A new year means a new list of favorite books read in the past year. Last year, I read 57 books, just short of my goal of 60. Though I read many excellent books, my reading list last year wasn’t as strong as in previous years. So I narrowed my favorite books to only seven and listed them in the order I read them below. As always, you can see my complete list of books here.
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1. Scrolling Ourselves to Death – Brett McCracken
Reading this book left me alarmed, convicted, encouraged, and resolved. It confirmed what I suspected—that I’m hooked on entertainment—but also offered hope and a path forward. Part three, in particular, helped me think more deeply about stewarding technology well. This book is a timely wake-up call for me, as I once again naively embraced a new technology (AI) without considering its costs. It reminded me not to adopt new tools unquestioningly, but to do so with discernment.
2. Surviving and Thriving in Seminary – Daniel Zacharias and Benjamin Forrest
I found this book by accident and was so glad I did. It offers practical advice and helpful tips for preparing for seminary and making the experience as smooth as possible. I especially appreciated the insights on learning the original languages, an area that had made me particularly nervous.
3. Single Ever After – Danielle Treweek
I often avoid sermons, books, or other materials on singleness because I find they usually fall into one of two categories. The first is the “poor you” type: “Just hang in there, the Lord knows your desires and, in due time, He will answer you.” The second is the “tough love” type: “Your singleness is a gift to work for God. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and take advantage of the opportunities ahead of you.”Neither of these has ever been particularly helpful to me. So, I approached this book with some trepidation—and was pleasantly surprised to find that it didn’t fall into either category. Instead, it offers a thoughtful exploration of the theology of singleness: what Scripture really says about it and how we can practically apply those truths. I truly enjoyed it, as it’s rich with biblical insight on a topic often handled superficially. I’m working on a full-length review, which I hope to share, Lord willing, in the next couple of weeks.
4. A Body of Divinity – Thomas Watson
A heady but incredible exposition of the Westminster Catechism. You can never go wrong with Thomas Watson.
5. John MacArthur: Servant of the Flock – Iain Murray
This brief sketch offers a glimpse into the life of one of the most significant Christian leaders of our generation. Written in 2010 to mark John MacArthur’s fortieth year of ministry, it naturally leaves much of his later life unaddressed. Yet it provides a wonderful window into his character and calling. His unwavering commitment to Scripture especially encouraged me. From the very beginning of his ministry, he aimed to preach God’s Word simply, without gimmicks or theatrics, unlike much of contemporary preaching. I appreciated learning about the challenges he faced, the way God sovereignly arranged events in his ministry, and the story of how Grace to You, his writing ministry, commentaries, and the MacArthur Study Bible came to be. One detail that particularly inspired me was how he came to preach through the entire New Testament—the very aspect of his ministry that first drew me to him.
6. The Reason for Church – Brad Edwards
The Reason for Church is a timely and helpful book that accurately diagnoses the issues keeping many from gathering with God’s people and offers a gospel-centered response. It reminds readers that the church is not only essential but also a beautiful and good gift from God.
7. From Eden to Egypt – Alex Duke
As the title suggests, this book offers a guided tour through the book of Genesis, providing insightful commentary along the way. It contains many valuable observations that helped me notice things I had never seen before. The author’s use of humor also made the read enjoyable and engaging.
