I sat down to write this “Jym Shorts” as I approach my 58th birthday. In the past I have published some of my favorite books that I read the previous year. I have also, at least twice, shared with you a list similar to this one indicating the top books that have influenced me, from both Christian and non-Christian authors. I do so again this year with a few tweaks.
As I reflect over the years of my life, I find myself grateful that almost 43 of them have been as a follower of Christ. That comes to me by God’s grace and two brothers (biological) who loved me enough to share the gospel with me. For that I am eternally grateful. Books have shaped me in a significant way as well. Here are a few that have impacted me most (outside of the Scriptures, of course).
- Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain: Twain is my favorite American writer. This is the first book I read on my own from cover to cover. It made me a lifelong reader and a lover of language and how it is used to affect our emotions and intellect.
- To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee: Opened my eyes not only to great writing, but to how to tell a story, and to the realities of injustice in our world.
- Knowing God, by J.I. Packer: Took me more than one read to really get it when I was in college, but when I got it, it opened my eyes to the great truths of God.
- Surprised by Joy, by C.S. Lewis: A great autobiography of a writer I love (along with almost everyone else in Western culture). It showed me that Christianity stands up to the closest scrutiny by the most intellectual of minds.
- Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe: Published in 1719, it had me riveted to my reading chair for days in 2001. I waited way too long to read this book. It entertained the boy in me and confirmed some of my theological convictions.
- Mark Twain: A Biography, by Albert Bigelow Paine: Love this biography, even though it is four volumes in length. Twain, although never a convert to Christianity, led a life of adventure, joy, and great loss, and embraced it as an astute observer and commenter on all of it, and the God he believed made it possible.
- The Pursuit of God, by A.W. Tozer: Tozer was relentlessly active in his desire to know God in the deepest way possible. This book continues to make me want to know God too.
- The Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan: This one is even older than Defoe’s great book, published in 1678 and written while Bunyan was in prison for refusing to stop preaching the gospel. It stands on its own without my endorsement. The great classic of Christian literature.
- Out of Africa, by Isak Dinisen (Karen Von Blixen): The best prose I have ever read and a beautiful story, sad and compelling. I read it on average every other year.
- A River Runs Through It, by Norman Maclean: A beautiful story of a Presbyterian father and his two sons, one a rebel, the other a follower, and lessons learned on a great trout-fishing river in Montana. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve read this one.
- The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien: The story of good and evil told in a vivid, rich way that continues to grip me.
- Abraham Lincoln, by Carl Sandburg: Wonderful multi-volume biography of our best president and one of the greatest men of the 19th century (in my humble opinion).
- John Paton: Missionary to the New Hebrides, by John Paton: This is a breathtaking missionary autobiography and my favorite of one of my favorite genres: missionary biographies.
- Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret, by Dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor: Second best missionary biography.
- A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving: The story of John Wheelwright and his best friend Owen Meany. Not sure why this book impacted me the way it did, but it has become one of my favorites. It can be a bit unorthodox at times (fair warning), but it weaves a beautiful story from the hills of New Hampshire to Vietnam.
Well, there they are for what it’s worth. Obviously, many others have influenced me throughout my life, but these are the books that come quickest to my mind. Hope this motivates you to find time to read. Start with the Bible, and then go from there.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Jym