Here are some of the books I have been reading. I also have audio books that I listen to but I’m not including them here. These appeal to me for a number of reasons – and let me tell you a bit about each one.

1. Leadership is overrated. I have been an avid reader of leadership books, though Leonard Sweet’s book Followers challenges our obsession with this topic. These authors also challenge the concept but from a different perspective. They point to great teams and what they can achieve when a group of people put their minds and hearts together. It’s hard to argue that point. I enjoyed the book very much.
2. The Energy Bus was a recommendation to me for use with my direct reports. I had them all read it and then we met for a discussion, online of course. It’s a simple book – a novel of type which tells the story of how one rather defeated leader finds energy, focus and determination to work his way, leading his team, to complete an important task for the company. It is really a book about emotional intelligence. It starts weak but grows and gets stronger through the book.
3. Jesus Always is a devotional book, but you can pick it up at any time of the year. It uses the design of speaking in the first voice of Jesus – so that as you read it is as if Jesus is talking to you. It’s a different perspective which I like.
4. Star Spangled Jesus is one of the better-written books in this list. It’s a page-turner and the author has a real talent of weaving personal stories and life lessons. It is also a great explanation of why and how the evangelical, and I should add white evangelical, churches have embraced Trump and the MAGA crowd. It makes sense however terrible is the theology and ambition released into the public debate.
5. The Narrow Path is the best of this pile of books. I really am enjoying it though I’m not quite done it yet. It has depth, insight, and great writing context. I am finding myself both highlighting and notating ideas in the back of the book. And the publisher is smart – they gave us several blank pages to write on.