The Top Ten Books I’ve Read in 2009

For the past four years, I have posted a brief recap of the books I’ve read for that particular year, as well as my list for the upcoming one. We’ve received feedback that this is helpful, so I thought I would do it again.

Before we begin, I do have a request. Please comment here and let me know the best books that you read in 2009. It would be helpful for the Buckhead blog community and for me. With that said, here we go.

Today I will start with my ten favorite books of the year. You can find my complete list for 2009 and some insights I gained from most of the books at http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1811176.

Influencer: The Power to Change Anything by Kerry Patterson and Joseph Grenny.
Axiom: Powerful Leadership Proverbs by Bill Hybels.
Vintage Jesus: Timeless Answers to Timely Questions by Mark Driscoll.
Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination by Neal Gabler.
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero.
Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 by Marcus Luttrell.
Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson.
How the Mighty Fall: And Why Some Companies Never Give In by Jim Collins.
Inside Steve’s Brain by Leander Kahney.

10.Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson.

Soon, I will post my 2010 list. Thanks for offering up your suggestions.

Jeff

do stuff

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posted

dec 16, 2009
by Buckhead Church

11 comments

Take a look at some of the responses we've had to this article.

liana
December 16, 2009 at 11:41 am

Sugar Blues by William Dufty
The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers (fiction)
Last Jihad Series by Joel Rosenberg (fiction)

We’re usually reading so many non-fiction books that it was a nice break this year to pick up some fiction for a change!!

John Carroll
December 16, 2009 at 11:43 am

Thanks for sharing, but for some reason I feel like if I read any of these I feel like I will be admitting I am a year behind. HA!

patrick
December 16, 2009 at 11:48 am

Jeff, I have just been waiting for these posts to come out! I am stoked to learn from what you have learned! I remember at the end of 07 or 08? that you made some great notes of your book takeaways available to us! That was awesome. I look forward to reading your takeaways again if I can get a hold of them!
I share your passion for LEARNING and reading and am a fellow “readaholic”.

I also read both Axiom (Hybels) and Vintage Jesus (Driscoll) in ‘08 and agree that they are both awesome! Axiom is the perfect leadership book to read with only 5 minutes every day!

My top 10 reads from 09 are:
Good to Great – Jim Collins (yes, I know, I know, I just got around to reading that one this year…)
The Truth About You – Marcus Buckingham
The Secret Message of Jesus – Brian McLaren
The Rest of God – Mark Buchanan
Think Orange – Reggie Joiner
The Pleasures of God – John Piper
Choosing to Cheat – Andy Stanley
Jesus Wants to Save Christians – Rob Bell
Crazy Love – Francis Chan
and the 1st fiction book I have read since I was 12 makes the list too! = Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone – J.K. Rowling

*Really pumped to see your 2010 reading list! I’ve been working on mine for a few weeks & waiting to see if I should add any from yours…
Thanks Jeff!

TG
December 16, 2009 at 12:48 pm

The Screwtape Letters – C.S. Lewis
Outliers – Malcolm Gladwell
Communicating for a Change – Andy Stanley
The Unforgiving Minute – Craig Mullaney
For Men Only – Shaunti Feldhahn
5000 Year Leap – W. Cleon Skousen
Born to Run – Christopher McDougall
A Whole New Mind – Daniel Pink
Free – Chris Anderson
Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters – Meg Meeker
Lone Survivor – Marcus Luttrell (on your recommendation)

Look forward to the 2010 list.

Jason
December 16, 2009 at 5:29 pm

Great list, there are some I look forward to reading. One of the best I read this year was The Go Giver by Bob Burg and John Mann.

Nicole Rochelle Morris
December 17, 2009 at 9:33 am

Thank you for your list Jeff! Here are my favs of the year.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (BEST BY FAR)
My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Purity Pronciple by Randy Alcorn
Love the One You Are With by Emily Giffin
Since Nobodys Perfect, How Good is Good Enough by Andy Stanley.

Now reading Who I Am In Christ by Neil Anderson and Fit To Be Tied by Robin Hatcher

Stephen
December 17, 2009 at 9:48 am

I can’t say enough about “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. Just a great read on what it really means to love.

It’s the first book that I’ve ever bought several copies of in order to give them away.

Matthew Walls
December 17, 2009 at 11:36 am

Outliers- Gladwell is a genius
How the Mighty Fall- a warning to all in leadership
The Principle of the Path- classic Andy
Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln- great book on how to communicate more effectively
Columbine- everyone needs to read this book by Dave Cullen
Margin- Richard Swenson’s book on creating breathing room in your life and schedule
Think Orange- a must for every leader/volunteer engaged in children or student ministry
Who Moved My Cheese?- I read this every year and love it
Augustus- Anthony Everett’s book is not always the easiest book to read, but is definitely insightful
Creating Magic- I am reading this book by Lee Cockerell right now and love the leadership ideas that come from his years of working at Disney