This list is completely random and most absolutely non-definitive. I reserve the right to change my mind and add books in or take books out, depending on what I had for dinner and how well that dinner is agreeing with me. Oh, and for the record, the Bible is an automatic given as the best Book ever written (notice the capital B in Book!) This list includes some of the most influential books I’ve read (other than the Bible, which I’ve completely memorized so I don’t need to read it anymore– just kidding).

1) The Cost of Discipleship – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

2) Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis

3) A Celebration of Discipline – Richard Foster

4) Abba’s Child – Brennan Manning

5) The Giving Tree – Shel Silverstein

6) A Severe Mercy – Sheldon Vanauken

7) Telling The Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy & Fairy Tale – Frederick Buechner

8) Desiring God – John Piper

9) Gold By Moonlight – Amy Carmichael

10) God Gave Me Time – Ann Kiemel

11) Traveling Mercies – Anne LaMott

12) Pagan Christianity – Frank Viola & George Barna

13) Blue Like Jazz – Donald Miller

14) Hinds Feet on High Places – Hannah Hurnard

15) Crazy Love – Frances Chan

16) The Shack – William Young

17) The Return of the Prodigal Son – Henri Nouwen

18) The Pilgrim’s Progress – John Bunyan

19) If – Amy Carmichael

20) Till We Have Faces – C.S. Lewis

21) The Hole in Our Gospel – Richard Stearns

22) Radical – David Platt

23) With Open Hands – Henri Nouwen

24) Ragamuffin Gospel – Brennan Manning

25) Born Free – Steve Brown

26) The Autobiography of God – Lloyd John Oglivie

27) Angel Unaware – Dale Evans Rogers

28) The Normal Christian Life – Watchman Nee

29) Fresh Wind Fresh Fire – Jim Cymbala

30) The Tree in the Middle of My Garden – Moses Caeser

31) The Jesus Manifesto – Leonard Sweet & Frank Viola

32) The Space Trilogy – C.S. Lewis (tied with The Chronicles of Narnia also by C.S. Lewis and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien)

33) Redeeming Love – Francine Rivers

34) Mark of a Man – Elisabeth Elliott

35) Lord, Save Us From Your Followers- Dan Merchant

36) Passion and Purity – Elisabeth Elliott

37) Prayers from the Genesee – Henri Nouwen

38) Anything by Max Lucado – Max Lucado (I know I’m cheating, but I don’t care!)

There are plenty more I could add. There will be some that will cause me to sit up in bed at 2 am and slap my forehead and say, “Why didn’t I list that one?” I think that very soon, I will follow this blog up with the music and movies that touched and influenced me.

If you think of any books that really spoke to you, feel free to post them on my facebook wall or email them to me or send them via carrier pigeon. I hope and pray you will develop a passion for reading good books.

Most of all, I hope you will be driven by need and desire to immerse yourself in the Bible, the only book ever written that’s living and active. The only Book that can speak fresh words into your life. Next to the Bible, all other books are prefaces and introductions. Next to the substance of the Bible, all other books are shadows.

Wow. I got all super-spiritual on you. Anyway, just read. That’s all. Good night.