I read for growth, firmly believing that what you are today and what you will be in five years depends on two things: the people you meet and the books you read.

― Twyla Tharp, The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life

It was my pleasure to read 60+ books in 2018. Here are a few good ones that I recommend to you.

I’m Proud of You: My Friendship with Fred Rogers

Tim Madigan

I am one of those kids from the 1970’s who was impacted by Mr. Rogers. I didn’t know he was a TV star at the time, I just knew him as a nice man (who I now know valued feelings, creativity, human capability and make-believe). Now that I am an adult, it is nice to find that he was the same person, on and off screen. This book was a moving and refreshing glimpse of the real Mr. Rogers.

The Compound Effect

Darren Hardy

Building off of the financial concept of compound interest, this book is an inspiration to steward the gifts of moments, time and life - for good. As Coleridge said, “In today already walks tomorrow.” This books provides insight, plans and motivation to live today, and subsequently tomorrow, well.

The Classroom Management Secret: And 45 Other Keys to a Well-Behaved Class

Michael Linsin

As a teacher, I highly recommend this book. Classroom management is foundational to effective teaching and learning and this book provides practical, useful, and sound material that I will revisit year after year. The author has a great blog at Smart Classroom Management.

Ampersand: Poetry (Poiema Poetry)

D.S. Martin

This is one of many books of poetry by D.S. Martin that I have read and will re-read. His writing is real and penetrating—putting beauty, feelings and experiences into words. 

Love Kindness: Discover the Power of a Forgotten Christian Virtue

Barry H. Corey

This was one of the most formative books I read all year. Since reading it I am ever asking myself, “Am I being receivable or I am I striving to be received?” I suggest you read the book to understand what that means. It is a good read.

Irresistible: Reclaiming the New that Jesus Unleashed for the World

Andy Stanley

This book kept my attention and continues to be on my mind. It is a book of history and contextualization about the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have read through the Bible a few times and continue to learn more and more about the relationship between the Old and New Testaments.  This book helped to sharpen my focus and give clarity to my thinking.

Father Fiction: Chapters for a Fatherless Generation

Donald Miller

This book was one of my biggest surprises and delights this year. I was reticent to read it due to the fact that I did not grow up “fatherless.” But through this book I now see the world around me better—with more understanding, empathy and compassion. The message of this book affected who I am, and will be, going forward.

This Day With the Master: 365 Daily Meditations

Dennis F. Kinlaw

Every single morning of 2018 I read a devotional thought from this book. I was constantly underlining passages, dog-earing pages and recording gleaned insights into my journal. This is a great book. I came across Kinlaw years ago—one of his quotes caught my attention and I looked him up and found that he had published a year-long devotional. I ordered a used copy and went through it last year. I am so glad I did.