Some friends and I have been discussing this so I thought I’d write about it. I actually find this topic really hard. Certain books mattered a lot at one point in my life and then later, I’d re-read them and be like “Really?” 
So it’s so cyclical. And it’s hard to choose just a few. *sigh* I will probably be editing this list all week long.
The Bible – Obviously.
The Message Bible – I make the distinction because when I discovered The Message in my early twenties it completely changed how I saw the Bible. It became earthy and real to me in a new way.
Anne of Green Gables – this was my favourite book as a child and it had profound influence on me. For instance, Anne loved school and learning so it made me want to learn and read. It made me aware of the power of words and books. This and other books by L.M. Montgomery, particularly her Emily series, made me want to be a writer even at an early age.
The Breastfeeding Book and The Baby Book – these books really helped me out when I became a mother. They completely reinforced a lot of my instincts around breastfeeding and attachment parenting that, I believe, kept me and Anne from a lot of heartache. They were invaluable to me and I always buy them for new mums.
Blue Like Jazz – I could list off a million books from the emerging church that have had profound influence on me. But I bought this book long before it was well-known or cool. And all I thought while I read it was “I’m not alone. I’m not alone. I’m not crazy. Other people think this way too!” It was my introduction to an entire community of other crazy people. Along these lines, I discovered Brian McLaren’s “A New Kind of Christian“, Tony Campolo’s works etc. I became enmeshed with the emerging church very early in its inception and have read it voraciously.
A Primer on Postmodernism – This book by Stan Grenz wrecked us. Brian read it while we were in Texas. We identified so strongly with postmodernism and it articulated our worldview, experiences etc. so well. It articulated what we saw in our generation and beyond, what we wanted in church. Then Brian met Stan Grenz at a conference. They talked for an hour or two and Stan encouraged Brian to follow his passions and convictions wherever they lead. He introduced him to Regent (where he taught) and just poured so much life and thought in just a few minutes. Brian came home, convinced about our next step. We packed up and moved to Vancouver less than two years later. Stan Grenz though, passed away from a brain aneurysm just weeks after their conversation. His impact on our direction was profound, both through his books and his conversations.
To Kill a Mockingbird – I read this book in high school and it was one of the first times that I really understood the impact and power of symbolism. I remember finding some little clue in the text that even my teacher had missed and feeling so powerful, like “I got it!” I loved all of the characters and wore out my copy with repeated readings. It was my first “social justice” view as well. Plus, I wasn’t American so the whole area of that world was just intriguing for me.
Pride & Prejudice – This was my first foray into classical literature. It opened up a whole new world. I loved the words and language, the story, everything. I read everything by Jane Austen and the moved onto the Brontes, gobbling up Jane Eyre etc. I then turned to the others, reading the classics long shelved and discovering that, like Ecclesiastes says, nothing is new under the sun. People are people and always have been. Ever since, I’ve been a huge fan of literature, preferring it over most contemporary fiction.
My Antonia – this really articulated for me the connection between us, our stories and our place. Plus it’s in the prairies which always resonates for me. I feel a tremendous sense of connection to the flatlands and always will. It’s almost mystical and Willa Cather really captured that for me. Along these lines, W.O. Mitchell is another favourite.
The Divine Conspiracy – This book by Dallas Willard was one of the longest book-reading times in my life. I mean, it took me forever to finish it. I felt like I was chewing and chewing, only able to read a few pages at a time for the impact of it all. It overwhelmed me and blessed me, changed me and challenged me. It was the first time I’d really heard about the importance of discipleship. And the phrase “Could we seriously imagine that Jesus could be Lord if he weren’t smart?” really stuck with me. Ever since, whenever I consider the teachings of Christ about peace, love etc. and someone says “This is the real world!” I have to stop and think “Jesus is smart. He’s not ignorant or dumb or uninformed. I’m sure he considered that before calling us to this.” It changed how I viewed it all. He’s not just a belief system, he’s my teacher.
God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets it Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It – This book articulated my issues and challenges with politics so well for me. It introduced me to the phrase “a consistent pro-life ethic” and solidified my convictions that the ways of Christ are more than just abortion and gay marriage. I’ve never aligned myself with the typical “right wing” stuff. I always felt sidelined when we were living in Texas because I was against the war in Iraq, advocated for immigrants rights and universal healthcare, abhored Rush Limbaugh, got sick to my stomach over Fox News and liked Salon and the New York Times etc. When you’re the only one in the entire neighbourhood without a “Bush-Cheney” sign on your front lawn, you feel a little isolated. I have always loved loved loved politics. I come from a very vocal and articulate family that loves to debate. I find it so fascinating, particularly American politics these past ten years or so. Along these lines “Jesus for President” is a whole other can of worms but holds to the same idea. In the world but not of it.
The Shack – This book answered a lot of questions for me but above all, it helped me understand the nature of God, the nature of the Trinity and relationship. One of my favourite lines from this book is “Not all roads load to God. But I will travel any road to find you.” I get shivers everytime.
The Irresistible Revolution – This is fairly recent. It’s part of a new movement sweeping the church right now. It’s inspiring and challenging. I want to argue with it while I’m reading it but boy, is it wonderful. It’s like listening to a prophet. It’s a lot of stuff that I’ve always felt in my heart of hearts but he takes it about three steps further. The challenge of being an ordinary radical and of taking Jesus literally has just messed with me. Along these lines “Justice in the Burbs” by the Samsons and the last couple of fiction books by Lisa Samson also mattered.
