Wow. I'll definitely need to check out some of those! I also highly recommend "Knowing God" by J.I. Packer. It's a very powerful book!
Lindsey | Homepage | 01.28.06 - 10:03 pm | #

Thanks, Lindsey! It's been added to the list. =)
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 01.28.06 - 10:25 pm | #

everything looks good in IE :) . I know I will be referring to this list often. Would you guys be averse to making each book's title/thumbnail a link to the book on amazon.com or another bookseller website? That way your readers would have quick, easy access to more information on the book as well as the option to purchase.
Adrielle | 01.28.06 - 11:04 pm | #

Great suggestion, Adrielle. We're hoping to implement that feature within the next week.
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 01.28.06 - 11:36 pm | #

Very good choices... I recognize quite a few of those titles as being on our shelves at home, and after I finish reading the numerous books I have going right now I will go dig them out. :)
Gracie | Homepage | 01.29.06 - 7:31 am | #

Looks great in Firefox.

Thanks for the list!!
Jerad | Homepage | 01.29.06 - 10:25 am | #

Wow...they all look like good books. I'm reading "The Pleasures of God" by John Piper (and no, he's not the ONLY author I read :) ), and it's really good. I'll have to check out some of the books you mentioned, thanks!
Carley | Homepage | 01.29.06 - 11:43 am | #

Thanks for adding it! I noticed that you also have "The Cross-Centered Life" on the list. That was a wonderful book!! Hey, today at church my pastor mentioned a book called "So You Want To Be Like Christ", by Chuck Swindall, I think. He said it was a wonderful book. (He was also the one who told me about "Knowing God") Ever read it?
Lindsey | Homepage | 01.29.06 - 12:44 pm | #

Thanks for the info, Jerad.

Carley, you just reminded me to add another Piper book to our "plan on reading" list. It's a more recent title, 'God is the Gospel'.

Lindsey, we haven't read Swindall's book... If you read it, be sure to let us know what you think!
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 01.29.06 - 1:04 pm | #

Presentation looks good. I posted my list last night on my blog.
Nathan Straub | Homepage | 01.29.06 - 4:25 pm | #

Wow, that's a great collection. "Money, Posessions & Eternity," "Knowing God," "Heaven," and "Don't Waste Your Life" (and others you've listed) are books that I've also benefited from. All of the books you listed which I have read I've found to be so good that now I want to read those I am unfamiliar with. :-)

I've been reading the Father Brown Mysteries and I completely agree with you: reading the works of writers like Chesterton inspires me in my own writing.

One book I don't remember seeing listed that I highly recommend: Chuck Colson & Nancy Pearcey's "How Now Shall We Live?"
Jason | Homepage | 01.29.06 - 6:56 pm | #

Thanks for this booklist, guys! I really want to pick up on my reading this year, so this is very helpful in giving me a look into good books on a variety of topics. One I have read just recently is "The Cross Centered Life" - excellent (I cried about the whole way through) and I'm glad to see it on your list.

I ditto Adrielle's suggestion; I always look up book titles on Amazon just for more info and reviews.

Btw, thumbnails look fine in Firefox. :-)
Hannah L | 01.30.06 - 9:26 am | #

This is really great!! Is it possible for you guys to make a link to a printable version of this list so that I could maybe keep it by my computer or take it to the bookstore???
Michelle | 01.30.06 - 12:57 pm | #

It looks like a great list! I've been making my own and I just thought of a few books you might enjoy. Because "End of the Spear" came out last weekend I read a book I just got called "Dayuma" by Ethel Emily Wallis. It is the story of the Waorani girl Dayuma as she told it to Rachel Saint. There is also "Through Gates of Splendour" by Elizabeth Elliot which gives a much more detailed account of the five men and what happened to them on the beach.

I love it that you are sharing this list, but when you update it you might want to put a star or something next to the new entries for the week or however long it is till you update again. This would be nice for those of us who have already seen it, and are looking for the new entries. Thanks for putting this list up! God Bless You!
Margaret | 01.30.06 - 1:08 pm | #

Great suggestions, everybody! We'll be working on implementing them over the next week or so.
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 01.30.06 - 3:46 pm | #

You guys haven't each read all those books have you? Is that a combined book list?
Anonymous | 01.30.06 - 10:59 pm | #

yay!! good books!! :-)
jacqui | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 5:44 am | #

Anonymous: Most of them, but not all. It is a combined list.
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 11:34 am | #

I've read many books about Eric Liddell and have to say I think "Pure Gold" was the best of all.
Also, I've read "When Character Was King" and it was excellent. Another good book on Ronal Reagn is "God and Ronal Reagan" by Paul Kengor. I will enjoy your book list as you update it as I love reading.
Katie | 01.31.06 - 10:42 pm | #

Thanks Katie! I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed both of those books our list. We will have to look into Kengor's book on Reagan as well. God bless you!
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 10:50 pm | #

Great list.....A good I book I read that I highly recommend is, Persecuted How Liberals Are Waging War Against Christianity by David Limbaugh. It is a very eye opening book about how God has been slowly taken out of our culture.
N Smith | 02.01.06 - 8:56 pm | #

I'm a fan of anything C.S. Lewis. Currently reading The Screwtape Letters--thoroughly enjoyable.
HannaH | 02.05.06 - 6:54 pm | #

Interesting list. I'll have to check some of these out.

You guys are really reading 4 or 5 books each? I can't wrap my head around more then 3 (either that or one collects dust for a while).

I noticed Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll made the list. I'm a bit curious to hear your thoughts on it.

Sorry, if this has been discussed ad nasum else where, but the archives are a bit much to pour though, and I only found your site recently. I'm curious to hear yours and anyone else’s thoughts on the "Emergent" (for lack of a better term) authors, such as Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, Don Miller, Erwin Raphael McManus, Michael Frost, Alan Hirsch and Leonard Sweet. I'm sure I missed several, but I am curious to hear what people thing about them or if they've read them or are interested in reading them.

Also I noticed that C.S. Lewis is absent from your list, not big Lewis fans?
Nathaniel Reinhart | Homepage | 02.07.06 - 12:38 pm | #

I really like the list. I've read several of the books, but not nearly as many as I'd like. I hope to read some more of these as soon as possible. I also read some reviews on your brothers books. I'd like to read those, too. They all look interesting.
Thanks,
Kristen
Kristen Stoltzfus | 02.23.06 - 9:02 am | #

Have you read "The Screwtape Letters," by C.S.Lewis? It was a really good book!!
Another book I really enjoy is "How Shall We Then Live," by Francis Shaffer (sp?).
JennyAnyDots | Homepage | 02.23.06 - 3:21 pm | #

Alex and Brett,
You guys amaze me with your list!!! And I thought I read a lot!

But in all seriousness, I was stunned by the amount of good, quality books you all have taken in, and by how many of them are about our walk with God and becoming a better Christian. That in and of itself is an amazing testimony!

I'll definately be looking into reading a lot of these, but I'll also say that you'll LOVE ALbert Marrin's stuff, esp. The Yanks are Coming. It was really an eye-opener, and an enjoyable read to boot. And of course it's hard to go wrong with Piper, he's amazing!

But anyway, I just wanted to tell you guys that you're very inspiring with the Christian walk, and I want to encourage you both to keep your lights bright. I can't wait to read more of your posts!

Your sister in Christ,
Veronika
Veronika W. | Homepage | 03.06.06 - 8:37 pm | #

Come on guys! i mean, i know these books are great, but read some fiction. I don't know what you guys think, but you should try the Harry Potter books. I find nothing wrong with them, and the Christians who do have a problem with them have probably never read any good fiction.
Stuart Spooner | 03.09.06 - 3:24 pm | #

Nathaniel: Thanks for the reminder! We do love C.S. Lewis, but we haven't read anything of his recently, so they didn't get on the list. We'll most likely be adding several of his works in the near future.

Stuart: Actually, we do read a lot of fiction! In fact, up until we were about 12-14 years old, we hardly read anything else. Also, you'll notice that G.K. Chesterton's complete set of Father Brown is included on the list.
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 03.10.06 - 12:28 am | #

Thanks for the reminder about the father brown books. I haven't read those in a while. Have you read Darwins Origin of Species? I know some people would be against reading that, but it allows you to play devils advocate and argue alot better against evolutionists, since it lets you in a little on how they think. Also a great book is Michael J. Behe's "Darwins Black Box". It's a very good book, if a little complex to understand sometimes, though he makes it easier than most people could.
Stuart Spooner | 03.23.06 - 4:55 pm | #

Hey guys,
I was just wondering how you set up your booklist. Did you find a certain site that hosts lists? Or did you just post it and set into your sidebar?

Thanks!
Veronika W. | Homepage | 03.24.06 - 7:39 pm | #

Veronika: We just posted it and set it into our sidebar. =) Thanks for asking.
Brett Harris | Homepage | 06.22.06 - 1:38 pm | #

everything's updated and lookin' spiffy! you know, i've taken many of these recommendations and have greatly enjoyed them-thanks!
Sarah | 06.22.06 - 3:56 pm | #

I would recommend _A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God_ by Jonathan Edwards. It is an early account of a revival that started among complacent Christian young people. I read half of it several weeks ago.
Nathan Straub | Homepage | 06.26.06 - 5:31 pm | #

I know you guys are pretty good experts on worldviews and culture, but we can always learn more, right? LOL

Anyway, a book that I would highly, highly, highly recommend, is David Noebel's "Understanding the Times." Though considered a reference book, it contains invaluable descriptions and breakdown of the four main worldviews circulating the country: Christianity, Marxism/Leninism, Cosmic Humanism, and Social Humanism.

Though written from a Chrsitian perspective, Noebel breaks down each worldview in the ten major points that worldviews form an opinion on, and explains how they think (and how to identify them). It's helped me see a lot of cultural thinking in a different light, and provides very good discussion topics.

Personally, I think it's a must-read for everyone. (Warning: Get the abridged version...the original is about 900 pgs.! :-) )
Veronika | Homepage | 07.07.06 - 1:19 pm | #

Hey guys, just checking in. I Know of a very well written book by Leif Enger, called "PEace Like A River". My mom is an english major and she said it was one of the most well written books she has ever read! You guys should check it out.
Stuart Spooner | 07.10.06 - 6:36 pm | #

Edited by Siteowner: Dear CftHR, I'm sorry but your comment has been removed for violating The Rebelution's commenting rules and for straying from the purpose of the comments section on this post.

Please understand that disagreement and argumentation is allowed on our blog, however, insults are not arguments. Furthermore, this thread is expressly for the discussion of particular books. If you would like to critique a specifics book which you have read, please do so. Otherwise, please refrain. Thanks for understanding!
Concerned for the human race | 07.15.06 - 8:35 pm | #

I heard about you guys in the old school house magazine, and am pleased to find a pretty chunky booklist in your website. I have a condsiderable amount of reading material to chew on now. (and thats a good thing.)
One thing that suprised me though, as I scrolled down your literary menu, was that I didn't find a particular book. One that I am recomend to fiction adicts, blog-lovers, and any one left floating in-between. One that had me-a stoic, almost sixteen year old-sobbing with emotion. It isn't depressing, its convicting. While I cried I was filled with joy, the joy that we have a heavenly father watching and waitig for us. jesus freaks, Vol ll; stories of revolutionaries who changed their world; fearing God, not man/ DC talk and the voice of the martyrs.
It's encouraging and uplifting, as well as sobering. About people who gave their all...not their some. I can't say anything about the first one, I havn't read it yet. But I bet it rocks just as much as the second!
It is very nice to find two young christians who are not luke warm about faith. Praying for you always.
Lucy LaBrasseur :D | 08.02.06 - 6:41 pm | #

Lucy: Thanks so much reminding us of the Jesus Freaks / Voice of Martyrs volumes. Those are excellent books, that unfortunately, we overlooked when we put together this list. Having read both the first and the second, let me assure you that they are both wonderful. Actually, we share a story from one of them in this post.
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 08.03.06 - 10:38 am | #

I love to read so this list is a great blessing to read and get closer to God at the same time.I saw that you guys had a few missionary biographies or stories.End of the Spear by Steve Saint is a really good one.It is written by the son of Nate Saint,one of the five missionaries to be killed by indians in the 50s in the jungels of Ecuador.Another good missionary book is Bruchko by Bruce Olson.I know that God has called me to be a missionary so I am really interested in books dealing with missions.
I also have two other great books for evangelism.One Thing You Can Do In Heaven and One Heartbeat Away by Mark Cahill are excellent books.They really prepare you to go out there and bring the massage of Truth to a world in darkeness...well this comment has been longe enought...lol
Cristina | Homepage | 08.07.06 - 10:49 pm | #

Cristina: Thanks for your recommendations! We actually have read Bruchko, and have read several biographies of Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, etc. but not "End of the Spear" (though we did see the movie).
Brett Harris | Homepage | 08.08.06 - 8:48 am | #

Wow! I 've never heard of most of those. I love to read stuff that will make me think, so I can't wait to read your suggestions.
What are your views on reading classic fiction? Like Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, etc...
Also, a wonderful book about holiness (especially for girls) is "Stepping Heavenward" by Elizabeth Prentiss.
Amy | 08.21.06 - 5:26 pm | #

Amy: We love classic fiction! We do not currently read as much of it as we did when we were younger, regarding it as a special treat rather than the main course, but we do enjoy it. Thank you also for reminding us about Stepping Heavenward. We have read that book as a family and greatly enjoyed it. God bless you!
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 08.22.06 - 9:32 am | #

Very encouraging...to see high schoolers this much into theology, etc,.....
Anonymous | 08.25.06 - 9:47 am | #

Hey guys,

After looking over the list and noticing, not the absence, but a bit of a lack of fictional works, I thought I just plug in here one work of fiction which has been for me (and surprisingly at that) more important than much of the non-fiction works that I've read in helping to shape my views of true Christianity. The book? "King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table" by Roger Lancelyn Green.

I was given the book as a kind of joke from a friend a few years ago on account of my (still going) fascination with medieval times, knighthood and the concept of chivalry. I honestly expected it to just be like a kid's storybook, but I was amazed by its depth. Actually, I was in the middle of a long study of the book of James at the time, and I found myself drawing parallels from the book such that it became, if not a commentary, at least a bit of an illustration of many of the principles I was learning from the Bible. A few months later I re-read the book while I was studying Ecclesiastes, and found this was true for it as well. The biblical principles and the concept of true manhood are thick in it, and being well-written and enjoyable fiction, they're extremely easy to digest (so long as you're not the sort who is put-off by "fairy-tales", that is).
Christopher Ables | Homepage | 08.27.06 - 8:20 pm | #

This is really great!! Is it possible for you guys to make a link to a printable version of this list so that I could maybe keep it by my computer or take it to the bookstore???
Uriah | 04.21.07 - 4:31 am | #

WOW you guys read deep stuff I hope to read such things through reading what you all do
Lynae Rockwell | 02.06.08 - 7:29 am | #

getting things gives some great help for organizing your life, but maybe it should be mentioned that it's not written by a christian and some of the psychological things he explains are not acceptable, like "positive thinking/imagination"

keep on posting good books!
bando | 05.09.08 - 7:35 am | #

I am impressed that you are reading some of the books that you are, especially being that you are of the younger set. It is refreshing to find young people who are taking God and his Word seriously and are wanting to make an impact on their world for him and his glory. I might recommend a book that I have read which has had a major impact on my spiritual thinking and that is Irresistable Revolution by Shane Claiborne.
Harold Cameron | Homepage | 10.09.08 - 7:45 pm | #