Each week (give or take one or two here and there) I share three things I like – It could be a book, a movie, a podcast, an album, a photo, an article, a restaurant, a food item, a beverage, or anything else I simply enjoy and think you might too. You can find a whole pile of things, especially books, I like and recommend HERE.
1. Beartown by Fredrik Backman
This book was brilliant. It’s heartbreaking and deep and fun and funny and insightful and engaging and human – all the best things about a great novel. Backman is a master at writing human nature, the full spectrum of it in all its complexities, into novel form. His characters are deep and rich, and that makes the story matter even if it something foreign (like a book about a rural Swedish town that loves hockey). He weaves in time and place and context so well they feel like additional characters in an already rich story. Backman is one of those rare authors whose work transcends the question “what is it about?” It is about life, and it’s brilliant. (The sequel, Us Against You, is equally as good, if a slightly stronger flavor.)
2. Eddie Bauer Outerwear
“Eddie Bauer is for old people.” This hurtful, fallacious statement was made to me by one of those darn millennials a couple years ago when the young punk discovered my affection for Eddie Bauer. Little did the whippersnapper realize that Eddie Bauer is one of the OG’s of outdoor gear, dating back to 1920. Not only that, their gear is more affordable than Northface, Patagonia, or Arcteryx. It is comfortable, reliable, and not made for tiny waif like hipsters who like to pretend to be outdoorsy. I don’t know how well it would hold up on an arctic excursion or a summiting of Mount Everest, but really, who cares? I mainly need it to hold up to a life of commuting, kids sporting events, walking dogs, and day hikes. And it absolutely does the trick.
3. “You Never Change” by Austin Stone Worship
This song has been a regular encouragement and sermon to my soul over the past couple year. Just listen, then share it with the worship leaders at your church.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuHNiXOfMh4