Here are the 2018 books:

Salvaged, by Roy Goble and D.R. Jacobsen. Is it fair to put my own book on this list? Should be — I must’ve read it 12 times this year!

Celebrating Abundance: Devotions for Advent, by Walter Brueggemann. Best Advent book I’ve read yet.

American Dialogue, by Joseph Ellis. Amazing way of writing history; look at current problems from the perspective of the founding fathers. Didn’t always agree with the author but found the book fascinating.

Parker: Selected Stories, by Dorothy Parker. Wow! What a find on Audible. One of the best readings of short stories I’ve heard.

You Welcomed Me, by Kent Annan. Timely, thoughtful, a perfect read in these chaotic times.

The Messy Marketplace, by Brent Beshore. Great info for a small business owner thinking about selling his/her company.

Almost Everything, by Anne Lamott. Her authenticity is wonderful, and her perseverance to attain healing is admirable. But I have to take her angst in small doses.

Gmorning, Gnight!, by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Cute, fun, short little book of inspiring sayings.

If You’d Just Let Me Finish, by Jeremy Clarkson. A collection of his columns, filled with typical Clarkson humor. If you like him, you’ll love this book. If you don’t like him, you’ll hate it. And if you don’t know who he is, don’t bother.

Inspired, by Rachel Held Evans. Maybe it’s because I’m an old codger, but it feels like all of Rachel’s books explore issues of faith I was talking about (and resolving in my heart) 35 years ago. What she finds insightful, edgy, and new are things I’ve considered foundational for decades.

The Fifth Risk, by Michael Lewis. Not always a fan of how the author tells a story, but if even half this book is true it’s terrifying.

Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas. I built my Advent reading around this book, but after 3-days had to switch to another one. Some of the contributors are amazing but I’ve read their work before (Bonhoeffer, Merton, C.S. Lewis, Annie Dillard, etc.). Other contributors were depressing and negative; definitely not what I wanted for Advent.

Hooked, by Nir Eyal. Interesting insights into how the tech companies hook us with their products. Actually, how anyone hooks us on things.

The Prodigal Prophet, by Timothy Keller. With his typical deep insight and simple way of saying things, Keller explores the book of Jonah. Other than blowing off the question about whether Jonah was REALLY swallowed by a big fish, this is an excellent and surprisingly timely book.

The Murder of Roger Akroyd, by Agatha Christie. A classic that I had never read. Definitely surprised me at the end (hint: the butler did NOT do it).

The Culture Map, by Erin Meyer. Seriously good book. No, seriously great book. So appreciate the balance this book brings to a complicated topic.

Zone to Win, by Geoffrey Moore. Meh.

Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia, by John Dunlop. A very helpful book for those of us who are helping loved ones through this difficult time. Great blending of modern medicine and faith-based values.

In the Hurricane’s Eye, by Nathaniel Philbrick. Great look at how Washington and the French combined to beat the British at Yorktown.

Shooting Sean, by Colin Bateman. Guilty pleasure reading.

Leadership in Turbulent Times, by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Great, great, great book.

Steward Leader Meditations, by Scott Rodin. Short meditations about leadership.

To Educate a Nation, edited by Jeremy Enriquez. Interesting study on early educational policies in Belize.

Confident Pluralism, by John D. Inazu. Can we please get every Washington DC politician to read this book?

Understanding World Christianity: Eastern Africa, by Cynthia Toms. Okay, so I know there was a cowriter, but Cynthia is a friend and gets top billing. Not a topic for everyone of course, but great book.

Of Wee Sweetie Mice and Men, by Colin Bateman. These books are sick, ridiculous, awful. I keep reading them.

Every Heart a Doorway, by Seanan McGuire. Too much for a children’s book, not enough for adults. Not sure why this book is so popular.

Eternity is Now in Session, by John Ortberg. Another insightful and thoughtful book from John. Great stuff.

Divorcing Jack, by Colin Bateman. Harsh, cynical, depressing mystery set in Northern Ireland. Not my idea of a fun read.

The Color of Law, by Richard Rothstein. Wow, this is a powerful book. Well researched, well written, and balanced the way a lot of books are not. If you are white, read this book and learn.

Uncivil Agreement, by Lilliana Mason. Made my blood pressure rise, frustrating, at times irritating. So it’s well worth reading.

Has Anyone Seen the President? by Michael Lewis. If you dislike Trump you’ll love this audiobook. If you like Trump you’ll hate it. And if you want a balanced perspective it will make you think.

The Summer Before the War, by Helen Simonson. I just don’t get all the fuss over this book. Writing is great, but the storyline is depressing and the detail is boring.

As a Man Thinketh, by James Allen. One of the original positive thinking self-help books. Some good stuff, some dated ideas.

Managing Oneself, by Peter Drucker. Classic Drucker insights.

Factfulness, by Hans Rosling. Okay, I’m calling it. As of now in late August, it’s the most interesting and timely book I’ve read all year.

Four Birds of Noah’s Ark, by Thomas Dekker. Fun — if sometimes hard to understand — prayer book from the time of Shakespeare.

The Order of Time, by Carlo Rovelli. I just wish I was smart enough to understand half this book.

Made for These Times, by Justin Zoradi. The cynical side of me says, “Seriously? You’re 30-something and think you’ve got enough figured out to write a guide to calling?” But Justin is a thoughtful guy and it shows in this book.

And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie. Somehow I’d managed to never read this book. My loss; great summer read.

Free Us From Bullying, by Paul Coughlin. I was given an early release of this book and it was a good read. And then I chuckled and realized I had endorsed it! I’m quoted on the first page.

The Coming Storm, by Michael Lewis. Wow, this book shows just how crafty some powerful business folks are at trying to keep the public from getting the most up to date information possible about our weather. Crazy.

Educated, by Tara Westover. Oh my, a heart wrenching book about the author growing up in a survivalist fundamentalist family in Idaho. I just keep thinking the story isn’t over yet.

Long Way Down, by Jason Reynolds. Powerful, poetic, poignant. That P thing is by accident; this is a great book.

Be Our Guest, by Disney. Helpful book on how the magic of Disney helps the company be one of the greatest hosts in the world.

The Wanted, by Robert Crais. Predictable and silly. I don’t mind that for a summer read, but these detective books are becoming dull.

Out of Africa, by Isak Dineson. A classic. I might’ve read it years ago but this time I listened to it, and it was wonderful.

Help, Thanks, Wow, by Anne Lamott. Another thoughtful, angst filled, fun edition to my Lamott collection.

I Love Capitalism, by Ken Langone. As with the author, I also love capitalism. Not so much in love with his book, though.

Lucky 666: The Impossible Mission, by Tom Clavin and Bob Drury. Never heard of this amazing World War II story from the South Pacific. Wow!

Hadrian’s Wall, by Adrian Goldsworthy. Best way to think of this short audiobook? One of my favorite Roman historians gives a three hour lecture on Hadrian’s Wall. Fascinating.

Insight Guides Peru. Can you tell where I’m going on vacation?

The Inca Trail. And yes, I’ll be trekking it!

The Day of the Jack Russell, by Colin Bateman. The second in the series, more simple/fun summer reading.

American Immigration, by David Gerber. With all the misinformation about American immigration, it’s nice to get a refresher on our history.

Skin in the Game, by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. The author always stirs the pot and this is no different. But it’s not one of his better books.

On Grand Strategy, by John Lewis Gaddis. My expectations were super high because I’ve heard so much about the authors insights. It’s a great book, but I was expecting exceptional. Still worth reading.

Mystery Man, by Colin Bateman. Laugh out loud funny at times, but pass on it if you can’t stand neurotic book shop owners.

The Soul of America, by Jon Meacham. Wowser! Such a great book. Desperately needed in our age, a refreshing dose of reality about character and how our nation can stray but always finds its way back to a healthy reality.

Rocket Men, by Robert Kurson. One of my favorite authors tells the story of Apollo 8, one of my favorite adventures. How could I not love this??? Great book.

Notorious RBG, by Irin Carmon and Shane Knizhnik. Love her or hate her, she’s an amazing woman.

Tip of the Iceberg, by Mark Adams. Have always enjoyed the travel/adventure/history books by this author, and this book about Alaska continue the tradition. A fun and informative book.

Redeeming How We Talk, by Ken Wytsma and A.J. Swoboda. What a timely book. Heaven help us.

Protestants Abroad, by David Hollinger. Fascinating look at how America sent missionaries around the world to change the world, but the children of those missionaries came home and changed America.

The Opposite of Hate, by Sally Kohn. Great idea for a book, but the author is so deep in her political/social convictions she can’t see how even this topic is going to tick off folks on the other side of the aisle.

Notes on a Foreign Country, by Suzy Hansen. Not worth your time. The author needs to take the IDI exam and learn a few things about Reversal.

Measure What Matters, by John Doerr. Best business book I’ve read in ages. Loved the OKRs model.

Radical Inclusion, by Martin Dempsey. An insightful leadership book, but somehow felt predictable.

The Gulf, by Jack Davis. If you are into environmental history, it’s great. Otherwise it is tedious.

Men, Women and Worthiness, by Brene Brown. Simple audiobook of the authors insights. Good solid overview of her expertise.

Becoming Dallas Willard, by Gary Moon. This is much more than a biography. It delves into the various life experiences Dallas Willard had and how those shaped him into the deeply spiritual man he became. Written by the head of the Dallas Willard Center, the author had access to files and writings nobody else has. Great stuff here.

The Age of Eisenhower, by William Hitchcock. A balanced look at the good and bad of the Eisenhower presidency, with a retrospective that gives praise that is long overdue.

Us vs. Them, by Ian Bremmer. Interesting take on how globalism has failed so many, but also how the failure has led us to the weakening of our political systems. If this subject matter interests you then it’s a must read book.

Braving the Wilderness, by Brene Brown. Fun writer who has the academic credibility to tell us the obvious.

The Lost World of the Flood, by Tremper Longman and John Walton. Great book that looks at the flood myth/story.

Five Days in London, by John Lukacs. Excellent look at Churchill during five momentous days at the start of World War II.

The Triumph of Christianity, by Bart Ehrman. Don’t bother.

Everybody Always, by Bob Goff. Brilliant as you’d expect, and entirely Bob.

Burn the Business Plan, by Carl Schramm. Finally a book that refutes some of the Silicon Valley truisms about entrepreneurs and new businesses. Didn’t agree with all of this book, but appreciated the counterpoint it represents.

Lost City of the Incas, by Hiram Bingham. Acclaimed explorer explains his journey.

The Return of Marco Polo’s World, by Robert Kaplan. I’ve enjoyed all of the author’s books, but this one was just meh.

How to Think, by Alan Jacobs. What it lacks in writing style it more than makes up for with insights.

Paul: A Biography, by N.T. Wright. This book brings the Apostle Paul to life as a real person, and it is fascinating.

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle. It’s been decades since I read this, and it still stands the test of time.

Inspired, by Dean Cardinale. Dean has lived an amazing life and the lessons he has learned about leadership are applicable to all of us.

House of Spies, by Daniel Silva. Bubble gum for the brain.

The Book of Mistakes, by Skip Prichard. Seriously, no. So many things wrong with this cliche filled piece of ….

When, by Daniel Pink. The author is always worth reading, and this book is no exception. Very insightful.

Storytelling with Data, by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic. Was hoping for something deeper, but whatever.

Big Potential, by Shawn Achor. Want to find happiness? Work in teams, serve others. Great research proves exactly what I was taught in Sunday School 50-years ago.

Junkyard Wisdom, by me! Enjoyed reading through my own book for the first time since it was released. Still proud of it.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. Every now and then I need to read a classic treasure.

A Legacy of Spies, by John le Carre’.  More brilliance from le Carre’. Very good.

Seven Ways to Die in Belize, by Harlan Hague. Don’t bother with this one.

Turn Right At Machu Picchu, by Mark Adams. Second time I’ve read this book — can you figure out where I’m going for vacation this year? Love this book.

Powerful, by Patty McCord. Interesting (and counter intuitive) ideas about managing people from an early Netflix executive.

The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence. A classic I try to read every couple of years.

The Influential Mind, by Tali Sharot, Excellent book about how our mind works, and how we can influence others.

In Vino Duplicitas, by Peter Hellman. Interesting book about one of the greatest wine forgers and how he was caught.

Family Values, by G.M. Ford. One of my favorite snarky private eyes does it again. Pure fluff, but fun.

Incas: A Captivating Guide. Good, short, easy to follow summary of the Incan history and culture.

The Storm Before the Storm, by Mike Duncan. History buffs know the Roman Republic fell, but what conditions (and abuses) led up to it’s fall? Insightful and timely book for anybody concerned about the state of democracy in the world.

Soonish, by Kelly & Zach Weinersmith. Snarky look at future technologies.

Troublemakers, by Leslie Berlin. Comprehensive story of the people who disrupted the tech world.

Previous years:
The 2017 books
The 2016 books
The 2015 books
The 2014 books
The 2013 books
The 2012 books
The 2011 books
The 2010 books
The 2009 books