If you want to grow, you need to read. You’ll always be “too busy,” so stop making up excuses and use this summer to dig into a few good books. Here are ten that I’ve read in the last year that I think you’ll enjoy. Some are brand new, some are decades old. There’s fiction, theology, and even some comedy. The list is numbered for organization, not rank. Look through these ten, find one that jumps out at you and READ.
1. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller
Do you know what you believe? Better yet, do you know why you believe it? In The Reason for God, Keller presents a concise, easy to understand defense of the Christian faith. You don’t have to be a theology major to enjoy and learn from this book.
2. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Everyone seems to be talking about this book (pun intended). For good reason. Our world seems to celebrate the extrovert at the expense of the introvert. In Quiet, Cain shares some interesting arguments regarding inwardly focused individuals. I was amazed at how quickly I got through this work.
3. Is God a Moral Monster?: Making Sense of the Old Testament God by Paul Copan
Why does God seem so ticked off in the Old Testament? What’s with all of those weird laws found in Leviticus? Copan does a great job of bringing context to these questions in a easy to understand way. I am a HUGE fan of this book. I encourage all Christians to work through this Is God a Moral Monster, even if it’s only a little at a time.
4. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
Okay, so this one might be a little old, but it’s a classic! You haven’t read it? What are you waiting for?! Who wouldn’t want to work through a book that is written from the perspective of a demon, bent on pulling “patients” away from God?
5. A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards
Another classic. If you have been or are working under an abusive leader, you need to read this book. It can be completed in one sitting, yet its ideas will stick with you for a long, long time.
6. Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life by Steve Martin
I love origin stories. For me, it’s always fascinating to see how a big shot got their start. Because, when you think about it, behind all of the diamond studded suits and dollar bill napkins, they’re just like us. Born Standing Up, written by Steve Martin, is one of the best autobiographies I’ve read in a while.
8. Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average and Do Work That Matters by Jon Acuff
All of us have dreams, but so often we settle for an average life. Acuff talks about how each of us, regardless of our age or situation, have an opportunity to live an awesome life. If you feel like you’re stuck in a rut, tackle this book. It’s a funny and challenging read. Plus, who wouldn’t like a book with, “Punch Fear in the Face” in the title. To top it off, some have even mentioned that Acuff and I write in similar styles. So yeah. Stinks for Acuff.
8. Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan
Dad is Fat is not only a funny book title, but also one of the first sentences comedian Jim Gaffigan’s son penned. Here, Gaffigan talks about what it’s like to raise five children in a two bedroom New York apartment. I can’t tell you how often I found myself LOLing and ROFLing while reading Dad is Fat. Also, please remind me to never use those acronyms again.
9. Divergent by Veronica Roth
I promise this is the only young adult novel on the list. Divergent is a mix of the Hunger Games and Warm Bodies (without the flesh-eating zombies). The movie adaptation is coming out next year and is supposed to be the new “it” thing for teenagers. So we probably should just read it to stay up on youth culture. Right?
10. C.S. Lewis: A Life by Alister McGrath
C.S. Lewis was one of the greatest Christian writers of the 20th century. For generations, his books have helped countless individuals understand and explore the Christian faith. A Life is written by a top-notch scholar (McGrath), and makes for a highly readable introduction to this influential man.
Bonus: There Comes a Point in Being Dumb, That Only a Genius Could Do It: The Tweets of @WadeHance by Wade Bearden
I couldn’t make a top ten list without plugging my book, could I? You can buy it on Amazon for $0.99. Wow! What a deal! That’s cheaper than anything you might find at The Dollar Store.
Okay, now it’s your turn. I need to know what books I should read this summer. Tell me in the comments section below.
