Faculty and Staff Summer Reading

What are DBU Faculty and Staff currently reading this summer? Check out the list below. 

Dr. Ken Gore, Professor of Biblical Studies

• Mission Drift by Peter Greer: A thoroughly researched analysis of how Christian leadership and teaching has been drifting from its original mission in the recent past.
• Everything Isn’t Terrible by Kathleen Smith: Written by a licensed therapist, a refreshing self-help book that offers guidance to calm people in an unprecedentedly anxious and turbulent post-COVID world.  

Dr. Philip Mitchell, Director of University Honors Program and Professor of English

• Alasdair MacIntyre: An Intellectual Biography by Emile Perreau-Saussine: An award-winning biography about the renowned philosopher and scholar Alasdair MacIntyre and his insightful exploration of philosophy and theology in a complicated and modern political landscape.  
• Conceptions of the Cosmos: A History of Cosmology by Helge S. Kragh: A comprehensive and fascinating history of the universe, including major scientific discoveries, instrumental early scholars, and an exploration of both spiritual and scientific perspectives. 

Dr. Jodi Grimes, Associate Professor of English

• Life Without Lack by Dallas Willard: A deep dive into how Psalm 23 could be the guide to live our lives without fear, to experience God’s comforting presence, his abundant generosity, and peace and freedom from worry.
• Sketches by Boz by Charles Dickens: A collection of sketches of everyday people and mundane moments by Charles Dickens.

Dr. Kimberly Figaro, Director of Ed.D. in Leadership Studies

• Culture Shock: An unstoppable force has changed how we work and live by Jim Clifton and Jim Harter: An exploration of how companies are struggling with recovering from employees leaving the workplace during an unprecedentedly stressful time and how leaders can cope and learn from the culture shock.
• Wellbeing at Work by Jim Clifton and Jim Harter: Another examination of how to cope in the workplace after a major tragedy by focusing on fostering well-being and cultivating community and resilience in the workplace.

Dr. Ross O’Brien, Director of the Center for Business as Mission and Professor of Management

• Uncommon Grounds by Mark Pendergrast: For any coffee connoisseur, a comprehensive global history of coffee and how it's transformed over centuries, economically and culturally.
• The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan: A powerful exploration of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the truth of the human condition, and the persevering nature of hope, even in the most desperate and tragic of times.

Desi Henk, Assistant Vice President, Center for Career and Professional Development

• Churchill By Andrew Roberts: An award-winning and New York Times bestselling biography about Winston Churchill's life and how his vast achievements can still offer important lessons about the challenges leaders face today and the fundamental values of courage, tenacity, leadership, and moral conviction. 
• Win the Day by Mark Batterson: A guide on how to kickstart your dreams and make your goals achievable through implementing effective daily habits.

Shelby Weatherly, Director of Global Missions and Global Scholars Program

• Colorful by Eto Mori (English translation): A best-selling Japanese novel that illustrates traditional East Asian cultural views of life, death, and immortality. 
• Holier than Thou by Jackie Hill Perry: A deep dive into the struggle many Christians face with fully trusting God answered by exploring a single question: if God is truly “holier than thou,” why is there any doubt at all?

Jonathan Fechner, Director of the Institute for Global Engagement and Chief of Staff

• The End of the World is Just the Beginning by Peter Zeihan: Wary of a highly industrialized and automated geopolitical world, this book is a prediction and mapping of the next world where countries or regions will have to be increasingly self-sufficient with populations that are both shrinking and aging.   
• The Social Animal by David Brooks: The New York Times Bestselling exploration of the human condition and success through the simple lives of an American couple from infancy to old age, exploring the depth and creativity of the unconscious mind. He reveals how, instead of individualism and competition, humanity achieves greater success through community and connection; as we are social animals.

Chris Holloway, Director of Global Village

• Humility by Gavin Ortlund: A revolutionary and gospel-centered evaluation of humility defined through the Bible as self-forgetfulness that shows how restricting the needs of ego will lead to joy and freedom.  
• Faith Driven Investing by Timothy Keller, Andy Crouch, and Cathie Wood: An exploration of how to align faith with investment in a secular world and how Christians can align their values with keen investment strategies.