Currently Reading

September 2023

Theoretical-Practical Theology, Vol. 4 / Van Mastricht

Union with the Resurrected Christ / G.K. Beale

Christianity & Liberalism / J. Gresham Machen

O Come, O Come Emmanuel / Jonathan Gibson

You’re Only Human / Kelly Kapic

Niels Lyhne / Jens Peter Jacobsen

Oliver Twist / Charles Dickens

Earthsea Quartet / Ursula K. Le Guin

The Yearling / Majorie Kinnan Rawlings

Libra / Don DeLillo

Brideshead Revisited / Evelyn Waugh

King: A Life / Jonathan Eig

Command and Control / Eric Schlosser

 

2023 Book Log

  1. Fahrenheit 451 / Ray Bradbury / Better Every Time
  2. Mystic River / Dennis Lehane / Better Every Time
  3. Stella Maris / Cormac McCarthy / Sad
  4. Confessions / Augustine of Hippo / Better Every Time
  5. The Power of the Dog / Don Winslow / Better Every Time
  6. On the Road with Saint Augustine / James K.A. Smith / Okay
  7. Death by Meeting / Patrick Lencioni / Helpful
  8. The Magicians / Lev Grossman / Better Every Time
  9. Where COVID Came From / Nicholas Wade / Fascinating
  10. Nemesis Games / James S. A. Corey / Ripping
  11. Romans (Read / Mark / Learn) / St. Helen’s Bishopsgate / Better Every Time
  12. Romans / Andrew Naselli / Better Every Time
  13. Five Level of Leadership / John Maxwell / Better Every Time
  14. English Literature in the Sixteenth Century / C.S. Lewis / Illuminating
  15. Mere Christianity / C.S. Lewis / Better Every Time
  16. The Screwtape Letters / C.S. Lewis / Better Every Time
  17. The Great Divorce / C.S. Lewis / Better Every Time
  18. Miracles / C.S. Lewis / Better Every Time
  19. The Problem of Pain / C.S. Lewis / Better Every Time
  20. A Grief Observed / C.S. Lewis / Better Every Time
  21. The Abolition of Man / C.S. Lewis / Better Every Time
  22. After Humanity / Michael Ward / Helpful
  23. The Weight of Glory / C.S. Lewis / Better Every Time
  24. Lolita / Vladimir Nabokov / Better Every Time
  25. Radically Whole / David Gibson / Outstanding
  26. The Scent of Time / Byung-Chul Han / Helpful
  27. The Outsider / Stephen King / Better Every Time
  28. Come, Lord Jesus / John Piper / Glorious
  29. Christian Love / Hugh Binning / Heartening
  30. The Silence of the Lambs / Thomas Harris / Better Every Time
  31. Empire of the Summer Moon / S. C. Gwynne / Ripping
  32. The Exorcist / William Peter Blatty / Better Every Time
  33. Humility / Gavin Ortlund / Outstanding
  34. Only the Dead / Jack Carr / Ripping
  35. Storm / George Stewart / Dry
  36. Fear / Gabriel Chevallier / Mixed
  37. The Wager / David Grann / Incredible
  38. City of Dreams / Don Winslow / Not Too Shabby
  39. The Lord’s Supper as a Means of Grace / Richard Barcellos / Outstanding
  40. The Rainmaker / John Grisham / Better Every Time
  41. The Shadow of the Wind / Carlos Ruiz Zafon / Better Every Time
  42. The Shining / Stephen King / Better Every Time
  43. Fairy Tale / Stephen King / Magical
  44. The Twelve Monotasks / Thatcher Wine / Meh
  45. The Gospel of Jesus / Lorraine Boettner / Wonderful
  46. The Genesis of Gender / Abigail Favale / Great
  47. The Ink Black Heart / Robert Galbraith / Fun
  48. The Twist of a Knife / Anthony Horowitz / Clever
  49. The Collector / Daniel Silva / Ripping
  50. The Path to Being a Pastor / Bobby Jamieson / Helpful
  51. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone / J.K. Rowling / Better Every Time
  52. Books Are Made Out of Books / Michael Crews / Erudite
  53. Biblical Productivity / C. J. Mahaney / Better Every Time
  54. The Mist / Stephen King / Ripping
  55. Babylon’s Ashes / James S. A. Corey / Ripping
  56. Redeeming Your Time / Jordan Raynor / Better Every Time
  57. JFK and the Unspeakable / James W. Douglas / Great Scott
  58. All the King’s Men / Robert Penn Warren / Better Every Time
  59. The Lords of Discipline / Pat Conroy / Better Every Time
  60. The Forgotten Attributes of God / Peter Sammons / Outstanding
  61. The Incomparableness of God / George Swinnock / Better Every Time
  62. Finding Assurance with Thomas Goodwin / Andrew Ballitch / Excellent

 

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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