This year has been a bit of a revival for me in getting through good books. Thanks of course to Audible, I find very little time to sit with a book and read these days. But due to the nature of my job I have a good dose of listening time.

I’ve re-listened to a couple books on the topic of money this year also which have been re-enlightening. On reflection this may have been too many books, as I think I am struggling to recall the learning from each book. But a book should never just be listened to / read once. Notes should be made, action points made and gone over again and again.

TOTAL 22

Paper Book:

▪︎Founding Fathers – Nathan Blackaby

I enjoyed this book a chapter or two at a time by my bed. It is an easy book to get into with small chapters and a range of contributors and topics. It isa key to keep sharpening your axe in the area of parenting and gain regular reminders to make an impact. There where many good reminders – like giving my son some more opportunities for adventure and independent bravery. The importance of having a tribe of men around my son. CVM (Christian Vision for Men) Do a great job of exhorting us all to take the call to disciple me seriously, in one chapter painting the dire reality for many young Christian women – that there are not enough Godly young men to be their husbands (none of us want this for our daughters!)

There is a chapter I love (especially since starting the work I now do) about how the church is very involved in helping vulnerable peole in the UK, but they really needed and others now need the help when they are 3 years old. The truth is a life is formed to a large degree in the early years (and the brain even the first few months) There is more the Church can do to help young children in care and in vulnerable families.

Reminders about our children needing our approval. Challenges to ask more open ended questions and listen long enough to hear the answers. The importance of spending time sharing your devotional times with your kids. Last year my then 12 year old son went through the Proverbs together on Sunday mornings before church. And just generally the importance of having fun with my great kids! Great little book actually!

Audio books:
▪︎The Total Money Makeover – Dave Ramsey

The single most important lesson from this book, is to have a plan for every pound, so that you really can achieve your financial vision. Re-listening gives more and more motivation to get serious even when its not large savings, regular consistent saving always adds up and is better than thoughtless spending. Now I look forward to pay day, to pay our particular pots first, so that I know the important things are always prioritised and will happen. This book is full of common sense steps to help you get to where you want to be and paying off your house early and taking care of the future in everyday sensible ways. With Gazelle like intensity it is possible to get out of trouble and into peace faster than you thought! With a lot of intentionality we can all achieve more than expected.

▪︎Secrets of the Millionaire Mind – T Harv Ecker

In many ways, this is more of a mindset than practical book, but mindset rejigs are good. He rightly makes the point that we have an expectation of wealth that will keep us coasting at that level. If we can consistently break through it we may go to knew levels.

It was healthy to think about the viewpoints I picked up in childhood of money. And useful to remember that I must eradicate complaining. The book also gave me the determination to think seriously about starting a counselling business some time soon. Apart from this, it was a good book, but not much in the way of practical takeaways.

▪︎Poverty Riches & Wealth – Kris Vallotton.

Of the financial books this was the weakest. We need to install more in to our children a heart of thanksgiving.

▪︎The Collapse of Parenting – Leonard Sax

A book about having a vision for the time with your children, remember we have this offspring for a purpose and even some enjoyment! And helping our children to take on some more challenging age appropriate situations. The book reminded me that our not giving our children mobile phones hooked up to the whole world is wise parenting. I learnt some useful tactics like, setting up situations for constructive disagreements and debates. And reminders to give my kids a positive identity to live up to.

▪︎Crushing – TD Jakes

I downloaded this book to aid me with a sermon I was getting reading to share at Church. I had listened to the author share about his experiences with trials on an interview and the analogy of fruit being crushed for the purpose of making wine was so compelling. God does allow, some really tough times in our life’s, in order that we grow closer to and like Him, it is difficult and challenging but worth all of the pressure.

▪︎The Rhythm of Life – Matthew Kelly.

A timely reminder to be consistent in basic healthy habits such as diet and sleep. After reading this book I was determinedly walking 4k each morning with the dog for the steps and the silence (though it did not last) there is a great focus on physical health and habits which motivated me.

My first introduction that life is dependant on a rhythm. Same sleep pattern is essential for us all. Times of silence are important, especially at start and ends of days, find right rhythm and purpose for yourself then consistently go after it.

For me the book and premise promised more than it ultimately delivered.

▪︎Choose to Win – Tom Ziglar.

I really enjoyed this book, I really enjoy the author and his Father the legend – Zig.

This year I have realised a great deal of long term vision for my life and having that in mind was useful while considering this book.

It is very important to focus on one bad habit you want changed into a healthy habit. Do this as long as it takes to stick and then work on the next one. You need to schedule some regular thinking time. Remember I want to turn my world into a 90 day world – to do this have planning days in each quarter.

▪︎The Intentional Father – Jon Tyson.

A recommendation from this book was to watch the men’s formation movie called ‘The Work’ it was highly interesting and shows the deep work of the heart that is needed in a man’s heart.

I find Jon’s ideas and practice to be quite aspirational. Not quite sure how I can get to the level that he is at in terms of forming his son’s spiritual walk and world view, but it is inspiring none the less. It has led me to go through the Proverbs together on a Sunday morning, on an almost weekly basis this year which has been a good gentle rhythm.

The excitement of this book, did cause me to pine for my former once large church community, as the power of this initiating young men in to manhood is best done around many other men and even some other 13 year olds going along the same path. I still have plans for making his 13th year special, past of that was our trip to Madrid together last September and a special party of family friends very soon.

▪︎Spiritual Parenting – Michelle Anthony.

As parents we have to remember we are always modelling to our children a level of spirituality, joy and peace. Yours is the first and strongest example. We as parents get to frame our child’s identity and speak powerfully and positively in to it, make it large. Dare not get tired and lazily speak negatively in to it.

She brings out a great idea of celebrating as a family every 3 months (life in to quarters) the headline achievements, so that these success stay top of mind. I took some advice also about how to motivate our children to care for our home more.

▪︎Man on Fire – Stephen Mansfield

This was a book about the Spirit of a man and imparting and sharing that to other men, it is very important to reflect on what kind of legacy you want to pass to other men and your sons and daughters. As a parents we should be the vision keepers for our children’s life’s, and not be distracted by what we may see now. That will take some prayer and meditation to see the vision God has for them. Men must fight to keep the vision of their wife too, and the key people in their life – don’t let frustrations and discouragement creep in. You must have relationships with other men – who are allowed to speak in and correct you. He made the point that competition is important to a man – and so I have started playing Padle and so that my body doesn’t drift to a Marshmallow. The word ‘mailable’ is used by the Apostle Paul – he uses it in reference to a culture around us making us simple slow & Indulgent – I personally never want that happening to me! Again I am encouraged in this book to look at the men of my lineage – being farming men they would of all been outdoorsy strong men (in a funny way it motivates me to get more active that I am probably the physically weakest man in my lineage) But their is an identity and heritage from the past to pull through to encourage us and certainly to light up a path for the next generation! It was a great listening, that fired me up!

▪︎Love Lives Here – Maria Goff

I honestly did enjoy this book between visits, it encouraged and exhorted to live a bigger life of love and certainly one that was more whimsy. Similar to her husband Bob’s books. But there were no real takeaways I took, more a general encouragement to live an outward focused larger life of love.

▪︎50 Christians you should know

I found this fascinating. There where so many characters from recent Christian history that I didn’t know and others that I got to know a lot better. It has reminded me how important it is for our children to knowing something of great people from history too.

This reminded me of the love I should have for my Bible as this was a common trait, and again I realise that these men where living in ages without the bombardment of tech and entertainment.

There where so many fantastic stories of how these men made a difference for Christ and changed others life’s. I am struck mostly by the common truth that God wants to prepare us and use everything that we go through, to mould us in the man that he can use. When God raises up a man (and He want’s to use us all) He must work core principles that He wants to exalt, so far down into our life. This could be painful but so rewarding and a great blessing in the fullness of time.

▪︎Your Best Year Ever – Michael Hyatt

I used this book to prepare for the new year, for so many years I have used Hyatt’s Best Year Ever content and it is always rewarding and reflective. I would certainly recommend the book and his podcast.

Work Based:

▪︎ What happened to you – Oprah Winfrey & Bruce Perry

This is definitely a contender for my best book of the year. I was unsure when I downloaded it. I had heard mixed opinions of Oprah and not read or listened to anything for myself. This book and the work she is doing to highlight the correct question – “What happened to you?” and not “What’s wrong with you?” is so right.

With the work I have been doing in 2023 and my experience of Youth Pastoring the book resonates so much.

There is so much to learn from this about the impact of trauma and especially early childhood trauma particularly the 1st year. I was fascinated and learnt a lot about self regulation and how the brain develops or doesn’t so much early on. I’d highly recommend the listen.

▪︎ Clockwork – Michealowick

This is a book about directing a business through the early stages of existence and getting to the next level. I found many interesting points and principles that I can apply to work and also to the Christian Men’s Platform that I want to build online.

▪︎The Motive – Patrick Leoncioni

This was a great small book exhorting the need to know why your company is doing what it’s doing and why you are too. Leoncioni always tells stories and I love it.

▪︎How to be a great Boss – Gino Wickman

Great book, easy listen, full of good ideas and takeaways. I have re-read my notes on this one recently and formulated an action plan of ideas that I am excited to implement to my work.

▪︎Traction EOS – Gino Wickman

This is a book all about a system called EOS – Entrepreneurial Operating System that our company uses, it was important to listen to and deeply understand.

▪︎First 90 Days

This was a great audio book about the impact that can be made in the first 3 months of a new role and some of the major things to fucus on. As I was transitioning into a brand new sector it was a handy and encouraging guide.

▪︎Multiplyers Liz Wiseman

Again this was a good listen, a little deeper and weightier than Gino’s books. I made notes as I listened, so am keen to make an action plan and implement more very soon.

Fiction 1

▪︎The Beast – David Walliams

This was a great fun book that I read over the course of a couple of months with my eldest daughter. It was at times touching on apocalyptic ideas which gave me chance to explain some themes, but with all the humour of D. Walliams classics. We couldn’t wait to have 10mins together for another chapter each night.