Here's a summary of some of the high and low points in my reading last year. Maybe it will help you determine what to read (and what to avoid!) in 2012.
Most helpful spiritually:
The Enemy Within: Straight Talk About the Power and Defeat of Sin - Kris Lundgaard
John Owen on the Christian Life - Sinclair Ferguson
Personal Declension and Revival of Religion in the Soul - Octavius Winslow
Apostasy from the Gospel - John Owen
Red Like Blood: Confrontations with Grace - Joe Coffey & Bob Bevington
Best theology:
John Owen on the Christian Life - Sinclair Ferguson
Trinitarian Spirituality: John Owen and the Doctrine of God in Western Devotion - Brian Kay
The Triumph of Grace: Augustine’s Writings on Salvation – N. R. Needham (though I haven't finished it yet)
Worst theology:
Love Wins: A Book about Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lives - Rob Bell
Worst theology:
Love Wins: A Book about Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lives - Rob Bell
Best biographies:
Augustine of Hippo: A Biography - Peter Brown
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt - Edmund Morris
Best novel:
Saturday - Ian McEwan
Most enjoyable:
The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction - Alan Jacobs
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt - Edmund Morris
Friendship: An Expose - Joseph Epstein
Most unique:
Ready Player One - Ernest Cline
Most thought-provoking:
Trinitarian Spirituality: John Owen and the Doctrine of God in Western Devotion - Brian Kay
Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation - James K. A. Smith
Most disappointing:
Ready Player One - Ernest Cline
Most thought-provoking:
Trinitarian Spirituality: John Owen and the Doctrine of God in Western Devotion - Brian Kay
Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation - James K. A. Smith
Most disappointing:
What Dreams May Come - Richard Matheson
How to Write a Sentence (and How to Read One) - Stanley Fish
My top recommendations for our church members for 2012:
Bringing the Gospel Home: Witnessing to Family Members, Close Friends, and Others Who Know You Well - Randy Newman
The Meaning of Marriage - Tim and Kathy Keller
King's Cross: The Story of the World in the Story of Jesus - Tim Keller
Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself - Joe Thorn
Red Like Blood: Confrontations with Grace - Joe Coffey & Bob Bevington
What did you read in 2011 that you would recommend to others?
6 comments:
Excellent list.
Number one on my recommendations list would be "The Valley of Vision" hands down.
Second would probably be "A Tale of Two Sons" by MacArthur.
Best Theology:
The Holiness of God, RC Sproul
The Marrow of Modern Divinity, Edward Fischer
Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin
Worship in Spirit and Truth, John Frame
Most helpful spiritually:
Mortification of Sin, John Owen
Others I enjoyed:
Fair Sunshine, Jock Purves
Heaven Taken by Storm, Thomas Watson
Best Biographies:
This Was John Calvin, Thea Van Helsema
George Whitefield, Arnold Dallimore
In the Light of Eternity: Leonard Ravenhill, Mack Tomlinson
I read a ton of books about twins in 2011, but it's not really necessary to mention them here.
I really want to read the Kellers' new marriage book. I'm not sure if I want to read the marriage book by the Driscolls even though I really liked their Peasant Princess series.
I was required by my employer to read a Stanley Fish book a while back; I was not impressed either.
I currently have my nose in two small F. F. Bruce books. I'm certainly his most loyal--and possibly only--fan, but his irenic style works for me (ironically).
Michael: I also loved Valley of Vision and return to it fairly often.
Lee: Thanks for all the recommendations. Finishing Calvin's Institutes is one of my goals for 2012!
Amanda: The Keller book is the best all-round book on marriage I've read. Most comprehensive in covering difficult issues with wisdom. Also best grounding in good theology. My only complaint is that it's sloppily written in a few places. Looks like it could have had better editing and it lacks the literary beauty of Mike Mason's book The Mystery of Marriage. As for Driscoll, I've only skimmed and spot-read. The strengths of their book seem to be their vulnerability about their own struggles and their frank discussion about sex. Others have given plenty of critique, which you've probably already seen. I'd say it's not the first book on marriage I'd hand most people, but it could be very helpful in certain situations.
Thanks for all the comments!
Oh - and mwh (Didn't mean to leave you out!): I largely agree with your appreciation for F. F. Bruce. I've recently been in his commentary on the Thessalonian letters. Whatever else may be said about him, Bruce was a faithful workman with the text.
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