Best books of the third quarter

You all know how much I love to read. (No spoilers, there.) And I take seriously my duty to share with you the best books I’ve been reading. This year, I switched to a quarterly summary because there were just too many good books. (To see what I’ve liked so far, check out this post from the first quarter and this one from the second quarter.)

The third quarter just might be the toughest assignment yet because I spent the summer reading more books than I thought possible.

Here’s a valiant attempt to give you five (or so) of the best books I read in the last three months. 

Topping the list is Surprised by Motherhood by Lisa-Jo Baker, mostly because I don’t typically read parenting books and this one I would recommend to any and every mom out there. I passed it on to a friend as soon as I’d finished it and ordered a second copy just so I could share it with more people. If the thought of a parenting book makes you want to throw up, then get your hands on this one because it is the antidote to all of that.

I also finally finished Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright, and it is no way similar to the book I just mentioned, but is the best book I’ve ever read on what the church should be doing in the world and what it actually means to live for the kingdom here and now. (Thanks, hubby, for persisting that I read this book from your seminary reading list, a list I often avoid.)

For fiction, I’ve gotta give a shout-out to The Advocate by Randy Singer. Singer often writes legal thrillers a la John Grisham, but this one focuses on Theophilus and the Roman empire. I’ve often wondered about this character mentioned in the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. Singer lets his imagination meet history and births a hard-to-put-down story.

I took a chance on a fantasy novel by C.E. Laureano and Oath of the Brotherhood didn’t disappoint. I devoured this story and can hardly wait for spring when the next one in the series releases. Captivating.

Rounding out the list would be Overrated by Eugene Cho. A gentle but firm kick in the pants to do justice every day. And Cho speaks with humility from a point of understanding how hard that can be in the world we live in. Read the full review here.

I hate to even have a cut-off, but those are the ones that stand out the most from the summer. By no means is this an exhaustive list of the great books I’ve read. If you’re a book lover, too, then check back here on Wednesdays for a review of a book I’m reading.

Or look for me on Goodreads to see what I’m reading or want to read.

And if you need a recommendation, leave a comment. I’d love to help you find your next great read!

What’s on your “best of” list so far this year? And what do you look for in a book that makes it stand apart from the rest?