My Favorite Reads of 2009
In reverse order, here are the best 10 books I read this year:
- Quest for the Living God by Elizabeth Johnson – an intelligently written survey of where modern theology is heading, for good or ill; I can tell that one reading of this book is not enough
- His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik – great mixture of history and fantasy
- Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza – hard to believe a genocide like this took place in my lifetime; with all its tragedy, still an uplifting testament to faith
- The Shack by William Paul Young – surprisingly good; the first 80 pages are hell, but the rest are an interesting expression of heaven
- Gloria’s Miracle by Jerry Brewer – I hope more people discover the story of this saintly young girl from Seattle whose influence is just beginning to be felt; will she be the first saint from the Pacific Northwest?
- Reading Scripture as the Word of God by George Martin – an outstanding guide to praying with scripture; probably the best book I have read on the subject; practical and wise
- The Wanderers by Deacon Henry Garon – a deacon reflects on his experiences with the poor; a simple but profound memoir
- Here’s My Heart, Here’s My Hand by William Barry, SJ – a beautiful little book on drawing closer to God
- Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality by Richard Rohr – the most influential book I read this year; a survey of some major themes of scripture and their implications for our lives; I read it twice in 2009 and will revisit it again in 2010
- Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre de Caussade – my second-favorite book of 2008 became my favorite this year when I re-read it. I’m planning on reading it again in 2010.
Some books on my shelf to read in 2010:
Confessions by St. Augustine (currently re-reading)
The Future Church by John Allen
Haves without Have-Nots by Mortimer Adler
The Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O’Brian (to re-read)
Living Beyond War by Winslow Myers
Reclaim the Fire by Martin Pable
Back to Virtue by Peter Kreeft
Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI (to re-read)
