As I thought about making the post for what I read in September, it was mid October again. And this time I decided to make a double post. I didn't have as many planned for this month since I was viewing a few virtual conferences. And now at this point in October I have read all that I will be able to finish before the end of the month, so it is time to catch up. Well, unless we get snowed / iced in, I suppose, and find a lot of free time to read more.
Spiritual Formation: Fierce, Free and Full of Fire by Jen Hatmaker. Hatmaker talks through some of her spiritual journeys of the past few years, her love of Jesus and how that has helped sustain her, guide her, and give her the courage to show love and speak up for others. That was my September reading. My spiritual formation input for October was the Evolving Faith 2020 virtual conference as well as the Christian Community Development Association Collective virtual conference. I watched both of those for the most part over a long weekend, with a few sessions watched later as I could over the following week. It was a lot to absorb, but so many amazing speakers!
Poverty/Social Justice: Be The Bridge by Latasha Morrison. I remember reading this on my deck. I remember finishing it and reading more on the author's website. She addresses how we can all be bridge builders between others in our community, pointing out how white supremacy has shaped our understanding of so much. I believe while reading this book (unfortunately I did not take notes on this one), I started thinking about how white my town is, and she (and quite possibly some podcasts recently) urge us to examine why that is. I live in a suburb--a white flight suburb. I am rereading Race and the University by George Henderson to fill in a bit more.
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson. A huge book on post-civil war migration in our country, but told from the point of view of 4 individuals, all of whom fled the south to other states. Most moved north. One chose California. Writing the story in this way helped keep me engaged and reading.
Leadership: The Mentor Leader by Tony Dungy. This leadership book was a bit of a shift from some of the others I read, and in a good way. The shift is evident from the title--the focus is on mentoring and empowering and building leadership into others. Dungy's focus was on being a person of character and from that create a culture to help educate and encourage others. I was glad I added this book to those I had planned to read. Part of my job is training others to be mentors to children at a local elementary school, and this book helped be bridge that into how I lead and work with the adults. In October I read Drop the Ball by Tiffany Dufu. This was largely memoir as she shared her journey to learn how to delve into what really matters most to her, as well as matters most to her and her husband, and from that take a good look at what all she had put on her plate--and how to change that. She also talked through important practices and people to have in our lives. None of this was much different than outlined by others but hearing her own story helped give it new life. AND hearing her own story was inspiring. People do amazing things.
With Grace: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, Penderwicks on Gardam Street and Penderwicks at Point Mouette, both by Jeanne Birdsall.
Other: I read a LOT in September and none in October. Since there are so many, I'll just list them:
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros.
Notes from a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi
Burnout by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden and The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue by Karina Yan Glaser
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