Currently Reading

January 2023

On the Trinity / Augustine of Hippo

Life and Fate / Vasily Grossman

The Fortune of War / Patrick O’Brian

The Twist of a Knife / Anthony Horowitz

A Brightness Long Ago / Guy Gavriel Kay

Stella Maris / Cormac McCarthy

Master of the Senate (LBJ Vol. 3) / Robert Caro

The Mating Season / P.G. Wodehouse

The Divine Comedy / Dante


2022 Book Log

  1. Macbeth / William Shakespeare / Better Every Time
  2. Augustine as Mentor / Edward Smither / Tedious
  3. Leviathan Wakes / James S.A. Corey / Ripping
  4. Reformed Ethics, Vol. 2 / Herman Bavinck / Illuminating
  5. Caliban’s War / James S.A. Corey / Ripping
  6. A Line to Kill / Anthony Horowitz / Clever
  7. Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor / Yossi Halevi / Insightful
  8. Ploductivity / Douglas Wilson / Useful
  9. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy / John le Carré / Brilliant
  10. Redeeming Your Time / Jordan Raynor / Outstanding
  11. Work and Our Labor in the Lord / Jim Hamilton / Quite Good
  12. The Gospel at Work / Traeger & Gilbert / Helpful
  13. Be Thou My Vision / Jonathan Gibson / Better Every Time
  14. Abaddon’s Gate / James S.A. Corey / Okay
  15. The Fellowship of the Ring / J.R.R. Tolkien / Better Every Time
  16. The Seventh / Richard Stark / Ripping
  17. Reading the Times / Jeffrey Bilbro / Hodgepodgey
  18. A Dozen Things God Did with Your Sin / Sam Storms / Spectacular
  19. Slow Horses / Mick Herron / Decent
  20. In His Image / Jen Wilkin / Wonderful
  21. The Path to Power / Robert Caro / Unbelievable
  22. Pacific Crucible / Ian Toll / Great
  23. The Conquering Tide / Ian Toll / Great
  24. Twilight of the Gods / Ian Toll / Great
  25. The Sour Lemon Score / Richard Stark / Ripping
  26. Desolation Island / Patrick O’Brian / Brilliant
  27. The Two Towers / J.R.R. Tolkien
  28. The Bruised Reed / Richard Sibbes / Better Every Time
  29. The Great Gatsby / F. Scott Fitzgerald / Better Every Time
  30. Piranesi / Susanna Clarke / Better Every Time
  31. We Go On / John Onwuchekwa / Meaningful
  32. True Grit / Charles Portis / Better Every Time
  33. Beowulf: A New Translation / Tr. Seamus Heaney / Better Every Time
  34. Wise Counsel / John Newton / Better Every Time
  35. Cryptonomicon / Neal Stephenson / Better Every Time
  36. A Time for Mercy / John Grisham / Better Every Time
  37. Strange New World / Carl Trueman / Excellent
  38. Be Thou My Vision / Jonathan Gibson / Better Every Time
  39. The Gospel and Personal Evangelism / Mark Dever / Better Every Time
  40. The Goldfinch / Donna Tartt / Better Every Time
  41. Dead Lions / Mick Herron / Pretty Good
  42. Typology / Jim Hamilton / Textual
  43. All Quiet on the Western Front / Erich Maria Remarque / Better Every Time
  44. The Survival of the Bark Canoe / John McPhee / Intriguing
  45. The Racketeer / John Grisham / Meh
  46. Sea of Tranquility / Emily St. John Mandel / Fabulous
  47. City on Fire / Don Winslow / Ripping
  48. Broken / Don Winslow / Pretty Good
  49. Means of Ascent (LBJ Vol. 2) / Robert Caro / Gobsmacking
  50. The Institute / Stephen King / Better Every Time
  51. It / Stephen King / Still Messy
  52. River of the Gods / Candice Millard / Meh
  53. Everything Sad Is Untrue / Daniel Nayeri / Poignant
  54. Unmasked / Paul Holes / Riveting
  55. Tolkien’s Ordinary Virtues / Mark Eddy Smith / Wise
  56. Cibola Burn / James S.A. Corey / Ripping
  57. The Terminal List / Jack Carr / Ripping
  58. True Believer / Jack Carr / Ripping
  59. Savage Son / Jack Carr / Ripping
  60. The Devil’s Hand / Jack Carr / Ripping
  61. Natural Theology / David Haines / Glorious
  62. Natural Theology / Geerhardus Vos / Underwhelming
  63. Farnsworth’s Classical English / Ward Farnsworth / Exquisite
  64. Jesus and the God of Classical Theism / Steven Duby / Great
  65. Biblical Reasoning / R.B. Jamieson & Tyler Wittman / Great
  66. God, Technology, and the Christian Life / Tony Reinke / Great
  67. Knowing Sin / Mark Jones / Convicting
  68. Lessons From the Upper Room / Sinclair Ferguson / Wonderful
  69. You’re Only Human / Kelly M. Kapic / Outstanding
  70. Trinitarian Dogmatics / Glenn Butner / Helpful
  71. Trinity, Revelation, and Reading / Scott R. Swain / Foundational
  72. Bub: Essays from Just North of Nashville / Drew Bratcher / Illuminating
  73. Literarily / Kristie Anyabwile / On Point
  74. Collected Poems (1966-1975) / Seamus Heaney / Wonderful
  75. Child of God / Cormac McCarthy / Better Every Time
  76. The Road / Cormac McCarthy / Better Every Time
  77. Portrait of an Unknown Woman / Daniel Silva / Ripping
  78. No Country for Old Men / Cormac McCarthy / Better Every Time
  79. It Takes More Than Love / Brittany Salmon / Insightful
  80. No Shortcut to Success / Matt Rhodes / Okay
  81. The Church / Erin Wheeler / Solid
  82. Blood Meridian / Cormac McCarthy / Better Every Time
  83. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue / V.E. Schwab / Haunting
  84. The Life We’re Looking For / Andy Crouch / Beautiful
  85. Rogues / Patrick Radden Keefe / Rembrandt’s Eyes / Simon Schama
  86. The Return of the King / J.R.R. Tolkien / Better Every Time
  87. The Final Empire / Brandon Sanderson / Ripping
  88. The Making of the Atomic Bomb / Richard Rhodes / Frightening
  89. The Medieval Mind of C.S. Lewis / Jason Baxter / Clever
  90. Desert Star / Michael Connelly / Okay
  91. Creeds, Confessions, & Catechisms / Ed. Chad Van Dixhoorn / Glorious
  92. The Innocence of Father Brown / G.K. Chesterton / Silky Smooth
  93. The Last Folk Hero / Jeff Pearlman / Nostalgic
  94. Going to Church in Medieval England / Nicholas Orme / Curious
  95. The Physiology of Taste / Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin / Insane
  96. The Proverbs of Middle-Earth / David Rowe / Brilliant
  97. Pieces of the Frame / John McPhee / Fun
  98. Romans / Andrew Naselli / Glorious
  99. The Passenger / Cormac McCarthy / Heartbreaking
  100. Four Thousand Weeks / Oliver Burkeman / Time-bound
  101. Selected Poems / William Wordsworth / Lovely
  102. The Complete Works of John Owen, Volume 7 / John Owen / Rich
  103. The Magicians / Lev Grossman / Better Every Time

 

The Best Books I Read In:

Book Log:

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41 responses to “Currently Reading”

  1. mindy sue
    January 31, 2008 at 4:22 pm

    nice!

    Reply
  2. Barry Wallace
    November 2, 2008 at 10:10 pm

    Great reading list. I wish I could be disciplined enough to read like that.

    Reply
  3. humanitasremedium
    July 14, 2009 at 6:23 pm

    looks like you have been busy.

    Reply
  4. Michael Meadows
    July 29, 2009 at 2:19 pm

    Have you ever read Thomas Sowell? Not a Christian author but I note you intermingle your reading with non-Christian works, and Sowell is one of the best on contemporary culture issues. One of his ‘must-reads’ is “Black Rednecks – White Liberals”.

    Reply
    • tollelege
      July 29, 2009 at 4:00 pm

      Dear Michael,

      Yes, I’ve read a couple of Thomas Sowell’s books. I really enjoyed “A Conflict of Visions.” I’ll keep an eye out for the book you mentioned. Sounds interesting.

      Blessings to you,

      –Nick

      Reply
  5. pedro
    January 6, 2010 at 4:02 pm

    read “the god delusion” it may open your minds

    Reply
    • Fearless Witness
      March 1, 2010 at 2:58 pm

      Hi Pedro,
      You’re right about The God Delusion, after reading it, I am more convinced than ever that Jesus Christ is the (only) Way, the Truth, and the Life.

      Reply
  6. kim
    October 5, 2010 at 7:21 pm

    Great list! I’m adding a few from your list to my own. We live abroad and it’s a bit difficult to find or get good books. Sigh.

    What do you mean by, “Drizzlingly drenched”–the words are fun to say and great as a description–I’m just curious about what you mean. Thanks.

    Reply
  7. Paul
    November 22, 2010 at 11:42 am

    Hello!!!!

    I was just wondering why you thought the book “Tribes” was heretical. Not that I read it or anything and thus disagree with you, but because I had the opportunity to buy it in a Christian conference sort-of-thing. Would you care to briefly explain why this book was so heretical to you? (I know I could just read the book myself to see why…) LOL

    thanks

    Reply
    • tollelege
      November 22, 2010 at 1:20 pm

      Hi Paul,

      I was using the adjective “heretical” in the same way Godin uses it in his book. He uses “heretic” in the sense of anyone who does not conform to an established attitude, doctrine, or principle. These kind of “heretics,” according to Godin, create movements in the business world.

      He states: “By challenging the status quo, a cadre of heretics is discovering that one person, just one, can make a huge difference… Heretics are the new leaders. The ones who challenge the status quo, who get out in front of their tribes, who create movements.” (11-12).

      Hope this helps…

      –Nick

      Reply
  8. matttully
    March 2, 2011 at 10:38 am

    Hey Nick,
    Great idea….so, I stole it. :) Hope you don’t mind. http://huiothesian.wordpress.com/book-list/

    – Matt

    Reply
  9. Saul
    July 14, 2011 at 9:18 am

    Hello Nick, i just found your blog while searching for a quote, and i already added it to my bookmarks :D, great blog. Q. Have you read Francis Chan?

    Reply
    • tollelege
      July 15, 2011 at 12:52 pm

      Hi Saul, thanks for the link! I read and enjoyed Crazy Love a few years ago but I have not read any of Chan’s latest stuff. Would you recommend it?

      –Nick

      Reply
      • Saul
        July 15, 2011 at 2:15 pm

        Well, i don’t now about Erasing Hell, but Forgotten God is great, also i really recommend Tolstoi’s short story Father Sergius, and The Kingdom of God Is Within You. I really like Tolstoi and Dostoevsky. :D

        -Saul

  10. Saul
    July 16, 2011 at 8:29 am

    I would like to clarify, “The kingdom of God is within you” is a great read even though, this book does not explores the concept of grace and redemption through Christ. I believe Tolstoi rejects some Christian tenets like the resurrection, miracles, the virgin birth, etc.. It is more about pacifism and social justice .

    -Saul

    Reply
  11. Chris
    July 27, 2011 at 4:07 pm

    Nick,

    Love the blog, love the quotes and your passion for God’s glory and reading to that end. Thank you!

    Would you mind explaining how you go about reading a book? I know that sounds simple, but I’d like to read and would like to be better at it (more comprehension, faster, remembering details longer, etc.). Any help in this direction would be greatly appreciated!

    Best regards,

    Chris

    Reply
    • tollelege
      August 1, 2011 at 8:02 pm

      Hi Chris,

      Thanks for reading the blog! I just shot you an email with a few thoughts.

      Grace and peace,

      –nr

      Reply
      • Zach Kennedy
        November 9, 2011 at 3:55 pm

        Nick,

        Could you send me a similar email? I too have been curious about how you manage to read so much each year and would like to learn what I can from you. By the way, I’m constantly blessed by your blog and it has been quite a handy resource for looking up quotes and whatnot. Thanks man.

        -Zach

      • Matt McCoy
        February 12, 2012 at 7:08 pm

        I would also like an email with the aforementioned “few thoughts.” I need help in this area! thanks Man! I hope you and the family are doing well.

  12. Lauren L
    September 13, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    Hi, I’d love more information on the practical/purposeful side of your reading life: how you read, when you read, how you find time to read, and how you remember what you read. Do you take notes, highlight, write down quotes, etc.? Do you keep books, give them away, etc.? Just started reading more voraciously and would like to find ways to be moer disciplined about it. Also returning to reading lots of classics, and I find myself wishing I had a professor to help me with some of the works, especially those that use vocabulary or cite ideals that had a different meaning contextually that what they have now.

    Reply
  13. Lauren L
    September 13, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    One other question! I came here today to find the name of the book on Hebrews that I thought I saw under your “currently reading” list. I don’t see it here now. Did you take it down, or am I mistaken? Would you mind telling me the name, unless you strongly disliked it? Thanks!

    Reply
  14. Laura Thompson
    February 3, 2013 at 10:27 pm

    Nick, the blog is WONDERFUL!! I was googling a Tozier quote and ended up on your blog… I was so excited to find this great resource and then all the more to see that it was your work :) Please say hello to Allison for us… hope all is well in DC!
    – Laura (and Jay) Thompson

    Reply
  15. Chris
    August 5, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    Thanks Nick for your work on this. I anticipate being a regular visitor.

    Reply
  16. Kai Tham
    January 21, 2014 at 7:18 am

    Hi Nick,

    Very encouraged by your love for reading and your consistency in up-keeping the blog about your reading habits.

    Keep it up.

    Kai Tham

    Reply
  17. angie5804
    January 1, 2015 at 5:34 pm

    Of your 2014 reads, I’ve read Hatchet, some of the Heidelberg Catechism, the first 3 Harry Potter books, Pilgrim’s Progress. I have a long way to go – hope to read more this year!

    Reply
  18. I'mAllBooked
    December 31, 2015 at 5:27 pm

    I just discovered your site from Challies’ list of links for top books for 2015. I love the wide variety of books you seem to read, and enjoy the one-word descriptions you give for each one. My blog is dedicated to recommending and reviewing books I feel every Christian should read. Since I work a 40 hr/week job now, I unfortunately don’t have as much time to read and write as I did when I started blogging a few years ago. While you’re reading about two books per week, I’m currently closer to two per month; so I’m trying to focus on quality rather than quantity at this point! I look forward to following your recommendations and reviews in the future. God Bless!

    Reply
  19. Robert Davis
    June 16, 2016 at 6:28 am

    Have you read Not A Fan by Kyle Idleman?
    It’s a good book. Confirmational and convicting all at once.
    I’m enjoying (and am challenged/encouraged) by your blog. I’ve only been here a couple of weeks but I have copied the link to my home screen right beside Chambers and Spurgeon. Thanks for your efforts.

    Reply
  20. Andrew
    July 5, 2016 at 6:59 am

    Hi Nick

    I stumbled across your blog the other day & I’m really glad that I did. I love the breadth of reading material. There is a healthy balance of sound evangelical Theology with lots of other interesting stuff. You have presented me with loads of books I want to investigate.

    As a husband, father, & pastor how do you fit it all in? Could you provide a rough guide in terms of when you read & how much per week? I’ve just noticed that others have asked similar questions (Lauren L in particular) & you haven’t responded for several years. Oh well here’s to trying!

    Blessings

    Andrew

    Reply
    • tollelege
      July 9, 2016 at 9:02 pm

      Hi Andrew,

      I just sent you an email.

      Cheers,

      Nick

      Reply
      • Eric
        August 7, 2016 at 8:47 pm

        Nick, I have similar questions that Andrew has. I love this blog. Here are my questions:

        How do you fit it all in?
        How do you determine your reading list?

        Hope you are doing well and I look forward to your reply.

  21. rifleman
    August 1, 2016 at 6:52 pm

    you have to read “The Faith of Christopher Hitchens” by Taunton. Great book!!

    Reply
  22. Chris Keswick
    December 29, 2016 at 11:10 pm

    Thank you for all the wonderful and inspirational reading ideas! I too would love to hear more about how you go about choosing books and finding time to read. All the Light You Cannot See was a favorite for me this year, along with Jerry Bridges’ Pursuit of Holiness. Thank you!
    Chris in MN

    Reply
  23. Scott
    October 14, 2019 at 11:19 am

    Hi Nick, it appears you are being “called” to give a short class entitled ” How I Do It”. I too am interested in learning what I can. Then again, it could be you just have that gift! ;-)

    Reply
  24. John Sherlock
    November 1, 2019 at 5:33 pm

    Hello Nick just discovered your blog and would love the email about your reading habits.

    Reply
  25. Diane Pedrosa
    December 28, 2019 at 10:40 am

    Thank you for your reading list. I have read a few from the 2019 and appreciate you single comments.
    Happy reading 2020‼️

    Reply
  26. Diane Pedrosa
    December 28, 2019 at 10:42 am

    Thank you for you reading list. I have enjoy a few and also appreciate your single comment review.
    Happy and blessed reading 2020

    Reply

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