Books That Shape a Life: Byron Borger’s Fall Reading Guide

In this rich and inspiring episode, host Daniel Johnson welcomes back guest Byron Borger to discuss transformative books for the fall season. Byron shares a curated list of titles that speak to theology, culture, education, memoir, and spiritual formation—perfect for students, readers, and lifelong learners. The conversation explores how books can shape our faith, deepen our understanding of culture, and equip us for meaningful engagement in the academy and beyond. ➡️ 📚 Featured Book Recommendations🎓 For Students & EducatorsWhy Study History? by John Fea (Baker Academic, 2024)Learning to Love: Christian Higher Education as Pilgrimage by Alex Sosler (Falls City Press, 2023)The Art of Asking Better Questions by J.R. Briggs (IVP, 2025)Everything is Never Enough: Ecclesiastes' Surprising Path to Resilient Happiness by Bobby Jamieson (Penguin Random House, 2025)🌍 On Culture & TheologyThe Way of Christ in Culture: A Vision for All of Life by Benjamin Quinn & Dennis Greeson (B&H Academic, 2024)The Core of the Christian Faith: Living the Gospel for the Sake of the World by Michael Goheen (Brazos Press, 2025)Culture Making by Andy Crouch (IVP, 2008)He Shines in All That’s Fair: Culture and Common Grace by Richard Mouw (Eerdmans, 2002)Creation Regained: Biblical Basics for a Reformational Worldview by Albert Wolters (Eerdmans, 2005)🕊️ Spiritual FormationSlow Theology: Eight Practices for Resilient Faith in a Turbulent World by A.J. Swoboda & Nijay Gupta (Brazos Press, 2025)You Can Trust a God with Scars: Faith (and Doubt) for the Searching Soul by Jared Ayers (NavPress, 2025)👥 Memoirs & Personal NarrativesI'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown (Convergent Books, 2018)Full of Myself: Black Womanhood and the Journey to Self-Possession by Austin Channing Brown (Convergent Books, 2025)The Exact Place by Margie Haack (Deep River Books, 2012)Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story by Bono (Knopf, 2022) 💬 Key ThemesThe Gospel of the Kingdom and its cultural implicationsChristian higher education as a journey of love and formationAsking better questions as a spiritual and relational practiceEngaging culture thoughtfully and faithfullyThe power of memoirs to cultivate empathy and self-reflectionSlowing down to deepen theological understanding and resilience 🔗 Resources & LinksHearts & Minds Bookstore = https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.comSL Brown Foundation = https://slbf.orgSend us Fan MailCONNECT WITH USSubscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave ConourEdited by Dave Conour