As 2016 comes to a close, I wanted to highlight ten of the best books I read thoughout the year. While there were around 65 books I’ve read to this point (on pace for 67-70 for the year), I’ve added books that have been 1) enjoyable 2) helpful 3) impactful. Click on the link below the title of the book to purchase the book on Amazon for a friend this Christmas and help support this blog!
10. The Productivity Project
Chris Bailey did an excellent job of helping the reader understand what productivity is and how you can achieve it by taking practical measures. After reading this, I started charting my energy levels to determine when my “peak” producitivity hours were on any given day. My schedule/productivity hasn’t been the same since (in a GREAT way)!
9. Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus
In typical Mark Dever fashion, this book is simple and incredibly helpful. He helps the reader understand what it means to make disciples and how you can go about doing it. My favorite part of the book was the end where Jonathan Leeman talks about what he has personally learned from Mark about discipling. Very helpful.
8. Knowing Christ
This book helped me love Jesus more.
7. Rejoicing In Christ
This book helped me enjoy Jesus more.
6. The Gospel and Personal Evangelism
Why share the gospel? How do you share the gospel? Mark Dever answers both of these questions well and encourages readers to sell out their lives to share the love of Jesus with neighbors, friends, and family.
5. The Forgotten Spurgeon
Ian Murray does an excellent job taking you “behind the scenes” in the life of the Prince of Preachers, C.H. Spurgeon. Learn about Spurgeon’s struggles, personal development, and marriage all in this short book published by the Banner of Truth.
4. What Did You Expect?: Redeeming the Realities of MArriage
THIS IS THE BEST BOOK ON RELATIONSHIPS I’VE EVER READ. I hope me putting that statement in all caps stops some of you “non-marrieds” from just scrolling past this book because it’s about marriage. Tripp offers practical advice to all people about how to have relationships with people in a real, authentic, Christ-exalting way. Please buy this book. You’ll thank me later!
3. The Secret Of Contentment
Barcley breaks down the whole book of Philippians in this short and simple book on contentment. I learned more from this book about contentment than any other book I’ve ever read (besides the Bible of course)!
2. Supernatural Living for Natural People: The Life-Giving MEssage of Romans 8
Earlier this year I read through Romans 8 for one month during my morning devotions. This book warmed my soul by pointing me to the love of God for me in Christ. Buy this book and take a month to rest in Romans 8. You won’t regret it.
1. Holiness
This was EASILY the best book I read all year and EASILY makes the top three books I’ve read list. Ryle points the reader to living out “practical holiness” in everyday life and shows how holiness is the most beautiful thing in all the world.