15 books for 2018
For the last 2 years I’ve set a reading goal as one of my New Year’s Resolutions. I based my 2018 goal on this reading challenge by Tim Challies. His “Light Reader” list was more than double my previous goal which was comical to me, but coming off the high of successfully completing 2017’s reading goal I was up for the challenge.
I enjoyed the variety Tim’s list encouraged. I’ve been updating this post since about mid year and as of Nov 2nd I completed my goal! WOOHOO!
- Book > 100 years old: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Far more than I ever thought possible, I loved this book. I listened to it via Audible and found myself deeply connected to the March sisters. I felt a tangible loss when I finished it, wishing for more pages to turn. - Novel: Watership Down by Richard Adams
A book about rabbits on an epic journey. I never would’ve picked this up on my own. It came highly recommended though by several of my avid reading friends and now I know why. I definitely recommend it to anyone and plan to read this novel to my children when they are older. - Book with at least 400 pages: Paris by Edward Rutherford
Recommended to me by my mom, I listened to this otherwise intimidatingly long book (832 pages)on Audible. Great historical fiction follows Parisian history from 1261 to 1968 through a series of family lines. The stories and families intertwine throughout the book beautifully highlighting historical events and places. - Book of choice: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Having just finished Paris closing shortly after WWII, I was craving more historical fiction in this time period. I found this book searching Audible for recommended WWII fiction. Beautiful, haunting tale of two sisters who find their unique fight in Nazi occupied France. - Book about Christian living: Trusting God by Jerry Bridges
This book was gifted to me by a friend last Christmas. I wasn’t intentionally seeking out encouragement in this particular area at the time, but decided to read it since I had it. God has used this book along with a sermon series on Jospeh in Genesis to change much of my thinking on the topic of bitter providence. The book is easy to read and digest. I’d recommend to anyone looking for encouragement in God’s trustworthiness or a solid introduction to God’s sovereignty and providence. - Book published in 2018: The Prayer That Turns the World Upside Down: The Lord’s Prayer as a Manifesto for Revolution by R. Albert Mohler Jr.
Short read detailing the elements of the Lord’s Prayers (Matt 6:9–13). Mohler argues this prayer is not one to be simply memorized and mindlessly repeated for tradition sake. The Lord’s Prayer demands our attention as a template for correct prayer calling upon our corporate God who is both imminent and transcendent. He argues that praying in this way both honors God and fights against the status quo of this evil age. Easy read that is both convicting and helpful. - Book about current events: 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony Reinke
Comically I listened to this book on my Audible app. Reinke takes a balanced approach careful not to condemn technology but rather urges Christians not to become blind slaves to it’s influence. He makes clear observations about the effects of our digital age has on humanity and the way we interact with and engage the world. Many of his “12 ways” are obvious things we’d all readily agree with if we ever stopped to consider it. Thought provoking, this book has me rethinking how I use technology and social media and ways I might need to be a better steward of my time and digital presence. - Book about theology: Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards
I branched out with this one into reading that’s a bit more heady than usual. It was a difficult read that took my many months to get through but ultimately I’m glad I pressed on. The book considers what type of evidence will be displayed with regard to true grace filled affection for God vs false professions of faith based on emotional experiences. It was a helpful litmus test for my own Christian life and would be beneficial for the church as we seek to affirm new believers based on credible professions of faith. - Book for teens: Animal Farm by George Orwell
Ok, ok, I know this isn’t a “book for teens.” My logic here is that I was required to read this in a 10th grade humanities class. Despite receiving passing grades on all related assignments I never read a single page. 12 years later though I consumed this book in a single day. The satire is foreboding and quite convicting of my own apathetic political outlook. Sadly I see bits of myself in both Boxer the horse, ignorant and all too happy to follow the leader, and Benjamin the donkey, understanding yet silenced by his own outlook that life will never be much better or much worse. Certainly not the most flattering mirror I’ve ever looked into. - Missionary Biography: Bruchko by Bruce Olson
I had heard much about this story already from my husband who had read it several years ago and I was excited to read it for myself. It’s truly incredible to read of God’s faithfulness to redeem unreached peoples. Hearing of the many ways that God has written redemptive analogies into the lives and culture, even the pagan history of peoples around the world and how He uses them to open their eyes and hearts to the truth of His Word stirs my heart in awe. This is why I love reading missionary biographies. Bruce Olson was a man like any other, perhaps a bit braver than most, but he listened to God’s call and God was faithful to use him to pioneer missions into the tribal peoples of Columbia and significantly impact modern missional strategies for the better. - Book targeted at opposite gender: The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Certainly not a relaxing read but I enjoyed it. I found myself almost stressed at times like watching a suspenseful movie. I don’t read much of this genre so that was a new feeling. Dark and grungy, morally compromising at times this story of a father and young son in a dystopian post apocalyptic America was gripping. I enjoyed the read but it was a totally different experience than I am used to. Typically I fall in love with the characters of books but I struggled with the father in this story. His circumstances challenged my notion of what a good parent or person would do in any given situation and though I understood his actions I often disagreed with them. - Book that a friend recommends: Reformation: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow by Carl Trueman
Last year marked 500 years since the spark of the reformation. It was then during a church event discussing the historical significance of Martin Luther and reformation theology that my pastor recommended this book to me. It was 1 of 2 he gave me and I read the other right away (see last year’s book list), but I didn’t pick this one up until late this year. I think I misplaced it and had forgotten for a while. As fate would have it though I finished it just in time for Reformation day this year. I can’t speak highly enough about Trueman’s assessment of how reformation theology should continue to shape our thinking today. He does spend a little time expanding on the historical significance of the reformers, but the bulk of the text is spent discussing where the modern church has deviated and suggesting that we must turn back our trends and fads (and blatant errors) that have overstayed their welcome and continue to always be reforming according to the word of God, Semper reformanda! - Book by an author no longer living: Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I really wanted to like it, but this one was hard to wade through. I plucked this off my (large) shelf of unread books thinking it would be a good short read I could consume in a day or 2. It’s only 122 pages and it’s big font. Only a few chapters in I was a bit frustrated; turns out I’m not a Bonhoeffer fan. Eventually I went back to it purely for the sake of finishing it. Overall, I believe Bonhoeffer’s position is biblically faithful and he does have valid points the church should heed with regard to biblical community. My qualm is with his tendency to jump upon a soap box…a lot. It’s understandable perhaps given his historical context, but I think he is a bit extreme with his prescriptions on how a community is to live out the biblical commands. He goes on rants about things such as when it is best to read scripture, how one is to properly meditate or pray, and most notably that when the church sings praise to God it should only ever be in unison.
“There are some destroyers of unison singing in the fellowship that must be rigorously eliminated.”
This quote from pg. 60 is just the tip of the soap box iceberg. In my humble opinion he deviates much too often away from what the bible commands and demands we follow his preferences for how those commands be carried out.
Surpassing my goal, bonus reads!
14. Christian living: The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield
So deeply thought provoking and convicting on many levels! In my assessment Rosaria is spot on theologically though I would caution readers not to take this as prescriptive biblical hospitality. Her’s is one example of biblical hospitality, not the definitive way all believers should arrive to function, which she says as much near the end of the book. Though I would say she provides a great many examples of how we can all begin to be more truly hospitable people and a clear challenge to our often half hearted versions of hospitality we content ourselves with. I’d highly recommend this book to any believer and I think it would be especially helpful for couples to read together discuss how these biblical principles could begin to be applied in their families.
15. Historical Non-fiction: 1776 by David McCullough
Historical non-fiction is certainly not my typical genre of choice, though I was quite surprised how much I enjoyed listening to the events of the early American Revolution unfold. McCullough did an exceptional job of bringing the character and personalities of these iconic men to life. I have a new appreciation for the origins of our country and with what great conviction, courage and sacrifice it was born out of. One thing that struck me was just how often the fate of crucial events was completely dependant on the hand of God. From the winds on the Hudson River forcing the British to delay just long enough, to raging storms or thick fog that provided cover during strategic moves, and coincidences of all kinds that otherwise would’ve proved ruinous. Interesting and educational read.
Currently Reading and will finish in 2019
- What is Reformed Theology by R.C. Sproul
- Judges: Such a Great Salvation by Dale Ralph Davis
- April Morning by Howard Fast
And just for the record, I got through 7 chapters of Emma by Jane Austen and I just couldn’t bring myself to keep going; not my cup of tea. Feel free to let me know why I should ever finish this book.
If you have any recommendations I’m all ears!
Enjoyed this article? Follow me or 👏 to let me know!
This article contains affiliate links.
