My Books of the Year

A few comments on notable books I read this year:

The Faith of Christopher Hitchens by Larry Taunton

A fascinating account of the unlikely friendship between an outspoken atheist and an evangelical Christian. Every part rings true to me.

Messy Grace by Caleb Kaltenbach

What happens when a young man raised by gay parents becomes an evangelical pastor? Read this book to discover the beautiful answer.

The Awakening of Miss Prim by Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera

Sometimes the truth we seek is right in front of us. This novel works on several levels. Christians will see deeper truth as the story unfolds.

Charles Alexander: A Romance of Song and Soul Winning by Helen Cadbury Alexander

Probably the most enjoyable book I read this year. God used Charles Alexander to win thousands to Christ as the music director for R. A. Torrey and J. Wilbur Chapman. An inspiring story.

Psalms by the Day by Alec Motyer

If you’d like to read through the Psalms devotionally,  Motyer will help you understand these ancient songs. His notes on the Hebrew text are worth the price of the book.

Boss by Mike Royko

Mike Royko at his best recounting the career of the “first” Mayor Daley of Chicago.

A Torch Kept Lit by William F. Buckley

James Rosen edited this collection of WFB’s eulogies of famous and not-so-famous people he knew. Some were friends, a few were acquaintances, some were adversaries. It’s hard to write a good eulogy, but Buckley did it with style and grace.

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

The subtitle tells the story: “Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.” What a book!

Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance

A harrowing account of social disintegration in white, working class America. Vance tells his story in prose that is unsentimental yet compassionate.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

A gifted neurosurgeon who was diagnosed with lung cancer, Kalanithi died before finishing this book. But he left behind a luminous memoir about the meaning of life and death.

Fighting Fundamentalist by Markku Ruotsila

A fascinating account of Carl McIntire whose amazing career fully justifies the title of the book.

Custer’s Trials by T. J. Stiles

How did Custer end up at Little Bighorn? T. J. Stiles helps us see the bigger picture.