At the beginning of the Race, our squad got sent out with a bunch of books that we could pass between us, which AIM thought would be beneficial to us. To be honest, I read almost none of these books. Not because they weren’t probably great reads, I was just interested in other stuff. So here is a list of things I actually read (mostly) on the Race that I think every Racer should read.
Not every book on the list relates directly to the Race, but all of them made me think and taught me things that helped me keep going. Also, they are all wonderfully written.
Christian stuff
An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor -it’s about sacraments and their practical applications, so basically right up my alley.
Blue Like Jazz and A Million Miles In A Thousand Years by Donald Miller -he’s kind of a Race favorite, but these two books are my favorites of his.
Tables in the Wilderness by Preston Yancey -this is a memoir by a Baptist-turned-Anglican Baylor grad that is beautifully written. Also, if you were wondering about my college faith experience, he has all the words that I didn’t have about God’s silence and grace.
Surviving the Island of Grace: Life on the Wild Edge of America by Leslie Leyland Fields -this is by a badass woman who leaves everything she knows to marry a salmon fisherman in Alaska and then do badass things in Alaska while also writing lyrically about faith.
A Prayer Journal by Flannery O’Connor* -a journal O’Connor kept that is personal but also beautifully written.
Cold Tangerines and Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist -she writes about community, food, sacraments, losing and finding faith, and relationships with friends and family with grace and beauty.
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis* -short, intense, and also just fun to read.
Fiction
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson* -when I read this the first time, it literally changed my faith.
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry -I think everyone should be required to read this at some point in their life.
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver -beautiful writing and also applicable if your route goes to Africa.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers -apparently, I am the only adult Christian woman who hadn’t read this. It’s not the best book I’ve ever read, but it’s a quick read and it will help you relate to your female squadmates.
The Complete Stories by Flannery O’Connor* -I love Flannery O’Connor a lot, okay. A lot.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle* -my favorite book ever.
Non-fiction
On Writing by Stephen King -helps with blogs, helps with life.
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown -literally changed the way I interacted with people, so.
Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed -awesome writing and mostly solid advice.
The Liars Club and Lit by Mary Karr -I love memoirs, and these are beautifully written and have a hilarious, unique voice.
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott -writing advice and life advice, to help with blogs and living.
The Writing Life by Annie Dillard -ditto
*Literally anything by Madeleine L’Engle, Marilynne Robinson, Flannery O’Connor, or C.S. Lewis, because I’m me (and obsessed)
