50 Books in 2020

This year, the year that sucked everything out of me, was the first year I have ever completed a reading challenge I have posed for myself. At the beginning of 2019, I wanted to read 25 books, or a book every two weeks. I had not yet discovered the joy and wonder of audiobooks from the library (they were certainly too expensive for me to buy) and the idea of finding time to sit down to read while having a one year-old around was next to impossible. I don't think I even got close to my goal of 25 books. So at the beginning of last year, I was an idiot and decided to double my goal: 50 books in 2020. And I actually did it! 

Below you will see my brief review and rating of each book I read in 2020. My secondary goal was to read as many books by women and people of color as possible. I didn't do a terrible job of that-- I believe there are only two books on the list written by white men (The Blood of Emmett Till and Permission to Feel). 

My Reading Challenge Page from Goodreads

The #MeToo Reckoning: Facing the Church's Complicity in Sexual Abuse and Misconduct by Ruth Everhart

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am so grateful for the stories in this book. Ruth Everhart tells more of her story as a pastor in the church and also solicits stories from various other women to share here. The church needs to continue to talk about this issue-- especially the churches who don't think they have a problem with sexism, misogyny, and sexual abuse. It is a hard one to read, just like Ruined, but it is so important. 

The Magician's Diary by C.J. Archer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was really into this series by the end of 2019 and I liked it well enough, but sometimes when the first book in the series is so good, all the other ones fall flat. Eventually it just felt like the same story over and over again. I was waiting for the two main characters to get together and there just wasn't enough of that sexual tension resolution in it for me. 

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I read this book before I went to see the movie in theaters because I had never read it before. I know that it is one of the most beloved novels ever written and I understand why, but I honestly liked the movie more. Perhaps that's just because the movie was so fantastically made. Or perhaps I could not identify with the sisters in the same way I would have been able to a few years ago. It was still a wonderful story and it is a classic that should be read by everyone. 

Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come: An Introvert's Year of Living Dangerously by Jessica Pan 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It is HILARIOUS and I relate to it so deeply. She lives out several of my worst nightmares like doing stand up comedy and improv. It’s brilliant. She reads her own book, which is my favorite thing authors do. 

The Vagina Bible: The Vulva and the Vagina-- Separating the Myth from the Medicine by Jennifer Gunter 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I read this book in preparation for our campus ministry discussions around faith and sex during the month of February. I really thought I knew a lot about women’s health, but I learned A TON reading this! I recommend it especially to people raising girls and anyone who feels weird asking their gynecologist questions.

Yes Please by Amy Poehler 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was the exact kind of funny, charming, and sweet I needed at the time that I read it. I loved it. And I don’t even like Amy Poehler's comedy all that much. It was just the right amount of freshness to a celebrity memoir. I thought it would convince me to try Parks and Rec again. I tried. I really tried. And I still don't like that show. 

The Infinity Inside: Jewish Spiritual Practice through a Multi-faith Lens by Rabbi Laura Duhan-Kaplan 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We ordered this book as part of our curriculum for our class and study abroad in Italy that was supposed to happen in May. It is a fantastic primer to spiritual practices and I learned a lot. I find myself going back and reading parts of it even now. I'm super grateful for Rabbi Laura's voice. 

Fingerprints of Previous Owners by Rebecca Entel 

⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is about the local folks who work at a fancy resort and all that comes with it. However, it is a white author writing from the perspective of POC, which seems super gross. I wouldn’t have picked it out if I’d known that. It is really good storytelling, which is why it gets three stars. But it's literary Blackface, which is super weird and problematic. 

Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxanne Gay 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is so hard. But it’s also really important. It addresses fatphobia, trauma, ableism, weight loss reality tv shows, and is an all-around vulnerable and enlightening memoir. I recommend it, but be sure you take your time through it.

The Blood of Emmett Till by Timothy B. Tyson 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was never taught about Emmett Till in school. I'd say I don't know why, but I do know why-- our education system is so white-washed that we are not even taught about some of the most important and tragic events that happen in our country. This was an incredibly difficult book to read, but I am grateful to know this story now and the impact it had on our entire world. Four stars only because it was written by a white man. 

Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We read MLK, Jr.'s letter in seminary, but I wanted to read it again as we moved into a summer that saw more Black people being slaughtered by the state. It was even more poignant than the first time I read it. I don't count it in my 50 books, because it is so short, but it was worth making the list for this year. 

From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime: The Making of Mass Incarceration in America by Elizabeth Hinton 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Again, I wasn't taught any of this in school. This book is long and very historical, but if we are going to fight against systems of oppression like the prison industrial complex in the United States, then we have to know their origins. 

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I finished reading this one in time to wrap up Black History Month and begin Women’s History Month. This is a fantastically told story from multiple perspectives and styles. I really enjoyed it all the way through and I was glad for the happy ending. 

The Ungrateful Refugee by Dina Nayeri 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I cried through most of this book, but it was absolutely worth it. I don't even really know what to say about it. The various stories were so compelling and I am so grateful for people like Dina who share their voice with us. 

Elizabeth Warren: Her Fight. Her Work. Her Life. by Antonia Felix 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I didn't really know much about Elizabeth Warren and her life at the beginning of the election cycle and it is hard to understand the history of someone while they are running for president, so I was thankful for the chance to humanize her a bit more by listening to this biography. 

The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting: Raising Children with Courage, Compassion, and Connection by Brene Brown 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is a must-read. Especially if you have an 18 month to 20 year old child. Especially if you’re a One, Three, or Eight on the Enneagram. We can’t give our children what we don’t have. We can’t raise our children to be more shame resilient than we are. We have to journey and grow with them.

Burnout: The Secrets to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was a vicious personal attack against me and basically all my friends. I don’t know who these women think they are, but they are absolutely right and it is wildly infuriating. Please go read this immediately if you are a woman, know a woman, ever interact with a woman, have a woman for a boss or employee or colleague, or otherwise have been near a woman in any capacity.

The Social Media Gospel: Sharing the Good News in New Ways by Meredith Gould 

⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is already hella out of date because it was published in 2015, but it has some great pointers and advice now that almost every congregation is engaging in online community-building.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is my comfort book that I try to read or listen to every year. It never disappoints me and it always gets me through any reading ruts I might encounter. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. 

Autopsy of a Boring Wife by Marie-Renee Lavoie 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rude, abrupt, and charming. I loved this short little book for its raw feelings and language. I recommend it if you’re looking for something to reset you a bit.

The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The description compared it to Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, so I was skeptical to say the least. But it has been such a beautifully woven story that I would put it on the same shelf for sure.

If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It is basically the plot of every romcom, but I find I am fully invested in Laurie and Jamie’s relationship despite myself. 🤷🏼‍♀️ The heart wants what it wants. It’s charming and a good summer read to take your mind off things, but don't expect anything profound.

The Montessori Toddler: A Parent's Guide to Raising a Curious and Responsible Human Being by Simone Davies 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was surprised by how much I liked this book. Most parenting books present toddlers as problems than need to be solved. Or at least present “issues” of toddlers and offer solutions. I know it’s a basic of Montessori parenting but I was happy to hear, at every turn, toddlers are people and we must treat them as if they’re people. I immediately put away 90% of B’s toys and he was delightful yesterday. It has already changed the way I see him and talk with him. I hope we can stick to a simpler play life.

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you’re not used to listening to Black women, I recommend *listening* to this book, which is read by Bahni Turpin. I don’t think I would have read the inflections into the book if I hadn’t been listening and I think I needed it.

It’s a tough book. Well, it was for me. It put me face to face with some of my racist tendencies and unconscious actions. It convicted me, saying that talk is only the beginning. Learning is only the beginning. We must also use our bodies and dollars to be anti-racist. It helped me run through some scenarios in my head, rehearse conversations so that I will feel more comfortable saying “that is racist” when I hear it, and catching myself when I do the same.

We continue to learn because we want to care for our siblings more fully. Just like discipleship, we’ll never get it perfect, but we can work toward getting it right more often and repenting when we’re wrong.

Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I would not normally recommend reaching for white voices on the perspective of racism, but Irving offers a very gentle and accessible introduction to race and racism through her own experiences of “waking up” to her racialized world and her own biases and racism. If you have a hard time listening to passionate Black folx or if the whole conversation makes you a bit uncomfortable, this would be a good place to start your anti-racism journey.

Racism without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in the United States by Eduardo Bonilla-Silva 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you like interview-based research, this is the book for you. It examines research from 2005 and he has added some commentary (and predictions) about the 2008 and 2016 elections. The premise is this: individual racists don’t really matter, in fact trying to weed out “the racists” is distracting to the larger problem of colorblind racism that continues to wreak havoc on our world. It’s a good read. I learned a lot and in every interview I learned more and more about my own racism and the systems from which I benefit.

One Coin Found: How God's Love Stretches to the Margins by Emmy Kegler 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

From start to finish, Pastor Emmy reignites the good news with vivid biblical imagination. She is a gift to this church. I don't have anything more to say because you really need to pick up this book and read it yourself to be blessed by it. 

Trouble I've Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism by Drew G.I. Hart 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I read this book again this year. It moved me a lot more this time (I read it in seminary some 4 years ago). It is important for us to continue to listen to the stories of Black folx in the Church. Their stories are important to us and to God. If your church is on the 201-type level of anti-racism work, I recommend this memoir/theology. 

How to Lead When You Don't Know Where You're Going: Leading in a Liminal Season by Susan Beaumont 

⭐️⭐️⭐️

As the reality of the unknown future continues, I’m called again and again to stillness, discernment, and listening. I was really looking forward to this book because it had so many glowing recommendations from my colleagues, but it was just not what I needed at the time. But if you are into spiritual practices that help you slow down and discern in "still" ways, then this would be a good book for you. 

The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I like how Cone drags Reinhold Niebuhr in the beginning. He deserves it. And I loved his chapter on feminist/womanist theology. I remember reading parts of this in seminary but I don’t think I was fully ready for it. I really absorbed it this time.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang 

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I needed something light and smutty during this week and this one did the trick. It’s the first in a series of three books and it was sufficiently sexy and clever. It’s rated R for sure, so don’t listen in the car with your children. 3/5 stars because some of the writing was cheesy and some of the dialogue felt gross in a bad way.

This is God's Table: Finding Church Beyond the Walls by Anna Woofenden 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I deeply resonate with the feelings of “I’m so tired” and “I am so full of joy” that is never ending in mission development/redevelopment. The Garden Church is what we would call “successful” in the church— something that survives the planting pastor. But it was still difficult and full of doubt. I love Pastor Anna’s honesty in all of this. I needed to read this this year. 

Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches by Audre Lorde 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you’re feeling confused and annoyed by the various takes on Sen. Kamala Harris, this might be a good collection to dive into. Lorde has taught me so much and I am so grateful for her voice. 

When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow wow wow. I don’t even know what to say about this memoir. If you believe that the BLM movement is a terrorist organization, I’d invite you to understand its origins by reading this book. It has convicted me even more to stand up and say #BlackLivesMatter.

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang 

⭐️⭐️⭐️

It was good— I didn’t think it was as good as The Kiss Quotient, but it was still cute.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had no idea what this book was about but I kept hearing that it was so good, so I got it from the library. I don’t usually do horror but holy cow this was so good. It had really amazing twists and it kept me engaged until the very last page. Dang. It is so good. 

Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I didn't love this book as much as I loved Adeyemi's first book, but it was still really wonderful. It kept me turning the page and I am so glad I finally picked it up again. 

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I missed this very popular book three years ago when it came out but I’m glad I finally read it. I found it be an accessible book that touches on the complexity of being Black in America. I’m thankful for the perspective and, as always, for Bahni Turpin for her performance of this novel.

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I know others have said it before but it’s worth repeating: this is perhaps the most important book of the decade. There are not enough good things to say about it. I learned so much and feel so blessed to have it recommended to me by so many.

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow wow wow wow wow. I loved this novel. Everything about it. It made me laugh and cry and long for more. It was absolute perfection. It is definitely the religious fiction novel I'll be recommending for years to come. 

Untamed by Glennon Doyle 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is probably my favorite book that can be considered “self-help-ish.” (Besides all things Brene Brown.) It’s memoir and wisdom fantastically combined. Her unique story doesn’t make her words any less universal. I wrote several things on sticky notes and pasted them to my sewing wall. I’m grateful for this book right now.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is another one that has been on my list for a while. It is fantastic and heartbreaking. I’m so glad I listened to it. I highly recommend it.

Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right by Jamie Glowacki 

⭐️⭐️

Well, I found my least favorite book of the year. I’m sure her method works (I’ve heard nothing but good things about this book), but the way this book is written is the most condescending nonsense I have ever read. I’ve read lots of books by experts in many different fields and not one of them was written like this. Yuck. 

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I did not know that it is actually a dystopian novel set in California about 4 years from now. Yikes. But as soon as I started, I knew I would have to follow Lauren’s story to the end. When the world starts collapsing in on itself, I hope to be like her: resourceful, compassionate, vulnerable, and tough. I hope we can all be more like her.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was unexpected in a number of ways: 1) it was nice to immerse myself in a world where the first woman was elected as the 45th POTUS. 2) this book was much sexier than I thought it would be. I’m not complaining, but I was surprised! 3) the last chapter of this book made me sob with hope and it is kind of exactly what I needed. I loved it. 

No Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Unlike the last parenting book, I really enjoyed this one! I really enjoyed the realistic examples and the re-definition of “discipline” that fits our family and parenting style well. No guilt or shame in this book— just really good suggestions. I think it would even be great for people with older kiddos.

Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It is no secret that I adore Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing and I’m not sure anything can ever measure up to it. But this novel is absolutely gorgeous. It is a coming of age in grief and faith. It was exactly what I needed. I loved it. And, of course, I can listen to Bahni Turpin read just about anything at all. 

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love a good enemy-to-lovers novel. And I love witches and magic, so this really fit into my favorite things. The story is good and interesting, with some good twists and turns that I probably could have predicted if I had been paying better attention. 

Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This one didn't move quite as fast at the first one did, but it was still enjoyable. I'll be looking forward to the next one as well, just to see where the story goes. 

Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves, and Our Society Thrive by Marc Brackett 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was one of the exceptions to “no reading white dudes” this year because the author’s conversation with Brene Brown really captured me. This is the kind of book another PhD would like— it’s pretty research heavy. But it’s also important. If you’re already convinced that social/emotional intelligence and learning are important, you can probably skip the first three chapters. Otherwise, I found it helpful to put a language to something I already feel is vitally important for our young people and all of our leaders.