My Book List for the Year

Albert Mohler said, “The careful reader is not reading merely to receive data.  The leader learns to invest deeply in reading as a discipline for critical thinking.”  One cannot effectively learn if he is not consistently reading.  As a Christian, I read for spiritual growth.  As a husband and father, I read for influence.  As a pastor, I read for ministry.  As a preacher, I read for sermons. But as a human, I simply read for pleasure.  There are other hobbies that I frequently enjoy, but none so much as  reading.

I like to read in variety and diversity.  Some books confirm my convictions, while others enrage my convictions.  Some books I enjoy, some I endure, even despise.  I read everything from the latest business management books to the classical devotions.  I am often asked the question, “What are you reading these days?”  I thought I would let you know.

This is not an exhaustive list, as I am still reading a handful of books for this month and the next.  But these are the books I have enjoyed this year.  Of course, the HOLY BIBLE is the foundation of everyday life and devotion, and should never be replaced by other books.  On any given day, I would prefer to read what God has said in His Word, verses what man has said in their works.

Ministry

The Discipler’s Manual by F.E. Marsh

Choose the Life by Bill Hull

The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler

The Road Ahead by Paul Chappell

Tozer on Entertainment and Worship by A.W. Tozer

Spiritual Development

The Hole in our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung

The Great Omission by Dallas Willard

Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges

The Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges

The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges

The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges

The Joy of Fearing God by Jerry Bridges

Too Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels

The Dangers of a Shallow Faith by A.W. Tozer

Prayer by Philip Yancey

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney

A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life by William Law

Waking the Dead by John Elderedge

Leadership

Spiritual Influence by Mel Lawrenz

Patterns by Mel Lawrenz

The Conviction to Lead by Albert Mohler

The Painful Side of Leadership by Jeff Iorg

Better Than Good by Zig Ziglar

The Catalyst Leader by Brad Lomenick

Understanding Leadership by Tom Marshall

Mistakes Leaders Make by Dave Kraft

Building Below the Waterline by George MacDonald

There’s No Such Thing as Business Ethics by John Maxwell

The Top Ten Leadership Commandments by Hans Finzel

Great Leaders Grow by Ken Blanchard

Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn by John Maxwell

The 12 Absolutes of Leadership by Gary Burnison

Family and Home

Raising Dad by Thom and Art Rainer

Family Shepherds by Voddie Bauchum Jr.

King Me by Steve Farrar

Christian Living

Trusting God by Jerry Bridges

Gods at War by Kyle Idleman

Follow Me by David Platt

Radical by David Platt

Christlike by Bill Hull

The Simple Life by Thom Rainer

All In by Mark Batterson

Reaching for the Invisible God by Philip Yancey

Contentment by Richard Swenson

Margin by Richard Swenson

In Search of Balance by Richard Swenson

True Community by Jerry Bridges

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Captured by Grace by David Jeremiah