I love books. I underline key phrases, make notes for future talks, and highlight personal insights. I even use a number system for some books to categorize ideas.
People who know I love to read often ask me for recommendations. Some ask me about my “favorites.” To be honest, I hate favorites. I don’t really have a favorite anything. Depending on the weather and the day, my “favorite” food may change. I choose my “favorite” music by the mood I’m in—or perhaps more often, the mood I want to be in.
I think books are the same way. What could be a favorite for me may be a dud for you.
That’s why I’d rather recommend books based on the ones that have most impacted my life—the books with the most scribbles; the books with the binding hanging on for dear life.
These are the books I most often pull from my shelf to read, and read again. I make it a habit to regularly pick up these 10 books to reread my highlights, numbers, and underlines.
Apart from the Bible, these are the books that have the most influence on my emotional and spiritual health and have dramatically impacted the way I choose to live my life.
As you look for a good read, I hope one of these books has as much influence on your life as they have mine.
In no particular order:
I pull this book off my shelf more than any other. This book is priceless. My greatest takeaway from Tozer is doing my best to make and keep the five vows for a deeper spiritual life:
1. Deal thoroughly with sin
2. Never own anything (get rid of the sense of possessing)
3. Never defend yourself
4. Never pass anything on about anybody else that will hurt him
5. Never accept any glory.
MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST, OSWALD CHAMBERS
This is on the list because I read it nearly everyday. If I don’t get to the actual book itself, I read the daily reading from the app on my phone.
I have this book numbered and reread it often. My goal: To be a level 5 leader.
No other book in the past two years has influenced how I approach life than this one. Thank you, Brene Brown, for helping me step into the arena with confidence.
This is a classic. I read it because…”life is difficult.”
THE FREEDOM OF SELF-FORGETFULNESS, TIMOTHY KELLER
Perhaps you’re seeing a theme in the books I love–vulnerability, humility, never accepting glory–all attributes of a level 5 leader. I love this mini-book for that reason–learning to experience the joy in centering my life on others.
MASTERING THE SEVEN DECISIONS THAT DETERMINE PERSONAL SUCCESS, ANDY ANDREWS
I picked this book up a few years ago and haven’t put it down since. I reread this book as much as any other. If you haven’t read Andy Andrews, you must. Begin first with The Traveler’s Gift, then read this. It’ll change how you view the world around you.
I first read this book eleven years ago when I had a big problem–the inability to say no. Since then, John and Henry have become mentors and friends of mine. Their insights on relationships are profound, yet applicable. Live by the 10 Laws of Boundaries and “no” will become your best friend.
KING’S CROSS: THE STORY OF THE WORLD IN THE LIFE OF JESUS, TIMOTHY KELLER
You won’t see the Gospels of Jesus, or the reason you’re alive today, the same again.
EXPERIENCING GOD: KNOWING AND DOING THE WILL OF GOD, HENRY AND RICHARD BLACKABY
This book’s title doesn’t disappoint. When I first read this book I did a chapter a morning at 5am. Since then, I go back to this book frequently to gain perspective on my life circumstances beyond what I can see in front of me.
…and a special 11th book that I don’t pick up as often, but influences my life everyday because of how it has changed the way I pray, the types of prayers I pray, and the goals we now make as a family:
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