A new year usually means new initiatives. For the past several years, I've compiled a list of books to read for the year. Hardly a new initiative. But most of the books are new. My goal is to read at least one book a week for 52 weeks. I read the Bible every day using
this Bible study plan.
I have a broad range of interests, so choosing books is usually very easy. There are some books I reread every year because they're classics to me. I rarely read fiction, unless I'm reading it to my children. And I read books that I know I'll disagree with because they help strengthen my convictions.
I practice three types of reading.
(~50%) Reading for the forest -- very broad reading to get a big picture of the book. I familiarize myself with the table of contents, the introduction, the conclusion, headings, subheadings, and perhaps the conclusion of each chapter.
(~30%) Reading for the trees -- this type of reading is more nuanced and would require rereading book chapters, intros, conclusions, and references. This would also include very light highlights, annotations, and some comments.
(~20%) Reading for the bark -- the most detailed reading possible, with detailed and heavy notes, annotations, comments, and analysis. I reserve this reading for highly technical and challenging works, commentaries on the Bible, and the Bible itself.
*books I reread every year, or every other year
GENERAL THEOLOGY
Desiring God by John Piper*
The Gospel According to Jesus by John MacArthur*
Knowing God by J.I. Packer*
A Quest for Godliness by J.I. Packer
The Doctrine of God by John Frame
Redeeming Mathematics by Vern Poythress
Redeeming Science by Vern Poythress
The Lordship of Christ by Vern Poythress
Logic by Vern Poythress
STUDIES IN THE PASTORAL EPISTLES (FOR ThM Studies)
The Goal of our Instruction: the structure of theology and ethics in the Pastoral Epistles by Philip Towner
The Faithful Sayings in the Pastoral Epistles by George Knight
The Ecclesiological Grounding of Pauline Language of Leadership in 1 and 2 Timothy by Stanford
Was Paul Prooftexting? Paul's Use of the Old Testament as Illustrated through Three Debated Texts by Richard Lucas
Elements of a Doctrine of Godliness: A study of 'eusebeia' and its cognates in the Pastoral Epistles by Thompson
Be the Example: Christ-Centered Followership in the Pastoral Epistles by Sarver
BIBLE COMMENTARIES
The Pastoral Epistles, Baylor Handbook on the Greek New Testament by Larry J. Perkins
Entrusted with the Gospel: Paul’s Theology in the Pastoral Epistles by Andreas J. Köstenberger and Terry L. Wilder
The Elder and Overseer: One Office in the Early Church by Benjamin L. Merkle
A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Pastoral
Epistles by I. Howard Marshall
PARENTING AND FAMILY
Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn
Siblings without Rivalry by Adele Faber
13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don't Do by Amy Morin
How to Talk So Kids Can Learn by Adele Faber
How to be the Parent You Always Wanted by Adele Faber
Make Your Kid a Money Genius by Beth Kobliner
Teach them to work by Mary Beeke
How Children Succeed by Paul Tough
How to Talk When Kids Won't Listen by Joanna Faber
How to Raise Successful People by Esther Wojcicki
Creating Innovators by Tony Wagner
PRODUCTIVITY/MISCELLANEOUS
Becoming a Neurosurgeon by John Colapinto
How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton Christensen
YES! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive by Noah Goldstein
Someday is Today by Matt Dicks
Influence by Robert Cialdini*
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
Generations by Jean Twenge
PERSONAL FINANCE
The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton
Die With Zero by Bill Perkins
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Stand and Deliver: How to Become a Masterful Communication by Dale Carnegie Training
Make Yourself Unforgettable by Dale Carnegie Training
The New One Minute Manager
It Doesn't Have to be Crazy at Work by Jason Fried
The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni
How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie*
Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni
Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni*
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
The Motive by Patrick Lencioni
4 Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney
The Five Most Important Questions You Will Ever Ask About Your Organization by Peter Drucker
The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker
Traction by Geno Wickman
GENERAL BUSINESS
Business Adventures by John Brooks
Become a Venture Capitalist by Gary Rivlin
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
Entrepreneur Revolution by Daniel Priestly
Where Are the Customers' Yachts? by Fred Schwed
The Real-Life MBA by Jack Welch
More Than a Hobby by David Green
What it takes by Stephen Schwarzman
INVESTING
The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
One Up on Wall Street by Peter Lynch
Warren Buffett and the Interpretation of Financial Statements by Mary Buffett
Poor Charlie's Almanack by Charles Munger
University of Berkshire Hathaway by Daniel Pecaut
Learn to Earn by Peter Lynch
Beating the Street by Peter Lynch
The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape
The Little Book on Common Sense Investing by John Bogle
Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits by Philip Fisher
Security Analysis by Benjamin Graham
RELATIONSHIPS
How to Not Die Alone by Logan Ury
Boundaries by Henry Cloud*
Plays Well with Others by Eric Barker
