Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

eugene cho

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. motherhood

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.)

brotherhoodFor 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.Overrated BookCover-3D

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?

The most #Overratedbook you'll ever read

Seattle pastor Eugene Cho has a new book out, his first, and it is SO Overrated.

No, really. It’s Overrated.

That’s the name of the book.

Overrated.

I didn’t have to even read one page to know that this book is not to be taken lightly. (Disclaimer: I received an advance e-copy of the book in exchange for my review.)

Cho does not mince words. He does not coddle. He does not accept excuses.

He asks the question that needs to be asked: Are we more in love with the idea of changing the world than actually changing the world?

He puts it like this:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqvd12mEEK4]

And as much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. I’m guilty of wanting to change the world, of wanting to make a difference but doing very little to back that up.

Overrated BookCover-3DSo this book is hard to read. It’s like seeking advice from a friend who tells you not what you want to hear but says the hard things and challenges you to do what needs to be done.

While it’s a book about justice and the Christian’s role in justice, it’s also about discipleship and generosity and intentional living and passion and purpose. It’s about these things working together in the life of a disciple of Jesus so much that the world can’t help but notice.

And Cho does not speak as one who has done it all perfectly with impure motives. He does not preach what he doesn’t live. He offers his own confessions, failings, and wrong motives as testimony that this call is not just for other people but for him as well.

Here are five of the most challenging statements, for me, Cho makes in the book:

“Isn’t that what makes discipleship so uncomfortable and challenging? God often leads us on journeys we would never go on if it were up to us.” (26)

“I believe you cannot credibly follow Christ unless you pursue justice.” (43)

“The inescapable truth about justice is that there is something wrong in the world that needs to be set right.” (52)

“We should be about the marathon, not about the transactional sprint for instant justice gratification.” (105)

“We cannot speak with integrity about what we are not living. We don’t need more dazzling storytellers; we need more genuine storytellers. And the best way to become a better storyteller is to simply live a better life. Not a perfect life, but one of honesty, integrity, and passion.” (178)

I could go on. Nearly every page contained a nugget of truth that lodged in my heart and wouldn’t let go.

ChoOverratedFascinateGraphic

I forced myself to read it slow, take one chapter at a time and really let the words sink in.

And it doesn’t have to stop with the end of the book. As part of the message of the book, there’s a 5-day challenge, by e-mail, to help you avoid being overrated. Click here for more information about that.

The book officially releases Sept. 1, but if you preorder it today, you’ll have immediate access to an interactive e-copy. Find out more here.

I’d put this book at the top of my list of recommended reads for churches, youth groups, ministry workers, seminaries–really anyone who desires to do good in the world because of their relationship with Christ.

Overrated won’t condemn you for your actions, or lack thereof, but it will challenge you to let your life be about more than Twitter-style justice and passionate ideas. It’s encouragement to dream big, yes, and think hard and press on in the long run.

Cho often ends his Facebook posts and even a chapter or two with these words: Your move.

After reading this book, I firmly believe that.

It’s my move. What will I do with the challenge set before me?

Will I let myself be overrated and ineffective? Or will I seek the bigger picture and let God lead?

Will you?

Your move.

My move.

Because God is on the move.

And He’s going with or without us.