I love the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Every year I try to carve out some time to look ahead and plan for the coming year, but I also try to look back to the successes and failures of the past year.  As I’ve looked back over 2016, I’ve found some things I’ve read and listened to that have been incredibly helpful and enjoyable. If you are looking for a good book, album, or podcast to launch your year in 2017, these might be a good place to start:

Fiction

I happened across several great novels this past year, but three stood out the most for me. The Illusion of Separateness by Simon Van Booy was actually released in 2014, but I wasn’t able to get to it until this year. I make it a matter of principle to read everything Van Booy writes. His stories are engaging, but his prose is what brings me back time after time. It’s absolutely beautiful, and worth your time.

A Man Called Ove by Frederik Backman tells the story of a senior adult man trying to navigate the world without the love of his life. The story is at times funny and others heartbreaking. I couldn’t put it down. Ove faces the challenges of forgiveness, mercy, and love, and does so with irascible style and wit.

And finally by Noah Hawley, Before the Fall tumbles headlong into a horrible tragedy and then examines the repercussions. Hawley does an expert job of tackling the question, “how can you go forward when everything you thought solid has been pulled out from under you?”.

Nonfiction

Frederick Buechner’s memoir, Telling Secrets, is by no means new, but it is incredibly timely and relevant. Few people on the planet write about faith as well as Buechner, and this glimpse into his own life is touching and rewarding. It’s a book I’ll return to again and again.

I try not to miss any of John Piper’s collections of mini-biographies in the series he has entitled, The Swans Are Not Silent. This year he released, Camaraderie of Confidence write briefly looks at the lives of Charles Spurgeon, Hudson Taylor, and George Muller. These small stories are encouraging and inspiring. I always find that these small biographies cause me to look at my own faith in new and better ways.

Podcasts

Revisionist History is a collection of 10 podcasts by Malcolm Gladwell, and they are the best things I’ve listened to in many years. If you enjoy Gladwell’s books, you’ll love these short true stories collected in this podcast. If you only listen to one podcast this year, go back and listen to Revisionist History. I can’t wait for the new season!

Music

“Coming Home” by Leon Bridges was my favorite album from 2016. It’s stripped down, heartfelt music with a tip of the hat to soul music from the early 60’s. Also, how can you not fall in love with an album that has a song written for and about the musician’s mother?! It’s simply beautiful music.

Sara Watkins, one of the three wunderkinds from Nickel Creek, has released three solo albums, and this year’s offering, “Young In All The Wrong Ways” is my favorite. The album is playful and at the same time incredibly thoughtful. Watkins’ friends, Aoife O’Donovan and Sarah Jarosz also released albums worth hearing this year, by “Young In All The Wrong Ways” has been my favorite.

I hope these recommendations are helpful. If you’ve read or listened to something you loved this year, let me know!