Many of the best things in life happen because you plan them. I voraciously devour books and audiobooks. But without some forethought books can become like junk food. You consume the quick empty calories instead of planning ahead to eat a good organic quinoa salad.
I started making a yearly reading list in 2010, mainly to measure my goal of reading 40 books in a year. I continue it, because it gives me something to aim for, and encourages me to really focus on the things I claim are important.
This year’s list contains six sections, mostly new books and a few perennial rereads. At the top of the list you’ll see a section on vocation, which I hope will provide me a strong framework for the difficult decisions I have ahead of me. The bulk of the reading is on the subject of “Theology, Discipleship and Mission.” It is less focused on a specific aspect of theology, and mainly getting to know a few writers better, mainly Eugene Peterson, Henri Nouwen and N.T. Wright. I’ve also included a separate devotional section, which I hope will help me in my work to create a better habit of daily devotionals in 2013. Finally, you’ll notice that a few of the books are marked with an asterisk, noting that they are rereads which have proved their importance.
A friend has already emailed me noting how ambitious this is. We’ll see how much of it I finish. I am committed to my goal of at least 40, and I am aided by the use of audiobooks, and a job that provides me with lots of listening time. I’m excited for the journey.
What about you? What are you reading in 2013?
Vocation
Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life Gregg Levoy
The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life Os Guinness
Courage and Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential Gordon T. Smith
Quitter: Turning Your Job into a Dream and Your Dream into a Job Jonathan Acuff*
Theology, Discipleship and Mission
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society, Eugene H. Peterson
The Abolition of Man, C.S. Lewis
The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction, Eugene H. Peterson
Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading, Eugene H. Peterson
Faiths in Conflict? Vinoth Ramachandra
The Faith of Leap: Embracing a Theology of Risk, Adventure & Courage, Alan Hirsch and Michael Frost
Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God Dallas Willard*
How God Became King: The Forgotten Story of the Gospels N.T. Wright
Messy: God Likes It That Way A.J. Swoboda
The New Global Mission: The Gospel from Everywhere to Everyone Samuel Escobar
Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview, J.P. Moreland
Surprised by the Voice of God: How God Speaks Today Through Prophecies, Dreams, and Visions, Jack Deere
The Politics of Jesus, John Howard Yoder
Devotional
Life Together: A discussion of Christian fellowship Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Prodigal Christianity: 10 Signposts Into the Missional Frontier David E Fitch
Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World Henri Nouwen
The Wounded Healer Henri Nouwen
For Everyone Series, N.T. Wright
Unclean: Meditations on Purity, Hospitality, and Mortality Richard Beck
The Imitation of Christ Thomas à Kempis
Non-Fiction
Accidental Genius: Using Writing to Generate Your Best Ideas, Insight, and Content Mark Levy
John Adams David McCullough
On Writing Stephen King*
Tough Shit: Life Advice from a Fat, Lazy Slob Who Did Good Kevin Smith
What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast Laura Vanderkam
Drop Dead Healthy A.J. Jacobs
Literature/Fiction
Wise Blood Flannery O’Connor
A Storm of Swords George R.R. Martin
The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald
To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee
The Twelve Justin Cronin
Tenth of December: Stories George Saunders
Pattern Recognition William Gibson
Fiction that’s Not “Literature”
Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi, Multiple Authors
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, Douglas Adams
A Princess of Mars Edgar Rice Burroughs
Ready Player One Ernest Cline
The Temporal Void Peter F. Hamilton
The Evolutionary Void Peter F. Hamilton
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