Growing up in small town of Denmark, South Carolina in the home of an activist father and educator mother, Bakari Sellers saw the world differently than those around him. He used that view of the world and his time at Morehouse to propel him into leadership at the local and state level. Bakari was only 22 years old when he was elected to the South Carolina state legislature, making him the youngest African American elected official in the nation. This memoir is an interesting look at the path that led him to there.

Written in response to the shooting at Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC, Grace Will Lead Us Home is the story of twelve families who must find peace and forgiveness when there is very little reason to. The views and actions of a white supremacist introduced the families to a tragedy, but strife in their own state and church continued it. This story that blends the problems of systemic racism, unchecked hate groups, rhetoric espousing legislatures, and religious hierarchies is unique to South Carolina, but the forgiveness and grace that these families give can be applied to any situation.

This is a double entry, because to really finish the story, you need both books. Bryan Stevenson founded the Equal Justice Initiative which is dedicated to defending poor people and those wrongly convicted. He writes this story about Walter McMillian, who was sentenced to death for a murder he didn’t commit. He also talks about Anthony Ray Hinton, another man he helped free from a death row. . In The Sun Does Shine, Anthony Ray Hinton tells his story of living for over three decades in jail for a crime he didn’t commit, and how he worked to find peace with his situation, and eventually, to find his freedom.

A collection of essays that explores the ways God speaks to us through other, usually unconventional, people. In this, Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber examines the encounters she has had with other people which have led her to more fully understanding the gospel of grace, love, and mercy. If you are a fan of Anne Lammott, Donald Miller, or Father Greg Boyle, you’ll enjoy this.

Plot twist: The author, John Howard Griffin, isn’t black. He changes his outward appearance through tanning lamps and medication in order to blend into the black community. Taking place in the deep south in 1959, you’d be surprised at what’s changed today—and what hasn’t.

An entire book devoted to the analysis of how we react to one of the most human of actions—talking to strangers. A plethora of real-life scenarios ask us to rethink the way the incident was portrayed or how we ourselves might react. Controversies such as Brock Turner, Amanda Knox, Larry Nassar, Bernie Madoff, and Sandra Bland are all covered, as well as some old conundrums, such as how Hitler won over so many people or how top CIA officials were duped into hiring a Cuban spy. The audiobook version includes actual interview footage and makes the book a great listen.