Below is my reading list from three years ago. Reading is such a private world activity that I publish the list with a bit of self-consciousness. There are so many reasons for reading a book, and most of these reveal mine: for knowledge, for comfort, for entertainment, for help, to pursue areas of personal interest… You will also notice I have a habit of reading more than one book by the same author, especially if it is a new author for me. I also often read books I have read before, some of which I have reread regularly, others perhaps decades ago. Sometimes I want to see if my views have changed or to test whether the book is as good as I remember—and most of the time I am amazed at how much better it is the second or tenth time.
I read lots of kids books because I miss read-aloud time with my kids and also still work in our children’s library and want to know what is good for the children who ask for suggestions. You may wonder at the number of self-help books on the list. While many are read simply because of problems friends or family currently are suffering, so I read in order to counsel or develop empathy in areas I lack experience, (and usually find help for myself in some unexpected places), others are definitely to benefit and improve myself. Mostly I read because I am curious and I love getting inside someone else’s head and learning about them. Reading is the socially acceptable way to do that. A number of books come recommended to me, so of course I read them, and again, it gives me insight into the one who suggested it as well as expands my world.
I am thankful beyond words for the proliferation of audiobooks from our digital revolution because for so many years I was unable to read the books “everyone” was talking about as they were unavailable to me in Braille or recordings for the blind. Those with an asterisk are my favorites and, therefore, my most recommended, but there are no bad ones in this year’s pile. I have tried to divide up the books into categories for future reference.
BIOGRAPHY
R. C. Sproul: A Life by Steven Nichols
The Story of My Life by Helen Keller
The Narnian: The Life and Imagination of C. S. Lewis by Alan Jacobs
Autobiographies by Frederick Douglas
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom (Reread)
*Becoming Elisabeth Eliot by Ellen Vaughn—good writing and reveals many details about my heroine that fill in the picture.
Athanasius: Father of Orthodoxy by Frances Alice Forbes (junior high/high school level, read because my husband was doing a research paper on this church father.)
Dorothy Day: A Radical Devotion by Robert Coles
Robert E. Lee: A Life by Allen C. Guelzo
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi
*Carved in Ebony by Jasmine Holmes (Thank you, Jasmine, for discovering some lives to treasure, revere, and emulate.)
THEOLOGY
Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith by Michael Reeves
Rejoice and Tremble: The Surprising Good News of the Fear of the Lord by Michael Reeves
No Place for Truth, or, What Happened to Evangelical Theology by David F. Wells
Fools Talk: Recovering the Art of Christian Persuasion by Oz Guinness
Keeping the Heart by John Flavel
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J. I. Packer
*Even Better than Eden by Nancy Guthrie (This made it on to our PEC list for 2021)
Jesus the Great Philosopher by Jonathan T. Pennington
*J-Curve: Dying and Resurrecting with Christ by Paul Miller (Probably the most practical for my daily life read this year, I read it three times)
Men and Women in the Church: A Short Biblical Practical Introduction by Kevin DeYoung
The Gospel According to Satan by Jared Wilson
The Imperfect Disciple: Grace for People Who Cannot Get Their Act Together by Jared Wilson (I love the candor of this author)
*Until Unity by Francis Chan (A great comfort after years of church disappointments and struggles)
God of All Things by Andrew Wilson (If you want your Bible reading to come alive, this look at the “real” things in the Bible is delightful.)
Ten Words by Jen Wilkin (A practical and instructive book on the Ten Commandments.)
When Pain is Real and God Seems Silent: Finding Hope in the Psalms by Ligon Duncan
Expositional Peaching by David Helms (As a Bible study reader and follower of The Simeon Trust principles, a short and concise guide to teaching.)
Humble Calvinism by Jeff Medders (Excellent)
Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expositional Sermon by Bryan Chapell (read with my husband for his class assignment.)
Deeper by Dane Ortlund (Sequel to Gentle and Lowly.)
Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund (Reread with my study group)
Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
The Allure of Gentleness by Dallas Willard
*Finding the Right Hills to Die On, or The Case for Theological Triage by Gavin Ortlund (Refreshing.)
Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin (reread)
CHILDREN’S FICTION
The Vanderbeekers Lost and Found by Karina Jan Glaser
*The Vanderbeekers Make a Wish by Karina Jan Glaser (Adore this series, modern equivalent of the Moffats or Melendys)
Pay Attention Carter Jones by Gary D. Schmidt
Anson’s Way by Gary D. Schmidt (good 18th century historical fiction for middle school aged boys. All of Schmidt’s books are delightful.)
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson
Ashes by Laurie Halse Anderson (great historical fiction trilogy for YA readers. Revolutionary War era.)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (reread)
*A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus (Charming WW II historical fiction.)
CHILDREN’S BIOGRAPHY:
So Tall Within by Gary D. Schmidt (Sojourner Truth, short picture book)
ADULT FICTION
*Jack by Marilynne Robinson (She just keeps on writing the best novels!—and so glad to know more about this character.)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (reread—still the best!)
Love Feast by Frederick Buechner
*The Eighth Day by Frederick Buechner (One of my favorite authors I read every year)
On the Road with the Archangel by Frederick Buechner
The Collected Stories of Caroline Gordon by Caroline Gordon
*Peace Like a River by Leif Enger (Third reading, even better.)
The Last Book Shop in London by Madeline Martin (A relaxing WW II historical fiction read.)
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi (My second novel by her—a powerful and beautiful writer.)
POETRY
The Oxford Book of English Verse (After five years, finally finished cover to cover.)
The Collected Poems of Wallace Stevens by Wallace Stevens
HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY
American Notes by Charles Dickens (Valuable pictures from someone who saw, felt, and tasted America in 1842)
Church History 101 by Sinclair Ferguson
The Power of Geography: Ten maps that Reveal the Future of Our World by Tim Marshall (If you read Prisoners of Geography this sequel will fascinate you further.)
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder
NATURE
The Secret Wisdom of Nature by Peter Wohlleben
ON LITERATURE
*A Way with Words by Daniel Darling
The Letters of T. S. Eliot (1915-1922)
Reader Come Home by Maryann Wolff (Intriguing research about the effect of electronics on reading.)
Steeped in Stories by Mitali Perkins (An excellent apologetic for reading children’s literature.)
PRACTICAL LIVING
Adorned: Living Out the Gospel Together by Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth
Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher
*Made for More by Hannah Anderson (All of hers are worth reading)
*Untangling Emotions by Alasdair Groves and Winston T. Smith (Simple, excellent for understanding our confusing emotions—wanted to give many copies for Christmas gifts.)
The Wisdom Pyramid: Feeding Your Soul in a Post Truth World by Brett McCracken
A Small Book About a Big Problem: Meditations on Anger, Patience, and Peace by Ed Welch
*Side by Side by Ed Welch (reread)
Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest by Ed Welch (Honestly, I read everything I can by him.)
*Gospelbound: Finding Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age by Colin Hanson and Sarah Zylstra (If you’re tired of hearing about what’s wrong with Christianity, it’s a blessing—and so is his excellent podcast by the same name.)
*Zeal Without Burnout by Christopher Ash (A short dash of cold water on the frenzied lifestyle.)
*Making All Things New: Restoring Joy to the Sexually Broken by David Powlison (A thoroughly helpful guide for yourself or others you know who struggle.)
Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger, Irritation, Complaining, and Bitterness by David Powlison
God’s Grace in Our Suffering by David Powlison
This Beautiful Truth by Sarah Clarkson
How Can I Practice Christian Meditation? By Joel Beeke
*God Does His Best Work With Empty by Nancy Guthrie (Encouragement straight from the Bible via Nancy’s masterful insights.)
Holier Than Thou by Jackie Hill Perry
*God’s Battle Plan for the Mind: The Practice of Puritan Biblical Meditation by David Saxton (Read twice, probably the most life changing book I read this year.)
Finding God in My Loneliness by Lydia Brownbeck
Flourish: Christ’s Love Frees from Self-Love by Lydia Brownbeck
Live No Lies by John Mark Comer
*The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer (I have read a lot of books on this topic, and this is by far the best, most realistic, possible.)
How to Eat Your Bible: A Simple Approach to Learning and Loving Your Bible by Nate Pickowicz
*Deep Work: Focused Success in a World of Distraction by Cal Newport (if juggling dozens of plates is making you tired and unproductive…read.)
SOCIAL ISSUES
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt
*The Madness of Crowds: Gender, Race, and Identity by Douglas Murray (Incredibly lucid author who courageously reveals contradictions and hypocrisy of the radical left. You may not share his politics, but will be encouraged by his insight and unable to put this one down.)
*Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion and Truth by Matthew Sorensen and Jenny Yang
*Weep With Me by Mark Vrokeop (Beautiful and compelling, puts practical action into our prayers of lament, good sequel to his book on lament Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy.)
The Color of Compromise: The Truth About the American Church’s Complicity in Racism by Jemar Tisby
*The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Neighbor by Caitlyn Schies (Solid perspective on how to put faith into practice in society.)
Free at Last: The Gospel in the African American Experience by Carl Ellis (Excellent understanding for all from this hero of the faith.)
Secular Creed Engaging Five Contemporary Claims by Rebecca McLaughlin
Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling by Andy Crouch
Did you say what the asterisks mean?
They are her favorites.