A Year In Books (1)

My Best Books of The Year

Book reviews are important cultures for the book community and for readers. Most of the books I have read are books someone else has reviewed, or recommended by someone I met.

We have to keep the tradition going. I encourage you to write the reviews of the books you’ve read this year, or at least, some of them.

Here is a list of the best books I read this year. I’ve categorized them into different categories. Christians, History, Economics/Social Issues, and Memoirs/Biographies.

So, what’s on my list?

Christian Books

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund:

This book has a subtitle: The Heart of Christ for sinners and Sufferers. It made such a deep impression on my heart, I hugged it hard after reading. It was a delightful conversation that opened my eyes to what Jesus really thinks of me, in spite of my sin, not out of my sin! It was a good reminder that no matter what, God’s opinion of me does not change, how incredible. I’ve forgotten who said these words, but they are important “A reformation happens not because a new thing has been discovered, but because someone has rediscovered an old truth”. This is an old truth, the same truth that Paul talks about, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Other than this assurance, I don’t know how many of us would qualify for heaven.

The Confessions of St. Augustine by St. Augustine:

There are few figures in history whose influence stretch over such a long time in history as Augustine. His Confession is a narration of his spiritual journey, right up to his conversion. Augustine said some profound things in that short book. I loved that work! It was relishing. Here are two quotes from there;

“Our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

“You are my Lord, because You have no need of my goodness.”

St. Augustine is one of the few men I am comfortable calling “Saint”. This diagnosis of his spiritual journey is worth that title. I’ve seen Augustine mostly quoted in theological books, however, it is my opinion he has more to say to the “ordinary” Christian!

The Reason for God by Timothy Keller:

This is a book addressed to skeptics, but if you are a Christian, you will find it informative. In a world where increasingly Christians have to defend their faith, this is a good read for everyone who believes in Jesus! Timothy Keller lays bare the central issues that stop people from coming to Christ. What I find particularly interesting about this book is how Timothy Keller makes arguments that show how many of the arguments against Christianity are shallow. Take, for instance, the problem of evil. Many people have made the argument that “If God exists, why is there so much evil in this world?”, it goes therefore that because of that, God does not exist. Keller flips the question and asks “If God does not exist, why is there so much good in this world that is full of evil?”, if you think about it, both arguments fall flat! There has to be another explanation, and the most comprehensive one is the one demonstrated in the Gospel! Another example is how people have claimed “Religion is bad because it has led to the death of millions of people”, Keller demonstrates with facts and figures how the 20th Century was the bloodiest century in history, and that was caused primarily by atheistic governments who wanted and insisted on demonstrating that God does not exist, from Stalin’s USSR to Pol Pot Cambodia. In Cambodia, nearly 2 million people were killed; in China, the estimates run to 55 million, while in USSR the estimate is 20 million. All these regimes set out with a belief that God does not exist! This is a good book in the apologist toolkit.

Tactics by Greg Koukl:

Greg’s book is a book about how to discuss the Christian faith with people who disagree with you. I love how Greg makes his points, not just based on theory but based on experience, he has been a radio host for a long time! I have applied some of Greg’s tactics, and they were successful! It is a book with powerful insight.

You can read a longer review HERE.

The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus by Brennan Manning:

Brennan Manning’s books and life is a demonstration of God’s grace for each of us! His Grace is truly sufficient! The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus shows how Jesus never tires of bearing with us. Our savior is never tired of loving us, there is not a single day that goes by that He says “I don’t love Lengdung today” or “I don’t love Esther”, He loves every day! That’s helpful to always keep in mind, in a world where love is scarce.

I cannot end the review of Christian books without mentioning CS Lewis, there is probably no day that goes on without reading something from CS Lewis. This year, I used his devotional, The CS Lewis Devotional, and I also re-read “The Screwtape Letters”, a conversation between a younger devil and an older one. Lewis's works have influenced me in ways that I cannot even tell, he has been a wonderful spiritual guide, I am hopeful that someday I will meet him in Narnia and tell him “Thank you Narnian for pointing me to Aslan and Narnia. We are all home now”

Watch out for the next category of books!

What Christian books did you read this year?