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
- Macbeth / William Shakespeare / Better Every Time
- Augustine as Mentor / Edward Smither / Tedious
- Leviathan Wakes / James S.A. Corey / Ripping
- Reformed Ethics, Vol. 2 / Herman Bavinck / Illuminating
- Caliban’s War / James S.A. Corey / Ripping
- A Line to Kill / Anthony Horowitz / Clever
- Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor / Yossi Halevi / Insightful
- Ploductivity / Douglas Wilson / Useful
- Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy / John le Carré / Brilliant
- Redeeming Your Time / Jordan Raynor / Outstanding
- Work and Our Labor in the Lord / Jim Hamilton / Quite Good
- The Gospel at Work / Traeger & Gilbert / Helpful
- Be Thou My Vision / Jonathan Gibson / Better Every Time
- Abaddon’s Gate / James S.A. Corey / Okay
- The Fellowship of the Ring / J.R.R. Tolkien / Better Every Time
- The Seventh / Richard Stark / Ripping
- Reading the Times / Jeffrey Bilbro / Hodgepodgey
- A Dozen Things God Did with Your Sin / Sam Storms / Spectacular
- Slow Horses / Mick Herron / Decent
- In His Image / Jen Wilkin / Wonderful
- The Path to Power / Robert Caro / Unbelievable
- Pacific Crucible / Ian Toll / Great
- The Conquering Tide / Ian Toll / Great
- Twilight of the Gods / Ian Toll / Great
- The Sour Lemon Score / Richard Stark / Ripping
- Desolation Island / Patrick O’Brian / Brilliant
- The Two Towers / J.R.R. Tolkien
- The Bruised Reed / Richard Sibbes / Better Every Time
- The Great Gatsby / F. Scott Fitzgerald / Better Every Time
- Piranesi / Susanna Clarke / Better Every Time
- We Go On / John Onwuchekwa / Meaningful
- True Grit / Charles Portis / Better Every Time
- Beowulf: A New Translation / Tr. Seamus Heaney / Better Every Time
- Wise Counsel / John Newton / Better Every Time
- Cryptonomicon / Neal Stephenson / Better Every Time
- A Time for Mercy / John Grisham / Better Every Time
- Strange New World / Carl Trueman / Excellent
- Be Thou My Vision / Jonathan Gibson / Better Every Time
- The Gospel and Personal Evangelism / Mark Dever / Better Every Time
- The Goldfinch / Donna Tartt / Better Every Time
- Dead Lions / Mick Herron / Pretty Good
- Typology / Jim Hamilton / Textual
- All Quiet on the Western Front / Erich Maria Remarque / Better Every Time
- The Survival of the Bark Canoe / John McPhee / Intriguing
- The Racketeer / John Grisham / Meh
- Sea of Tranquility / Emily St. John Mandel / Fabulous
- City on Fire / Don Winslow / Ripping
- Broken / Don Winslow / Pretty Good
- Means of Ascent (LBJ Vol. 2) / Robert Caro / Gobsmacking
- The Institute / Stephen King / Better Every Time
- It / Stephen King / Still Messy
- River of the Gods / Candice Millard / Meh
- Everything Sad Is Untrue / Daniel Nayeri / Poignant
- Unmasked / Paul Holes / Riveting
- Tolkien’s Ordinary Virtues / Mark Eddy Smith / Wise
- Cibola Burn / James S.A. Corey / Ripping
- The Terminal List / Jack Carr / Ripping
- True Believer / Jack Carr / Ripping
- Savage Son / Jack Carr / Ripping
- The Devil’s Hand / Jack Carr / Ripping
- Natural Theology / David Haines / Glorious
- Natural Theology / Geerhardus Vos / Underwhelming
- Farnsworth’s Classical English / Ward Farnsworth / Exquisite
- Jesus and the God of Classical Theism / Steven Duby / Great
- Biblical Reasoning / R.B. Jamieson & Tyler Wittman / Great
- God, Technology, and the Christian Life / Tony Reinke / Great
- Knowing Sin / Mark Jones / Convicting
- Lessons From the Upper Room / Sinclair Ferguson / Wonderful
- You’re Only Human / Kelly M. Kapic / Outstanding
- Trinitarian Dogmatics / Glenn Butner / Helpful
- Trinity, Revelation, and Reading / Scott R. Swain / Foundational
- Bub: Essays from Just North of Nashville / Drew Bratcher / Illuminating
- Literarily / Kristie Anyabwile / On Point
- Collected Poems (1966-1975) / Seamus Heaney / Wonderful
- Child of God / Cormac McCarthy / Better Every Time
- The Road / Cormac McCarthy / Better Every Time
- Portrait of an Unknown Woman / Daniel Silva / Ripping
- No Country for Old Men / Cormac McCarthy / Better Every Time
- It Takes More Than Love / Brittany Salmon / Insightful
- No Shortcut to Success / Matt Rhodes / Okay
- The Church / Erin Wheeler / Solid
- Blood Meridian / Cormac McCarthy / Better Every Time
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue / V.E. Schwab / Haunting
- The Life We’re Looking For / Andy Crouch / Beautiful
- Rogues / Patrick Radden Keefe / Rembrandt’s Eyes / Simon Schama
- The Return of the King / J.R.R. Tolkien / Better Every Time
- The Final Empire / Brandon Sanderson / Ripping
- The Making of the Atomic Bomb / Richard Rhodes / Frightening
- The Medieval Mind of C.S. Lewis / Jason Baxter / Clever
- Desert Star / Michael Connelly / Okay
- Creeds, Confessions, & Catechisms / Ed. Chad Van Dixhoorn / Glorious
- The Innocence of Father Brown / G.K. Chesterton / Silky Smooth
- The Last Folk Hero / Jeff Pearlman / Nostalgic
- Going to Church in Medieval England / Nicholas Orme / Curious
- The Physiology of Taste / Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin / Insane
- The Proverbs of Middle-Earth / David Rowe / Brilliant
- Pieces of the Frame / John McPhee / Fun
- Romans / Andrew Naselli / Glorious
- The Passenger / Cormac McCarthy / Heartbreaking
- Four Thousand Weeks / Oliver Burkeman / Time-bound
- Selected Poems / William Wordsworth / Lovely
- The Complete Works of John Owen, Volume 7 / John Owen / Rich
- The Magicians / Lev Grossman / Better Every Time
nice!
Great reading list. I wish I could be disciplined enough to read like that.
looks like you have been busy.
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”.
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
read “the god delusion” it may open your minds
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.
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.
Hello Kim,
The description “drizzlingly drenched” pays tribute to a book I read in 2008 by Michael Ward entitled “Planet Narnia.” Ward makes a brilliant and convincing case that C.S. Lewis constructed the Chronicles of Narnia series out of the imagery of the seven heavens that was so integral to the Medieval worldview. You can read more about Ward’s book here: http://www.planetnarnia.com/frequently-asked-questions .
Ward argues The Silver Chair embodies and expresses the qualities associated with Luna, that is, the Moon. Because of the Moon’s effect upon the tides of seas and rivers, Luna became linked with the idea of wateriness. After rereading The Silver Chair, I think Ward is right. That’s why I used the phrase “drizzlingly drenched.”
If you can’t get a copy of his book (http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Narnia-Seven-Heavens-Imagination/dp/019973870X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1286372564&sr=8-1), I’d recommend listening to this lecture (http://sptc.htb.org.uk/files/sptc/michael-ward.mp3).
This is probably way more than you wanted but I do hope this helps!
–Nick
Thanks for this review. I’ve dug out Planet Narnia, in my library (and so far unread!), and plan to read it this year, and again re-read Silver Chair. I’ll think of “drizzlingly drenched” as I do!
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
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
Hey Nick,
Great idea….so, I stole it. :) Hope you don’t mind. http://huiothesian.wordpress.com/book-list/
– Matt
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?
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
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
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
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
Hi Chris,
Thanks for reading the blog! I just shot you an email with a few thoughts.
Grace and peace,
–nr
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
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.
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.
And how you decided whether or not to keep reading a book that is “plodding” or “OK”!
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!
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
Tozer
Thanks Nick for your work on this. I anticipate being a regular visitor.
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
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!
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!
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.
I also appreciated Idelman’s Not a Fan and reviewed it on my blog a while back: https://imallbooked.com/2015/06/29/are-you-a-follower-or-just-a-fan/
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
Hi Andrew,
I just sent you an email.
Cheers,
Nick
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.
you have to read “The Faith of Christopher Hitchens” by Taunton. Great book!!
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
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! ;-)
Hello Nick just discovered your blog and would love the email about your reading habits.
Thank you for your reading list. I have read a few from the 2019 and appreciate you single comments.
Happy reading 2020‼️
Thank you for you reading list. I have enjoy a few and also appreciate your single comment review.
Happy and blessed reading 2020