The Stack: The Rest of 2021
I like splitting my stacks up by seasons, but, well, here we are. I’ve been reading a lot of books lately that I adore and want to share, but I know I never finished my 2021 stacks, and I have finally decided to combine them into one giant tower and just get ‘em all out there at once. Without further ado!
The Inner Game of Tennis, W. Timothy Gallwey. Kind of a niche pick, but it was recommended to me by several different climbers, actually, because it’s such an insightful guide to mental control in sports. Super interesting and practical read!
The Underground Railroad, Colson Whitehead. Gut-wrenching in a good and important way, and also so creatively written. The structure of the book was super cool to me, and Whitehead’s craft as an author is acclaimed for a reason. Definitely read this one. (Unless you, like most people, already have… I am always late to the fiction game, and y’all know it.)
Everybody Always, Bob Goff. A happy book! And an easy read. I will be perfectly honest and say that I find Bob Goff’s books kind of… theologically fluffy? He definitely leans towards oversimplification. But on the other hand, I think a lot of people in Christian circles make everything more complicated than it needs to be, and sometimes it’s nice and energizing and also important to read something like this and be reminded that love is the core of what I claim to believe, and what should be guiding my life.
The Art of Fielding, Chad Harbach. I’m gonna shoot you straight: I didn’t finish it. I want to be a fiction reader, guys, but at my core I’m just not, and if a story doesn’t super grab me, I’m not going to force myself through it. The writing itself was really rich though! This was another popular title a few years back, so chances are, I am in the minority of people who didn’t love it.
The Reason for God, Tim Keller. This book holds a dear place in my heart, and it’s kind of amazing to me that this past year was my first time reading it, because it’s such a staple for so many people I know. Thoughtful defense (not in the sense of being defensive, but explaining) of his faith. A few friends have noted that it might be more bolstering for people within faith experiencing doubt than convincing for those outside of faith completely; but I also know people who found it hugely clarifying when they were searching for what they believe, so it probably depends on the person. Beautifully written and was one of many books that served as important anchors for me this past year.
Goodbye to a River, John Graves. Kind of a cult classic, to a very small and specific cult. Essentially, this book is a travelogue of the author’s paddling trip down the Brazos River in Texas when it was slated for destruction. His slow, sweet, rambling description and celebration of it (and the history along its banks) was actually so moving to people at the time that it served as a huge factor in rallying to protect the river from the fate he was lamenting, which is so hopeful and wonderful and all the things I cheer for. Definitely a quiet read, not a quick one, but it’s lovely — especially if you call Texas home.
Erosion, Terry Tempest Williams. This essay collection broke my heart into a thousand pieces basically every chapter, but good grief, it is so beautiful and important. TTW is a little weird and mystical, but I kind of love it, and she can write a dang essay. If you care about the environment at all (as hopefully you do) and love nature even a little bit, you will connect with this book.
Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis. I don’t imagine this needs much of an introduction. I first read this book as a ninth grader, in a leadership class assigned by my Christian school. Which is awesome, in a way; but also, there is so much here that you just don’t appreciate at fourteen. I reread this alongside a friend this year, and then read it again, and have continued skimming back through almost weekly. Lewis is reasonable, compassionate, smart, and funny. He does not BS you. If I could recommend just one book to people who were curious about faith, it would be this. Bar none.
Dog Run Moon, Callan Wink. A collection of Western-ish short stories — a bit dark, all of them, but super well-written and fun as a collection. I listened to a podcast with Wink a year before I bought this book and he came across as so douchey to me that I am a little sad I liked his book. The end.
Help, Thanks, Wow; Anne Lamott. I just adore this woman with everything in me and all of her writing makes me cry and this is my favorite book on prayer even if it is rough around the edges and no one will ever change my mind.
A Severe Mercy, Sheldon Vanauken. No words for what this book meant to me this year without going more deeply into things I’m not ready to discuss. A friend (hi, Cait!) gave it to me when we were in high school, and for whatever reason, I never read it. Now I know the reason was that I needed it specifically when I read it, and not a moment before. Beautiful. Read it. Please.
Holes, Louis Sachar. My best friend got me this as a joke for my birthday because somehow I never read it OR watched it as a kid, and I have a longstanding joke that it is the one book every straight male has ever read in his life, which is less a joke and more something that seems to just be true? Anyway, I read it in two hours and it was fine.
Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes. Woof. I had to set this book down several times because my youngest sister has special needs, and it was striking nerves that are very painful. But wow. I think everyone should read it, and I hope it makes anyone who does intensely uncomfortable and breaks their heart. I’m glad it exists. I would just say to tread lightly if you or someone you love does have special needs, and be tender with yourself, because it’s tough. I told my mom to never read it, ha.
Honest Advent, Scott Erickson. Scott and I have our theological differences, but you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who is better at putting into word and art the brutal honesty of trying to follow Jesus in a broken world. I loved this book very much and will return to it over and over I think. So good.
The Coddling of the American Mind, Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt. FASCINATING and extremely timely read. Written with a clear pursuit for academic integrity and excellence, and explores so many issues and pressures that I think we all feel in a world where it seems like everyone is perpetually angry and offended… about everything. I have recommended this more than probably any other book I’ve read recently, to all kinds of people. It would make a great book club book, too!
There you have it! Now I can update you on my 2022 books without feeling haunted…