Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Summer Reading List

Summer is a time for the beach, hammocks, lazing around and ... reading. Here are the books I plan to read this summer and why they're on the list.

Church History in Plain Language
by Bruce L. Shelley

Like most evangelicals, I know far too little about church history but I'm convinced that learning about church history will give me an appreciation for the doctrines that I hold dearly.

What Jesus Demands From the World
by John Piper

What can I say - it's one of the newest Piper books. I read almost everything he writes and benefit from it. Plus I got it for only $2.97 a couple weeks ago when they were running a special on their website. That particular offer is over but...FYI - if you'd like to get this or any other Piper book, Desiring God is running a special through midnight Thursday - every book is $5!

The Long Tail by Chris Andersen

I've heard good things about this book on the new economics of the web 2.0 model - I'm looking forward to reading it.

The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity by Philip Jenkins

Philip Jenkins is a leading authority on global church growth and this book is the definitive reference on that topic. I'm working on an initiative that will serve the global church so this is particularly interesting to me.

What books are you planning to read this summer? Share your list with us.

8 comments:

Allan Chow said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Craver Vii said...

The church history book has caught my interest.

Malaysia style salsa? Boy, I'd love to sample some of that!

Every Square Inch said...

Craver

What I like about Shelley's church history book is that it doesn't educate with an "academic voice" which many church history books can do. It's very readable and narrative in style. Yet, it seems packed with good historical info.

BTW, MalaysiaSalsero (Allan Chow) is my cousin's son who is now in Kansas City (I think). He's apparently an accomplished artist.

I've deleted his comment simply to protect the privacy of his email address. He probably doesn't realize hordes of thousands that peruse this blog on a regular basis.

L.L. Barkat said...

Oh, gosh. I couldn't map out the whole summer for you.

But I can tell you that next week I also look forward to reading The Long Tail. And I'm continuing to read the Zondervan NIV Application Commentary on Genesis. Oh, and then there's Minnie and Moo Go to the Moon. :)

Every Square Inch said...

Minnie and Moo - sounds like a winner!

Ted M. Gossard said...

ESI, A man after my own heart who likes to and does read books!

Good thoughts and plans here. Keep it up. For me reading has really grown on me. The more I do it, the more I want to do it. Though it helps to be around a fellowship of readers like yourself.

Halfmom, AKA, Susan said...

I'll look forward to hearing how you like the church history book.

I'd like to read a good overview of church history so I have a general idea of "what happened" without having to wrangle through researching authors to know who is presenting things from a balanced perspective.

Much nicer if you've already done the work for me!!

Every Square Inch said...

Ted,

Thanks for your encouragement. I didn't mention it but I am also reading two other books - Gospel for Real Life (Jerry Bridges) and Knowing Scripture (RC Sproul). Would you be willing to share what books are you're reading this summer?

Halfmom/Susan

I'm about 5 chapters into the Church History in Plain Language and what I like about it is the accessible, narrative style. It's simple, engaging and informative without being academic. I think it's a good overview book.