2008 Book List
As some of you know, I’m a fairly avid reader. It stems from a comment Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A, once said. “There are two ways to improve yourself. The books you read and the people you interact with.”
Since then, I’ve been very intentional about surrounding myself with people who challenge, inspire and encourage me. I try to do the same with books. I’m currently finishing up my 2008 book list and thought I would check with the Buckhead blog readers to see what recommendations you might have. What books have you read that should be on my list for next year?
I’ll publish my 2008 book list next week. Until then, hit me with your best shot. And yes, the Bible is always on the list!
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Personal Developmentposted
dec 20, 2007by Buckhead Church
December 20, 2007 at 6:23 am
Great Question Jeff, I am looking forward to checking out your list.
A couple of my favorite books of this past year are
1) The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman
2) A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
3) Your God is Too Safe by Mark Buchanan
4) Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
Something that I have started doing that was recommended by both John Hambrick and my Grandmother is to start recording the books that I read in a journal of some sort. It has been a really good way to start keeping track of all of the books that I have read and when I read them.
I am looking forward to hearing what other people have to say.
Josh
December 20, 2007 at 7:06 am
Anything by C.S. Lewis. Also check out A New Kind of Christian by McLaren and Irresistible Revolution by Claiborne, you may not agree with everything in them, but they should make you think.
December 20, 2007 at 8:17 am
Searching for God Know’s What, Donald Miller (I liked it better than BLJ!)
A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseni (the same guy who wrote The Kite Runner)
Desiring God, John Piper (hurts my brain to read sometimes, but great!)
Kaplan LSAT 180 (I should find out today or tomorrow if it worked…) :)
December 20, 2007 at 8:35 am
Made to Stick by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
December 20, 2007 at 9:59 am
Josh, like you, I thought The World is Flat was amazing. Thanks for the suggestion of A Long Way Gone and Your God is to Safe. I’ll check those out.
Akash, I’m a big C.S. Lewis fan too. I thought A New Kind of Christian by McLaren was thought-provoking. I’ve heard of Irresistible Revolution. I’ll check it out.
Warren, I’ve got Kite Runner on the list for this year. Should I read that one first? Let me know how the LSAT goes!
Marty, Made to Stick is one of my top five favorite books of 2007. Thanks for suggesting it. For those of you that deal in the world of ideas and wanting those ideas to stick, this is a must read. Don’t take my word for it though. Take Marty’s!
Thanks for the suggestions. Keep ‘em coming. This is helpful.
Jeff
December 20, 2007 at 10:02 am
Sex and the Supremacy of Christ by John Piper
Not for Sale by David Batstone
Mark of a Man by Elisabeth Elliot (geared toward the young 20′s, single crowd but still a good read)
Carlos Whittaker’s blog :)
Also, Francis Chan is coming out with a book in January – VERY excited about that!
December 20, 2007 at 12:24 pm
The Dynamic Path (On Leadership and Legacy) by James M. Citrin
America, The Last Best Hope Vol II (Great 20th Century History overview) by William Bennett
Faith In The Halls of Power by D. Michael Lindsey
The Lexus and The Olive Tree Thomas Friedman
May i suggest reading it next to your fireplace listening to the remastered 30th anniversary special cd edition of the Master & Musician and the Beyond Nature cd…both brilliant!…I mean genius acoustic guitar work by Phil Keaggy!…sorry He is one of my musical heroes!..:-)
December 20, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Jeff, I am a huge reader and without question the best book I read in 2007 was “The Bema” – a story about the judgement seat of Christ, Tim Stevenson is the author. I would put this book in my top 5 of all time. It is a vivid reminder that everyday we spend here matters in eternity. I have never read a book that stirred me emotionally as much as this one did. Furthermore, though the book was a fictional account, it stayed very true to the Bible theologically.
Defining book in my life, I gave it to everyone in my small group and some other friends of mine.
Thanks for the good info on the blog.
December 20, 2007 at 3:26 pm
I love C S Lewis as well. Yancey is probably my favorite. If I’m in the mood for something lighter, i’ll go with Ortberg. I also am really challenged by Richard Foster. All that said, however, I read something this year that was completely different for me and I liked it – fiction! The book, or series of books, is called
“Listening for God”: Contemporary Literature and the Life of Faith – it is a compilation of short stories put together by Paula Carlson and Peter Hawkins. I believe there are now 4 volumes out. Some of the stories are disturbing, others poignant. My favorite was probably by Frederick Buechner. In fact, I will probably read more Buechner now. For the most part, all of the stories have to do, on some level, with finding ourselves in the narrative and finding the sacred in the ordinary. Very compelling. In that sense, I believe Truett Cathy was right! I think I grew having read this book.
The other book I would reccommend is “Grace is Everywhere: Reflections of an Aspiring Monk” by James Stephen Behrens. This book does not require the reader to delve too hard to find the sacred in the ordinary as it is the premise of the book. Each story is only about 2 – 3 pages long, but will definitely have you looking at your day through a different lens!
Enjoy!
Kathy
December 20, 2007 at 4:06 pm
So, it’s not exactly a book for the general masses and it’s not a book that will necessarily draw one closer to God. However, “How to Get a Date Worth Keeping” by Dr. Henry Cloud should be on the reading list for every “single” at Buckhead. It changed my entire perspective on dating – I feel free! This book is for men and women.
December 20, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Great idea for a post Jeff. I love hearing what others are reading as I’m an avid reader as well. I’m neck deep in three right now…
Atlas Shrugged – Ayn Rand
Total Money Makeover – Dave Ramsey
The Power of a Praying Husband – Stormie Omartian
I was talked into the first one by a co-worker and I wish I would have ignored as this is a tough one. The second two are a preparation course for marriage…
First three in 2008:
The Year of Living Biblically – AJ Jacobs (Sounds extremely interesting)
The Abstinence Teacher – Tom Perotta (Sounds kind of funny)
Life in the Spirit – J. Robertson McQuilkin (Holy Spirit still confuses me and I heard this was a good one)
Looking forward to seeing yours Jeff…
December 20, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Jeff,
I second Your God is Too Safe by Mark Buchanan. Right now I’m reading Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas which is really great (if you can overlook some of the language). Any of Ted Dekker’s book are good if you like fiction. I think my all time favorite for this year was Me, Myself & Bob: A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables by Phil Vischer (he is the creator of Veggie Tales and it tells about his struggles growing up and how he created Veggie Tales).
Looking forward to the Christmas service Sunday!
Scott
December 20, 2007 at 8:49 pm
I would 2nd the comment about keeping track of what you are reading. This year, I have a complete list and have blogged my thoughts about most of them. I have read 21 books so far this year, here are some of my favorite/thought provoking/interesting reads:
When God Winks on Love by Squire Rushnell
Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
Dreams from my Father by Barack Obama
The Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans
Three weeks with My Brother by Nicholas Sparks
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
December 20, 2007 at 11:53 pm
I read books like I breathe air so this post makes me wiggle my toes with pleasure.
I always enjoy reading anything by Anne Lamott; “Traveling Mercies”, is one I am specifically thinking of. I don’t always agree with everything she says, ’tis true, but her perspective is wonderful and her writing superb.
I’m looking forward to reading a book Chris Arias told me about, “The Shack”, by William P. Young. It’s supposedly beyond phenomenal.
“Blink” and “The Tipping Point”, by Malcolm Gladwell are wonderful.
“Celebration of Discipline” by Richard Foster
“New Seeds of Contemplation” by Thomas Merton
Anything in the “33 and a 1/3″ series if you like rock n’ roll like I do.
“Crunchy Cons: How Birkenstocked Burkeans, gun-loving organic gardeners, evangelical free-range farmers, hip homeschooling mamas, right-wing nature lovers, and their diverse tribe of countercultural conservatives plan to save America (or at least the Republican Party).” by Rod Dreher. With a title like that, I have to say, my interest is piqued.
I could keep going…but I won’t…
December 21, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Wikinomics, by Don Tapscott & Anthony D. Williams
It’s been a great business book that has shifted my paradigm. I’ve had a similar reaction to it like I had when I read The World is Flat. Just a helpful book for leading and communicating in the 21st century vs. the 20th century.
Great idea for blog. Thanks for asking.
December 21, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Meghan… I too love Anne LaMott- very authentic!
My favorite book this year is What’s so Amazing About Grace (the visual edition) -absolutely incredible!
Henri Nouwen’s Return of the Prodigal’s Son – it is about one of Rembrandt’s etchings.
I also adore the children’s books Oliviatown, dot, ish, and art. (fyi- those are 4 separate books)
I’ve read several art commentaries and art books, but those, I don’t think would go on a favorite’s list.
Jeff- I am reading Kite Runner over the Christmas holidays! I can’t wait!
December 21, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Hi Jeff!
I love to read, but am challenged at the moment to even remember what I read this year! With a house full of kids, I read lots on parenting. I do remember “Heart of Anger” was a great guide to helping kids process their feelings and where they come from (and what to do about them). Since you have a daughter (and a wife), “Captivating” would be a good choice as well. I also go back to “Praying the Scriptures for Your Children” regularly. I’d like to see your list from 2007 also!
December 22, 2007 at 8:10 am
Wow. This is awesome. Thanks everyone! I’ve been going through your suggestions and working on my list. (And checking it twice, like you know who.) I’ll post my list sometime next week. Also, that’s when I’ll post my reading list from this year which includes some of the books you suggested. I’ll offer up a quick review and top takeaways from the 2007 list as well.
Thanks again. And keep suggesting if you’re new to this post. See you Sunday.
Merry Christmas!
Jeff
December 27, 2007 at 11:50 am
Love all the book suggestions! Just read Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell.
Some favorites are Holy the Firm and For the Time Being by Annie Dillard
I will have to check out some of these suggestions that i haven’t read yet!
Mostly I read a lot of parenting books but i need to add a few of these others to my list :)
December 28, 2007 at 8:14 pm
When I was pregnant I invited Jesus in my heart and life. I was in the very beginning of my pregnancy at that time and the pastor prayed for me to be a great mother and for some reason that felt so good… Since that moment I’ve been asking God to make the the Best Mother (as Andy says: ask big!). For Christmas I got a book called “Screamfree Parenting” and I thought: “I’m not a frustrated parent” I consider myself a great mom, but I know God works in ways I don’t understand. Well, I just started reading the book and I want everybody to read it. All the Waumba Land and Kids Stuff Parents, my friends and family, everybody! I know this is the answer to my prayers. This book will help to bring peace to families and what kids need in order to grow as caring, self directed adults. The author is Hal Edward Runkel.
Looking forward to your list!
Have a very blessed 2008!
M & M
January 1, 2008 at 8:13 am
Jeff, I can’t wait to see your 2008 list as well as what you learned from 2007. I just read A Long Way Gone and it is unbelievable what Ishmael, the author, had to endure. A very courageous story. I highly recommend reading A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken. It was recommended to me recently and it is probably one of my favorite books I have read to date. It is a love story between Sheldon and his wife, “Davy” and explores how they come to know Christ. C.S. Lewis also writes 18 letters in this book. Perhaps this would be a good read the week of Valentines Day!
Happy New Year,
John
January 1, 2008 at 11:16 am
Jeff! I love your annual book list. And I’ve decided each year to encourage a few “escape books” for you in hopes of a little much needed relaxation in the coming year. I recommend “Honeymoon with my Brother” and one on my list for 2008 is “Into the Wild.” Happy 2008.
January 6, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Jeff, Thanks again for the post. From seeing your list and reading the many recommendations from others I now cannot go on Amazon.com alone.
As for suggestions for a future read, “Finding Common Ground” by Tim Downs was a life changer for me.
Hope to catch up soon, Matt