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