I love reading. I love lists of books. I love looking back and making a record of the books that provided a texture of ideas and words to my life over the last year. My goal is always to finish each month with 5 books completed. This year I read 83, my record since high school. (I suppose that this rise in volumes could be attributed to the books I read for university.)

As usual, the following will include, in chronological order, the books that made the best impression, followed by a longer list of the other books I really enjoyed reading this year.

Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation

After being influenced by James K. A. Smith’s thinking for several years and with the release of his final volume in the Cultural Liturgies Trilogy this Autumn, it was finally time to tackle the series itself. I read this book in January and it’s insights have shaped me ever since. I think its concepts are key for understanding how the human heart and society works. Later in the year, I read the second volume (Imagining the Kingdom) and I’ve just started the final book: Awaiting the King.

Maps and Legends: Reading and Writing Along the Borderlands

I’ve enjoyed Michael Chabon’s fiction, but this book of essays on the imagination turned me, head-over-heels, into a fan. Being immersed in his active approach to such a diverse range of subjects is like taking a sniff of cayenne pepper to your imaginative senses – it reminds you of what wonders are possible in this world and then has you looking for what other concepts you might have missed in your previously your humdrum existence.

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood

This was doubtless the most entertaining audiobook I’ve listened to. Trever Noah narrates his experiences growing up in the dying embers of apartheid South Africa. It is simultaneously fascinating, side-splittingly hilarious, and harrowing. I don’t expect that I’ll soon forget the stories, accents, and insights of this book.

Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the Sixties

As I’ve shared elsewhere, this was the year I made my way though everything Beatles. An online friend recommended this guide to every track they recorded, and I’m so glad I had it. It’s an insightful analysis into the brilliance and shortcomings of the band, while tracing the cultural forces of that indelible era that both shaped and was shaped by the lads from Liverpool. The story of The Beatles is a story of both the stunning potential of humanity and it’s irredeemable shortcomings. This book shows both of these traits.

Making Sense of God: An Invitation to the Skeptical

Tim Keller’s books are always insightful. In this volume, he sets out to provide a sort of prequel to his debut classic The Reason for God: an argument for the validity of belief in an age of skepticism. But the book becomes much more: a systematic, carefully researched understanding of our current era and the system of belief that undergirds it. It’s a heady book. It’s an important book. I want to reread it.

Holy the Firm

This slim volume is Annie Dillard at her most distilled. It is both simple and approachable, and complex and layered. It’s an age old narrative of why so much evil can exist amongst such vast goodness, but it is told in a simple story that is narrowly focused but encompasses so much. I read it twice in a row, and then wrote about it for school.

No Great Mischief

Some novels are page turners, but the writing itself is quickly forgotten (hello Ms. Rowling...). Others are beautifully written but take a fair bit of concentration to pick away at. This book is one of those rare combinations of being ripping yarn, while continuing beautiful writing on every page. It’s a perennial novel; one that I’m sure I will return to repeatedly, a novel for the ages that remains remarkably tied to a specific place.

Born to Run

Bruce Springsteen narrates his highly acclaimed memoir. The Boss’s voice is in your ears for 18 hours. What more can I say? Bruce Springsteen’s voice is a gift for the people. This audiobook is no different. It was fascinating, insightful, and through it, I’ve developed a great affection for The Boss. He is a gift we do not deserve, and so is this book.

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell

This vast book, tracing an alternative history where magic is the lost inheritance of the English, feels like it was written in the 18th century, a cross between Austin and Dickens. Ms Clarke has written a terrific yarn, with an ending that verges upon the eschatological. But what I appreciated most about this book was how the plot, while important, was not the main point. This is a story that loves its characters and its textures and wants us to enjoy them too. It’s a marvel that I’m almost ashamed I’ve missed up until now.

Honourable Mentions

This year the Book of Psalms was once again my guide and nourishment. I’ve thought back to C.S. Lewis’ small book of essays, The Weight of Glory, often, and enjoyed a recording by Malcolm Guite of Chesterton’s Ballad of the White Horse. Francis Spufford’s A Child That Books Built was splendid. On Writing Well gets to the heart of good writing habits, and does so in a manner far more enjoyable (a sign itself of good writing) than any other I have read. Tim Keller’s The Meaning of Marriage left a thread in my head that would later be picked up and Wesley Hill’s Spiritual Friendship was both well written and insightful. Eugene Peterson’s A Long Obedience in the Same Direction was terrific and the novel Station Eleven wove an interweaving story that I throughly enjoyed. I can’t wait to reread Simon Armitage’s translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, even as I read Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf yet again and loved it all the more. I would have been haunted by Benjamin Hertwig’s book of poetry, Slow War, even if he wasn’t my cousin and friend. Michael Chabon’s Moonglow is, I think, my favorite novel of his. Mike Cosper’s Recapturing the Wonder was insightful and convicting. Before We Get Started is Bret Lott being again incredibly human and humble. I fell in love again with The Wind in the Willows and with Tolkien’s best short stories – Farmer Giles of Ham, Smith of Wootton Major and Leaf by Niggle. And Alan Jacob’s little How to Think was thought provoking in a year when I reflected a good deal on how to talk to those I disagree with.

At the end of every year I’ve made a habit of asking: what happened over the last 12 months that is worth remembering and worth celebrating before they fade away? The list always ends up including both momentous events and small blessings, for both contribute to the scope of the year.

As I look back over 2017, I’m struck by just what an outstanding year this was. Although there were plenty of disappoints and frustrations, it was abundantly rich. Many of these events I had hoped for. Many were unexpected. All were immensely satisfying. And yet as I look ahead and examine my expectations for 2018, I have to remind myself that a list so full is not the only qualification of a year well lived. Ordinary faithfulness, tasting and enjoying the specific goodness of this world, and trusting the upholding hand of God are the ultimate qualifications. And in a year of plenty, like 2017, such a list is a way of remembering the taste of those gifts. Here they are, in roughly chronological order.

Leading music at church

I’ve been making music in church ever since I was 13. Early this year I started leading music regularly for the first time. There was (and remains) much to learn, but to lead your congregation in song is amongst the most satisfying experiences. It’s an immense privilege and a skill that I hope to take with me in the years ahead. When I was younger, I complained about having to learn the piano instead of the violin. But the piano lets me lead worship, a ministry I hope to take with me into the years head.

Leading music for kids

This year I also began a ministry where I lead the 75 kids in our congregation in a time of song and prayer every Sunday morning. Three of my favorite things include music, children, and Jesus, so this is a pretty perfect combination. I’ve learned a lot about what kind of styles of songs work best with kids (think call and answer instead of multiple complex verses). All together, it’s been both a joy and a blast.

Getting my writing published

If you had told me a year ago the places my writing would be published this year, I would have shook my head in bewilderment. My goal was just to write more regularly and get just one piece published. Instead,

-after much trail and error in pitching my pieces, I found a home in Mockingbird, who published three interviews I had been working on for months.

-One of the publications that originally rejected me later accepted a pitch. It was incredibly satisfying to work extensively with the editor to polish the piece into something I’m still proud of.

-And then there were the following two interviews, each of which were incredibly exciting...

Interviewing Propaganda

Prop has been one of my creative heroes for the longest time. I’ve always wanted to interview him. I’ve been told by sources very close to him that he turns down most requests. Through a happenstance set of circumstances, I was able to speak to him on the phone for 20 minutes. Crazy.

Then I hopefully pitched the piece to a publication I’ve long wanted to write for, Christ and Pop Culture. Not only did they say yes, they placed the piece in their digital magazine which meant, a. I was paid money for my words (wait, what?) and b. they commissioned custom artwork for the piece!

(The only bummer is that Prop never retweeted the interview. Such a disappointment. You can’t win them all, friends.)

Interviewing David Lowery

The second epic interview of 2017 came about like this: the movie I was most excited to see this year was David Lowery’s highly acclaimed little indie film A GHOST STORY. The problem is that highly acclaimed indie films tend to arrive in Calgary months after everyone else gets them.

Then one Friday evening I get an email from my editor at Mockingbird. “We’ve been given access to a screener for A GHOST STORY and the option to interview the director. Would you be interested?”

I watched the movie. I watched endless interviews of David. I reached out to writer friends for advice. I wrote scores of questions and ran them past my editor. Then I had 20 minutes on the phone with David and it went really well. It was an open dialogue about the issues that challenge both of us. At the end, David told me that he really enjoyed the conversation.

Covering my first film festival

While working at Apple, I bumped into the director of Calgary’s Underground Film Festival. Taking a chance, I mentioned that I like to write about film. Might there be an option for writers to contribute to the festival? A chain of emails later and I was in touch with my now friend Laura. She hooked me up with a boatload of screeners and I was busy writing reviews for several weeks in April. I also interviewed a couple directors, was given my first press pass, and had my work featured daily by CUFF’s social media team. But most satisfying of all was the email I got from Ian Mcallister Mcdonald, director of the astonishingly good film SOME FREAKS. He had read my review and took the time to write to me to say that it was “one of my favourite [reveiws] that we've received so far... incredibly thoughtful and beautifully written”. I almost cried. This began an enjoyable and extensive email conversation with Ian, Ian, a play-write and teacher, that covered many aspects of the creative process.

Launching Assumptions

Kyle and I have been dreaming about creating a podcast that explores issues of worldview ever since 2014. It started with a YouTube series, but we soon realized that it was the wrong avenue. We came up with multiple names, made multiple plans, and even recorded a demo episode back in 2015. Finally, after our plans become more elaborate and detailed, we launched Assumptions, a podcast where a Christian and an atheist try to understand each other’s worldview. It was met with a warm reception from our friends. We cracked the iTunes Religion and Spiritually top chart one week, and have built up a devoted fan base. I’m quite happy with our first season and looking forward to our next steps in 2018.

There are signs of growth and continued interest. This winter we were interviewed by Patheos and took on a sponsorship. Whenever I tell professors or peers about the project it is met with great interest. It was incredibly satisfying to put our long-simmering plans into fruition and to be met with the early signs of success.

Finding a School

I’ve wanted to go to university ever since I graduated from high school, a good 6 years ago. It was a long and painful wait and my dreams of going abroad to attend a fancy (and expensive!) liberal arts school turned to something more humble and more achievable. Early this year, through a seemingly random series of connections, I realized that the small, Catholic-rooted liberal arts school a mere 15 minutes away from my home was both perfect for my needs and was glad to accept homeschoolers. The question was: would I attend it full time or continue to work?

Leaving Apple

It was a tough decision, made easier when I got sick (partly due to exhaustion) and had to take what ended up being a three month leave of absence from Apple. This gave me the necessary distance from that environment, which helped me realize how unhealthy that environment had become for me. It also freed me up to work on the writing projects I described above, which gave me the confidence to pursue a new career. I’m very grateful for all that I learned at Apple. It’s remains an excellent company to work for. I needed it. Closing that door was a major milestone.

Starting School

School is so much fun! My family has been trying to persuade me that the school lifestyle is suited for me, and I have to admit: they were right. I’ve made some excellent friends, have worked with some terrific teachers, and have been challenged and confirmed by many experiences. I got some good grades, throughly enjoyed being part of my first choir (and earned a smashing solo!), and I contributed to some very fun drama productions. I still have much to learn, which is good. This is just the beginning.

Meeting Malcolm Guite

Malcolm has long been a major influence in my thought and imagination. Ever since I wrote a blog post stating my wish to smoke a pipe with him and he responded promising to take me up on the offer, I’ve been looking for the chance to make something happen. So when I learned that he was teaching a course on poetry at Regent in Vancouver and that my dear friends would be hosting him at A Rocha, I knew this was my chance.

My best friend and I traveled out to Vancouver to spend a week studying under our muse. In addition to the course itself, we enjoyed multiple evening lectures with him and other faculty. I then got to spend three hours in a car interviewing him, served him my favorite ales, enjoyed an intimate and magical concert with him and Steve Bell, spent an afternoon wandering the trees and trails of A Rocha with him and some of my closest friends, and saw God work as I lead a group discussion amongst him, Steve, and some of the staff at A Rocha. Oh, and a photo I took of him that weekend was used on the cover of one of his books. How could I ask for more!

But I got more. Last month, Malcolm toured Calgary and we spent two hours doing our favorite things together: wandering the river, smoking pipes, and talking poetry and Jesus. My hero has become my friend.

Music Discoveries

I believe in reading the classics. I’ve been working my way through Roger Ebert’s list of Great Films. I have access to all the world’s music through Apple Music. So why am I not guiding myself through the best music of all time? Early this year I took The Rolling Stone Magazine’s List of the Top 500 Albums of All Time and (slowly) started to work my way through them. It’s been terrific so far. Here are two of my favourites:

I did not grow up listening to The Beatles. Starting last year, I decided it was high time to change that. In January I picked up the excellent volume The Revolution in the Head and worked my way through every album, single, and film. The Beatles are now justly crowned amongst my favorite artists of all time and their wonderful body of work has become part of my life’s music.

The other artist I am pleased to have met through this list is Bruce Springsteen. I listened to his outstanding narration of his memoir, Born to Run, and worked my way through (most) of his discography. His work and presence is a gift and I’m grateful for it.

Finally updating my room

For years, I’ve wanted to have all my books in one place. I’ve wanted to hang up missing art for ages. I’ve wanted a new desk for a long time. I’ve always wanted a Persian rug. This summer all of these things came together and I’ve been enjoying the fruit of those labours ever since.

Annie

Last, but far from least; I was not looking for a relationship this year, but some good things came completely unasked for. I’ve known Annie for almost two years now, but at the end of June we started talking daily. We soon became excellent friends. Sharing the details of my day with her and hearing of her life become a reliable source of stability and joy. After almost six months of this, we both came to realization that something more was afoot. It’s been a remarkable and very unusual journey so far. The details of our future are far from certain, but we have both been upheld by a countless encouragements that continue to give us confidence in each other and in the guidance of our Lord. I’m thrilled that our lives have been brought together.