My 2022 Q3 Reading List
I can't believe it's that time again!!
I'm truly excited to share my reads from the last three months.
As I've noted on my last two lists, I stopped rating the books that I read because what I find to be personally life-giving may not be what is life-giving for you. That said, there are several on this list that I will absolutely read again and highly recommend – 41, 43, 44, and 45.
On to the list… in order as read…
2022 Book 33: Now That's a Great Question by Bob Tiede
Do you ask great questions and continually show yourself to be a curious person? Bob's books will certainly help you to do so.
2022 Book 34: Fortune 100 Book of Questions by Bob Tiede
My favorite of Bob's books!
2022 Book 35: Bittersweet by Susan Cain
The past 15 months have held considerable grief for me. As I've shared some of it publicly, the responses have confirmed Susan's findings that we (westerners) are very uncomfortable experiencing and talking about grief, sadness, and sorrow. I appreciate her opening the conversation in the mainstream and am hopeful that by her doing so, we will inch our way closer to being comfortable with the hard parts of life and being able to share more vulnerably with each other.
2022 Book 36: Suffering is Never for Nothing by Elisabeth Elliot
I recently asked a mentor, who has lived with chronic fatigue for over 30 years, how she has dealt with her ongoing suffering. She said that Elisabeth Elliot's teachings that all our experiences and circumstances are intended for our good and our benefit, have encouraged her through the more difficult seasons. So, I'm now asking myself to look for the good in all things.
2022 Book 37: C.S. Lewis: A Life by Alister McGrath
My thinking on several topics, including grief (see my book 1 from this year), has been significantly informed by C.S. Lewis, so it was past time for me to read a biography about him. As I expected, because of McGrath's incredible research prowess, I learned quite a few new insights and facts about Lewis. The most meaningful was seeing how Lewis dealt with relationship challenges with family, friends, and work relations all while continuing to contribute to humanity – a thoughtful example of work-life integration.
2022 Book 38: The Ambulance Drivers by James McGrath Morris
Even though Hemingway is one of my husband's top 5 literary influences (see this year's book 11 for one of his top 3), I can't say I know much about him and even less about Dos Passos. This biography was a unique view into each of their lives and their friendship. A worthwhile read if you want to get to know either of them.
2022 Book 39: The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
Want or need to be a better manager, or what Building Champions calls a “coaching leader”? It starts with being curious and asking great questions, and then practicing active listening. Learning and utilizing Michael's 7 questions will create meaningful relationships with your team members and growth for you as a manager/coaching leader.
2022 Book 40: Co-Active Coaching by Henry Kimsey-House, Karen Kimsey-House, Phillip Sandahl, and Laura Whitworth
CTI is one of the top coaching programs in the world. If you want to become a certified coach, you should certainly consider them. But, if you don't have the desire to be certified or don't have the budget for the program, they put their entire process in this book, including helpful role play scenarios. An excellent resource for anyone considering becoming a professional coach.
2022 Book 41: Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning
Holy moly! I thought I couldn't love any of Brennan's books more than The Ragamuffin Gospel (see my 2018 reading list). My counselor often asks me where in my body I feel my emotions and feelings. As I read Brennan's words clarifying the real message of Jesus, I found myself exhaling deep sighs of relief and gratitude, like how I feel when singing the 1920's hymn, “Why Should He Love Me So.”
2022 Book 42: The Inner Voice of Love by Henri J.M. Nouwen
We are a people being overtaken by insecurities, fears, and doubts. What is most troubling about that fact is not that it is happening, but that we are hiding it, running from it, trying to ignore it, and/or pretending that it's not true or that we're exempt from it. I can't help but wonder what life and our world would look like if we took a page from Henri's book and admitted the truth of what is happening in our hearts and participated in a community that helped nurture us to health.
2022 Book 43: Free of Me by Sharon Hodde Miller
Several servings of humble pie over the last couple of years, including my boss telling me that I needed to stop being defensive, helped me to see how much stress I've added to my life over the years by making so much be about me.
With help and wisdom from people like Dr. Hodde Miller, it has been hugely relieving and freeing to try to take the focus off myself, not take myself so seriously, and not look for happiness through my reputation, the opinions of others, or success.
2022 Book 44: Prayer by Timothy Keller
We tend to have an ethereal view of prayer, like it's only for the pious or for use as a last resort. Enter Keller, who helps bring meaning and clarity to this form of communication through a study of the historical roots of prayer, the different types of prayer, and several models of prayer. Jesus Himself showed us that prayer is for everyone and should be our first strategy in any and all things. This book is one I will absolutely read again and again.
2022 Book 45: I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet by Shauna Niequist
I honestly can't find words to say how grateful I am for this book! Every woman, who is deconstructing, reconstructing, and/or reinventing herself in one way shape or form, will find this book soothing and calming, and will absolutely be comforted to learn that she is not alone in her journey of change and transition. The minute that I finished it, I started reading it again. One of Shauna's previous books is one of the 7 books that literally transformed my life.
So, there's the Q3 list! Thanks for letting me share them with you!
If none of these appeal to you, all my reading lists from 2014-2022 are posted here. Or maybe one of the 7 books that literally transformed my life is more of what you need right now.
As always, please share your must-reads with me!!
Happy reading!
