Over the years I’ve attempted to put together little “best of” reading lists. Last year it was “10 From 10: The Dusting Off the Shelves Best Reads from 2010,” and the year before, “09 +09 From 09: The Dusting Off the Shelves Best Reads from 2009.”
Clearly I’m way behind on all my 2011 “Best Of” lists, so here’s the first of them, the long overdue “11 From 11 Best Reads.”
Assembling this list was actually pretty tough because in 2011 I was slugging away on my own manuscript, soon to be my 3rd book. That means I spent much of my time reading my own writings instead of reading other people’s books.
That’s not an excuse for a below average reading year—I did end up reading nearly 60 books totaling over 14,500 pages—but a lot of (ummmm, this is a painful confession tinged with shame) was tied to the Harry Potter series. Yes, I have finally caught up to the early 2000’s.
So, given a smaller than normal pile of completed books, this list highlights some of my favorites.
AND, just to remind you of my personal criteria:
First, I cannot presume that I would be able to name the best books of 2011, that would be impossible for anyone—so rather than this list being the best of books published in 2011, it’s the best of whatI read in 2011.
Second, it’s not fair to compare fiction to non-fiction, so the books that made this list are simply the books that left the biggest impression on me regardless of genre.
Third, because I don’t think you can really compete books against each other, this list is ordered alphabetically by author.
Fourth, I endorsed a number of excellent books this year that didn’t make this list, however each of those books is fantastic and I whole heartedly recommend them all.
So, here ya go:
- Fall To Grace: A Revolution of God, Self & Society by Jay Bakker :: Oh Jay, I dearly and truly love Jay and for full disclosure consider him a friend (true story, we both filmed for a show at TBN on the same spring day in 2011, classic), and still was blown away by his honesty and vulnerability this pseudo-memoir. Certainly provocative and painfully honest, Jay really makes a strong biblical and theological case for inclusion of all humanity in communities of faith. Bam.
- Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell and the Fate of Every Person Who Has Ever Lived by Rob Bell :: Yep, probably the best reviews (both positive and negative) of this book came from folks who actually never read it. Crazy. I sat down, popped open the cover, and didn’t get up till I was finished. Regardless of what you think about Rob or the ideas in this book, he has given voice to many concerns that a lot of thoughtful Christians have. This book validates some of the questions we still don’t have good answers for, and ultimately, it’s a book about questions not answers.
- The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins :: So, I have this issue (among my many, many others…) where I feel guilty reading non-fiction. To over compensate for that I’ve made it one of my life goals to read something written by every author who’s ever won the Nobel Prize for Literature. I’m probably 70% way through that list and often am disappointed by what I read. But when I let myself have a guilty pleasure like the Hunger Games I wasn’t disappointed. Great story, I can’t wait for the movies now.
- The Sisters Brothers: A Novel by Patrick deWitt :: Oh boy, I love love love this story. Generally I’m not a fan of westerns or anything from that category of film or book (and, this should go without saying, but music as well), but this book is so readable, funny and kept my attention all the way through. Love it.
- Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr :: On one hand I’m afraid this book was wasted on me because I’m still (hopefully) floundering around in the first half of my life. But, as turned 40 this year much of what Rohr unpacks in this little volume spoke loud and clear. Read it and keep reading it, this one will have lasting value.
- The Miracle, The Message, The Story: Jean Vanier and L’Arche by Kathryn Spink :: I was able to spend part of my summer in France with Jean Vanier and read this as sort of background research. Much more than merely research, this book is an inspiring story of illumination. I’m certain that Vanier is one of our time’s modern saints and this biography paints that in the most authentically human way.
- Decoded by Jay Z :: I hardly have to say anything about this one. Pretty awesome. Hit it up already.
- Peter Rollins :: This is sort of an honorable mention because I read all of Pete’s books in 2011 and think they’re all great, his first two blew my mind and I will likely return to them frequently. I put Pete on here rather than naming a specific title from him because I’d suggest finding at least one of his works and reading it slowly, letting it wash over you. If you dig him then chase down his other stuff and you won’t be disappointed.
That’s it. That’s what I go. Now, I am still working on my manuscript, I turn it in to my publisher this week and once that’s out of my hands I’ll get back to some serious reading. And here’s a little stack of what I’m really looking forward to for this upcoming year:
With that, happy reading.
