Those of you who know me know that I am utterly addicted to books. I thank well-educated, motivated parents for that. I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t reading something, even if it was a comic book.
For today’s post, I thought I’d share a quick list of my top 10 books from the past year or two. In no particular order:
1. The Challenge of Jesus, N.T. Wright: Fascinating insight into the historical cultural context of 1st Century Israel.
2. The Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard: Quite possibly the most insighful exposition of the sermon on the mount available today.
3. Prodigal God, Tim Keller: A fresh perspective on the two sons and the father in the classic passage from Luke 15.
4. Angry Conversations with God, Susan Isaacs: An honest assessment of conflicts between people, faith, God and the church.
5. On The Road and Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac: Okay, I know that’s technically sneaking two books in one slot, but in so many ways it’s really one story. Powerful insight into the underpinnings of the late 20th Century cultural revolution.
6. Mere Discipleship, Lee Camp: This book has done more than any other to make me seriously consider how to live as if Jesus meant what he said, and as if his promises are true.
7. East of Eden, John Steinbeck: Somehow I missed this particular part of the Steinbeck library during my years as an English major in undergrad. A stunning portrait of the human condition.
8. Orthodoxy, G.K. Chesterton: Still relevant over a century after its original publication. Why we believe what we believe.
9. The River Why, David James Duncan: Saving my favorite flyfishing books for the end. Duncan’s Kerouac-esque coming of age story about a young man’s discovery of himself and the reason for everything. An annual part of my reading regimen.
10. A River Runs Through It, Norman MacLean: Pure scripture for every fly fisherman. Like TRW (above), I make it a point to read this one at least once a year. It’s good for my soul and my sanity.
I love it! I’ve knocked out about half of these, and many of them (especially A River Runs, the Kerouacs and, thanks to you, The River Why) are in my top picks, as well. Still need to get into Divine Conspiracy… it is pretty heavy but I know it will be good. Also, if I were to add books for the spiritual list, Blue Like Jazz would go in there (not always on the same page as Don Miller, but he got me thinking of my faith in terms of story, which I love) and The Irresistable Revolution (a book that knocked me on my butt and continues to challenge me. Still haven’t quite figured out what to do with Shane yet. Powerful). Great list, cous!