Reading List 2021

My first post of each new year always contains the list of books I read the previous year (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020). I post the list for personal accountability, not to showboat. Knowing I have to confess my list helps me stay on track.

The total this year comes to 93 books. You can see from glancing at the graphs below how the tonnage relates to other years. I’d love to include a massive, annotated write-up about my discoveries, but this year I think I’ll let my “no comment” be the comment. It just takes too much time to write a post like that.

If I were to comment, I’d tell you I read every Fredrik Backman book and his darker books tended to be too dark for me but I simultaneously seemed to like them better than the lighter ones.

And I’d tell you that I read about four or five books in 2021 from author-friends that will be published by traditional publishers in 2022. It’s always fun to root for friends. I even wrote the forward for a book coming out in May with Christian Focus.

I’d also tell you that in these annual posts I often flag that I attempt to read the Bible cover to cover each year. I made it again this year and did it in The Message version. I know, I know—gasp. The reasons for this shift were several, but riding the cultural fad wasn’t one of them. I missed it by like fifteen years. The Message version of the Old Testament historical books and prophets sang melodies I’d never noticed before—in a good way—but places like the Psalms and other poetry had too many pop cliches, in my opinion. This year I’m going back to my ESV Study Bible, with the goal of reading the “book introductions” as I go along.

Buy on Amazon

Okay, okay, I have to stop with all the comments. Just call me on the phone if you want to talk about them.

Here’s one update that might interest you and has little to do with reading lists. Now that I finished writing and submitting several articles this fall and winter to other websites, I’m returning to a book project I began last summer on my sabbatical. I’m calling the book Author as Abram: Writing to the Land He Will Show Us (A Memoirish Essay to Encourage Christian Authors). I probably have 40 pages of the 160 or so written.

Speaking of articles and books and sabbaticals, may I make a request? If you didn’t pick up a copy of my book that I compiled during my sabbatical called Shepherd and Sheep: Essays on Loving and Leading in a Local Church, I’d love for you to do so. The book has some of my best writing collected in one place. The feedback on the book has been—how shall I say this?—small but meaningful.

And if you had a favorite book from your recent reading lists, please let me know in the comments. I’m always on the hunt.

*     *     *

Books Read, 2013–2021

Pages Read, 2013–2021

*     *     *

In order of completion, this year I read . . .

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (384 pages)

2. Sabbaticals: “How-To” Take a Break from Ministry before Ministry Breaks You by Rusty McKie (122 pages)

3. Echo Island by Jared C. Wilson (272 pages)

4. Catching Fire (The Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins (391 pages)

5. Five Masculine Instincts: A Guide to Becoming a Better Man by Chase Replogle (208 pages)

6. Blogging for God’s Glory in a Clickbait World by Benjamin Vrbicek and John Beeson (181 pages)

7. Mocking Jay (The Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins (391 pages)

8. A Subversive Gospel: Flannery O’Connor and the Reimagining of Beauty, Goodness, and Truth by Michael Mears Bruner (260 pages)

9. The Unbelievable Gospel: Say Something Worth Believing by Jonathan K. Dodson (240 pages)

10. Win the Day: 7 Daily Habits to Help You Stress Less & Accomplish More by Mark Batterson (256 pages)

11. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes: A Hunger Games Novel by Suzanne Collins (528 pages)

12. Here in Spirit: Knowing the Spirit Who Creates, Sustains, and Transforms Everything by Jonathan K. Dodson (160 pages)

13. The Bible: Romans to Revelation, Part 6 of 6 by God (300 pages)

14. Ecclesiastes and the Search for Meaning in an Upside-Down World by Russell L. Meek (80 pages)

15. Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance (272 pages)

16. What Editors Do: The Art, Craft, and Business of Book by Peter Ginna (320 pages)

17. To Be Continued: The Unstoppable Mission of Jesus by Tony Merida, Christy Britton, and Amy Tyson (261 pages)

18. The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation by Rod Dreher (272 pages)

19. Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents by Rod Dreher (256 pages)

20. The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis (176 pages)

21. The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution by Carl R. Trueman (432 pages)

22. Fail: Finding Hope and Grace in the Midst of Ministry Failure by J.R. Briggs (208 pages)

23. Our Good Crisis: Overcoming Moral Chaos with the Beatitudes by Jonathan K. Dodson (192 pages)

24. The Bible: Genesis to Deuteronomy, Part 1 of 6 by God (300 pages)

25. Before You Lose Your Faith: Deconstructing Doubt in the Church by Ivan Mesa (139 pages)

26. Over The River: The Story of Joshua (Kaleidoscope Kids’ Bibles) by Chris Ammen (115 pages)

27. Gilead: A Novel by Marilynne Robinson (247 pages)

28. The Secular Creed: Engaging Five Contemporary Claims by Rebecca McLaughlin (125 pages)

29. Before the Lord, Before the Church: “How-To” Plan a Child Dedication by Jared Kennedy (108 pages)

30. How to Reach the West Again: Six Essential Elements of a Missionary Encounter by Timothy Keller (60 pages)

31. Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches by Russell Moore (256 pages)

32. The Mission of the Body of Christ (Retelling the Story Series) by Russ Ramsey (256 pages)

33. Hiroshima by John Hersey (160 pages)

34. Home: A Novel by Marilynne Robinson (336 pages)

35. Wordsmithy: Hot Tips for the Writing Life by Douglas Wilson (124 pages)

36. With Those Who Weep: A Theology of Tears by S.A. Morrison (122 pages)

37. Lilia: A Novel by Marilynne Robinson (272 pages)

38. Storycraft: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction by Jack Hart (280 pages)

39. Copyediting and Proofreading for Dummies by Suzanne Gilad (384 pages)

40. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (531 pages)

41. The Courage to Stand: Facing Your Fear without Losing Your Soul by Russell Moore (304 pages)

42. Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World by Anthony Doerr (224 pages)

43. Shepherd and Sheep: Essays on Loving and Leading in a Local Church by Benjamin Vrbicek (160 pages)

44. The Bible: Joshua to Esther, Part 2 of 6 by God (300 pages)

45. Talking Back to Purity Culture: Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality by Rachel Joy Welcher (216 pages)

46. Charitable Writing: Cultivating Virtue Through Our Words by Richard Hughes Gibson, James Edward Beitler III (248 pages)

47. Green Lights by Matthew McConaughey (304 pages)

48. Housekeeping: A Novel by Marilynne Robinson (352 pages)

49. Seven Questions about Heaven by Stephen R. Morefield (144 pages)

50. Gospel-Centered Discipleship by Jonathan K. Dodson (176 pages)

51. The Bomber Mafia: A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War by Malcom Gladwell (256 pages)

52. Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul by Hannah Anderson (208 pages)

53. All That’s Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment by Hannah Anderson (224 pages)

54. The Writer’s Diet: A Guide to Fit Prose by Helen Sword (88 pages)

55. Men and Women in the Church by Kevin DeYoung (176 pages)

56. Jack: A Novel by Marilynne Robinson (320 pages)

57. #Blessed: Intentional Gratitude in a World that Celebrates Self Everything by Laura Pyne (152 pages)

58. A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson (397 pages)

59. The Bible: Psalms to Song of Solomon, Part 3 of 6 by God (300 pages)

60. Wordcraft: The Complete Guide to Clear, Powerful Writing by Jack Hart (282 pages)

61. Becoming by Michelle Obama (448 pages)

62. From Everlasting to Everlasting: Every Believer’s Biography by Will Dobbie (208 pages)

63. Letters and Life: On Being a Writer, On Being a Christian by Bret Lott (192 pages)

64. Pastors and Their Critics: A Guide to Coping with Criticism in the Ministry by Joel R. Beeke (192 pages)

65. A Promised Land by Barack Obama (768 pages)

66. Before We Get Started: A Practical Memoir of the Writer’s Life by Bret Lott (224 pages)

67. Woke-Free Church: For the Deliverance of the Body of Christ from Social Justice Captivity by Jeff Kliewer (165 pages)

68. Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes Du Mez (384 pages)

69. The Art of War: Complete Text of Sun Tzu’s Classics, Military Strategy History, Ancient Chinese Military Strategist by Sun Tzu (137 pages)

70. When I Was a Child I Read Books: Essays by Marilynne Robinson (224 pages)

71. The New Journalism by Tom Wolfe (120 pages) [I only read the long, historical background and not the anthology part]

72. Anxious People: A Novel by Fredrik Backman (352 pages)

73. Us Against You: A Novel (Beartown Series) by Fredrik Backman (448 pages)

74. Strong and Weak: Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing by Andy Crouch (192 pages)

75. The Bible: Isaiah to Malachi, Part 4 of 6 by God (300 pages)

76. Deacons by Ben Bechtel (150 pages)

77. Britt-Marie Was Here: A Novel by Fredrik Backman (336 pages)

78. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd: A Hercule Poirot Mystery (Hercule Poirot Mysteries) by Agatha Christie (304 pages)

79. Rediscover Church: Why the Body of Christ Is Essential by Collin Hansen and Jonathan Leeman (160 pages)

80. The Art of Pastoring: Ministry Without All the Answers by David Hansen (224 pages)

81. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry: A Novel by Fredrik Backman (384 pages)

82. The Deal of a Lifetime: A Novella by Fredrik Backman (96 pages)

83. Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel by Anthony Doerr (640 pages)

84. Things My Son Needs to Know about the World by Fredrik Backman (208 pages)

85. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (304 pages)

86. When Prayer Is a Struggle by Kevin Halloran (160 pages)

87. And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer: A Novella by Fredrik Backman (96 pages)

88. Lament for a Father: The Journey to Understanding and Forgiveness by Marvin Olasky (112 pages)

89. The Weary World Rejoices: Daily Devotions for Advent by Megan Hill (127 pages)

90. Ten Words to Live By: Delighting in and Doing What God Commands by Jen Wilkin (176 pages)

91. The Ten Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why We Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung (208 pages)

92. Art and the Bible by Francis A. Schaeffer (95 pages)

93. The Bible: Matthew to Acts, Part 5 of 6 by God (300 pages)

Reading List 2017

My first post of the year is the list of books I read the previous year (2014,  2015, and 2016). I’m not doing this to rub it in your face. I do it for personal accountability. I have a goal of reading at least one book a week, and knowing I must write about it helps me get there.

This year I greatly exceeded that goal, reaching 104 books (see graph below for stats from other years). The two main reasons for all the reading was the extra research for book projects and the enjoyable experience of reading (almost) every Jared Wilson book.

Speaking of Wilson, my favorite of his was The Pastor’s Justification. It’s a gospel-feast served by a master chef. My over-all favorite book, though, was Marriage and the Mystery of the Gospel by Ray Ortlund. It’s one of those books, that if I had let myself, I might have underlined more sentences than I didn’t. 

As for novels, I read 16 this year, including rereading All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Dorr, which was even better the second time around. For 2 years in a row, it was my favorite novel. I also thought The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (published 2003) deserves an honorable mention; the book touches father-son issues with all the gentleness of a taser.

Another highlight of the year, although not explicitly of reading but closely related to it, was watching The Return of the King, the third of The Lord of the Rings movies. I watched it at an amphitheater in Philly. Members of The Philadelphia Orchestra played the music score. It would be hard to overstate how amazing it was to watch the movie while a live orchestra played. I read and discussed all three LOTR books (and The Hobbit) this year with a great friend, and he bought the tickets as a gift.

Just in case you look closely at the list, let me flag two aspects of goofiness.

First, I counted the Bible as 6 separate books, even though I firmly believe it’s one book and one story. But counting it this way helped me keep better track of how I was moving along. I didn’t use the ESV Reader’s Bible, but that is where I got the idea.

Second, I included two yet-to-be-published books I wrote. That’s a little goofy, I know. But since I read them each nearly 10 times during the editing process, I figured counting each once was (mostly) legit.

Let me know in the comments what was your favorite book of the year.

*     *     *

Books Read, 2013-17

Pages Read, 2013-17

Miscellaneous Christian Non-fiction

1. Church Buildings: A Strategic Guide to Design, Renovation, and Construction by Katie Burch (160 pages)
2. Marriage and the Mystery of the Gospel by Ray Ortlund (128 pages)
3. Friend of Sinners: An Approach to Evangelism by Harvey Turner (144 pages)
4. The Prodigal Church: A Gentle Manifesto against the Status Quo by Jared C. Wilson (240 pages)
5. The Whole Message of the Bible in 16 Words by Chris Bruno (160 pages)
6. The Bible: Romans to Revelation, Part 6 of 6 by God (300 pages)
7. Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines by David Mathis (240 pages)
8. A Vision for Preaching: Understanding the Heart of Pastoral Ministry by Abraham Kuruvilla (224 pages)
9. Your Jesus Is Too Safe: Outgrowing a Drive-Thru, Feel-Good Savior by Jared C. Wilson (288 pages)
10. Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Loyd-Jones (224 pages)
11. 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You by Tony Reinke (224 pages)
12. For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy by Alexander Schmemann (151 pages)
13. Living in the Light: Money, Sex, and Power by John Piper (144 pages)
14. Gospel Wakefullness by Jared C. Wilson (224 pages)
15. The Storytelling God: Seeing the Glory of Jesus in His Parables by Jared C. Wilson (192 pages)
16. The Bible: Genesis to Deuteronomy, Part 1 of 6 by God (300 pages)
17. The Story of Everything: How You, Your Pets, and the Swiss Alps Fit into God’s Plan for the World by Jared C. Wilson (240 pages)
18. The Imperfect Disciple: Grace for People Who Can’t Get Their Act Together by Jared C. Wilson (240 pages)
19. The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch (224 pages)
20. None Like Him by Jen Wilkin (176 pages)
21. The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross by Arthur Walkington Pink (142 pages)
22. The Pastor’s Justification by Jared C. Wilson (192 pages)
23. Not Yet Married: The Pursuit of Joy in Singleness and Dating by Marshall Segal (208 pages)
24. Strong and Weak: Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing by Andy Crouch (192 pages)
25. The Bible: Joshua to Esther, Part 2 of 6 by God (300 pages)
26. The Pastor’s Wife: Strengthened by Grace for a Life of Love by Gloria Furman (160 pages)
27. The Joy Project: A True Story of Inescapable Happiness by Tony Reinke (148 pages)
28. Five Points: Towards a Deeper Experience of God’s Grace by John Piper (96 pages)
29. Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul (187 pages)
30. What Is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the Basics by R.C. Sproul (272 pages)
31. The Wonder-Working God: Seeing the Glory of Jesus in His Miracles by Jared C. Wilson (192 pages)
32. Chosen for Life: The Case for Divine Election by Sam Storms (240 pages)
33. Making Sense of God: An Invitation to the Skeptical by Timothy Keller (336 pages)
34. The Bible: Psalms to Song of Solomon, Part 3 of 6 by God (300 pages)
35. Is God a Moral Monster?: Making Sense of the Old Testament God by Paul Copan (256 pages)
36. How Does Sanctification Work? by David Powlison (128 pages)
37. Humility: True Greatness by C. J. Mahaney (176 pages)
38. America’s Pastor: Billy Graham and the Shaping of a Nation by Grant Wacker (448 pages)
39. Sojourn Network Ebooks (four of them) by Various (160 pages)
40. The Joy Project: A True Story of Inescapable Happiness by Tony Reinke (148 pages)
41. The Bible: Isaiah to Malachi, Part 4 of 6 by God (300 pages)
42. Unparalleled: How Christianity’s Uniqueness Makes It Compelling by Jared C. Wilson (240 pages)
43. Gospel Deeps: Reveling in the Excellencies of Jesus by Jared C. Wilson (208 pages)
44. Galatians for You: For Reading, for Feeding, for Leading (God’s Word for You) by Timothy Keller (208 pages)
45. Blessed Are the Misfits: Great News for Believers who are Introverts, Spiritual Strugglers, or Just Feel Like They’re Missing Something by Brant Hansen (256 pages)
46. Church History 101: The Highlights of Twenty Centuries by Sinclair B. Ferguson, Joel Beeke, Michael A. G. Haykin (112 pages)
47. Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff (208 pages)
48. The Bible: Matthew to Acts, Part 5 of 6 by God (300 pages)
49. Come, Let Us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional by Paul David Trip (160 pages)

Miscellaneous Non-fiction

1. Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance (272 pages)
2. Spunk and Bite: A Writer’s Guide to Punchier, More Engaging Language and Style by Arthur Plotnik (272 pages)
3. Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley (320 pages)
4. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson (447 pages)
5. Just My Type: A Book About Fonts by Simon Garfield (384 pages)

Books about the Job-Search Process

1. Effective Long-Rang Strategic Planning in Churches: Mitigating Crises, Seizing Opportunities, and Executing Leadership Transitions for God’s Glory DMin Diss., (Westminster Theological Seminary, 2016) by William "Tucker" York (313 pages)
2. Effective Staffing for Vital Churches: The Essential Guide to Finding and Keeping the Right People by Bill Easum and Bill Tenny-Brittian (176 pages)
3. Pastoral Moves | 9Marks Journal (Jan-Feb 2011) by Various (46 pages)
4. Looking for a New Pastor: 10 Questions Every Church Should Ask by Frank S. Page (176 pages)
5. In Search of a Leader: The Complete Search Committee Guidebook by Robert W. Dingman (262 pages)
6. Pastors in Transition: Why Clergy Leave Local Church Ministry (Pulpit and Pew) by Dean R. Hodge and Jacqueline E. Wenger (271 pages)
7. Discerning Your Call to Ministry: How to Know For Sure and What to Do About It by Jason K. Allen (160 pages)
8. Am I Called?: The Summons to Pastoral Ministry by Dave Harvey (224 pages)
9. Don’t Just Send a Resume: How to Find the Right Job in a Local Church by Benjamin Vrbicek (212 pages)

Books about Sexuality

1. Closing the Window: Steps to Living Porn Free by Tim Chester (151 pages)
2. Your Brain on Porn: Internet Pornography and the Emerging Science of Addiction by Gary Wilson (200 pages)
3. Divine Sex: A Compelling Vision for Christian Relationships in a Hypersexualized Age by Jonathan Grant (256 pages)
4. Pornified: How Pornography Is Damaging Our Lives, Our Relationships, and Our Families by Pamela Paul (320 pages)
5. The Porn Phenomenon: The Impact of Pornography in the Digital Age by Barna and Josh McDowell (160 pages)
6. The Gospel & Pornography (Gospel For Life) by Russell D. Moore and Andrew T. Walker (128 pages)
7. The Social Costs of Pornography: A Statement of Findings and Recommendations by The Witherspoon Institute (61 pages)
8. Just One Click: Christians, Pornography, and the Lure of Cybersex by Robert J. Baird and Ronald L. VanderBeck (240 pages)
9. Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave: Finding Hope in the Power of the Gospel (Resources for Changing Lives) by Edward T. Welch (320 pages)
10. The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor’s Journey into Christian Faith by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield (154 pages)
11. Pastoring Singles | 9Marks Journal (Spring 2017) by Various (58 pages)
12. Sex and Money: Pleasures That Leave You Empty and Grace That Satisfies by Paul David Tripp (224 pages)
13. Making All Things New: Restoring Joy to the Sexually Broken by David Powlison (128 pages)
14. Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity by Robert Jensen (200 pages)
15. False Intimacy: Understanding the Struggle of Sexual Addiction by Harry Schaumburg (256 pages)
16. The Art of Turning by Kevin DeYoung (42 pages)
17. The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness by Kevin DeYoung (160 pages)
18. What Does The Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality? by Kevin DeYoung (160 pages)
19. What is the Meaning of Sex? by Denny Burk (272 pages)
20. Over Coming Sin and Temptation: Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers (1 of 3 books) by John Owen (155 pages)
21. Over Coming Sin and Temptation: Of Temptation, The Nature and the Power of It (2 of 3 books) by John Owen (155 pages)
22. Mere Sexuality: Rediscovering the Christian Vision of Sexuality by Todd Wilson (192 pages)
23. Over Coming Sin and Temptation: Indwelling Sin (3 of 3 books) by John Owen (155 pages)
24. Struggle Against Porn: 40 Diagnostic Tests for Your Head and Heart by Benjamin Vrbicek (160 pages)

Novels

1. Blood Meridian: Or the Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy (368 pages)
2. Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings: Book 1) by J.R.R. Tolkien (432 pages)
3. Dead Low Tide: A Novel by Brett Lot (256 pages)
4. The Twin Towers (Lord of the Rings: Book 2) by J.R.R. Tolkien (352 pages)
5. Tales of the Resistance by David and Karen Mains (110 pages)
6. The Return of the King (Lord of the Rings: Book 3) by J.R.R. Tolkien (432 pages)
7. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (337 pages)
8. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (300 pages)
9. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (400 pages)
10. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (771 pages)
11. The Road by Cormac McCarthy (287 pages)
12. Otherworld: A Novel by Jared C. Wilson (386 pages)
13. About Grace: A Novel by Anthony Doerr (432 pages)
14. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis (272 pages)
15. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (624 pages)
16. All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (531 pages)

Let me know in the comments what was your favorite book of the year.

HOW TO READ A BOOK by Mortimer Adler (FAN AND FLAME Book Reviews)

Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren. How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading. Touchstone, 1972 (revised edition). 426 pp. $16.99.

In 1940, Mortimer J. Adler published How to Read a Book: The Art of Getting a Liberal Education. Since the original publication, the book has undergone several revisions and expansions, even adding a co-author (Charles Van Doren). And in this time, it’s become a classic—hence, the new subtitle: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading.

I read a lot of books; maybe you do, as well. Thus for me, reading How to Read a Book seemed like a helpful tool to improve my reading of all books, a “sharpen the axe before you cut down a forest” sort of thing.

Buy on Amazon

Adler writes in the first chapter, “Our subject, then, is the art of reading good books when understanding is the aim you have in view” (p. 10). He goes on to explain, over the next 400 plus pages, how to achieve this understanding, the kind of understanding that allows for critical engagement of the book and author.

In this post, I’m not going to do a full review. A review of any classic, let alone one on reading books, seems beyond my ability. Harry Callahan, played by Clint Eastwood, famously said, “A man’s gotta know his limitations.” Instead, what I want to do is simply share with you a few of the key questions that Alder believes a reader must be able to answer about a book before he or she can say they have reached understanding of the book’s arguments. You can find these questions below.

But before I share them with you, let me explain what Alder believes these questions are for. Alder argues that if you, as a reader, are able to answer these questions, then—and only then—can you say, “I understand this book.” And he argues that understanding must come before we can say whether we agree or disagree with it, like or dislike it . . . and make a hundred other informed observations. Without this understanding, a reader’s judgments remain superficial.

I found his list of questions very helpful for writing book reviews. Sometimes, I fear that my reviews become too fixated on things that either thrilled or annoyed me. These types of observations, while interesting and maybe even helpful to others, should be secondary to the primary task, namely, the task of engaging the author’s main argument.

I know many of you might not ever write a book review, but maybe there are some books, take the Bible for example, where you want to grow in your ability to understand. If so, these questions certainly will prod you in the right direction.

*     *     *

I.  The First Stage of Analytical Reading: Rules for Finding What a Book Is About: What is the book about as a whole?

1.       Classify the book according to kind and subject matter.

2.       State what the whole book is about with the utmost brevity.

3.       Enumerate its major parts in their order and relation, and outline these parts as you have outlined the whole.

4.       Define the problem or problems the author has tried to solve.

II. The Second Stage of Analytical Reading: Rules for Interpreting a Book's Contents: What is being said in detail, and how?

5.       Come to terms with the author by interpreting his key words.

6.       Grasp the author’s leading propositions by dealing with his most important sentences.

7.       Know the author’s arguments, by finding them in, or con­structing them out of, sequences of sentences.

8.       Determine which of his problems the author has solved, and which he has not; and of the latter, decide which the author knew he had failed to solve.

III. The Third Stage of Analytical Reading: Rules for Criticizing a Book as a Communication of Knowledge: Is it true? and What of it?

A. General Maxims of Intellectual Etiquette

9.       Do not begin criticism until you have completed your out­line and your interpretation of the book. (Do not say you agree, disagree, or suspend judgment, until you can say “I understand.")

10.   Do not disagree disputatiously or contentiously.

11.   Demonstrate that you recognize the difference between knowledge and mere personal opinion by presenting good reasons for any critical judgment you make.

B.  Special Criteria for Points of Criticism

12.   Show wherein the author is uninformed.

13.   Show wherein the author is misinformed.

14.   Show wherein the author is illogical.

15.   Show wherein the author's analysis or account is incomplete.

(Adler, How to Read a Book, pp. 161-2)

[Photo by Patrick Tomosso]

Reading List 2015

For the last three years, I have tracked every book that I’ve read. My goal has been to read 52 a year—about 1 a week. If for no other reason than accountability, I publish the list at the end of the year on my blog. Often, I need this kind of pressure to perform.

So, in 2013, I read 34 books. In 2014, I read 50 (list here). This year, 51!

To be sure, this makes it look like things are trending in the right direction (34 -> 50 -> 51). And in some ways, they are. If you measure 2015 by the total number of pages, however, I’m actually down a bit. Last year I averaged 251 pages a week, whereas this year I only averaged 218, which amounts to approximately 2,000 missing pages.

This leads me to the first of 5 (brief) comments before I share my list.

First, reading a total of 51 books, which is just 1 short of the goal of 52, on the one hand, is not at all a big deal. On the other hand, it actually stings quite a bit. Here’s the reason: if you look at my list, the book that I want to re-read every year didn’t make it—the Bible is missing.

I did, of course, read a lot of the Bible, but on my list I only count “completed” books. As of this morning (12/31/15), I’m in John 20. Thus, I feel as though presenting my list is like displaying a huge puzzle that’s missing the most important piece—a piece that’s exactly 2,000 pages. Next year, by the grace of God, I hope to fix this. Please hold me accountable.

Second, this year I read more novels than ever before in my life. There were 8 that came from our church book club, which I helped lead. Another 3 came from The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. These I read aloud to my family. Both the book club and the family reading time were rich additions to life.

Third, there’s lots of Timothy Keller on the list: 6 books and 12.5% of the total pages, to be exact. He’s such a helpful writer. If you’re not familiar with Keller, his prose is very simple but the ideas are profound.

Fig. 1. 5-week Rolling average of my reading in 2015.

Fourth, as you can see from the chart (above), it looks as though I read the most books in the fall and the least in the late spring. I’m not sure what that tells me, except this: (Next year) after Easter, don’t slow down!

Finally, because people ask (and because it seems this like what bloggers often talk about), my 2 favorite books of the year were What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality? by Kevin DeYoung (which I talk about here), and The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century by Steven Pinker. They were very different books, but each is excellent in its own way.

Without further ado, here’s my book list in the order I completed them…

*     *     *

Reading List 2015

1. Is God anti-gay? (Questions Christians Ask) by Sam Allberry (88 pages) [READ MY REVIEW]
2. Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality by Wesley Hill (160 pages) [READ MY REVIEW]
3. Burning Hearts: Preaching to the Affections by Josh Moody, Robin Weekes (144 pages) [READ MY REVIEW]
4. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (200 pages)
5. Evangelical Convictions: A Theological Exposition of the Statement of Faith of the EFCA by EFCA Spiritual Heritage Committee (321 pages)
6. The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn’t Exist by Craig Groeschel (256 pages)
7. A Man After God’s Own Heart: Devoting Your Life to What Really Matters by Jim George (272 pages)
8. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (180 pages)
9. The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg (288 pages)
10. The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy by Timothy Keller (48 pages)
11. Affirming the Apostles’ Creed by J.I. Packer (160 pages)
12. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (112 pages)
13. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis (200 pages)
14. Who is Jesus? by Greg Gilbert (144 pages) [READ MY REVIEW]
15. The End of the Affair by Graham Greene (192 pages)
16. What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality? by Kevin DeYoung (160 pages) [READ MY REVIEW]
17. Porn-Again Christian: A Frank Discussion on Pornography and Masturbation by Mark Driscoll (56 pages)
18. The Word Became Fresh: How to Preach from Old Testament Narrative Texts by Dale Ralph Davis (160 pages) [READ MY REVIEW]
19. Taking God At His Word: Why the Bible Is Knowable, Necessary, and Enough, and What That Means for You and Me by Kevin DeYoung (144 pages) [READ MY REVIEW]
20. Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will by Kevin DeYoung (144 pages)
21. The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness by Kevin DeYoung (160 pages)
22. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (72 pages)
23. Themelios, An International Journal for Students and Religious Studies (Vol. 40, issue 1; April 2015) by Carson, D.A., and Others (Editors) (196 pages)
24. A Time to Embrace: Same-Sex Relationships in Religion, Law, and Politics, 2nd edition by William Stacy Johnson (390 pages)
25. God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships by Matthew Vines (224 pages)
26. God and the Gay Christian? A Response to Matthew Vines by Albert Mohler, Jr. (Editor) (96 pages)
27. Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible by E. Randolph Richards, Brandon J. O’Brien (240 pages)
28. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner (267 pages)
29. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller (310 pages)
30. The Old Songs by Fred Burton (220 pages)
31. Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters by Timothy Keller (256 pages)
32. Judges For You: For Reading, For Feeding, For Leading (God’s Word for You) by Timothy Keller (224 pages)
33. Judges: Such a Great Salvation by Dale Ralph Davis (240 pages)
34. Book Launch: How to Write, Market & Publish Your First Bestseller in Three Months or Less AND Use it to Start and Grow a Six Figure Business by Chandler Bolt (172 pages)
35. 4 (short) eBooks by various authors (100 pages)
36. The Joy Project: A True Story of Inescapable Happiness by Tony Reinke (148 pages) [READ MY REVIEW]
37. The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century by Steven Pinker (368 pages)
38. Newton on the Christian Life: To Live Is Christ by Tony Reinke (288 pages) [READ MY REVIEW]
39. Peace Like a River by Leif Enger (320 pages)
40. Moving On, Moving Forward: A Guide for Pastors in Transition by Michael J. Anthony, Mick Boersma (304 pages)
41. What Color Is Your Parachute? 2016: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers by Richard N. Bolles (368 pages)
42. Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry (384 pages)
43. How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading by Mortimer J. Adler, Charles Van Doren (426 pages)
44. Galatians for You: For Reading, for Feeding, for Leading by Timothy Keller (208 pages)
45. Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler (272 pages)
46. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (278 pages)
47. The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Timothy Keller (352 pages)
48. Best Wedding Meditations: An Anthology by various authors (71 pages)
49. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis (200 pages)
50. Duel in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America’s Greatest Marathon by John Brant (256 pages)
51. Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy by Gary Thomas (304 pages)

RELATED

Reading List 2014

In a World of Sloppy Reading

The Problem

We are inundated with information – billboards, commercials, cereal boxes, social media, and the deluge of emails. “Read me, read me—RIGHT NOW!” they shout.

So we do.

Well, sort of. Basically, we skim. We have to. Send me an email over 300 words, and it just sort of happens. I’m sorry, but it does. We look for key words; we look for headlines and block quotes; we look for text in bold.

We are teaching ourselves to read poorly. We cannot get the main point of an essay if we only read 25 words of the 5,000. And if I Google something complex and skim the search results – maybe even click a link or two (including the Wiki page, of course) – then I know “what’s what” right?

No, I don’t. And no you don’t either. We are kidding ourselves. As Tony Reinke has written:

Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books

By Tony Reinke

Buy on Amazon

The Internet presents random fragments of information that flow at us in a stream—a Facebook status update, a new Tweet, even a random email—and attention gets chopped up into small, disconnected fragments throughout the day. The internet encourages superficial browsing, not concentration. (Reinke, Lit!, 141)

Might we even call this pull towards “browsing, not concentration,” a form of illiteracy – not the inability to see words and vocalize them, but illiteracy because we lack the ability to slow down, to digest, to process?

I’m sure researchers have studied this. Recently, for example, Desiring God released a large survey of how our smart phones and social media are changing us (the former: here and the latter: here). And while I’m not sure how I would quantify the type of illiteracy I’m talking about, I do know that I can feel it when I open my Bible in the morning to read. Too often I blaze through a chapter in the Bible at the same speed by which my thumb navigates my iPhone’s screen. This isn’t good. And too often, even when I put in the time, I get little out of it.

It’s into this type of world and this type of reading – a world of sloppy reading – that good preaching should offer the sweet fruit of a close reading of the Bible.

When I Say “Close Reading,” What Do I Mean?

Close reading (and close preaching) sees details, the leaves on the trees. But at the same time, close reading doesn’t become myopic. It keeps an eye on the forest, making the proper connections to broader themes. In other words, close reading sees the Big Story that contains all the little stories.

Close reading explores motive. It requires empathy. Yes, a character did X, but why did he do X? What was he after? Close reading, as one preacher has noted, asks what is the thing behind the thing?

Close reading attempts to understand unfamiliar words, strange concepts, and awkward sentence structures. Just what is that preposition doing there? And why is this word left out and that word included? Why did a character do what they did? Is there a cultural dynamic taking place that I need to become familiar with to understand this passage?

Close reading attempts to understand how the occasion behind the writing affects what is said and done (and what’s not said and not done). And what can we know of the events surrounding the passage that influenced the author to write what he wrote? For example, close reading considers things like what was going on with Israel when the passage was written. Was the passage before David or after? Before the exile of the southern kingdom or after? And in the Gospels, we might ask, where is Jesus at in his ministry? The beginning or the end? Is he in a Gentile region or a Jewish one? And of Paul’s letters, if possible, we might seek to place them in the context of his three missionary journeys recorded in Acts. And of Peter’s letters, we might ask if there was a specific emperor he had in mind when he says things like “honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17). (I personally think Peter had Nero in mind which influences how we read the passage.)

Additionally, close reading considers how a passage has been interpreted over time. If the passage is in the Old Testament, did any New Testament authors comment on it? And with an author like John, can we see any developments from his Gospel account to his epistles, which are generally understood to have been written later. And how has the passage been interpreted throughout church history? And how has contemporary scholarship challenged or affirmed traditional readings? Close reading asks questions like these.

The Harvest of Close Reading

These are just a few of the things to consider when reading the Bible closely. And this means that close reading is work – a lot of work. It takes time, concentration, and quiet. It is demanding. I know.

But in my experience, the harvest is worth it. The fruit is sweet, and it can feed people. It feeds me. And this is what good preaching does, or at least should do. It should feed people something worth eating.

By this, however, I do not mean that good preaching is a lengthy, boring presentation of the process of discovery. It’s not that at all. If it feels that way, I’m doing something wrong.

Consider the example of a farmers’ market. A farmers’ market doesn’t exist to lecture us on all the work that goes into growing a peach. Rather, it works like this. When you stop by a farmers’ market on a Saturday morning, what they are saying, in effect, is this:

Hey, here’s some good fruit for you to buy. Check it out. It took us awhile, but let’s not talk about that now. Just know we’ll be here every Saturday morning this summer with awesome produce.

We know it’s hard work running a farm; they don’t have to tell us that.

But Close Reading is Not Just for Preachers

Growing your own observations may feel overwhelming, but it’s the job of all Christians, not just the professionals. This is what it means to meditate on the Word of God.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)

I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. (Psalm 119:15-16)

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8)

I think Jesus, at least in part, has scripture mediation in view when he tells us to love God with all of our “mind” (Matthew 22:37).

I suspect that if we did press a farmer at the market with some questions about the process of farming, they would tell us that we could do the same thing they are doing, that is, if we just had a little coaching.

They might say,

Oh, you’ll never have acreage and whatnot, but if you are motivated, anyone can grow a few tomatoes in their own backyard. It just takes time and practice. But you should do it. They’ll taste great, and this way, you’ll be more excited to share them with your friends and neighbors.

Sometimes preachers subtly communicate that what they are doing upfront could never be done by those in the pew. This is wrong. We preachers are supposed to “equip the saints for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:11-12), which, at a minimum, must include helping others grow their own fruit, their own observations about the Bible. If we are not doing this, the Bible might as well be in Latin and we might as well be pre-Reformation priests.

Good preaching then, like a farmer at a farmers’ market, should commend the fruit to others – the fruit of a close reading of the Bible. Just think of what the other extreme is. God forbid we preachers should posture ourselves as magicians holding on to our secrets. And, God forbid our published sermon notes would have a footnote that reads:  “Professional driver on a closed course. Do not attempt at home.” May it never be! Rather, the subtext to good preaching should say:

Hey, taste this. Isn’t it good? It took me a while, and I had to pay close attention, but I’m so happy it feeds you. And, oh by the way, I think you could probably do this at home too. Let me help you see how.

Some Tips on Growing your Own Fruit

If your life is inundated with words and information, if your reading looks more like skimming than reading, you are probably normal. But normal means that this skimming probably creeps into your Bible reading as well. And a great enemy of careful, fruitful observation is when sloppy reading becomes habitual.

We.

Have.

To.

Slow.

Down.

I don’t know how much you currently read your Bible. Let’s just say you read four chapters a day. (I pick that because that’s the pace to read the Bible in a year.) If this is you, maybe take a month to not read four chapters a day. Instead, just read four verses, maybe from a Gospel or a New Testament letter. And then do it again the next day – the same four verses. And then, read them the next day too. And the day after that. Write out the questions you have about the passage. Pick up a study Bible and read the entries. Pray. Read the verses again. Pray. Read them again. List your observations. Ask more questions. Why is that word used? Why would the person in the story do what he or she did? What is the thing behind the thing? Do this, not in one day for fifteen-minutes, but do it for two weeks, fifteen minutes each day.

This is hard work; I know. It takes time, concentration, and quiet.

But eating a Honeycrisp apple straight from the tree, a tree you planted and watered and weeded and pruned, is worth it. You’ll taste the difference, and you’ll probably want to share it with your friends.

[Image]

LIT! by Tony Reinke (FAN AND FLAME Book Reviews)

Tony Reinke. Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2011. 208 pp. $15.99.

A few years ago, Tony Reinke wrote a great book about reading called, Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books. But let me say at the start: the thought of reading a book written about the topic of reading books was a strange thought. But an even stranger thought was writing a book review of a book about how to read books. That proposition made me feel like I was standing in front of a mirror—holding another mirror. So, I’m not going to do a long review here. Instead, I’d like to offer a “miniature memoir” about why I found Lit! tremendously helpful and why I think other people will too.

From Blended Wheatgrass to Strawberry-banana Smoothies

In college, I studied Mechanical Engineering. I chose this major for three reasons. First, my father is an engineer, and so it was familiar. Second, I was pretty good at math and science. Third—and this might be the most important reason why I chose engineering—I hated to read and write. Hated it!

Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books

By Tony Reinke

Buy on Amazon

But maybe this feeling isn’t so uncommon. Reinke writes, “For most, reading is like trying to drink down a huge vitamin” (15). Imagine that!—drinking a tall, chalky glass of Flintstones. And, with only a few exceptions, that is what reading was like for me.

Then things changed. God took hold of my life in a powerful way. The specifics of why and how the change occurred I will leave for another day, but I should say this part now: when I began to understand God’s love for me through Jesus, I also began to realize something else, namely, Christians read the Bible, and they read lots of other books too.

This, as you can imagine, was a difficult transition for me, especially as I began to feel called into full-time ministry. For instance, when I started seminary, I struggled with the demands to read and write. I think that is true for most seminary students, but I know that I certainly felt behind. And, if I am honest, not only did my enjoyment of reading lag, but also my ability. I just wasn’t very good at it. And, even today, I wouldn’t say that I’m great at it.

However, after lots of practice—much of it forced upon me by seminary and pastoral ministry—I can honestly say my frustration with drinking down vitamins has grown into love.

A Little Summary

Now enter Reinke’s book. The subtitle, A Christian Guide to Reading Books, was just the type of thing I needed. I bought it on a table at The Gospel Coalition’s national conference in 2013, but unfortunately, as books tend to do, it sat on my shelf for a year and a half before I read it. Now, however, I wish I had read it sooner.

Lit! is set up in two parts. The first section is a theology of books and reading. In the opening chapter, Reinke explores the fundamental distinction in literature. He writes:

Somewhere around 1450 BC, on a remote Egyptian mountaintop called Mount Sinai, an author wrote something so earth-shaking that the publishing industry has never recovered. It never will. (23)

Reinke is talking about the Ten Commandments, and, of course, the author is God. Using this moment in history as a starting point, Reinke goes on to argue that there are really only two genres of literature: Genre A: The Bible, and Genre B: All Other Books (27). Borrowing words from Charles Spurgeon, Reinke frames the distinction pointedly: there is the gold bar (the Bible) and the gold leaf (everything else). Only the Bible is—in the most ultimate sense—“inspired,” “inerrant,” “sufficient,” “supreme,” and “offers us a coherent worldview” (25).

Some people, because of their high view of the Bible, are tempted to conclude that we should never read anything but the Bible. This makes some sense, right? We all have limited time, so why not make the most of our time: read the best and forget the rest?

Reinke disagrees, however. Those “other books,” the gold leaves, matter too; they have much to offer. I do not think Reinke actually uses this phrase, but we might say there is a feedback loop between the Bible and other books, especially the good ones. This feedback loop works in such a way that by reading both (the Bible and other good literature) our reading of both is enhanced.

This is where the second half of Lit! comes in, namely, practical advice on reading. Reinke is asking questions like this:

If we are going to read things other than the Bible (which he says we should), then how do we maintain the primacy of the Bible?

And if we read other books, how do we know which books? There are so many. As Solomon said, “Of making many books there is no end” (Ecclesiastes 12:12).

And once we have picked which books, then what steps can we take to read them well?

These are good questions, and Reinke gives good answers to them.

So Why Not Launch a Book Club?

As I read though Lit! in the fall, I was encouraged to try something we’ve never done at our church before. This year, I’m teaming up with my co-pastor to lead a book club. For this first year, we picked eight novels, books like Of Mice and Men and Pride and Prejudice. Our first meeting was last weekend—The Great Gatsby.

I suppose I probably should have already read most of these books, perhaps even in high school. But this is what I’m trying to say; I’m playing catch up. And as I attempt to make up for lost time, books like Lit! have been so helpful.

*     *     *

A Few Favorite Quotes

“In non-Christian works we discover what is so close, and yet so far away, from what we read in the Bible. The challenge is to make use of the ‘so close’ for our edification and for the glory of God while being aware of the ‘yet so far.’” (Reinke, Lit!, 77)

“The imagination-stretching images [especially in books like Revelation] are God’s way of sliding the spiritual defibrillator over the slowing hearts of sluggish Christians. The images are for Christians who are growing lazy and beginning to compromise with the world, Christians who are allowing their hearts to become gradually hardened by sin. The answer is a spiritual shock. It is God’s way of confronting worldliness and idolatry in the church. When idolatry begins to lure the Christian heart, God reaches into our imagination with images intended to stun us back to spiritual vibrancy … [Thus] to view imaginative literature as a genre fit only for the amusement of children is an act of spiritual negligence.” (Reinke, Lit!, 88-9)

“The rewards of reading literature are significant. Literature helps to humanize us. It expands our range of experiences. It fosters awareness of ourselves and the world. It enlarges our compassion for people. It awakens our imaginations. It expresses our feelings and insights about God, nature, and life. It enlivens our sense of beauty. And it is a constructive form of entertainment.” (Reinke, Lit!, 128)

Related Post

In my first blog post I interacted with Reinke’s podcast Authors on the Line. You can read that post here, Fresh Words, Fresh Language, Fresh Blood.

Buy on Amazon

[Image]