moving, amusing and thought provoking. If you aren’t already heartbroken about what’s happening in the Middle East right now, you will be after this book.

Salt contains some of the most powerful poems you'll find. They are mostly shorter poems, with words chosen carefully for their power. As a white woman, these poems taught me something about the experiences of people of color. Waheed tells her truth

Salt contains some of the most powerful poems you'll find. They are mostly shorter poems, with words chosen carefully for their power. As a white woman, these poems taught me something about the experiences of people of color. Waheed tells her truth with honesty and beauty.

What a beautiful and hopeful book this is. I loved the science meets spirituality of it. I loved its honest compassion. I loved the challenge to pursue living as a more fully integrated human being.

What a beautiful and hopeful book this is. I loved the science meets spirituality of it. I loved its honest compassion. I loved the challenge to pursue living as a more fully integrated human being.