I am not necessarily fond of ordinary, everyone-doing-it, uncreative things, and yet there is something beautiful about end-of-the-year posts. They make you nostalgic about the past and give you anticipation of the year to come. And probably my favorite thing—these posts show the growth that took place, whether mentally, physically, or spiritually, and they challenge us to reach for unprecedented growth in the year to come. And let’s be honest, I LOVE reading people’s favorite books. This year, I seriously loved almost every single book I read. I allowed myself to choose from many different genres (which I seldom do because I am a psychopath). It was remarkable how they all connected in one way or another. 

I organize my mind into different filing cabinets of information (weird, I know). And this may be really weird, but I wanted to show you a glimpse into the mind of 2021 Jocelyn. Here’s a glimpse in how different sources of information get categorized in my head:

Democracy is complex, and America has a long-lasting cultural influence that allows democracy to work, but this is not the case for other nations.

  • Democracy by Condoleeza Rice
  • Bolívar by Marie Arana
  • The Origins of Political Order by Francis Fukuyama
  • Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall
  • Religion and the Rise of Capitalism by Benjamin M. Friedman
  • PODCAST: Real Dictators

This is freakin’ good literature—ahem, I mean—what delightful vernacular to read.

  • Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (But literally pure literary genius, and possibly my new favorite book)
  • Shadow Children Series by Margaret Peterson Haddix
  • The Giver Series by Lois Lowry
  • Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling (Yes, as a 28 year old I read Harry Potter for the first time, and I’m obsessed.)

God’s character changes me.

Basically exactly what Psalm 139 says.

  • Holier than Thou by Jackie Hill Perry
  • Ten Words to Live By by Jen Wilkin
  • Renewal by Jerome Gay Jr.
  • How Does God Change Us? by Dane C. Ortlund

It’s ok to deconstruct and rebuild.

Life now is incomprehensibly good compared to any other age in history.

Just a side note—I could talk to you about his for hours! But, think about this, we are literally one of the few ages in history to get out of primary and secondary industries and succeed in the tertiary industry. This makes our lives almost incomparable to most ages in history. I won’t go on, but it is legit mind-blowing. 

  • ‘Wow, What A Terrible Year!’ Say People Living At The Absolute Peak Of Human Civilization
  • The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
  • The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate More
  • The French Revolution by Ian Davidson
  • Bolívar by Marie Arana
  • A New World Begins by Jeremy D. Popkin
  • American Revolutions by Alan Taylor
  • The Origins of Political Order by Francis Fukuyama
  • Countdown 1945 by Christ Wallace
  • Saving Freedom by Joe Scarborough
  • Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall
  • The Story of World War II by Donald L. Miller
  • The End is Always Near by Dan L Carlton
  • Alexander the Great by Anthony Everitt
  • Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell
  • The Butchering Art by Lindsey Fitzharris
  • Incidents of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs
  • Religion and the Rise of Capitalism by Benjamin M. Friedman
  • PODCAST: Hardcore History 

Modern life is probably unstainable long-term. 

Another subject I can wax on about—but how many times have nations lasted once they have reached the tertiary industry? Just some food for thought…

  • The French Revolution by Ian Davidson
  • A New World Begins by Jeremy D. Popkin
  • The End is Always Near by Dan L Carlton
  • Religion and the Rise of Capitalism by Benjamin M. Friedman

Politics aren’t worth being a jerk.

Yeah… Disagreement is never a license for cruelty. Seek to understand before you accuse. We can always learn—especially from people we disagree with. Change, comprise, and stand when you should. Don’t let pride get in the way of common decency and needful growth.

May people know Christ through how I love them.

  • Made for Friendship by Drew Hunter
  • Unfollow by Megan Phelps-Roper
  • Unsettling Truths by Mark Charles and Soon-Chan Rah
  • See No Stranger by Valarie Kaur

Mom, I think I’m a pacifist.

  • Countdown 1945 by Chris Wallace
  • Postcards from Babylon by Brian Zahnd
  • A Farewell to Mars by Brian Zahnd
  • When Thoughts and Prayers Aren’t Enough by Taylor S. Schumann
  • The Story of World War II by Donald L. Miller
  • Unsettling Truths by Mark Charles and Soon-Chan Rah
  • PODCAST: I’m Not a Monster 
  • PODCAST: Real Dictators