I have an insatiable appetite for reading. I read every day of every week. My vacation luggage always includes at least one full bag/briefcase of books. When I am traveling for long periods of time, I am listening to an audiobook. I love to consume good material. For my general reading, which does not include keeping up with current events, pop culture, news, academic research, or preaching preparation, I follow John R. W. Stott’s recommended reading plan of committing at least one hour a day, one afternoon a week, one day a month, and one week a year to reading good material. If you will be faithful to put your phone down more often, tune out social media, and apply yourself to a good book, you can cover a lot of ground over time.
I offer the following list without comment and in no particular order. If you are looking for good material to read in the new year, I highly recommend these great books:
- Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
- The Imperfect Pastor: Discovering Joy in Our Limitations through a Daily Apprenticeship with Jesus by Zack Eswine
- God and the Transgender Debate by Andrew T. Walker
- A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society by Eugene Peterson
- How to Think: A Survival Guide for a World at Odds by Alan Jacobs
- You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit by James K. A. Smith
- Johnny Cash: The Life by Robert Hilburn
- Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
- Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J. D. Vance
- Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
- Start with Why by Simon Sinek
- Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism by Tim Keller
- Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
- So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love by Cal Newport
- Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon by Bryan Chapell
What books did you read this past year that you really enjoyed and benefited from? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below and share this post with others!
CBH
