Three books you should read this summer

Depending on what part of the world you’re living in, the summer schedule is either just kicking off or you’re in the thick of it. Whatever the case, there’s a good chance you’ll have some reading time available over the weeks ahead. But what should you read? I’d like to help with that. While I’m always tempted to overwhelm people with reading recommendations, I want to suggest three different books (and maybe one extra) for you to read between now and the end of August.

My Friends by Fredrik Backman. This book’s inclusion should be no surprise, as I’ve yet to find a book by Backman I haven’t been deeply moved by. This book continues that trend. Exploring trauma, loss, and the meaning of friendship, My Friends will make you feel feelings (so be prepared).

In Defense Of Sanity: The Best Essays of G.K. Chesterton, selected by Dale Ahlquist, Joseph Pearce, and Aidan Mackey. Covering everything from barbarians, architects, mystics, ghosts, Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, George MacDonald, T.S. Eliot, the Bible, and more, this collection will help you see why Chesterton’s work endures. This is an ideal read for Chesterton enthusiasts and those newly discovering him.

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle. Many people of my generation are painfully familiar with the 1980s animated film adaptation of this story. But I’m willing to bet far fewer of us have ever read the book. And if that’s the case, now is a great time to remedy that. Beagle’s deft storytelling and understated wit make this tale of love, loss, and wonder something for the whole family to enjoy. (Although you might find the Jefferson Starship song from the film running through your head. Sorry.)

One extra: Faith Simplified: What We Believe and Why We Believe It. I get that it’s a bit self-serving, but of all the books I could mention, this is probably the one I want you to read the most. But it’s not just because I wrote it. It’s because it will encourage you to both know and delight in the truths that shape our faith—truths worth believing and sharing with others.

Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash