Did you have a summer read that you loved? A book that is the best you’ve read in a long time? We asked our staff to share with us their favorite reads thus far in 2025, and their list is varied and interesting.
“To say my reading list is eclectic would be an understatement,” says Rev. Richard Phillips, FPC Care Ministry Coordinator. “This year has included Jimmy Carter, John Grisham, Tony Dungy, Bob Newhart, and Thomas Merton. Some of them are first-time reads, but in the summer, I like to do re-reads of favorites.”
On Phillips’ list are books such as:
- “Quiet Strength” by Tony Dungy, the Super Bowl winning coach whose motto is “Faith, Family, Football.”
- “No Man Is An Island” by Thomas Merton – This book is a series of meditations from the Trappist Monk on all areas of life.
- “An Hour Before Daylight” by the late President Jimmy Carter – Carter tells stories of his days growing up on a farm in Plains, Ga.
- “The Exchange” by John Grisham, an international tale of terrorism and kidnapping.
“I also read “Struggling Toward Hope,” by Bob Terry,” Phillips says. “It is a minister friend’s account of his struggles after his wife’s tragic death in a car accident while on a mission trip to South Africa.”
Andrea Merritt, Director of Finance and Administration, says she loved “Liturgy of the Ordinary” by Tish Harrison Warren. “My favorite quote from the book is, ‘Those Jesus spent his time among, and were most drawn to Jesus, were the odd, the disheveled, the outcast. Those who were winning at life saw no need for this life-disrupting savior.’”
Josh Schweitzer, Director of Discipleship, says the following are his most impactful reads of the year:
- “Winsome Conviction” by Tim Mehlhoff
- “Connecting” by Larry Crabb
- “Angel of the Lord” by Doug van Dorn
Our Parish Counselor, Dr. Paul Suich, much like Phillips, has an diverse list.
- “Unoffendable” by Brent Hansen, which Suich says is a re-read.
- “Determined” by Robert Sapolsky, a new read.
- “Growing Us” by Jim Wilder, another new venture.
- “Understanding and Counseling the Alcoholic” by Howard Clinebell. “The is a re-read. It is a classic in my field and honors the work of those who have come before me.”
Do you love to read and wish you had a community where you could share that love? Our Page Turners Book Club meets monthly. All are invited to attend.
What was your favorite read so far in 2025?