Recent Reads
This summer, I spent more time reading (or listening) to books than normal. Here’s my recent reading list and thoughts.
Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick: This book is packed with faith-building stories that is a must read. I couldn’t put the book down. It drove me to deep prayer about several things God put on my heart.
Getting Things Done by David Allen: This is the second time I read this book. Although it’s overly detailed and could have been half as long with the same content, it was worth rereading to me. (I also had my assistant read it.)
How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins: Collin’s research is always helpful.
The Upside of Irrationality and Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariley: The research in these books remind me of Gladwell and the Heath brothers.
The Big Short by Michael Lewis: I learned a lot but only made it half way through this book. (Why all the profanity?)
Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh: This is Tony’s story before and during Zappos. His story is very interesting, though not particularly helpful. The second half of the book is gold. Highly recommend.
Just As I Am, by Billy Graham: Billy’s autobiography builds my faith as much as any book outside of the Bible.
Predictable Success by Les McKeown: I’ve read several books on organizational lifecycles. This was my favorite because it was simple, direct, and practical. I felt like I was looking in the rear view mirror of the development of our church with hope for the future.
Radical by David Platt: This book is very challenging and well written. David’s negative tone about the American church started to wear on me, but his message is sharp and necessary. He seems like a great guy.
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. Everyone I know loved this book. I didn’t get it.
Rework by Fried and Hannson. This is a quick read with lots of leadership nuggets.
I’d love to hear your recommendations.
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What in particular did you find were the highlights from Sun Stand Still?
“Didn’t get” The War of Art??? Ack! It’s one of the best books out there for overcoming the internal “resistance” we create for ourselves through negative thought processes. Though not written from a Biblical perspective, I read it as complementary to the “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” of Romans 12.
You’ve probably read it but Linchpin is pretty awesome. Rework is incredible, and I’ve got Radical and The Big Short on my agenda…thanks for the recs.
Paul, I never have a conversation with Pastor Steven that doesn’t leave me inspired to dream bigger. His book is packed with stories and challenges to believe God for the impossible.
GBD, I know. Like I said, everyone I know loves War of Art. I have lots of problems but I don’t think internal resistance and procrastination are two of them. Glad you liked it.
Kyle, Haven’t read Linchpin yet. You’re probably the fifth person to recommend it. I’ll get it.
Finishing “The Slight Edge” Geared towards financial freedom but has amazing spiritual application.
I know it’s not a new read but a book that ruined me last week was “the tale of three kings” …read it all the way through without putting it down! If you’re a leader I promise this book is a must read! Ruined me!
Everyone Communicates, Few Connect was a great read by John Maxwell. Just recently finished it and as usual with his books it was informative and quick/entertaining enough to keep my attention.
Have you read Eats With Sinners by Arron Chambers?
May I suggest? (all short):
God’s Big Picture by Vaughan Roberts
What Is The Gospel by Greg Gilbert
The Gospel for Muslim by Thabiti Anybwile
I Told Me So by Ten Elshof
Thanks Craig for sharing your thoughts on the books you’ve read. Here are my three summer reads.
“Forgotten God” by Francis Chan is a challenging comparison between the biblical Holy Spirit and modern day understanding of the Holy Spirit.
“Crush It” by Gary Vaynerchuck is a great book about living out your passion in life, mainly using social media. How to recognize, develop and succeed at what makes you tick. I loved the book, but got repetitive after about two-thirds of the way through. I actually bought the audio book & have listened to the first half several times again.
“What the Dog Saw” by Malcolm Gladwell. Although I have really enjoyed his last two books, this one felt like a contractual obligation. Overall, it was an interesting concept, but didn’t have enough ‘meat of the bones’ to keep me reading.
Great list Craig! I’d love to dig into some of those. I’m currently reading & enjoying Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson (Reclaiming the Adventure of Pursuing God), The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (How Little Things Make a Big Difference), Lifegiving Mentors by Tim Elmore (A Guide for Investing Your Life in Others), Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker (10 Secrets Every Father Should Know).
Craig,
I just finished your Confessions of a Pastor book. That was a great read. Made me realize I’m not alone in these thoughts and struggles as a pastor but that great is He that lives in me and that I can do it.
I just started Vintage Jesus by Driscoll and am really enjoying that. My worship pastor has my pre release of Sun Stand Still. So, I have that in the wings ready to read soon. I look forward to reading Stevens thoughts.
BTW, that’s a lot of books you read. Dude, you’re a reading machine! :)
Thanks!
“The Naked Now” by Richard Rohr has been such an amazing breath of fresh air, and the most revealing book I’ve read in quite some time. Just started “Jesus Manifesto” by Frank Viola and Leonard Sweet, which is quite straight forward.
Extraordinary by John Bevere
My wife and I are in the middle of reading “Sabbath” by Dan Allender. Without a doubt, it’s the best book I’ve read all year. It’s totally not what I expected, and it’s blowing my mind.
You may want to read “Transformational Church” by Ed Stetzer, Thom Rainer-Great read! http://www.transformationalchurch.com
Forgive me for the shameless plug, but hey… Recommend “Momentum: God’s Ever-increasing Kingdom” for those who want to better stoke and steward the increase God wants to bring in the ministry.
I’m reading The End of Illusions: Religious Leaders Confront Hitler’s Gathering Storm. It’s about those who were silent and those who spoke out in the prophetic style of John the Baptist who challenged the moral bankruptcy of a political leader (Herod).
We read Simple Church as a staff and I also enjoyed Next Level by Scott Wilson
Thanks for the list!
Currently reading and loving ‘The Meeting of the Waters: 7 Global Currents that will Propel the Future Church’ by Fritz Kling. Great insights, lot of food for thought on being The Church globally.
It’s a few years old now, but ‘The Emotionally Healthy Church’ by Peter Scazzero was a revolutionary read for me.
Thanks for showing us your “Craig’s list”.
Halfway through “What got you here Won’t get you there” by Marshall Goldsmith. Very insightful leadership information on behaviors and how to change that will challenge you.
I must recommend “the Christian Atheist”, I am sure you have heard of this book. God has used this book in my life to force me to evaluate how my actions, thoughts and heart should be in line with the gospel.
The Way of the Shepard by Kevin Leman / William Pentak. This is a great book on leadership. Especially if you don’t know much about sheepherding, yes I said sheepherding.
My Bible study is currently reading “Christian Atheist” - many thanks for your work! Here’s a recommendation in an entirely different category: “Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett. It’s several years old now and Follett’s actually coming out with a highly-anticipated trilogy this September, but Pillars is a phenomenal read as a fictional look at a cathedral being built in the 1300s and the interplay between the commoners, the political elite and the church leadership. I read it two years ago and learned so much. If you want to skip the book, I think they’re turning it into a tv miniseries, although I’m sure it won’t be able to do justice to the book.
Also, don’t miss “Same Kind of Different as Me.”
Great books, Sun stand still I will get and heard good things about Radical too.
A few I’m into right now are:
Linchpin by Seth Godin (be the best at what you do)
Drive by Daniel Pink (What actually motivates us)
Stay inspired bro.
M_
Hey Craig,
Thanks for the recommendations! I have two of my own that have been great quick reads recently:
Movements that Change the World - by Steve Addison
The Rise of Christianity - by Rodney Stark
Viral Churches - by Ed Stetzer
OK that was 3!
I’m guessing it’s probably a faux pas to recommend your own books so I’ll toss out The Christian Atheist for anyone who hasn’t read it. It’s a great book. I think I’m going to teach a series to my youth this fall on it.
Also, The Tale of 3 Kings is an amazing book when dealing with overcoming hurt caused by someone else and forgiveness. I seriously threw it across the room multiple times…but in the end it was all good.
Three books that have really changed my outlook on ministry are:
“The Secret Blend” by Stan Toler is a great book on how to build relationship and how to relationship add value to your life! I read it once a year to refresh my mind and heart!
“Servolution” by Dino Rizzo. Dino shakes up what ministry should look like! He take ministry by serving to a new level!
“Volunteer Revolution: Unleashing The Power Of Everybody” by Bill Hybels. This is powerful book to encourage and help leaders ingage their people!
Three books on my read list for this fall:
Plan B by Pete Wilson
The Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel
AND: The Gathered and Scattered Church By Hugh Halter and Matt Smay.
Thanks for this, Craig.
Agreed about GTD. Good content, too drawn out.
Great recent read is Drive, by Dan Pink. Also in the middle of The Speed of Trust, by Stephen M. R. Covey. And re-reading the 7 Habits by his dad.
Two favorites:
The River of Doubt, by Candice Millard - Story of Teddy Roosevelt’s Amazon Expedition following defeat in a presidential election. Amazing story.
The Reason for God, by Tim Keller - his case for Christ in the second half of the book fires me up to reach people with the gospel.
Hey Craig,
I have to say, I just finished The Christian Atheist and that was at the top of my favs this summer, also, a few others:
Leadership and the New Science by Wheatley
In the Meantime by Brendle
During the past couple of months, I’ve read both “Radical” by David Platt and “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. But by far the most influential book I’ve read lately was “Mere Churchianity” by the late Michael Spencer. It was not easy for me to read it because work in a church and he is frequently critical of the American church. But his writing hit home on many fronts. It should required reading for all church-going Christians.
“WHY THE BIBLE STILL MATTERS” and “DEATH BY CHURCH”….both written by Mike Erre.
Thanks for the reading list, Craig. Here are some I’ve been reading this summer.
The Compassion Revolution by Dave Donaldson. He is the co-founder of Convoy of Hope with whom Lifechurch partnered in Haiti relief. His vision is contagious and the practical ideas at the end of each chapter are practical yet challenge the status quo.
Why You Think the Way You Do by Glenn Sunshine- The shaping of the worldviews- one of the worldview books for the summer. This is a broad overview designed to show the scope of ideas.
Be Intolerant:Because Some Things are Just Stupid by Ryan Dobson “Accepting everything means you believe in nothing” Passiveness is not love, love requires truth.
Seven Men who Rule from the Grave by Dave Breese Though dead these seven continue to rule because they altered the thinking of society.
Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History by Richard Hannula These short biographies starting with Polycarp A.D. 69 - 155 through Richard Wurmbrand A.D. 1908 - 2001 are faith building. Knowing those who have gone before us is powerful.
Safely Home by Randy Alcorn This is one that I reread every summer. It keeps “American prosperity and Christianity” in perspective. It opens my heart to my brothers and sisters living in persecution every time I read it. Highly, highly recommended!
Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris “A teenage revolution against low expectations” The potential of teenagers is greatly underestimated by our culture.
Thanks for the swerve blog; I appreciate it.
Lissa
Of course “Christian Atheist”! -prayerfully taking steps to cross that “third line”!
Also, currently working through “Green for the Rest of Us” in prayerful preparation to teach others.
“Coffeehouse Theology” by Ed Cyzewski is yet to be read but on my list.
Oops…thats “GREEK for the Rest of Us” by William d. Mounce
Plan B by Pete Wilson, great read
Hey Craig,
I didn’t see “The Mentor Leader” by Tony Dungy on your list. What were thoughts on this book? Thanks, David
Craig,
I am very surprised that Linchpin in not on your list. Very very good read. We need linchpin Christians! People who fight the resistance, who create and do work that matters. Jesus and the disciples were linchpins.
Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley. Simple and profound. Andy does a great job illustrating what we all know and don’t do… that is, follow God’s plan. Great wake up call.
Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Bradberry and Greaves. Helped more clearly understand my EQ and how I can improve it. Very practical.
Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel. Exposed the lies I believe and the areas of life that I compromise.
Awesome recommendations! Love it! Will pick several of these up for sure!
David, I noted Coach Dungy’s book in the previous blog post.
Grateful to those of you who enjoyed The Christian Atheist.
Keep ‘em coming!
I read Radical & I agree with you in how he was pretty negative about the church. I was really challenged by his views on how Christians view missions. How I can’t sit here in my cozy home & say ‘I’ll pray.’ That’s fine & great but Christ calls us to GO. I just really liked that part of the book. I was shown my complacency. I realized, sometimes it takes sacrifice to save the lost. Good stuff.
I’m also a huge fan of Francis Chan’s books. I don’t know how to say they were life changing other than saying, they were life changing. Haha
I need a book to read, thanks for your reviews.
I like Jim Collins, too. I am always referring our elders to his monograph for non-profits, since we learned about it at the Willow Leadership Summit. But his research has been, um, somewhat discredited. To choose 11 companies out of a pool of, say 1,100, to define ‘Good To Great’ and have 3 of those companies be Circuit City (bankrupt), Fannie Mae (federal receivership, begging for more bailout), and Wells Fargo (which heavily diluted its shareholders to pay back its TARP obligations). And this just in a single decade!
The research is good. But is it better than a monkey throwing darts at a newspaper? No.
Oh, just saw the question on profanity. Well, if you can only imagine the salty language on NCAA sports teams and in college fraternities, and then put those same guys into a book on Wall Street, well, doesn’t require faith.
I like what Abraham Piper had to say about swearing and culture:
http://twentytwowords.com/2009/10/14/to-believe-that-all-swearing-is-wrong-you-also-have-to-believe-that-our-culture-is-right/
I feel like I’m under grace, but I will still tithe and avoid swearing, just like Timothy got circumcised by Paul, even though the Acts 15 first church council found that Timothy did not need to do that.
The Elegant Solution - Matthew E. May
Human Sigma - John H Fleming & Jim Asplund
The Back of the Napking - Dan Roam
Managing the Non Profit Organization - Peter F Drucker
The Simplicity Handbook - Bill Jensen
You should call this “Craigs List”
Heaven is in this House by Bobbie Houston. Great compliment to your book It.
Less cerebral and way more applicable in our Christian world of troubled marraiges, I LOVED the 6 hours of Love and War CD by John and Stasi Eldredge on a 9 hour drive…to a wedding. Book and study guide full of humor, candor, insight, confession.
I read Wild Goose Chase and In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day this summer. Both are by Mark Batterson. Both are awesome. Granted, since he is a friend of yours I bet you have already read them.
Thanks for the posts. My summer list included:
A Million Miles In A Thousand Years by Donald Miller - good book and made me think about absorbing every bit of life.
Christian Atheist by Craig G. - A book that wrecked me personally because it challenged me to examine the “church me” and the “public me”. It is a book I shared with another Christian men during our Thursday breakfast meetings. I must do something about the war within me - now!
Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey - Stumbled on this book by accident. Found it to speak to me right where I was professionally. Very insightful.
Leading On Empty by Wayne Cordeiro - I have found that Christian leaders when sharing leadership insights impact me most as a government employee challenged with leading a major municipal service. It’s so easy to not lead on empty and sail away. Helped me identify what was important for leadership survival.
check out: “The Jesus of Suburbia: Have We Tamed the Son of God to Fit Our Lifestyle?” and “Why Guys Need God: The Spiritual Side of Money, Sex, and Relationships”, both by Mike Erre of RockHarbor Church in Costa Mesa, CA…you and Mike are my favorite pastor’s ever and have played a big role in the development of my faith
Cant wait for Sun Stand Still!
“Victory Over The Darkness” Neil Anderson
Listening To Zig Ziglar, Craig G, Perry Noble, Steven Furtik, Joyce Meyer…driving down the road
The more I saturate my life with Gods message and positive thoughts, the stronger I am.
For Business “Secret Service”…Unforgettable Customer Service
Hey Craig,
I have enjoyed reading this summer:
A Life with Purpose: The Story of Bestselling Author and America’s Most Inspiring Minister -Rick Warren by George Mair
Managing Transitions by William Bridges
The Art of Systems Thinking by Joseph O’Connor & Ian McDermott
The Little Book of Coaching by Ken Blanchard and Don Shula
Great recommendations Craig, I hope to enough time to read all of this.
This season I have been reading 3 books:
- A classic: Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybells
- A must read: Confessions of a Pastor (you may know the author)
- A grounding one: Next Door Savior By Max Lucado
All 3 are inspiring, but the second one gave me perspective. It’s nice to know that I’m not from other planet, hehehe.
Blessing from Bolivia and looking forward to read “It”
Carlos Alberto
http://www.jazon.info
Great recommendations Craig, I hope to get enough time to read all of this.
This season I have been reading 3 books:
- A classic: Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybells
- A must read: Confessions of a Pastor (you may know the author)
- A grounding one: Next Door Savior By Max Lucado
All 3 are inspiring, but the second one gave me perspective. It’s nice to know that I’m not from other planet, hehehe.
Blessing from Bolivia and looking forward to read “It”
Carlos Alberto
http://www.jazon.info
Erin,
Right there with you. I attend ROCKHARBOR (do you or just listen podcast?). Both MIKE and CRAIG have challenged and shaped my faith tremendously by the power of God.
Mark - I’m originally from Oklahoma where LC is based, but lived in CA for a couple years and attend RH and loved it!
Thanks for the list. I’m reading Plan B by Pete Wilson and loving it.
I am reading The Blessed Life by Robert Morris. It is rocking my world!
Book suggestion: “Standing With Israel” by David Brog.
This is a tremendous read. It is extremely well researched.
Sounds like you have been having an incredible summer Craig. Here is my list: I started the summer by finishing Christian Atheist by someone you may know. Have also read Unnamed by Chris Travis (unsung heroes in the bible). Hidden in Plain sight by Buchanan (used it as basis for a series on 2 Peter 1: 3-11 this summer. Also read Building Your Leadership Resume by Hunt. Read and took notes on a chapter a day (there are 40). getting ready to read Preaching Christ in All of Scripture by Clowney. One “relax” read was a fiction book: The Sword by Bryan Litfin. Thanks for your suggestions.
Craig,
Thanks for this list. I will have to check some of these out. Just this past week, I read An Army of Ordinary People by Felicity Dale. It was a great book filled with stories of how God is using an Army of Ordinary People.
I recommend True Faced and the companion book Bo’s Cafe. The author’s look into the true meaning of community, being real and the importance of letting God work on the bad stuff in our lives.
I am reading your book “IT” right now and “it” is awesome! Also this season I have read:
- No Other Gods by Kelly Minter
- The Christian Atheist =)
- Forgotten God by Francis Chan
- The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns
Thanks for the book suggestions…and for writing your books…they provide me lots of topics for our church Women’s Ministry blog to encourage and challenge our ladies!
God bless!
Craig, thank you so much for putting ‘Predictable Success’ in your outstanding list - I’m humbled.
I was an elder and paster in a church in Northern Ireland for many years, and it’s gratifying to hear from you and others that the book has been helpful.
Thanks again.
- Les
“Confessions of a Prayer Slacker ” by Diane Moody, has strongly challenged me in the area of my prayer life.
Summer Favorite: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team-Patrick Lencioni
Life time favorites:
Marriage-Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti, (The best, funny marriage book)
Personality-The Birth Order Book-Kevin Leman
Leadership-21 Irrefutable Laws-Maxwell
Children-Strong Willed Child-Dobson
Three books that I have read recently that were literally life changing for me:
The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne
A Fragile Stone: The Emotional Life of Simon Peter by Michael Card
The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller
I have really enjoyed The Land Between by Jeff Manion and The Me I Want to Be by John Ortberg for personal reading and Lessons from the Mouse by Dennis Snow for professional and personal purposes.
“The Mind Map book” by Tony Buzan - I think this is an awesome way to organize notes for speaking!!
“Fight for Your Dreams” by NBA Star Mike James. He went to Kenya with me recently on a mission trip and we became great friends - he’s an awesome guy and I greatly recommend reading his book on his history of tough times and perseverance.
“Think Differently Live Differently” by Bob Hamp. He is the freedom pastor at Gateway Church in Dallas…incredible.
Where do you find up to date reading lists? Do you just browse book stores or do you have a periodical that helps?
Thanks for the recommendations! I’ve read Radical this summer, then started on True Religion, but thought I might need to switch things up a little - I plan to get back to it. Loved Prodigal God by Timothy Keller (The Reason for God is an ALL-TIME favorite) and Primal, Mark Batterson. Also read The Language of God by Francis Collins. Brilliant scientist, but, for me, the bottom line is that the scientists can only describe the world around us - they can’t really explain it! Currently re-reading Mere Christianity.
Scott Cairns’ Philokalia (poetry); Rowan Williams’ The Wound of Knowledge; Robert Jenson’s On Thinking the Human and Essays in Theology of Culture. Have you read Stanley Hauerwas’ new autobio? It might pair w/ Graham’s in a wonderfully odd way.
I know this was posted a month ago, but I recently read What’s so amazing about grace? by Philip Yancey and I can only say that it is a great book. It speaks about our role as christians to spread the fragrance of grace in a world that is completely alienated from it. Right now I’m finishing up The Jesus I Never Knew by the same author. It gave me a whole different perspective on who Jesus is and what He did. I recommend both of the books.
The Merismos by Randy Shankle
This book changed my life!
Don…
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