Reading List

Here are the books I’ve read since January of 2012 with my rating for them (5 being the best) and a brief review. Make sure you also check out my lists from previous years, as well as my recommendations on how to become a better reader.

  1. Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman (4.5). Fascinating look at the effects of the medium of TV on our culture. Make sure you read 1982 by Orwell and Brave New World by Huxley before this book so that you get the most out of the analogies that Postman uses.
  2. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni (3.5). Most of the book is a leadership story that encapsulates the principles in the book. The story itself is definitely what makes the book good. The explanation afterward is somewhat dry but it makes sure that each of the concepts is explained.
  3. Insurrection by Peter Rollins (4.5). This is a meaty read—not in the style it is written but in the depth of thought that Rollins invites you into. I love writers like him who challenge the easy thought process that we all fall into and cause us to question the very core of what we believe. We emerge stronger if we are willing to push through the process.
  4. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (4). This is a very long story and there isn’t really a main character to follow. Regardless, it is powerful storytelling and I found myself wrapped into it. I loathed this at times when it meant that I was on an emotional roller coaster along with the characters. It’s a good read though, especially if you are a fan of historical fiction.
  5. Stuff Christians Like by Jon Acuff (4.5). Hilarious. Seriously hilarious. As a fellow PK (preacher’s kid) I can so appreciate the way that Jon taps into the bizarre world of Christian culture and lovingly mocks it to shreds. This one is great on audiobook since Jon reads it himself and even adds in extra commentary.
  6. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (5). This is a fascinating story of a WW2 POW. An incredible, true story of heartache, despair, and redemption. I was surprised how many times I found myself telling people about the story as I went through it. This one gets the rare 5 star rating from me for sure.
  7. Pottywise For Toddlers (3). I’m not going to lie, potty training freaks me out. Michelle and I have read this series of books since our first kid was born and they have proven to be an incredible source of practical knowledge that then creates confidence. Wish us luck.
  8. What Technology Wants by Kevin Kelly (3.5). This is a heady read. There were sections where I found myself trudging through but there were a handful of gems that offered truly insightful ideas. Kelly is brilliant so it’s a challenge to keep up at times.