December 20, 2024
10 Books I Loved This Year: Inspiring Reads for Our Cornerstone Community
As we approach the close of another remarkable year at Cornerstone Christian Academy, I am drawn to reflect on the lessons found in great literature. Good books carry us into new worlds, challenge how we think, and encourage us to grow in empathy, hope, and faith. The ten titles below have deeply influenced my perspective as Head of School, resonating with the values that shape our community life.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, student, or a steadfast supporter of Cornerstone, I trust these recommendations will spark meaningful conversations, inspire personal reflection, and perhaps even prompt a renewed sense of connection with the world around us.
The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief by Francis Weller
Weller’s exploration of grief doesn’t aim to hastily mend broken hearts, but rather to illuminate the sacred, communal aspects of mourning. He argues that sorrow, when shared openly, can become a source of unity rather than isolation. In an environment like ours—where students, families, and educators walk together through both victories and losses—acknowledging sadness can ultimately strengthen the bonds we cherish.
Quote that moved me: “Grief is a way of loving what has been lost, and through loving it, we are able to honor and restore the world.”
The Memory Palace by Nate DiMeo
DiMeo’s storytelling unearths forgotten corners of the past, making history feel surprisingly alive and intimate. His approach reminds us that the past isn’t just a list of dates, but a tapestry woven from human aspirations, failures, and dreams. In our classrooms, understanding history in these human terms invites students to approach both yesterday’s and today’s events with deeper compassion and curiosity. For those who love history, DiMeo runs an award-winning podcast of the same name. I never miss an episode.
Quote that moved me: “History lingers in quiet corners, waiting patiently for us to remember, to listen, and to bring its voices back into the light.”
Paul: A Biography by N.T. Wright
In bringing the Apostle Paul’s world vividly into focus, Wright doesn’t merely recount an influential life—he shows us the mindset of a man forging a path of faith amid cultural clashes and theological uncertainty. Such nuance encourages us to see religious conviction not as a static creed, but as a living engagement with our time and place. At Cornerstone, this perspective underlines that faith thrives when it’s thoughtful, resilient, and open to growth.
Quote that moved me: “Connecting the dots of Paul’s journeys, actual and planned, is like mapping a royal procession through Caesar’s heartlands.”
The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization by Peter T. Coleman
I had the opportunity to meet and speak with this author at the annual conference of The 1911 Group in Princeton this year. Rather than lamenting our divided world, Coleman examines why it’s so fractured and then offers a toolbox for bridging the gap. His insights are essential as we strive to nurture a community where difference doesn’t lead to discord, but rather to richer dialogue. In the Cornerstone setting, this book’s practical wisdom helps us remember that understanding can flourish in conversations marked by patience, empathy, and sincere listening.
Quote that moved me: “Social media is to polarization and violence what carbon is to climate change.”
My Bright Abyss: Meditation of a Modern Believer by Christian Wiman
Wiman’s writing is poetic and probing, inviting readers into the tension between faith and doubt. Instead of easy answers, he celebrates the importance of wrestling with life’s uncertainties, seeing that wonder and mystery often lead us closer to truth. At our school, where questions about purpose and meaning abound, embracing uncertainty as part of the journey assures our students that faith can be a companion, not just a conclusion.
Quote that moved me: “Wonder is the precondition for all wisdom.”
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe
Delving into the heart of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Keefe reveals how unresolved histories shape the present. By highlighting both the pain and resilience of those who lived through conflict, he prompts us to ask how societies heal and move forward. Such a narrative resonates in a community striving to raise thoughtful citizens—people who recognize that understanding suffering and injustice is the first step toward building a more compassionate future.
Quote that moved me: “If you could just get people to talk, he believed, the most bitter antagonists could discover common ground.”
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
McBride’s novel radiates warmth as it illustrates how diverse neighbors, thrown together by circumstance, learn to rely on one another. Its characters remind us that cultures and traditions can blend rather than clash, forging communities enriched by differences. At Cornerstone, where every student’s story contributes to our collective identity, this book’s vision of shared humanity reinforces our commitment to embrace rather than separate.
Quote that moved me: “Light is only possible through dialogue between cultures, not through rejection of one or the other.”
Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin
Baldwin’s classic is rooted in a family’s spiritual struggles and aspirations in mid-century Harlem. Far from presenting faith as simplistic, he shows belief as an evolving relationship with God, self, and society. For readers at Cornerstone, this encourages an understanding of faith as something we actively live into—a conversation that involves honesty, introspection, and the courage to grow.
Quote that moved me: “Their singing caused him to believe in the presence of the Lord; indeed, it was no longer a question of belief, because they made that presence real.”
The Headmaster: Frank L. Boyden of Deerfield by John McPhee
In depicting the life of an iconic educational leader, McPhee reveals that the heart of a school lies not in its buildings or policies, but in the personal connections teachers forge with students. Boyden’s legacy of gentle guidance and steadfast expectations resonates across decades, reminding us that cultivating integrity and confidence in young people is an educator’s most enduring legacy.
Quote that moved me: “We just treat the boys as if we expect something of them, and we keep them busy.”
A River Runs Through It and Other Stories by Norman Maclean
Maclean’s reflections on family, nature, and the patterns of everyday life serve as a quiet, steadying force. His stories suggest that by paying attention to the subtle rhythms around us, we begin to see meaning in ordinary moments. For those within our community, it’s a reminder that true wisdom often emerges not from grand events, but from the thoughtful contemplation of what is already at hand.
Quote that moved me: “All there is to thinking is seeing something noticeable which makes you see something you weren’t noticing which makes you see something that isn’t even visible.”
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Reading these books has both challenged and enriched me, ultimately reaffirming my calling as an educator. As the holidays draw near, consider selecting one of these titles and letting it speak into your life. I would be honored to hear your own reflections, your questions, and the insights you draw from these pages.
Sincerely,
Brandon McNeice, Cornerstone Head of School