The Five Books That Have Changed the Way I Live

I’m linking up with Bailey today with the #Blogtember challenge and sharing the five books that have most impacted my life.  (I told you about half-heartedly joining this challenge here and here.)  Also, can I tell you something that stinks about reading most of my books on the iPad?  I don’t have the actual, physical books to use for a cute blog photo!

(I thought about starting this list off with the Bible, but that’s such a Sunday School answer. You guys know I love the Bible (more so since I’ve started bible journaling!), so I’m not putting it on my list.  Consider it as an implicit addition to this list.)

I am a voracious reader, but when I stopped to think of books that really impacted my life, there were only two that jumped into mind–the first two on my list.  After that, I had to really think back and dig deep to find the other three.  But here are they are, in definite order of importance.

1. Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker.  You guys know I adore Jen.  She has authored several books, but Interrupted is my absolute most favorite.  It will completely change the way you look at church and ‘organized religion.’  Justin is not a reader so I sometimes read things out loud to him that I think he would enjoy.  I think I read something to him from every single page in this book.  Because of Jen and her writing in Interrupted, I am very aware of my need to serve and actually BE the hands and feet of Jesus.

2. Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle. Gregory Boyle is the founder of Homeboy Industries, a gang-intervention program located in the midst of the gang capital of the world. His book gives us a glimpse into that world and how he Greg works to show these ‘homeboys’ the love of Christ.

3. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This was the first book I ever read that openly talked about racial relations and it forever changed the way I looked at the world around me.  I re-read it recently in anticipation of Harper Lee’s second novel release and it was still just as strongly moving.

4.  Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.  This is one of the only Christian-fiction books I have ever read and enjoyed.  Rivers’ tells a modern day version of the story of the book of Haggai in the bible.  Also, the cover does not do this book justice, so please overlook it.

5. Seven:  A Experimental Mutiny Against Excess.  I hesitated adding this book to my list because I feel like Jen is a “popular author” right now and I don’t want to include her because that is what everyone else is doing.  And I absolutely had to include Interrupted, so I considered leaving out Seven.  But then I just couldn’t do it.  This book opened my eyes to all the ways we in America live in excess.  From the number of pairs of shoes in my closet to the toys in my kids rooms to the food we waste every single day, there is no denying that I live in absolute luxury compared to most of America.

I have several books on my to-read list that I anticipate being major game-changers.  On that list are several books by Brene Brown, Ms Understood by Jen Hatmaker, Hand to Mouth by Linda Tirado and A Meal With Jesus by Tim Chester.

Join me in the comments and tell me the one book that has most impacted your life.  I’m always looking for new reads to add to my list!