I suppose reading is like exercise: the more you do, the better you get. It also helps to barely watch TV. All that to say, I feel like I've already read a lot of books this year. Here are a few, with links to my Goodreads reviews: Rebecca's Children: Judaism and Christianity in the Roman … Continue reading Recent Reads: Natural Theology, Religion, The Modern World,and More
My 2018 Book Awards!
Favorite Classic - Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. This one made my top ten list of all time and is absolutely a brilliant must read. Favorite Spiritual Classic - New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton. I also ended up making the list of my favorites of all time. Tremendously challenging. Favorite Enjoyable … Continue reading My 2018 Book Awards!
#3 – A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving (My 100 Favorite Books)
First of all, this book is a piece of brilliant writing and fantastic story-telling. It is easy to fall in love with the diminutive and irreverent Owen Meany. John Irving is a great writer, though as I note that, I realize I've only read one of his other books. Perhaps I should check out his … Continue reading #3 – A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving (My 100 Favorite Books)
#9 – Mere Christianity by CS Lewis (My 100 Favorite Books)
CS Lewis is definitely one of my favorite authors of all time. His Narnia series was one of the first books I remember reading that gripped me and instilled a love of reading in me. Over the years I've read many of his books and am impressed by how wide-ranging the subjects are that he … Continue reading #9 – Mere Christianity by CS Lewis (My 100 Favorite Books)
#10 – The Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien (My 100 Favorite Books)
This book was Tolkien's life's work. It was not released until after his death, put together by his son Christopher. I call it the Old Testament of Middle Earth. While it is not as exciting as the Hobbit, or even as fast-paced as Lord of the Rings (which is itself a bit slow at times) … Continue reading #10 – The Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien (My 100 Favorite Books)
#11 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (My 100 Favorite Books)
The Harry Potter series is a modern classic. There have been other books since that were incredibly popular (Twilight, The Hunger Games), but I'd argue that none of them will have the staying power that I predict Harry Potter will. The series is entertaining and imaginative. One of the best things is the way it … Continue reading #11 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (My 100 Favorite Books)
#17 – Confessions by Augustine (My 100 Favorite Books)
"Our hearts are restless till they find rest in you." If you're a Christian, or someone who has read Christian books, or even just spiritual books perhaps, you've probably heard this phrase. It is from Confessions, the autobiography of Augustine, the bishop of Hippo in North Africa in the 400s. Augustine was the most influential … Continue reading #17 – Confessions by Augustine (My 100 Favorite Books)
#21 – Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky (My 100 Favorite Books)
Fyodor Dostoevsky was a fantastic and brilliant author. His books explored the depth of human morality and the human psyche. Admittedly, he's not easy to read. But if you can slog through, its worth it. Crime and Punishment is the story of a man, Raskolnikov, who commits a brutal murder. Why? Well, in a meaningless … Continue reading #21 – Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky (My 100 Favorite Books)
#23 – The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard (My 100 Favorite Books)
Dallas Willard is one of my all-time favorite authors, though I suppose any author in the top 1/4 of my list could be assume to be one of my all-time favorites! Recently I have thought long about how many Christians appear to want Jesus for essentially selfish reasons. We like the idea of going to … Continue reading #23 – The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard (My 100 Favorite Books)
#25 – Maps of Meaning by Jordan Peterson (My 100 Favorite Books)
This may be the most controversial entry on my list, as the author has become famous (or infamous) in recent years. I read this book in 2014 on the recommendation of a friend, found it wordy and challenging, posted a review on Goodreads and that was it. At the time there were maybe ten total … Continue reading #25 – Maps of Meaning by Jordan Peterson (My 100 Favorite Books)
