…of making many books there is no end… (Ecclesiastes 12:12)
Another year, another round of books read. For the first time in forever, I read less than 100 books (72 to be exact). This is mainly due to a cohort I’m in which directed much of my reading and required me to take notes, which slowed me down. Thus, the reason I already have a stack of around 25 books waiting to be read in 2026. As with most years, 2025 had some excellent books, some solid, and some that I will never get the wasted hours back from reading. Below are some of the ones that I enjoyed the most. The normal caveats apply: I am an eclectic reader so not everything will suit everyone and a recommendation does not mean that I agree with everything the author wrote.
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. By far the best book I read in 2025. It’s a wonderful story of the power of kindness and generosity, both in the one giving and the one receiving. There were tons of insightful lines that will stick with me and moments that had tears streaming down my face. While there are some contrived bits in the story, the overall experience was delightful and I was sad when this one came to an end.
The Christian Life by Sinclair Ferguson. One of the most accessible books on theology that I know. Dr. Ferguson has a knack for both exegetical precision and practical application. I particularly appreciated that he showed how the doctrine derived from the Scriptures and why it was important to understand. With chapters averaging less than 10 pages, one could almost (and perhaps should) read this book as a daily devotional. Highly recommend especially if reading theology is new to you.
The Big Relief by Dave Zahl. I try to read one book on grace each year to remind me that I am not saved by my works but by grace. This book, written by my friend, Dave (who is a Charlottesville resident), reminds us that grace is the most radical part of the Christian message. He shows how grace is the antidote to much of what assails us in our current moment where we struggle with anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, and more. A wonderful message written in beautiful prose. A Christianity Today book award finalist (if you are into that type of thing).
Prayer by Richard Foster and Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton. This fall, a significant portion of my cohort reading focused on prayer. These two books stood out. Foster’s is a masterclass at considering all the different types of prayer we can offer (20+). It breaks the mindset of prayer as only asking for stuff. The latter book blew my mind in its explanation of the Lord’s Prayer. You will be hearing more about this book when we work our way through the Lord’s Prayer during our Sunday morning gatherings this Fall.
Others Worth Mentioning
- Living in Wonder by Rod Dreher. A plea for a re-enchantment of life to counteract a culture that has little sense of awe. Some stuff (like the chapter on UFOs) might be a bit much but the overall point is spot on.
- Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. Written by a non-Christian, this book was still helpful in addressing the question: How can we embrace our nonnegotiable limitations?
- The Lord of Psalm 23 by David Gibson. Read this to prepare for the sermon series on Psalm 23 this past summer. Rich in insights that bring this psalm to life, it was hard not to include everything I learned into my sermons. Now, you can get them too.
- Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton. My favorite spiritual formation book of the year. How do we align our daily lives in order to experience greater intimacy with God? This book addresses that question with accessible writing and practical tools.
- The Appeal by Janice Hallett. A murder mystery told mainly through emails and texts. A modern twist on the cozy mystery.
- The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny. Another in the Inspector Gamache series. A good mystery that continues to provide deep insights into both the brokenness and beauty of humanity.
Happy reading in 2026!!
