Recently one of the questions I was asked by a family new to the area and looking for a new church home was this one:
“What are your top three book recommendations that you’ve read over the past few years?”
That’s an excellent question to ask a pastor. But I’d like to ask all of you that same question, but let me put it in these terms:
What are the top three books that you would recommend that I read?
The categories are wide open. Fiction, non-fiction, self-help (even Blogging for Dummies!), theology, children’s books, whatever.
My stack of books to read is towering, but I’m always on the lookout for hidden gems.
No need to think deeply about this, either. Give me the first three that come to your mind. You can always revisit and give me three more.
Technorati Tags: Books
MagistraCarminae
OK, I’ll bite. The first three that pop into my mind…in no order other than that…The Man Who Was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton (not quite done with this yet, but enjoying the witty wordplay, underplayed irony, and sheer fun. Classic Chesterton!)Life at the Bottom by Theodore Dalrymple (This is his nom-de-plume. Serious, thought-provoking critique of our times and what keeps the poor in poverty, written in a wonderful, ironic style.)Ender’s Game by Scott Orson Card (How about a little science fiction? Fascinating ideas, told in a stark and straight-forward writing style. Just for fun.)
TulipGirl
My book stack and Amazon wish list are always much bigger than my eyes and time. . .”Little Britches” by Ralph MoodyI’m reading aloud to the boys before we go to Colorado. . . I remember finding it on my grandmother’s shelf and my Dad reading it to us. It’s a good read aloud for your two younger ones (I was your daughter’s age one of the times Dad read it to us.)
snowbot
The first 3 that came to my mind:”That Distant Land” by Wendell Berry.”Confessions of a Reformission Rev” by Mark Driscoll.”Planting Missional Churches” by Ed Stetzer.
snowbot
Comments – Berry’s book is a collection of short stories from his Port William series. Great stuff.Driscoll’s book is his personal account of starting Mars Hill Church in Seattle and the challenges he met along the way. A fascinating story in my opinion.Stetzer’s book, while aimed primarily at church planters, is useful for anyone who wants to better understand how to effectively reach today’s culture with the gospel.
Randy Greenwald
I never should have asked. My lists just grow longer…Thanks for the suggestions thus far. I do confess to initially misreading Tulipgirl’s title and wondering what in the world her father read to her when she was a girl.:-) But I’ve corrected my mistake.Keep the suggestions coming.
Gus&Adri
Recent good reads:Steinbeck’s East of Eden; Mark Haddon, The curious incident of the dog in the night-time (a story of an autistic savant); Gene Veith, A place to stand: the word of God in the life of Martin Luther.geAdri says: Only three?!Michael Horton – Putting Amazing Back into Grace. Basic reformed doctrine, but it reminds me WHY I believe what I believe.Tolstoy – Anna Karenina. A classic with great themes.Alan Paton – Cry the Beloved Country; even better, in my opinion is Too Late the Phalarope. Did I just cheat? Well, I listed only three authors.
snowbot
Interestingly I just ran across Tim Keller’s Suggested Summer Reading.
Rebekah
“More Than Equals,” by Spencer Perkins, “Walking With the Poor,” by Bryant Myers,” and “Divided By Faith,” by Michael Emerson. I’ve been in a rut of things that relate to my field, but they would probably still be my favorites.
Gail and Keith
This link fits right in with the “Summer” reading recommendations.”http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/opinion/18wed3.html?ref=opinionThe article “Reading Into the Future” is by Eleanor Randolph. In the event the link doesn’t work, you can find it on the New York Times site. I’m with the author, I like to get my hands on book books, not e-books. G
Randy Greenwald
Whew! I can’t keep up. I leave on vacation Friday. But, of course, instead of taking a truck load of books, I’m taking a van full of family, and I somehow enjoy sitting around flipping through their ‘pages’ much more these days when I have the chance. The Keller book list is fascinating. Where’s he find time to read? I do have THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING on cd (unabridged, a birthday present) so I might load that on my iPod for the trip up.Rebekah, I have all the books you suggest. I’ve bought them over the years on your recommendation, and I intend to read them. Really. I want to grow as liberal as you! :-)Adri, you need a book on math. But I agree, TOO LATE THE PHALAROPE is a great read.As to e-books, I don’t think I’ll ever get there. There is something tangibly pleasant about holding a book. I’ll listen to a book to make good use of long journeys, but in the main, nothing surpasses holding it in my hand.Any others care to check in?
TulipGirl
Snowbot, thanks for the link to Keller’s summer list. . . passed it along to a friend who passed it along to a friend who passed it along to her pastor (at a PCA church in DE) who really appreciated it. You know how it’s a small world on the ‘net. . .