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On this day, remembering John Lewis, I feel compelled to revisit this book. The incredible strength in the face of hatred, peace in the face of violence, persistence in the face of more than a century of obstacles. I think we could all use a reminder. If you listened to James Lawson at the service today and don‘t know the names he mentioned or the story of what happened in Nashville, get a copy of this book.

For the #5555giveaway. This is my favorite non-fiction book for lots of reasons: it's informative, it's personal, and it reads like fiction. I read most of it on vacation with my family one summer and remember my mother urging me to get ready to go for dinner and me saying "but I just got to the good part, I need to keep reading and find out if Bobby Kennedy sends in the National Guard." This part of our history feels very important these days.

My #recommendsday pick for the week. I love this comprehensive look at the Civil Rights Movement, beginning with the Nashville lunch counter sit ins and the founding of SNCC and following "the children" who went on to lead and participate in the most prominent actions of the movement. Halberstam weaves a dynamic story, made all the better because it's true; Halberstam was on the front lines as a reporter in Nashville, and that experience shows.

To me, good nonfiction reads like fiction, and this exceeds that test. Simply amazing. A comprehensive look at the civil rights movement through the eyes of "the children," the college students of Nashville who led lunch counter sit ins and rose to leadership positions alongside Dr. King.