The Books That Stayed With Me
I read 100 books last year, so trying to narrow that down to three feels almost impossible. But I love this prompt, so I’m giving it a try—not by ranking, but by naming the books that lingered. The ones that shaped how I think, how I move, how I pray, and how I see the world.
Catherine Wiggington Greene & Christine Platt
This book challenged me in necessary ways. It forced me to sit with hard truths about race, faith, and performative allyship, especially within Christian spaces. It asked questions many people are uncomfortable asking and named dynamics many people prefer to ignore. It didn’t just inform me; it unsettled me, and that’s often where growth begins. It may be as a black woman look at the lived experience of white women in a different way and that was a good thing.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
John Mark Comer
This book felt like a mirror. It confronted my pace, my productivity, and my quiet addiction to busyness. It reframed spiritual maturity not as doing more for God, but being more with God. In a culture that rewards exhaustion, this book gave me permission—and conviction—to slow down and reorder my life around presence instead of pressure. I love the way he writes, so friendly and conversational, plus he reads a ton so he has a lot of references, which I loved. I enjoy everything he writes and he is a Millenial like me.
John F. MacArthur
John MacArthur is a OG in bible study. What I appreciate about this book is that it was easy to understand and apply to everyday life. What stood out to me most here was the reminder that God consistently works through ordinary people. No polish. No platforms. Just availability, obedience, and time. It challenged the modern obsession with gifting and influence and pulled me back to faithfulness. A quiet but grounding read.
Nikole Hannah-Jones
This wasn’t just educational—it was clarifying. It reframed American history in a way that demands honesty and maturity. It reminded me that truth-telling is an act of courage, and that understanding the past is essential if we’re serious about shaping a better future. This book expanded my lens and deepened my resolve.
Stovall Weems
This book landed at the right time. It spoke to leadership, repentance, and the cost of ignoring internal warning signs. It was sobering and reflective, especially for anyone in ministry or influence. A reminder that spiritual awakening often comes after painful honesty.
S.A. Cosby
This one surprised me. Beneath the violence and grit was a deeply human story about grief, masculinity, fatherhood, and redemption. It was raw and uncomfortable, but also tender in unexpected places. Proof that fiction can sometimes tell the truth in ways nonfiction can’t. S.A. Cosby is soo good. Once I read this book, I wanted to read everything by him.
Final Thoughts
Looking at this list now, I notice a theme: formation.
These books shaped me spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally. They slowed me down, stretched me, and asked more of me than passive consumption.
If you’re looking for reads that don’t just entertain but transform, these are a good place to start.
The best ones don’t end when you turn the last page…they keep working on you long after.
Always finding the silver lining 