10 Books From 2025
At the end of the year, I like to reflect on what I’ve read. It’s been said, “You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” Reading books enables me to think the thoughts of great minds after them, to live in different time periods and to see sights I’d never see otherwise. Each book is a chisel, shaping me in ways great and small. Here are ten books I read this year that I found most worthy of reflecting on. I would happily recommend each of these.
1. A Light on the Hill: The Surprising Story of How a Local Church in the Nation’s Capital Influenced Evangelicalism, Caleb Morell.
Before this book, I had never read a biography of a church. To see the hand of God at work in the lives of ordinary people over the course of decades is refreshment for my soul. This book made me all the more thankful for our church, and I am hopeful the Lord continues to use us for his glory.
2. The Ranson Trilogy, C.S. Lewis
Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength. This series has dominated my thinking since September. Incredible and thought provoking. Lewis truly is a master.
3. Revival and Revivalism, Iain Murray
There are chapters in this book that I would almost call “must-reads” for pastors. Historical, theological, and insightful.
4. Revival: Spiritual Awakening in the Reformed Tradition, Michael Haykin
I read this one in January. It’s a wonderful complement to Revival and Revivalism. Moved me to pray more fervently for real revival. Don’t believe revival is only for the charismatics.
5. The Mansoul Chronicles, Book 1: The Fall and Rise of Mansoul, Tyler van Halteren
Tyler Van Halteren was a friend of mine in seminary, and since then he has gone on to do great things with John Bunyan’s works. He is the author of the three part Little Pilgrim’s Big Journey (which I love and recommend for kids ages 4-8). Less known is the first installment of his Mansoul Chronicles. Bunyan also wrote an allegory called The Holy War, which describes the city of Mansoul. The illustrations are wonderful. The gospel presentation is powerful. The lessons are unforgettable. Kids aged 6 and up will love it.
6. None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God, Matthew Barrett
This one took me a while, and probably because it was a book that delved into the incommunicable attributes of God unlike any book I’ve ever read. Raised a lot of theological issues to think about, all while engaging not only with the Scriptural text but the tradition of orthodox minds throughout church history. Takeaway: God is wildly greater than the greatest thought you could ever have about him.
7. Preaching: A God-Centred Vision, Michael Reeves
Here’s a lesson I’m learning: If Michael Reeves writes a book, read it. His short book on preaching is top-notch.
8. The Loveliness of Christ, Samuel Rutherford
This book is like reading a bunch of tweets from the Puritan Samuel Rutherford. Rutherford is well known for his published letters, and this little book is a collection of his most poignant sentences from the letters. A sweet balm.
9. The Tech-Wise Family, Andy Crouch
Practical, wise, and thought-provoking. More parents should read this.
10. Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
My daughter read Little Women some years ago and said I should read it. Well, I finally got around to it, and it did not disappoint. I loved it, and was almost brought to tears at points. I did not know that Alcott wrote the book to be a kind of modernized Pilgrim’s Progress, and Alcott’s characters run parallel to little Christian. They are endearing and real. After reading, we watched the 1994 and 2019 film adaptations, and, in my opinion, they both entirely miss the mark - mainly because they do not understand Jo March.
