6 Books I Recommend – December 2017

Here are 6 books I recommend from what I read in December. Once a month we share our current reading lists at Jennifer’s.

6 Books I Recommend_December 2017_LisaNotes

Books I Recommend

1. The Better Angels of Our Nature
Why Violence Has Declined
by Steven Pinker

Better-Angels-of-Our-Natures, The

Believe it or not, statistics show that the world is getting less violent, not more. This book is lengthy and detailed, but so worth the months it took me to read it. It’s one of my favorite 10 books of 2017.

2. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
by Gail Honeyman

Eleanor-Oliphant-Is-Completely-Fine

This is the story of a plain-Jane young woman who works in an office by day, and keeps to herself at night. Little by little, the story unfolds about the horrific past she has survived. The book picks up speed once you get past the first few chapters and reels you in to caring about Eleanor.

3. The Gatekeepers
How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency
by Chris Whipple

The-Gatekeepers

Such an interesting look back on history through the eyes of the former Chiefs of Staff for the modern Presidents of the U.S. The story proceeds in a chronological fashion from both Republican and Democratic Presidents and the behind-the-scenes workings of government and personalities.

4. Building a StoryBrand
Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen
by Donald Miller

Building-a-StoryBrand

This might be classified as a business book, but it’s really a book about communicating well. You can use it to apply to any area of your life, not just promoting a business brand. It’s another one of my top 10 books of 2017.

5. Ordering Our Affections
Advent 

by Dr. Melissa McCrory Hatcher

Ordering-Our-Affections-Advent-Hatcher

Read more here on Ordering Our Affections: Advent

This compact Advent devotional is different. It gives you scriptures readings as you would expect, but it also gives you space to stop and breathe, suggestions to look at a specific painting or listen to a suggested hymn, you write a letter to a loved one, etc. I found these distinctions breathed new life into my devotional time for Advent.

6. Come, Let Us Adore Him
A Daily Advent Devotional
by Paul David Tripp

Come-Let-Us-Adore-Him

My review here of Come, Let Us Adore Him

This is another short devotional book that is wonderful for Advent. I don’t always appreciate his repetitiveness, but as is typical for Tripp, he does make me think more about God in all his beauty and glory.

Reading Now

  • The Knowledge Illusion
    Why We Never Think Alone
    by Steven Sloman
  • Homo Deus
    A Brief History of Tomorrow
    by Yuval Noah Harari
  • What Unites Us
    Reflections on Patriotism
    by Dan Rather
  • The Daniel Dilemma
    How to Stand Firm and Love Well in a Culture of Compromise
    by Chris Hodges
  • The Trespasser
    by Tana French
  • Blessed Are the Misfits
    Great News for Believers Who Are Introverts, Spiritual Strugglers, or Just Feel Like They’re Missing Something
    by Brant Hansen
  • American Grace
    How Religion Divides and Unites Us
    by Robert D. Putnam

* * *

What good book have you read this month? Please share in the comments.

Related:

Top-10-Books-2017

Top 10 Books of 2017

Whats-on-Your-Nightstand-at-_5-minut

My books on Goodreads
Previous reading lists

24 thoughts on “6 Books I Recommend – December 2017

  1. Lesley

    Thanks for the recommendations, Lisa! I’ve heard good things from a friend about Come Let Us Adore Him and the Eleanor Oliphant book sounds interesting. Right now I am enjoying Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon. Hope you had a lovely Christmas!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      The Tripp book has been really good. I don’t always agree with everything he says, but enough of it to make it inspirational. I thought I would be finished with his book on December 25, but I’ve discovered it keeps going through December 31. 🙂

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Me, too, Carol! I would wish for less books and more time if I had to choose. I know I have enough books already to last a very long time. 🙂 It’s only time now that I need.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Yes, I am suspecting the grandbaby will cut out several books, which sounds like a wonderful trade to me! 🙂 I’ve already bought a few new baby books to read with her so maybe I’ll just switch genres for a season.

  2. Ashley Davis

    Currently reading This is our Time by Trevin Wax. Would highly recommend it.
    Finished This Changes Everything: How the Gospel Transforms the Teen Years. I bought this for my nephew, but really any age group can read it.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      It took me awhile to get to Eleanor Oliphant. My library had a rather long hold list for the Kindle version. But when it finally became available, it was a quick read for me because it was good. Hope you get to read it soon yourself!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Eleanor has been in high demand from my library so I didn’t get to read it as soon as I would have liked. But I’m glad it finally became available! Happy New Year to you too, Nise’!

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