Top 10 reads of 2023
My top 10 favorite
reads of 2023.
As always: haikus.
#1 - The Lemon Tree
Requested a book
To understand the present
Boy, this delivered.
#2 - The Hiding Place
She thanked God for fleas
while surrounded by evil.
I want faith like this.
#3 - The Bill of Obligations
You like rights? Me too!
Welcome to America!
Now let’s talk duties.
#4 - The Air We Breathe
Freedom. Equity.
Pretty much all human rights.
Thank Jesus for it!
#5 - Going Infinite
SBF got rich.
Then he got even richer!
But now, not so much.
#6 - And There Was Light
Wow. What can I say?
The Abe well never runs dry.
And Meacham nails it.
#7 - Chip War
Foreign relations,
tech, defense, industry.
In a neat package.
#8 - The Secular Creed
View common beliefs
through the lens of the Gospel.
Not what you might think.
#9 - Remaking the World
He says we’re “WEIRDER”
(and yes, it’s an acronym.)
Couldn’t put it down.
#10 - Romney: A Reckoning
What a life. Candid.
Compelling. Honest.
Too little too late?
And there’s plenty more to read in 2024!
First, consider picking up a copy of Decent Discourse today—a hopeful, helpful, and historical way to push back against the war-like language and echo chambers that dominate today’s political discourse.
Next, check out some of my most popular editorials from 2023:
We all need to “Mellow Out” - June 22 Omaha World-Herald. “‘Mellow’s Last Walk’ is a story about a good pup, his owner, and their community. But it’s also a story about grief and loss. These are the things — real, human things — that we have in common with our neighbors and folks all over the country.”
America’s Truth Recession - December 5 Nebraska Examiner. “These are but two troubling examples of America’s truth recession, where what is true depends on what the algorithms deliver to your social media feed. In America’s truth recession, we don’t trust our leaders, the media, or each other. In America’s truth recession, we are each responsible for determining our own truth — an impossible burden and crippling responsibility.”
BE ALL YOU CAN BE (please) - December 31 blog post. “I think we are short-changing potential recruits when we don’t believe in their desire to serve something other than themselves. When the Army returned to its classic ‘Be All You Can Be’ slogan ten months ago, it explained it was ‘phrase that has inspired many generations of Soldiers, and its promise still rings true today. This is the message for the moment and for the future.’ And it is. Because those five words capture the ethos and spirit of military service.”
Thank you for your readership and support all throughout 2023,
and here’s wishing you a 2024 full of peace and joy!