'21 Reads
The ten books below are not ranked; you’ll not find here “the best books of the year according to Lianna,” “a list of books I endorse,” or even “my favorite books I read this year.” Instead, my list is comprised of a handful of books that drove themselves into my thinking and changed me this year.
Katharina and Martin Luther, by Michelle DeRusha
The story of a marriage between a runaway nun and the Reformer Martin Luther amidst the Protestant Reformation
Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cures, by David Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Addresses the source and causes of spiritual malaise; points to hope and joy
The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The captivating story of healing and finding joy, friendship, and freedom as a child
Introducing Christian Mission Today: Scripture, History, Issues, by Michael Goheen
An overview of the global mission of the church; includes history and present-day concerns
Christian Mission: A Concise Global History, by Edward Smither
Easy-to-read survey of the history of the spread of the gospel throughout the world
Missions: How the Local Church Goes Global, by Andy Johnson
Explains and helps the church in its vital role in worldwide missions
The Way Home, by Tessa Afshar
A heartfelt and touching six-week Bible study on the book of Ruth pointing toward redemption, providence, and divine purpose
God in the Whirlwind: How the Holy-love of God Reorients Our World, by David F. Wells
On viewing the world through the character of God in His holiness and love
Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl, by N. D. Wilson
A poetic look at faith, wonder, and creation—coaxing the reader toward awe
The Story of Christianity: Volume 2: The Reformation to the Present Day, by Justo L. González
Traces events, movements, and figures in the history of the church from the time of the Reformation
