Reading has a way of shaping you, whether you realize it or not. It stretches how you think, gives you language for ideas you’ve been carrying around, and is a quick and easy escape in the middle of a busy season. For me, reading is part growth, part curiosity, and part enjoyment.
Over the course of this past year, I read a total of 40 books amounting to just over 10,000 pages. Some were interesting and some were forgettable. A few stood out because they stuck with me and they have continued to influence how I think, live, and lead.
These five books rose to the top. Whether you’re focused on personal growth, leadership development, faith, or just looking for a really good read, I think you’ll find them worthwhile too.
By the way, the links to purchase on Amazon are not affiliate links… I’m not sponsored and I make no money from these recommendations. These books just really, simply are my favorites from this past year.
Practicing the Way (John Mark Comer)
Practicing the Way isn’t about doing more for God; it’s about becoming more like Jesus through intentional rhythms and habits. Comer does a great job naming what so many of us feel but rarely articulate: we’re busy and distracted… spiritually sincere, but often spiritually shallow.
What stood out to me most was the emphasis not on information or inspiration, but on formation. This book reframed discipleship for me as something that happens over time through faithful, intentional practice, not pressure.
I love this book so much that I bought it for a bunch of our staff at church and for a few friends as well. If you’re serious about following Jesus in a way that actually changes your life – not just your beliefs – this one is an essential read.
Creativity, Inc. (Ed Catmull)
When I first read this book more than ten years ago, I didn’t expect it to shape my thinking as much as it did. Creativity, Inc. is technically the story of Pixar, but really it’s about people, culture, and creating environments where good ideas can thrive.
Since that first read, it has been on an every-other-year rotation… I just finished my sixth read through. What keeps me coming back is Catmull’s refreshing honesty about failure, ego, and blind spots. He doesn’t present Pixar as a perfect machine – he shows how intentional leadership, healthy tension, and trust create space for creativity. If you’re leading a team, building something from scratch, or just trying to foster healthier collaboration, this book offers wisdom that translates far beyond animation studios.
Mission Drift (Peter Greer & Chris Horst)
Mission Drift explores how organizations that start with clarity and conviction slowly lose their focus, often without realizing it. Not because of bad intentions, but because of subtle compromises over time.
Greer’s insights are especially relevant for anyone involved in nonprofit work, ministry, or leadership or a team with a purpose-driven mission. It challenged me to think seriously about alignment, decision-making, and what it actually takes to protect the “why” over the long haul. It’s a reminder, warning, and encouragement to course-correct before it’s too late.
Lead Like It Matters (Craig Groeschel)
Craig Groeschel has a gift for communicating with clarity, and this book is no exception. Lead Like It Matters is straightforward, practical, and grounded in the belief that leadership always carries weight, whether you realize it or not.
What I appreciated most was the reminder that leadership isn’t about position; it’s about responsibility. The book presses you to lead with intentionality, humility, and consistency, especially when no one is watching. If you want something encouraging without being fluffy, and challenging without being overwhelming, this is a solid read.
Atomic Habits (James Clear)
Atomic Habits is incredibly practical, but what makes it powerful is how doable it feels. Clear doesn’t push massive life overhauls… he focuses on small, consistent changes that compound over time.
The way he connects habits to identity is especially helpful. You don’t change by sheer willpower; you change by becoming the kind of person who lives differently a little at a time. This book helped me think more clearly about my routines, self-discipline, and why so many good intentions have never turned into lasting change.
BONUS: The Scandal of the Kingdom (Dallas Willard)
This is not a light read but it is worth the effort. Willard forces you to wrestle with Jesus’ actual teachings about the Kingdom of God, not the watered-down versions we sometimes settle for.
The Scandal of the Kingdom challenged my assumptions and stretched my theology in meaningful ways. It’s the kind of book you read slowly with a Bible, pencil and notebook nearby. You’ll probably even need to revisit this one more than once if you really want to wrap your head around what Willard teaches. But if you want depth, substance, and a bigger vision of what Jesus was really wanted us to know about what it means to be part of the Kingdom of Heaven, this one is a sure-shot winner.
Extra BONUS Fun Read: The Exchange (John Grisham)
I read The Firm years ago and loved it. The Exchange is the long-awaited sequel that pulls you right back into the world of high-stakes law, global intrigue, and characters you already feel invested in. It’s a very light and gratifying read. I took it on vacation and it was perfect to take in while traveling.
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