By Bradley Robertson
I love to read. I have random stacks and piles of books all over my house — at the foot of my bed, next to my dresser, nightstand obviously, in my purse, literally everywhere. I keep lists in my head of books to come and I could spend forever in a bookstore.
Words in general are a lifeline for me. Spoken words, written words, scratchy words and random notes tucked away. Words can speak greatness and breathe fresh sense into us. They teach, lead, love, hold and heal.
But here’s my hang up, I have a hard time being still. Maybe it’s because reading gets me excited or my eagerness gets jumpy. The actual sitting and staying is work and effort, but I know it can be done. I read “Where the Crawdad Sings” in 3.5 days. It’s a longer book, fiction, but the writing and story line pulled me in so close I couldn’t stop.
I’ve had a running list of books in my phone notes for years, and I have begun saving my “to read” books on Amazon. This year, however, I’ve succumbed to a written list. My goal is to see it often in an effort to develop a better habit of sitting still with purpose.
I’m excited to share this list with you too! I hope it inspires you to dig into what you want to learn more about. Our world and possibilities are endless. What interests you? What sparks fun or joy for you? Is there a topic you want to learn more about?
So many questions to ask ourselves. But stopping and taking the time to assess “us” is vital to happiness and wellbeing. We need to be still in our own minds and know who we are and what we want. Reading is one way to get those answers.
This list is my “to-do” list. I have not read these books but terribly want to. This list is in no particular order and is all non-fiction except one. That’s my favorite, and I stick to it.
So enjoy my list, friends. Look these and the authors up and see if it may be a fit for you. You can easily see what the book is all about on YouTube, Instagram or other websites.
Love you all and cheers to more diving into life in 2021!
-Bradley
1. “Get out of Your Head,” by Jennie Allen
2. “Educted: A Memoir,” by Tara Westover
3. “Own Your Everyday,” by Jordan Lee Dooley
4. “The Most Powerful Woman in the Room,” by Lydia Fenet
5. “CS Lewis and the Art of Writing,” by Corey Latta
6. “The Great Divorce,” by CS Lewis
7. “The Space Between Us: How Jesus teaches us to Live Together when Politics and Religion Pull us Apart,” by Sarah Bauer Anderson
8. “The Gifts of Imperfection,” by Brene Brown
9. “Dare to Lead,” by Brene Brown
10. “When Breathe Becomes Air,” by Paul Kalanithi & Abraham Verghese
11. “Creative Calling,” by Chase Jarvis
12. “Run Fast, Eat Slow,” by Shalane Flanagan
13. “The Hiding Place,” by Corrie Ten Boom
14. “Rare Bird,” by Anna Whiston-Donaldson
15. “Barking to the Choir,” by Greg Boyle
16. “The Gospel According to Job,” by Mike Mason
17. “Adorning the Dark,” by Andrew Peterson
18. “The Book of Two Ways,” by Jodi Picoult
19. “The War of Art,” by Steven Pressfield
20. “Becoming,” by Michelle Obama
21. “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse,” by Charlie Mackesy
22. “The Happiness Project,” by Gretchen Rubin
23. “The Alchemist,” by Paulo Coelho
24. “The Gratitude Formula,” by May McCarthy
25. “Think Like a Monk,” by Jay Shetty