2015 Delpy Awards
Over the last few days I’ve had so many conversations about books I loved in 2015. So I’ve decided to do the first annual Delpys – my awards for the best of 2015 in books and music. Here we go! (This isn’t necessarily stuff that came out in 2015 – just stuff I discovered or experienced during the year 2015!)
Book Awards:
Best Christianity
Searching for Sunday (2015)
I would say this is the best book I read this year. I hadn’t read any of Held Evans’ books before this one and I was surprised at how much I liked it. I cried several times during this book simply because I related to it in ways that I didn’t expect to. Her prose on the Holy Spirit is especially moving. There are a few things I disagree with her on, but overall this book was phenomenal.
Redeeming Sex (2015)
In Redeeming Sex, Debra Hirsch unapologetically discusses sexuality from a theological viewpoint, addressing many issues that are controversial in today’s church. Hirsch tackles sexuality from many different viewpoints and spends quite a bit of time talking about Christian community. This is a must-read for pastors or small group leaders.
A Meal with Jesus (2011)
If you loved Shana Niequist’s Bread and Wine
Best Fiction
The Poisonwood Bible (2005)
This book had so many elements I loved. History of missions work, race issues, colonialism, feminism, the pain of cultural adjustment…the list goes on and on. Although this was published in 2005, and I had heard of it, I didn’t pick it up until this past year. This was by far my favorite novel of the year – beautiful language and a meaningful storyline.
Honorable Mention
The Prince of Tides (1986)
This is one of those books that you would expect to see in a community library or at a lake house, pages curled or water-stained. I got this free with Kindle Unlimited and within the first page I knew I would love it. The way Conroy writes is full of imagery without being too dramatic. I loved this book.
Best Non-Fiction
Daring Greatly (2012)
Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly has been on my list of books to read for several years and this year I finally got to it. Brown’s work on shame and vulnerability gives life-changing perspective not only on your own life, but also on the lives and actions of other people in your life. If you’re contemplating starting a new adventure or taking a risk, this book will help you gain the courage to do it.
Album of the Year
Christine and the Queens
Chaleur Humaine
I fell in love with this album after hearing one of the tracks on French radio. I looked the song up on YouTube and then played the video on repeat for days. Their first US single, Tilted, is so much better in French. See the video that got me hooked here.
Song of the Year
Kygo
Stole the Show
My quote of the year is probably, “That pan flute makes me lose my mind.” Mostly because I said it every single time I listened to this song, which was a lot.