I took some time in the early days of 2012 and compiled a list of the top books I read this past year, what I’m calling my “best of” when it comes to the printed/digitized page.
NOTE: Though these links are all to the “purchase” link at Amazon, some of these books are actually free under their Free Kindle Books link. I just used these links since they seemed to hold the greatest amount of info.
1. Unbroken – The great, true story of Louis Zamperini by Laura Hillenbrand. http://www.amazon.com/Unbroken-World-Survival-Resilience-Redemption/dp/1400064163/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326631872&sr=8-1
2. Chosen for Life – Sam Storms is one of my favorite writers, and he handles the subject of election beautifully. http://www.amazon.com/Chosen-Life-Case-Divine-Election/dp/1581348436/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326631971&sr=1-1
3. Deffinbaugh on Leviticus – This is not a “book” in the sense that you buy it, rather a set of downloadable PDF studies. A tremendously deep yet practical guide to understanding the third book of the Old Testament. Great job, Bob! http://bible.org/series/leviticus-sacrifice-and-sanctification
4. Read This Before Our Next Meeting – A quick but jolting read. Could turn the way you run meetings around. http://www.amazon.com/Read-This-Before-Next-Meeting/dp/1936719169/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326632595&sr=1-1
5. Concerning Christian Liberty – One of Martin Luther’s classics. There’s nothing quite like grace! http://www.amazon.com/Concerning-Christian-Liberty-Martin-Luther/dp/1463704844/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326632646&sr=1-1
6. Is Your Church Ready? – Ravi Zacharias and others collaborate on a good project that will help your church defend and declare what it believes.
http://www.amazon.com/Your-Church-Ready-Motivating-Apologetic/dp/0310250617/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326632691&sr=1-1
7. Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners – John Bunyan’s own story of conversion. Though hard to read. well worth it. http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Abounding-Chief-Sinners-Bunyan/dp/1463688679/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326632722&sr=1-1
8. Unplanned – Abby Johnson tells this heart-warming story of her own God-led journey from abortion-rights promoter to right-to-life leader. http://www.amazon.com/Unplanned-Dramatic-Planned-Parenthood-Eye-Opening/dp/1414339402/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326632749&sr=1-1
9. Pastor as Scholar and Scholar as Pastor – Piper and Carson team up for what you’ll find to be a quick but effective read on balancing your roles as shepherd and student. http://www.amazon.com/Pastor-Scholar-Reflections-Life-Ministry/dp/1433526476/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326632786&sr=1-1
10. A Failure of Nerve – This book by now-deceased Edwin Friedman made my list for one reason: he is spot-on when it comes to why we’re in the mess we’re in! Great read, but not for the faint of heart. http://www.amazon.com/Failure-Nerve-Leadership-Age-Quick/dp/159627042X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326632813&sr=1-1
