So here's my "Favorite Books of 2013" post. I read a lot more this year and read more widely. I've also read more "fun" books and did not feel guilty one bit.
Updated 4/29/14 -
I removed Extravagant Grace by Barbara Duguid. While there is much that is good in the book for someone recovering from legalism, I don't think I can recommend the book without some qualification. I think she swings on the pendulum too far the other way by overemphasizing gospel indicatives and minimizes gospel imperatives. They don't have to be either or but both.
Theology/Christian Living:
The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Butterfield - This book challenged my
prejudices and lack of love for the lost.
Select Letters of John Newton - "Much has been forgiven him, therefore he loves much, and therefore he knows how to forgive and pity others. He does not call evil good, or good evil; but his own experiences teach him tenderness and forbearance." This is what I want to be.
Echoes of Eden by Jerram Barrs - This book discusses the "echoes of Eden" in the arts because the creative process is evidence that man is made in the image of God.
Glimpses of Grace by Gloria Furman - I wish I had read this when I was a new mom.
Gospel Amnesia by Luma Simms - This could have been my life story.
The Gospel Call and True Conversion by Paul Washer - In a day when the gospel has been watered down, Washer goes back to the Scriptures to see what it truly means to repent and believe.
Why Christ Came: 31 Meditations on the Incarnation by Joel Beeke and William Boekestein - Not just for December but anytime of the year.
A Cry for Justice by Jeff Crippen and Anna Wood and The Emotionally Destructive Marriage by Leslie Vernick - These books helped me greatly. I would also consider these must reads if you want to help abuse victims without hurting them more.
Nonfiction:
On the Noodle Road by Jen Lin-Liu - A journalist/chef attempts to trace the journey of the noodle from Beijing to Rome. A fun read with glimpses of the wide variety of ethnic cultures along the Silk Road.
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb - The story of the youngest nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize. Also a window into Pakistani history and culture.
Fiction:
The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling - I hadn't read these until now because of the hype. I thoroughly enjoyed the series and found very strong redemptive themes.
The Flavia De Luce Mysteries by Alan Bradley - An English village, murder, and a nerdy girl chemist as the sleuth. Who could ask for anything more?
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows - This was so delightful and poignant.
The Quest for Truth Series by Brock Eastman - Non-stop adventure a la Indiana Jones in a futuristic setting. Suitable for middle-school kids and up. Intriguing storyline where the truth has been lost for centuries and traces of it have now been discovered.
Updated 4/29/14 -
I removed Extravagant Grace by Barbara Duguid. While there is much that is good in the book for someone recovering from legalism, I don't think I can recommend the book without some qualification. I think she swings on the pendulum too far the other way by overemphasizing gospel indicatives and minimizes gospel imperatives. They don't have to be either or but both.
Theology/Christian Living:
The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Butterfield - This book challenged my
prejudices and lack of love for the lost.
Select Letters of John Newton - "Much has been forgiven him, therefore he loves much, and therefore he knows how to forgive and pity others. He does not call evil good, or good evil; but his own experiences teach him tenderness and forbearance." This is what I want to be.
Echoes of Eden by Jerram Barrs - This book discusses the "echoes of Eden" in the arts because the creative process is evidence that man is made in the image of God.
Glimpses of Grace by Gloria Furman - I wish I had read this when I was a new mom.
Gospel Amnesia by Luma Simms - This could have been my life story.
The Gospel Call and True Conversion by Paul Washer - In a day when the gospel has been watered down, Washer goes back to the Scriptures to see what it truly means to repent and believe.
Why Christ Came: 31 Meditations on the Incarnation by Joel Beeke and William Boekestein - Not just for December but anytime of the year.
A Cry for Justice by Jeff Crippen and Anna Wood and The Emotionally Destructive Marriage by Leslie Vernick - These books helped me greatly. I would also consider these must reads if you want to help abuse victims without hurting them more.
Nonfiction:
On the Noodle Road by Jen Lin-Liu - A journalist/chef attempts to trace the journey of the noodle from Beijing to Rome. A fun read with glimpses of the wide variety of ethnic cultures along the Silk Road.
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb - The story of the youngest nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize. Also a window into Pakistani history and culture.
Fiction:
The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling - I hadn't read these until now because of the hype. I thoroughly enjoyed the series and found very strong redemptive themes.
The Flavia De Luce Mysteries by Alan Bradley - An English village, murder, and a nerdy girl chemist as the sleuth. Who could ask for anything more?
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows - This was so delightful and poignant.
The Quest for Truth Series by Brock Eastman - Non-stop adventure a la Indiana Jones in a futuristic setting. Suitable for middle-school kids and up. Intriguing storyline where the truth has been lost for centuries and traces of it have now been discovered.
Good list, Friend!
ReplyDeleteI have Echoes of Eden in a shelve already. So excited to dig into it.
And yes, I agree, Butterfield's book is life changing.
XOXO