20 years ago, in August 2001, I began writing Sonderbooks!
I’ve been celebrating by writing posts for each year I reviewed books, highlighting favorites. Now I’m doing one last post, listing my 20 favorite Nonfiction book I’ve read over the last 20 years. (I tried to do 20 favorite books, but the only way to narrow it down was to separate novels from nonfiction.)
It’s an interesting set, reflecting my journey from happily married to divorced to dating, as well as my spiritual journey, and some just plain good stories. It was hard to narrow it down, and I’m not going to rank the list, so I’ll present them in alphabetical order by author. Click on a title to find out what each book is about. They are all wonderful and/or amazingly helpful.
The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness, by Joel ben Izzy
Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion, by Gregory Boyle
Angels in My Hair: The True Story of a Modern-Day Irish Mystic, by Lorna Byrne
Once Upon a Midlife, by Allen B. Chinen
Victory Over Verbal Abuse: A Healing Guide to Renewing Your Spirit and Reclaiming Your Life, by Patricia Evans
In Code: A Mathematical Journey, by Sarah Flannery with David Flannery
Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, by Immaculée Ilibagiza
A More Christlike God: A More Beautiful Gospel, by Bradley Jersak
The Script: The 100% Absolutely Predictable Things Men Do When They Cheat, by Elizabeth Landers and Vicky Mainzer
Forgive for Good: A PROVEN Prescription for Health and Happiness, by Dr. Fred Luskin
Camino Divina: Walking the Divine Way, A Book of Moving Meditations with Likely & Unlikely Saints, by Gina Mammano
Champagne for the Soul: Rediscovering God’s Gift of Joy, by Mike Mason
Sacred Choices: Thinking Outside the Tribe to Heal Your Spirit, by Christel Nani
Deeper Dating: How to Drop the Games of Seduction and Discover the Power of Intimacy, by Ken Page
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, read by Jason Reynolds
The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe, by Richard Rohr
The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life, by Dr. Robin Stern
You Don’t Have to Take It Anymore: Turn Your Resentful, Angry, or Emotionally Abusive Relationship into a Compassionate, Loving One, by Steven Stosny (Later retitled to Love Without Hurt)
The Inescapable Love of God, by Thomas Talbott
Educated, by Tara Westover