My Top 17 Books of the year

 I can't pick just 10, like everyone else. I also won't link to Amazon like everyone else, because I won't make any money off of it and you're not likely to buy one from my recommendation. I will, however, be linking to my reviews of them whenever they get accomplished.


(in no particular order)
Christian Non-Fiction:
When Sinners Say "I Do" by Dave Harvey
Why We Love the Church by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck
Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung
This Momentary Marriage by John Piper
Instruments in the Redeemers Hands by Paul David Tripp
The Deliberate Church by Mark Dever and Paul Alexander
Stop Dating the Church by Joshua Harris
Instructing a Child's Heart by Ted and Margy Tripp
Humility by C.J Mahaney

Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God by C.J. Mahaney
Life in the Father's House by Wayne Mack and David Swavely
Relationships by Paul Tripp and Tim Lane
Why Government Can't Save You by John MacArthur

Fiction:
Ezekiel Option by Joel Rosenberg
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

Other:
Scipio Africanus: Greater than Napoleon by B.H.Liddell Hart

Book Report-- Debunking 9/11 Myths

Debunking 9/11 Myths L, G
by David Dunbar and Brad Regan from Popular Mechanics

Non-Fiction

Book Report-- The Man-eating Leopard of Rudraprayag

The Man-eating Leopard of Rudraprayag M
by Jim Corbett

Non-fiction


Definitely recommend for hunter/readers: Of the hunting books I've read, this is one of the best-told stories. It is also one of the most remarkable stories in and of itself. Man-eaters are always a sad thing, but this author who was also the successful hunter handles the loss of human life and wildlife conservation in a fair manner.

Book Report-- Life in Father's House

Life in the Father's House B
by Wayne Mack and David Swavely

Non-fiction

Definitely Recommend for every Christian- As summed up in the subtitle, this is a member's guide to the local church. While avoiding deep theological discussion, it actually brings many ecclesiological tenets, normally reserved for men in ivory towers, to the man on the street. Were I (and when I am) a pastor, I would desperately want every member of my church to read this, because I'm sure they would learn much better herein than from my own mouth.
I also consider the tagline on the back cover one of the best and most witty of any book.

Book Report-- Chaos

Chaos B
by Ted Dekker

Fiction

Definitely Recommend for Dekker fans: This was a truly fitting conclusion(?) to the Lost Books. Dekker was in his element portraying our earth in the eyes of an outsider (Johnis). More than that, he supported his incredible trilogy (+1) with a very intriguing plot that only enhanced the central stories and truths.


Recommend for Christian fiction readers: Dekker's ability to visualize spiritual things is amazing. His stories, including this, harness your imagination into a pursuit of realizing the battle between good and evil in vivid terms.

Recommended Books I won't be reviewing (read: reading) in a while- Pt 2

The Circle Trilogy (Black, Red, and White) by Ted Dekker
Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
The Cross-centered Life by C.J. Mahaney
The Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Teaching to Change Lives by Howard Hendricks
The Art of War by Sun Tzu

Pt. 1

Book Report--Renegade

Renegade B
by Ted Dekker

Fiction

Kinda Recommend for Dekker fans: This stage of the series breaks new ground (though not new for Dekker's fantasy realm). It begins to explore the power of the Books of History and the other earth(s?). I don't particularly care for Dekker's dark side or the intentionally weird aspects of the fantasy realms. But I'll tolerate it if it ends well. I'm not yet sure in this series, mostly because the Biblical allegory is not as rich or apparent.

Recommended Books that I won't be reviewing (read: reading again) any time soon

A random and unorganized list of books I'd give a thumbs-up to:

Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose
Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss
When People are Big and God is Small by Ed Welch
One Shot, One Kill by Charles W. Sasser and Craig Roberts
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Death in the Long Grass by Peter Hathaway Capstick
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Balancing the Christian Life by Charles Ryrie
Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades) by Robert Spencer

Book Report-- State of Fear

State of Fear M, G
by Michael Crichton

Fiction


Recommend for any Crichton fan- One of his last. As high caliber as Jurassic Park, albeit with a little bit more adult content.

Definitely recommend for anyone interested in the Global Warming debate (from either side)- Masterfully presented in a fictional story, Crichton explains his (and science's) problems with the Global Warming movement.

Book Report-- Infidel

Infidel B
by Ted Dekker

Fiction

Definitely Recommend for Dekker fans- This book takes the story on an even wilder ride than I though. It kept me guessing. And it made me think the whole story, including the original trilogy, is just getting better and better.

Book Report-- Jerusalem Interlude

The Jerusalem Interlude M
by Bodie Thoene

Fiction

Definitely Recommend for history readers- as part of a strong series of historical fiction, this book opens a new front into the global issues leading up to World War II. The Middle East is an oft overlooked aspect of the geopolitical climate, at least in my purview.

Recommend for guys- It's obviously written by a girl towards more feminine interests, but it's still worth reading.

Book Report-- Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce

Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce E
by John Piper

Non-fiction

Recommend for bibliography/church history readers- Such a figure cannot be overlooked, nor this short-and-sweet volume by a writer such as Piper.

Kinda Recommend for readers interested in politics- The book doesn't go into great depth of the politics of Wilberforce other than to describe the great process and persistence of his monumental emancipation legislation. Still, some of the political conclusions of both Wilberforce and Piper I disagree with.

Book Report-- Hitler's Cross

Hitler's Cross M
by Erwin Lutzer

Non-fiction

• Recommend for History/WW2 fan. Though it doesn't really address many aspects of the war itself, this book provides an indispensible discussion of the background and setting in which this great war took place.
  

• Kinda Recommend for readers like myself who who don't see politics as an extension of church ministry (or equivalent for that matter). Lutzer is not rallying the troops to take back Washington by any means, but I don't agree with all of his conclusions in response to the German church.
  

Disturbing side-note: While searching for this picture, I discovered the existence of a "Hitler's Cross" Restaurant in India (now just "Cross Cafe") in honor of Hitler.

New Book Report Format Tinkering

Per one of my (few) readers, my book reports have maximized their potential. Thus I shall embark on tinkering with new formats to better communicate my thoughts and recommendations.

Also, I will be including markers after each title indicating the manner in which the book was read.

A- audio book
B- Borrowed
E- ebook (downloaded)
G- Google books
L- from Library
M- my own.
S- at a bookstore

Book Report-- Chosen

Chosen B
by Ted Dekker

Fiction

Definitely Recommend-especially for Circle trilogy readers, fiction fans (recommend Circle first)


This, the first of four books supplementary to Dekker's original Circle Trilogy, starts off like a rocket and doesn't slow down.

It takes place in the other world during Red, if my memory serves me correctly. While Thomas is involved, we begin the journey of another set of characters with a daunting yet divinely important mission. Johnis, the young protagonist, leads three other rookie Forest Guard against the Horde, Shataiki, and... And it of course involves the Books of History.

Its a great start to the collateral stories. I wondered at times if it was going to be a plot that would rival the original trilogy, but it complements the main saga well. And, because it doesn't participate much in the allegorical theology to the amazing degree of Black, Red, and White, it leaves the Trilogy intact in their supremacy.

Book Report-- When Sinners Say "I Do"

When Sinners Say "I Do" M
by Dave Harvey

Non-fiction


The best book on marriage I've read to date.

The basic premise is to remind married (or to be married) Christians that they greatest problem in their marriage is themselves. Or, rather, their sin natures. And thus the gospel.

The closing chapter, for instance, was titled "When Sinners Say 'Goodbye,'" speaking obviously of death. In light of our sin, the inevitable end to even a blissful marriage is death. But by God's grace, while our bodies waste away we can be inwardly renewed. And this is what is needed in marriage throughout the years.

It's a real, clear, honest look at marriage. It's as readable as it is funny- at least to my personal humor taste.

Book Report-- The Scarlet Pimpernel

The Scarlet Pimpernel G
by Baroness Orczy

Fiction


This is one of my favorite classics. I was first exposed to it in the form of a play at the Kennedy Center in D.C., which I admittedly didn't totally grasp. Since then, I've read it twice and totally enjoyed it both times.
Though it sounds kinda wimpy, it's a sweet plot of espionage and trickery. And the French are the bad guys (Revolutionaries- rightly so).
On a lesser note, it includes a significant romantic underlying story. Acceptable in guy terms and good according to my wife.

Book Report-- Spectacular Sins

Spectacular Sins E
by John Piper

Non-fiction



This unique book (in title and in content) is truly quite interesting. It's typical of Piper in that he tackles hard questions and is able to give legitimate, feasible answers in simple (if long) terms.
It is an unusual Piper book in that its short. He is able to offer profound truths in an appealingly condensed manner.
While the topic is spectacular (spectacularly bad) sins, especially the sin of Christ's murder, it is truly a study in God's sovereignty (what else?). For each sin discussed, Piper shows how God is sovereign and glorified.

Book Report-- Inside the Revolution

Inside the Revolution B
By Joel Rosenberg

Non-fiction


Rosenberg's most recent work is as interesting as it is long. As per the subtitle, it is an effort to inform about and explain the history and current events of the Middle East from three dominant perspective.
This book covers and includes a lot of the same information as Epicenter. That, however, does not render either useless. Each have their own format and intended goals. This most recent volume expands many points made in Epicenter and drives them home.
While it is voluminous, it does not handle some topics to great depth, such as the doctrine of jihad or even the doctrine of salvation. Each topic is adequately represented though and seems to be more of an intro to each philosophy.
The best thing about the book was being able to read the amazing testimonies of Muslims around the world coming to Christ, even former terrorists.

Book Report-- Christian Worldview for Students

Christian Worldview for Students M
by Brannon Howse

Non-fiction


Though technically a little late, I still think this was a good read. It was short- like 3 pages per reading of which there were 30. It covered a wide range of topics, from the trustworthiness of the Bible to the philosophies of capitalism and socialism to abortion.
I think this would be especially good for students off to secular campuses, though I'm sure a reader of any age or circumstance could profit.