The Wages of Spin by Carl Trueman
Critical writings on historical and contemporary evangelicalism. It took me all of five pages to decide that Carl Trueman is one of my favorite writers. No joke. I’m simultaneously loving this guy and feeling very small next to his brilliance. I mean, seriously – if I could write non-fiction like Trueman and write fiction like Cormac McCarthy, I’d be set.
Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card
The second installment of Enderverse, and a winner of the Hugo and Nebula awards. It’s quite a bit different from the first book, Ender’s Game, but it’s every bit as interesting and provocative. Card has a gift for ambitious, detailed world building (or out-of-this-world building, if you will), and his characters and scenarios are always fascinating. It’s not difficult to see why he’s regarded as a classic Sci-Fi author.
Modern Times by Paul Johnson
I was a bit daunted by the length of this one at first (it’s 800 pages), but the fact that it’s authored by Paul Johnson helped me overcome my hesitation. That, and the fact that I really had no choice in the matter – it’s required reading for school. At any rate, I’m glad I started it: it’s brilliantly written and consistently challenging. Dashed interesting, too.
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
A classic and oft lauded post-apocalyptic vampire tale. The 2007 film is one of my favorite Sci-Fi flicks, but I avoided the book until now because I’d heard questionable things about it. A very good friend recently recommended it, however, so I decided to give it a go. I picked up a copy at Barnes & Nobles the other day, and as soon as I finish up some of my other reads, I plan to start it. Can’t wait.
The Fort by Bernard Cornwell
A novel of the Revolutionary War. Cornwell is a prolific author, highly respected and generally regarded as one of the best historical-fiction writers working today. I haven’t read anything else by him yet, but I figured this would be a good place to start. He also wrote a novel about the Battle of Agincourt which I’d love to check out. “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers…”
Outlaw Platoon by Sean Parnell
“In combat, men measure up. Or don’t. There are no second chances.” The story of 10th Mountain Division’s stand in the violent, rugged mountains of Afghanistan. I’m almost done with it and have been very impressed thus far. There’s a lot of profanity (you have been warned), but it’s a remarkable look at leadership, brotherhood-in-arms, and the messiness of modern warfare.
What’s on your bookshelf right now?
THE INK SLINGER 
If I lived in your neighborhood, I would not ever need to visit the library! :-) That is, if you would not mind sharing.
Of course not! Here, have a book! :)
New on my list is “Worship – the Ultimate Priority” by John MacArthur. I’m also flipping through “Communion with God” by John Owen, the Puritan paperback abridged version for those of us with brains not quite ready to tackle the real thing.
I’ve only read one Trueman book and want to read more. His writing is superb, even if some of it flies way over my head.
Puritan Paperbacks are hard to beat! :) Never heard of that MacArthur book; I’ll be interested to hear what you think of it. Will you post a review?
I agree on Trueman. I find myself re-reading passages to 1) make sure I’m fully grasping what he has to say and 2) to marvel at the cleverness of his pen. :)
On my bookshelf…
Isaiah and commentaries thereon. Surprise.
James and commentaries thereon. More surprise. Manton’s is particularly edifying.
CVT Defending the Faith – have only scratched the surface.
Phillips: TWTG. Again, have only just begun. May need to purposefully give a couple of copies away.
Offor’s Memoir of Bunyan.
LIgonier: Holy is the Lord…more or less transcripts from 2009 conference. But I shortcut that by listening to the conference download on my way back from Dallas. What voices Ferguson and Thomas have.
I really want to get back into Augustine CoG, but can’t seem to find the time…it’s all just a matter of sloth.
I’m afraid the Federal Income Tax Regulations are on the menu for this week.
Of course, I do have about 4000 other volumes between here and church. Do you want me to start with the boxes, or just the shelves?.
:D
I think we just want you to share those 4000 other volumes…:)
Haha! I think we’ll just stick with the shelves for now, Pastor. ;) I really enjoyed The World-Tilting Gospel. Phillips is a very readable writer and teacher, in my opinion.
Nice list, several of them sound quite interesting, Wages of Spin especially. * makes note to investigate them *
Currently on my bookshelf:
The Invisible Hand -R.C. Sproul A book about the doctrine of providence, especially in relation to bad things that happen in our world.
Crazy Love – Francis Chan I’ve heard it’s good, but never read it. Hey, it was free! :D
The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins Finally got around to reading these, I’m almost done with the first one.
Systematic Theology – Wayne Grudem Really, really big. This might take me a bit to read.
Day of the Triffids – John Wyndham Your recommendation tipped me off to it awhile ago, just now getting to read it.
Tick Tock – Dean Koontz Haven’t read a Koontz in awhile and this one looks interesting. Supposed to be pretty amusing really.
Well, that’s a long list, and that’s about half the books I have to read still…Oh well, thanks for sharing your list and letting us share ours!
Glad you’re reading The Hunger Games – great series! Francis Chan is a good writer (though I take him with a grain of salt), and R.C. Sproul’s book looks excellent. Sort of like Thomas Watson’s All Things for Good, judging from the description you gave.
Thanks for commenting and sharing your list, Mike! ‘Preciate it! :D
All I’ve got is George Grant’s “Bringing in the Sheaves”. I’m not a good reader…….not as much as I used to be. :( But it’s a very good book, I’m enjoying it!
Oh! I’m reading these, if they count:
http://www.gracegems.org/passion.htm
http://gracegems.org/Arthur/iron_rule.htm
http://gracegems.org/Arthur/ten_nights_in_a_bar_room.htm
The first one is particularly interesting, since the folks who celebrate Easter often pull this movie out this time of year. I’ve never seen it, and after reading that article, I feel quite certain that I never will. :)
I like that Grace Gems article on The Passion – it lists many of the reasons I’ve chosen not to see the film, either. :)
800 pages? Lucky! *drools*
Ahem. :) My bookshelf: Gibbon’s Decline and Fall, which I’m pretty sure is more than 800 pages, but I’m still a little jealous.
Erasmus’s “In Praise of Folly”. Fascinating. And much more edifying than I expected. Besides which, a title created out of a Latin wordplay, it doesn’t get much better than that.
Something by Rick Riordan, because I desperately needed some light reading.
Harry Potter: Technically my second time, but this time, I’m reading it to see if the criticism it’s earned is merited. I think it’s the usual case of two ditches, but whatever my decision, I remain in awe of Rowling’s writing.
Ten ways to kill your child’s imagination. Love the Screwtapian tone, but almost guilt inducing. In my defense, I’m pretty sure I had to walk outside to get from the car to my piano teacher’s house. I think, assuming that the sky is blue, is it? Also, in my defense, the weather right now is very unfaithful and dangerous.
Isn’t Ten Ways to Kill Your Child’s Imagination written by Anthony Esolen? I have one of his other books, The Politically-Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization. He’s a superb writer. :)
Whoa. Reading Gibbon, huh? You’ll have to let me know whatcha think. :)