I like to read. A lot. I’m not sure whether that’s a strength or a weakness, but there it is. I like both fiction and non-fiction, biographies, history, theology, you name it. People ask me about books I like, so I thought I’d share some books I read (or, in some cases, re-read) and enjoyed over the past year or so. This list doesn’t include any Bible commentaries, though there were several. If you’d like that information, just let me know. As I look back, I wish I’d read more fiction or history, but, wow, these books were incredible.
Most of the links below are to christianbook.com. Long before Amazon started selling books online, I was buying books via catalog from Christian Book Distributors. I tend to still buy from them to support the good they’ve done over the past several decades.
So here’s the list. Note that these aren’t all the books I’ve read over the past 12-15 months, but they’re my favorites:
Dead Sea Rising, Jerry Jenkins – a novel about a young archeologist on the brink of a world-changing discovery. I’m about to read the sequel.
I, Saul, Jerry Jenkins – a compelling international thriller that conveys you from present-day Texas to a dank Roman dungeon in A.D. 67
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness, Timothy Keller – This tiny but powerful book is Keller at his best, and it deals with the importance of freeing yourself from self-condemnation. God has forgiven you, but can you forgive yourself?
Forgive, Timothy Keller – I don’t know what else to say other than this is the best book I’ve ever read on the importance of forgiveness and how to forgive.
Anxious for Nothing, Max Lucado – A roadmap for coping with and healing from anxiety. My copy is highlighted and underlined, and the pages are getting worn. That’s how much I’ve read and re-read this book.
Gentle and Lowly, Dane Ortlund – One of my favorite books. What did it mean when Jesus said he was “gentle and lowly in heart”? If you’ve heard someone say this is a great book, they were right. Read it.
Knowing God, J. I. Packer – This is one of the classics. I had this book in my church office back in the day, but it disappeared. Packer talks about both knowing about God and knowing God through a close relationship with Jesus Christ. Named by Christianity Today as one of the top fifty books that have shaped evangelicals. One of my favorite all-time.
Covenantal and Dispensational Theologies, Parker and Lewis – Probably only for theology nerds like me, this book is written by four theologians who each make a case for their view—representing two versions of covenantal theology and two versions of dispensational theology—and then respond to the other’s views. I loved it, but you’d have to enjoy detailed theology to like it.
The Cross of Christ, John Stott – Another absolute classic that disappeared from my bookshelf years ago. This is more than just a study of atonement and what happened at the Cross, it’s also a classic on the Christian life. I can’t say enough about how important this book is.
Jesus, A. W. Tozer – Tozer at his finest, with selections from his works on Jesus following the chronology of Christ’s earthly life and exploring classic themes of Christology.
Everything Sad is Untrue – This autobiographical novel tells the story of Daniel, a middle-school-aged Iranian boy, and how his family became refugees, starting with his mother’s vocal embrace of Christianity.
The Pioneers, David McCullough – The history of the settling of the Northwest Territory and the state of Ohio. I do love reading history!
Hue 1968, Mark Bowden – The story of the Battle of Hue. Played out over twenty-four days and ultimately costing 10,000 lives, Hue was the bloodiest battle of the entire Vietnam War. This is the story of that battle. Excellent.
What about you? What books have you read and enjoyed over the past year? I’d love to hear your suggestions!