Back in March, when things in my city started shutting down, I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t try to reach the end of Netflix. This meant I had the opportunity to reignited my love of reading and learning. I believe leaders are readers, and I’m glad I used this additional time to invest in myself.

Here are five books I read during my quarantine that I highly recommend:

Half Breed: Finding Unity in a Divided World by LeTesha Wheeler

If I could sum up Half Breed in one word, it would be “honor.” While I felt challenged, I never felt shamed or condemned for the color of my skin. Throughout the book, LeTesha brilliantly breaks down the story of The Good Samaritan and pulls out details I had never noticed before. This book is filled with the Holy Spirit, God’s heart for all people, and practical steps toward reconciliation we can take as the body of Christ.

Half Breed is challenging, encouraging and powerful — a must-read for anyone concerned about the racial and social divides in our country and the church.

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero

There are some people in the world who are great at identifying and expressing emotions, but I am just not one of them. I used to joke that I had the emotional range of a rock, which sadly, wasn’t all that far from the truth. As I’ve matured in God and allowed Him to heal a lot in me, I’ve learned to identify and express emotions. After all, God is emotional and we are made in His image, so why would we suppress that part of ourselves?

In Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Pete shares so much wisdom about the importance of emotions, how they help us relate to God and practical steps to regain our emotions and our spirituality. In a day and age where it’s easy to numb and distract ourselves from difficult emotions, I consider this book a must-read.

I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown

I read I’m Still Here in one sitting. Seriously. I couldn’t put it down. Austin’s vulnerability was refreshing to me. Her honesty was unlike anything I had read recently. While reading her words about how she had been treated, I was heartbroken. I wept over her words. Her experiences were so unlike mine that I was blown away — I couldn’t believe I had been so blind to the experiences of those around me.

I’m Still Here is an immensely brave work that I highly recommend, especially to white women. In a moment when racial tensions in this country are at an all-time high, I believe this book can help us better understand our sisters in Christ who look different than us.

Overrated: Are We More in Love With the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World? by Eugene Cho

When I first read that title, I felt a little attacked. But I also wanted to know more. Ever since I was a child, I have said that I want to change the world. Doesn’t everyone?

Eugene starts Overrated by explaining that this book is his confession. He transparently expresses the process he went through when he and his wife started a non-profit organization to fight extreme global poverty.
If you are interested in starting a church, a business or a non-profit organization, I highly recommend this book. There are so many opportunities within its pages to challenge your thinking, do your due diligence, and follow the Holy Spirit wherever He’s leading.

Nice: Why We Love to Be Liked and How God Calls Us to More by Sharon Hodde Miller

When I first saw the title, I was a little unsure about this book. With a title like Nice, how convicting could it be? The answer is very convicting. Don’t let the title fool you; Sharon brings the truth and writes in a way that can cut you to the core.

While reading, I realized I had often settled for niceness instead of truly displaying the fruit of the Spirit that Galatians talks about. Sharon makes the brilliant argument that settling for niceness is a cheap substitute for the real characteristics of faith, hope and kindness the Bible talks about. It’s a great read to draw closer to the truth of Jesus and become more like Him.

Those are five of my favorite books I have read this year. They have helped me shed unhealthy thinking, draw nearer to Jesus and embrace others.

What about you? What authors or stories have you been spending time with recently? I love reading, so I would love to hear what I should add next to my to-read list!

Books to Dwell In