Best Books of 2019 - Non-Fiction

My favourite non-fiction book from last year was ‘Consider the Birds’ by Debbie Blue. (That may have been influenced by the fact that I read it on vacation, sitting on a balcony surrounded by woods and birdsong.) The author writes about ten different birds found in the bible, reflecting on their representation in ancient cultures, art, religion and in the contemporary pysche. Insightful throughout, whimsical and beautifully written. Highly recommended!

Also in the biblical studies category is Soong-Chan Rah’s outstanding commentary on the book of Lamentations, ‘Prophetic Lament.’ The author draws parallels between Israel’s experience of exile and the history of race and the church in the U.S., with the unsurprising call to lament that history as we continue to attempt to create a different future. Challenging, convicting and necessary.

Pete Enns’ excellent ‘How the Bible Actually Works’ is a helpful exploration of applying the approach the authors of scripture took to their own situations: namely, learning wisdom in responding to the various situations we face, rather than look for “timeless answers” to problems or trying to force scripture (and ourselves) to fit in harmful ways. I also appreciate his masterful use of snark.

I finally finished savoring ‘Orthodox Heretic’ by Pete Rollins. A collection of subversive parables, some biblical, some not, each one typically helped me look at something from a new angle, many creating a sense of disequilibrium before I settled into a new understanding of something I already knew. I appreciated both the art of the parables themselves, and his commentary on them.

Ben Myers’ concise reflection on the Apostles’ Creed addresses many of the questions the articles raise, drawing on the writings of the early church fathers for the insight he offers. Very helpful.

Turning towards books that address social concerns, my favourite was ‘Hope in the Dark’ by historian, activist and writer Rebecca Solnit. It’s easy to fall into despair and/or cynicism when confronted with the enormous challenges we face, but in this series of short essays, the author reminds us that seemingly small victories give us reason to hope for long-term change. I especially appreciated her reminder that those who often find themselves on opposite sides of an issue because of the prevalence of ‘all or nothing’ thinking have much more in common than not, and when we work together, solutions can be found.

I love Nadia Bolz-Weber’s writing and speaking. And so when I heard her latest book ‘Shameless’ would be a meditation on the church’s painful history with sexuality, I eagerly pre-ordered it. She takes on the toxic ways the church has both talked about and acted on human sexuality with her customary insightful re-telling of both stories from scripture and in the lives of her parishioners and friends. She provides a redemptive and healing re-imagining of sexuality and spirituality. My only critique/regret is that her customary salty language throughout will mean some of the people who would most benefit from this book will never read it. Highly recommended.

I read ‘Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen’ by Jose Antonio Vargas before I heard him speak in Lexington last year. His memoir begins with him being sent to the US from the Philippines as a child, only to discover as a teenager - like so may others - that his documents were forged, the catalyst for an emotional crisis. His account of his career as a journalist, the importance of the friends who made it possible and his ultimate decision to “come out” as undocumented feel like required reading at this moment in U.S. history.

Speaking of this moment in U.S. history, if you’ve wondered why 81% of white evangelicals voted for the 45th president of the United States, then look no further than Angela Denker’s ‘Red State Christians.’ Through her interviews with megachurch pastors, lay leaders and those who fill the theatre seats/pews of their churches, the author paints a complex and engaging picture of the voters who elected and continue to vocally support the president.

I continue to learn about the craft of writing from some of my favourite authors. I finally read ‘bird by bird’ by Anne Lamott, and as I well imagined, her insight is packed with laugh out loud humour. You don’t have to be a writer to appreciate her book! Stephen King’s ‘On Writing’ is both an engaging memoir and insightful writing guide, and made me want to read more of his earlier works.

Finally, in graphic novels, the ‘March’ trilogy is John Lewis’ powerful and inspiring memoir, co-written with Andrew Aydin and illustrated by Nate Powell. Each beautiful panel captures the ugliness of white supremacy and racism, the courage of young black men and women and their white allies in their struggle to force a nation to address the cancer at its core. A triumph.

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