Alex and Brett’s Booklist
Welcome to our booklist. Last updated: 3/10/08
Here you will find a frequently-updated list of books we are reading, have read, or plan to read. Some of these books were written with a non-Christian worldview, but all of them contain elements we believe will benefit a mature Christian young person.
We don’t include most of the fiction we’ve read or are reading, unless its something we particularly recommend. Most young people are assigned to read great English and American literature in school – so this list is for extracurricular reading.
Use the comments section to suggest, discuss, and ask questions about books. Keep checking back for updates. Also, for more information on a specific book, click on the title link to be directed to Amazon.com or BooksChristian.com.
For us reading must precede writing. We can’t write if we haven’t been feeding, thinking, and challenging ourselves with the thoughts of others. In fact, reading is one of the best and easiest ways to grow in spirit and intellect — an essential part of the Rebelution.
For more thoughts on the subject of reading, click here.
God bless your reading!
Alex and Brett
+ Currently Reading +
———————————————————Tarek is a good friend and a great writer. This book is a powerful antidote to a culture’s pathetic lack of true manhood.
The Reason for God by Tim Keller
The book for modern skeptics or doubting Christians. An eloquent and powerful work in the tradition of Mere Christianity. Highly recommended.
Overcoming Sin and Temptation by John Owen
John Owen has a twofold reputation: 1) His books are hard to read, and 2) reading them is more than worth it. This updated-language edition by Justin Taylor and Kelly Kapic is a great service to the saints.
The philosophy of 37Signals, the software company behind the great web apps Basecamp, Highrise, Backpack, and Writeboard. Warning: mild language.
+ Our Favorites +
———————————————————Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris
This book is the message of the Rebelution — our hearts’ cry.
Bringing a biblical truth to bear on all of life, this book is a must-read for any and all rebelutionaries seeking a truly Christian worldview. Get it.
An insightful look at a new breed of conservatives whose politics are built on a holistic, Judeo-Christian religious worldview. We know a lot of crunchy cons.
The Enemy Within by Kris Lungaard
Every time we read this book we gain new insights. It brings the works of Owen to contemporary readers in a way that is easy to understand and apply.
This book is life-changing and hope-giving. Learn what it means to truly know God. To read how this book impacted Alex’s life, click here.
When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper
John Piper is one of our heroes and this book is one of his best. It is intensely practical. Learn to fight for joy — soul-satisfying, unquenchable joy.
Humility: True Greatness by CJ Mahaney
CJ Mahaney is another hero and a shining example of godly leadership. This book is written in the same spirit of humility it inspires in its readers.
Francis Schaeffer Trilogy by Francis Schaeffer
Francis Schaeffer was an incredible man. His influence on our approach to evangelism, apologetics, and worldview has been immense. This trilogy brings together three foundational works — and was life-changing for us at sixteen.
Written at fifteen, this book is Zach’s challenge to his generation to step up and take action. A rebelutionary, Zach is an inspiration and brother in arms.
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
An in-depth and thought-provoking look at social epidemics, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to change their culture and their world.
Thoughts for Young Men by JC Ryle
A classic book for young men that has lost none of its applicability in the years since it was written. Highly recommended for both guy and girls.
The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman
Globalization is happening. This book does a great job of identifying the new challenges of the 21st century. To better understand the times in which you live, read this book.
Pro-Life Answers to Pro-Choice Arguments by Randy Alcorn
It’s one thing to be pro-life, it’s another to know how to defend and articulate that conviction to those who are opposed. This is an encyclopedia of the defense of the pro-life position. Get this book.
The Ralph Moody Series by Ralph Moody
We must have read this series six or seven times as a family. Our all-time favorite read-aloud book. Full of incredible life lessons.
I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris
We may be biased, but we think this is one of the best books out there for Christian teens. Highly recommended.
Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
Our constant theological reference work. A systematic theology that is at once weighty and understandable, firmly based in Scripture.
Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper
A book of particular significance to young adults and rebelutionaries. The title really does say it all. Don’t waste your life. Highly recommended.
+ On Our Reading List +
———————————————————Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin
This book tells the story of Abraham Lincoln — and weaves together the stories of his rivals for the Republican nomination, who later became his Presidential Cabinet.
Paul Johnson walks you through the great creators of history — from Disney, Picasso, Bach, and Shakespeare to Austen, Twain, and Eliot.
Letters of Francis A. Schaeffer by Francis Schaeffer (edited by Lane Dennis)
These letters give a more personal glimpse into the life and thought of Francis Schaeffer — his personal counsel to friends, family, and people with questions.
The Long Tail by Chris Anderson
Addressing the changing landscape of business and marketing, Chris Anderson argues that the future of business is selling less of more.
A look at technology and the question: How much is too much? MIT graduate Eric Brende and his wife spent eighteen months without electricity. This book is their story.
+ Completed Books +
———————————————————Generation Change by Zach Hunter
Due out on May 1 — this book by Zach is a mini-encyclopedia of causes worth giving your blood, sweat, and tears. A great resource for rebelutionaries.
Freakanomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
A counter-intuitive look at the field of economics. An interesting read.
Evangelical Feminism by Wayne Grudem
Grudem skillfully demonstrates how the popular arguments used by evangelical feminism are steps down the path toward theological liberalisms.
What Jesus Demands from the World by John Piper
John Piper walks readers through the commands of Jesus. A powerful and illuminating book on what it means to be a follower of Christ.
The Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn and Hal Iggulden
It sometimes seems as if real boys (not to mention real men) are an endangered species. This book helps preserve the adventurous, heroic, and manly in modern boys.
A look at a rising generation of Christian youth from an alarmed author from the other side of the ideological spectrum. Her skewed view of Christians helped us recognize how we too tend to misinterpret and misunderstand people on the “other side.”
The story of Francis and Edith Schaeffer’s incredible ministry. A story of God’s guidance, faithfulness, and provision — using a husband and wife to change countless lives.
Putting Your Passion Into Print by Arielle Eckstut and David Sterry
This book has been invaluable as we’ve navigated the publishing process. It walks you through agents and proposals, writing and editing, publishing and promotion, publicity and marketing, and everything in between. Highly recommend to aspiring authors.
Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath
Written by two brothers, this book helps you understand why some ideas stick and other ideas die. A thought-provoking and competence-building book.
Emotional Purity by Heather Paulsen
A helpful examination of the emotional pitfalls of premature guy-girl relationships — even if you don’t “date” and you’re not “courting” yet. A needed book.
Evangelical Feminism and Biblical Truth by Wayne Grudem
An encyclopedia of responses to the arguments used by evangelical feminists — a scriptural, thorough, and eloquent defense of biblical manhood and womanhood.
Soul Searching by Christian Smith with Melinda Denton
A must-read book for anyone with a heart for this generation. Reporting the findings of the largest and most detailed study of teens and religion ever undertaken, this book gives a keen and insightful look at our generation.
Getting Things Done by David Allen
Purchased at the recommendation of Wayne Grudem, this book has had a big impact on the way we manage our many projects. It promises readers reduced stress and increased productivity — and it delivers.
Forbidden Fruit by Mark Regnerus
Based on national studies of youth and religion, this book examines the role of faith in the decisions young people make about sexual matters. It concludes that religious affiliation makes little difference — but religious practice and commitment makes a lot.
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris
Reading biographies of great men and women is a must for rebelutionaries. Theodore Roosevelt is one such man. A powerful example of the principles of the Rebelution in action.
The Case Against Adolescence by Robert Epstein
This book critiques the modern concept of adolescence — like we do, but from a very different worldview.
A Return to Modesty by Wendy Shalit
Wendy Shalit gives a cogent and persuasive argument for the lost virtue of modesty.
Words That Work by Frank Luntz
An interesting analysis of the difference between what you say and what other people hear.
The Complete Father Brown by GK Chesterton
Chesteron has an masterful way with words. Our writing improves dramatically after reading his works — and Father Brown’s understanding of human nature puts him on par, perhaps above, the great Sherlock Holmes.
Booknotes: Stories from American History edited by Brian Lamb
The more time goes on, the greater appreciation and importance we place on the study of history. This books provides countless historians’ takes on events that shaped American history.
The New Faithful by Colleen Carroll
A great reference on the awakening of Christianity in our generation.
Unveiling Islam by Emir and Ergun Caner
Brett and I believe that for Christians to understand the world in which they live, they need to have a solid understanding of the Muslim religion. This book by two former Sunni Muslims greatly assisted us in reaching that goal.
With One Voice by Alex and Marni Chediak
This relatively short book packs a powerful bang for the buck, providing much biblical and practical advice for young men and women seeking to glorify God in relationships. And we must say, the first chapter on the redefinition of youth was excellent.
Reagan’s Children by Hans Zeiger
This book is full of hope for a rising generation. Our good friend and rebelutionary Hans Zeiger presents an exhaustively researched look at the future of our nation.
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
We demonstrate whether our priorities are earthly or eternal by how we spend our time and our money. This book addresses the latter subject and provides the key to unlock the joy of generous giving.
What’s The Difference? by John Piper
John Piper does an excellent job describing the beauty of biblical manhood and womanhood. Highly recommended for young men and women looking for a better understanding of the biblical roles.
The AP Guide to Newswriting by Rene J. Cappon
This book was incredibly helpful and is highly recommended for all writers, particularly bloggers and aspiring journalists.
The Purity Principle by Randy Alcorn
An excellent and insightful book on the subject of purity. Great for reading along with your daily devotions.
Living the Cross-Centered Life by CJ Mahaney
It is easy to wrongly center our lives around certain people, things, hopes or dreams. In this book CJ Mahaney draws our focus back to where it should be, the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Universe Next Door by James Sire
Understanding the worldview of other religions is an important step in grasping your own. This book gives a helpful overview and critique of popular (and flawed) religious worldviews.
The Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll
Mark Driscoll is a controversial man. At the same time, he is one of the few men in our country engaging in true evangelism with unflinching loyalty to the Gospel of Christ.
When we first starting blogging, we read this book. An excellent introduction to the art and power of blogging. This was a great foundation.
The Joshua Generation by Michael Farris
Michael Farris is a man we greatly respect. This book is his call for a generation to rise to leadership. Guys especially, need to listen to that call.
Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper
It’s easy to get a one-dimensional or simplistic view of Jesus’ life and death. This book smashes such thinking as Piper presents fifty reasons why He came and died for us.
It’s tempting to avoid reading “old” books and just read new ones. That’s a dangerous error. This book presents a timeless and helpful look at the pursuit and practice of holiness.
God’s Lesser Glory by Bruce Ware
A response to the destructive theological movement of open theism. Bruce Ware gives a lengthy and accurate overview of the false doctrine and its arguments, then powerfully and biblically refutes it.
Genesis in Space and Time by Francis Schaeffer
This book walks you through the book of Genesis, explaining the enigmas of secular philosophy with the truth of God’s word.
We were made for a person and a place. Jesus is that person, heaven is that place. This book paints a beautiful picture of our eternal home and refutes many common misconceptions about what the Bible says about heaven.
The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene
A highly thought-provoking book on quantum physics. The field of physics is fascinating and this book puts in terms that a non-math whiz can understand.
In what do we put our faith when things go wrong? Where do we find hope? Not just by looking back to the cross, but by look ahead to the future grace that Christ’s death has bought.
Learn what it means to be a “Christian hedonist” — fulfilling your created purpose to glorify God by loving and enjoying Him forever.
The Dangerous Duty of Delight by John Piper
A small and short book with a powerful message. The call of a Christian is one of danger, but it is also one of delight. This book shows you how to live a perilous life of Christ-centered joy. A small version of Desiring God.
The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination by Loraine Boettner
We include books like this on our list, not to make an argument or statement on our theological beliefs, but rather to encourage our readers (guys especially) in the intentional study of doctrine. You will not regret it.
Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris
Who knows if either of us have met “the girl” yet, but suffice to say, when that day comes, we’ll be guided by many of the principles found in this book.
We are made for one thing: To glorify God by enjoying Him forever. Sam Storms communicates this life-shaping truth in a clear and biblical way.
Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is) by Joshua Harris
We have been blessed to benefit from the insight that God has given our older brother. This book is an example of that reality. Convicting, encouraging, biblical and practical, this is a “PG” book on lust for guys and girls.
Stop Dating the Church by Joshua Harris
Our brother stresses the importance of the local church to our growth as Christians and to the fulfillment of our purpose on earth. Learn to love God’s people.
Valley of Vision edited by Arthur Bennett
A beautiful collection of Puritan prayers. Excellent supplement to devotions and church services.
January 29th, 2006 at 5:58 am
Wow. I’ll definitely need to check out some of those! I also highly recommend “Knowing God” by J.I. Packer. It’s a very powerful book!
January 29th, 2006 at 6:20 am
Thanks, Lindsey! It’s been added to the list. =)
January 29th, 2006 at 6:59 am
everything looks good in IE
. I know I will be referring to this list often. Would you guys be averse to making each book’s title/thumbnail a link to the book on amazon.com or another bookseller website? That way your readers would have quick, easy access to more information on the book as well as the option to purchase.
January 29th, 2006 at 7:31 am
Great suggestion, Adrielle. We’re hoping to implement that feature within the next week.
January 29th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
Very good choices… I recognize quite a few of those titles as being on our shelves at home, and after I finish reading the numerous books I have going right now I will go dig them out.
January 29th, 2006 at 6:20 pm
Looks great in Firefox.
Thanks for the list!!
January 29th, 2006 at 7:38 pm
Wow…they all look like good books. I’m reading “The Pleasures of God” by John Piper (and no, he’s not the ONLY author I read
), and it’s really good. I’ll have to check out some of the books you mentioned, thanks!
January 29th, 2006 at 8:39 pm
Thanks for adding it! I noticed that you also have “The Cross-Centered Life” on the list. That was a wonderful book!! Hey, today at church my pastor mentioned a book called “So You Want To Be Like Christ”, by Chuck Swindall, I think. He said it was a wonderful book. (He was also the one who told me about “Knowing God”) Ever read it?
January 29th, 2006 at 8:59 pm
Thanks for the info, Jerad.
Carley, you just reminded me to add another Piper book to our “plan on reading” list. It’s a more recent title, ‘God is the Gospel’.
Lindsey, we haven’t read Swindall’s book… If you read it, be sure to let us know what you think!
January 30th, 2006 at 12:20 am
Presentation looks good. I posted my list last night on my blog.
January 30th, 2006 at 2:51 am
Wow, that’s a great collection. “Money, Posessions & Eternity,” “Knowing God,” “Heaven,” and “Don’t Waste Your Life” (and others you’ve listed) are books that I’ve also benefited from. All of the books you listed which I have read I’ve found to be so good that now I want to read those I am unfamiliar with.
I’ve been reading the Father Brown Mysteries and I completely agree with you: reading the works of writers like Chesterton inspires me in my own writing.
One book I don’t remember seeing listed that I highly recommend: Chuck Colson & Nancy Pearcey’s “How Now Shall We Live?”
January 30th, 2006 at 5:21 pm
Thanks for this booklist, guys! I really want to pick up on my reading this year, so this is very helpful in giving me a look into good books on a variety of topics. One I have read just recently is “The Cross Centered Life” - excellent (I cried about the whole way through) and I’m glad to see it on your list.
I ditto Adrielle’s suggestion; I always look up book titles on Amazon just for more info and reviews.
Btw, thumbnails look fine in Firefox.
January 30th, 2006 at 8:52 pm
This is really great!! Is it possible for you guys to make a link to a printable version of this list so that I could maybe keep it by my computer or take it to the bookstore???
January 30th, 2006 at 9:03 pm
It looks like a great list! I’ve been making my own and I just thought of a few books you might enjoy. Because “End of the Spear” came out last weekend I read a book I just got called “Dayuma” by Ethel Emily Wallis. It is the story of the Waorani girl Dayuma as she told it to Rachel Saint. There is also “Through Gates of Splendour” by Elizabeth Elliot which gives a much more detailed account of the five men and what happened to them on the beach.
I love it that you are sharing this list, but when you update it you might want to put a star or something next to the new entries for the week or however long it is till you update again. This would be nice for those of us who have already seen it, and are looking for the new entries. Thanks for putting this list up! God Bless You!
January 30th, 2006 at 11:41 pm
Great suggestions, everybody! We’ll be working on implementing them over the next week or so.
January 31st, 2006 at 6:54 am
You guys haven’t each read all those books have you? Is that a combined book list?
January 31st, 2006 at 1:39 pm
yay!! good books!!
January 31st, 2006 at 7:29 pm
Anonymous: Most of them, but not all. It is a combined list.
February 1st, 2006 at 6:37 am
I’ve read many books about Eric Liddell and have to say I think “Pure Gold” was the best of all.
Also, I’ve read “When Character Was King” and it was excellent. Another good book on Ronal Reagn is “God and Ronal Reagan” by Paul Kengor. I will enjoy your book list as you update it as I love reading.
February 1st, 2006 at 6:45 am
Thanks Katie! I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed both of those books our list. We will have to look into Kengor’s book on Reagan as well. God bless you!
February 2nd, 2006 at 4:51 am
Great list…..A good I book I read that I highly recommend is, Persecuted How Liberals Are Waging War Against Christianity by David Limbaugh. It is a very eye opening book about how God has been slowly taken out of our culture.
February 6th, 2006 at 2:49 am
I’m a fan of anything C.S. Lewis. Currently reading The Screwtape Letters–thoroughly enjoyable.
February 7th, 2006 at 8:33 pm
Interesting list. I’ll have to check some of these out.
You guys are really reading 4 or 5 books each? I can’t wrap my head around more then 3 (either that or one collects dust for a while).
I noticed Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll made the list. I’m a bit curious to hear your thoughts on it.
Sorry, if this has been discussed ad nasum else where, but the archives are a bit much to pour though, and I only found your site recently. I’m curious to hear yours and anyone elses thoughts on the “Emergent” (for lack of a better term) authors, such as Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, Don Miller, Erwin Raphael McManus, Michael Frost, Alan Hirsch and Leonard Sweet. I’m sure I missed several, but I am curious to hear what people thing about them or if they’ve read them or are interested in reading them.
Also I noticed that C.S. Lewis is absent from your list, not big Lewis fans?
February 23rd, 2006 at 4:57 pm
I really like the list. I’ve read several of the books, but not nearly as many as I’d like. I hope to read some more of these as soon as possible. I also read some reviews on your brothers books. I’d like to read those, too. They all look interesting.
Thanks,
Kristen
February 23rd, 2006 at 11:16 pm
Have you read “The Screwtape Letters,” by C.S.Lewis? It was a really good book!!
Another book I really enjoy is “How Shall We Then Live,” by Francis Shaffer (sp?).
March 7th, 2006 at 4:32 am
Alex and Brett,
You guys amaze me with your list!!! And I thought I read a lot!
But in all seriousness, I was stunned by the amount of good, quality books you all have taken in, and by how many of them are about our walk with God and becoming a better Christian. That in and of itself is an amazing testimony!
I’ll definately be looking into reading a lot of these, but I’ll also say that you’ll LOVE ALbert Marrin’s stuff, esp. The Yanks are Coming. It was really an eye-opener, and an enjoyable read to boot. And of course it’s hard to go wrong with Piper, he’s amazing!
But anyway, I just wanted to tell you guys that you’re very inspiring with the Christian walk, and I want to encourage you both to keep your lights bright. I can’t wait to read more of your posts!
Your sister in Christ,
Veronika
March 9th, 2006 at 11:19 pm
Come on guys! i mean, i know these books are great, but read some fiction. I don’t know what you guys think, but you should try the Harry Potter books. I find nothing wrong with them, and the Christians who do have a problem with them have probably never read any good fiction.
March 10th, 2006 at 8:23 am
Nathaniel: Thanks for the reminder! We do love C.S. Lewis, but we haven’t read anything of his recently, so they didn’t get on the list. We’ll most likely be adding several of his works in the near future.
Stuart: Actually, we do read a lot of fiction! In fact, up until we were about 12-14 years old, we hardly read anything else. Also, you’ll notice that G.K. Chesterton’s complete set of Father Brown is included on the list.
March 24th, 2006 at 12:50 am
Thanks for the reminder about the father brown books. I haven’t read those in a while. Have you read Darwins Origin of Species? I know some people would be against reading that, but it allows you to play devils advocate and argue alot better against evolutionists, since it lets you in a little on how they think. Also a great book is Michael J. Behe’s “Darwins Black Box”. It’s a very good book, if a little complex to understand sometimes, though he makes it easier than most people could.
March 25th, 2006 at 3:34 am
Hey guys,
I was just wondering how you set up your booklist. Did you find a certain site that hosts lists? Or did you just post it and set into your sidebar?
Thanks!
June 22nd, 2006 at 9:33 pm
Veronika: We just posted it and set it into our sidebar. =) Thanks for asking.
June 22nd, 2006 at 11:51 pm
everything’s updated and lookin’ spiffy! you know, i’ve taken many of these recommendations and have greatly enjoyed them-thanks!
June 27th, 2006 at 1:26 am
I would recommend _A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God_ by Jonathan Edwards. It is an early account of a revival that started among complacent Christian young people. I read half of it several weeks ago.
July 7th, 2006 at 9:14 pm
I know you guys are pretty good experts on worldviews and culture, but we can always learn more, right? LOL
Anyway, a book that I would highly, highly, highly recommend, is David Noebel’s “Understanding the Times.” Though considered a reference book, it contains invaluable descriptions and breakdown of the four main worldviews circulating the country: Christianity, Marxism/Leninism, Cosmic Humanism, and Social Humanism.
Though written from a Chrsitian perspective, Noebel breaks down each worldview in the ten major points that worldviews form an opinion on, and explains how they think (and how to identify them). It’s helped me see a lot of cultural thinking in a different light, and provides very good discussion topics.
Personally, I think it’s a must-read for everyone. (Warning: Get the abridged version…the original is about 900 pgs.!
)
July 11th, 2006 at 2:31 am
Hey guys, just checking in. I Know of a very well written book by Leif Enger, called “PEace Like A River”. My mom is an english major and she said it was one of the most well written books she has ever read! You guys should check it out.
July 16th, 2006 at 4:30 am
Edited by Siteowner: Dear CftHR, I’m sorry but your comment has been removed for violating The Rebelution’s commenting rules and for straying from the purpose of the comments section on this post.
Please understand that disagreement and argumentation is allowed on our blog, however, insults are not arguments. Furthermore, this thread is expressly for the discussion of particular books. If you would like to critique a specifics book which you have read, please do so. Otherwise, please refrain. Thanks for understanding!
August 3rd, 2006 at 2:36 am
I heard about you guys in the old school house magazine, and am pleased to find a pretty chunky booklist in your website. I have a condsiderable amount of reading material to chew on now. (and thats a good thing.)
One thing that suprised me though, as I scrolled down your literary menu, was that I didn’t find a particular book. One that I am recomend to fiction adicts, blog-lovers, and any one left floating in-between. One that had me-a stoic, almost sixteen year old-sobbing with emotion. It isn’t depressing, its convicting. While I cried I was filled with joy, the joy that we have a heavenly father watching and waitig for us. jesus freaks, Vol ll; stories of revolutionaries who changed their world; fearing God, not man/ DC talk and the voice of the martyrs.
It’s encouraging and uplifting, as well as sobering. About people who gave their all…not their some. I can’t say anything about the first one, I havn’t read it yet. But I bet it rocks just as much as the second!
It is very nice to find two young christians who are not luke warm about faith. Praying for you always.
August 3rd, 2006 at 6:33 pm
Lucy: Thanks so much reminding us of the Jesus Freaks / Voice of Martyrs volumes. Those are excellent books, that unfortunately, we overlooked when we put together this list. Having read both the first and the second, let me assure you that they are both wonderful. Actually, we share a story from one of them in this post.
August 8th, 2006 at 6:44 am
I love to read so this list is a great blessing to read and get closer to God at the same time.I saw that you guys had a few missionary biographies or stories.End of the Spear by Steve Saint is a really good one.It is written by the son of Nate Saint,one of the five missionaries to be killed by indians in the 50s in the jungels of Ecuador.Another good missionary book is Bruchko by Bruce Olson.I know that God has called me to be a missionary so I am really interested in books dealing with missions.
I also have two other great books for evangelism.One Thing You Can Do In Heaven and One Heartbeat Away by Mark Cahill are excellent books.They really prepare you to go out there and bring the massage of Truth to a world in darkeness…well this comment has been longe enought…lol
August 8th, 2006 at 4:43 pm
Cristina: Thanks for your recommendations! We actually have read Bruchko, and have read several biographies of Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, etc. but not “End of the Spear” (though we did see the movie).
August 22nd, 2006 at 1:21 am
Wow! I ‘ve never heard of most of those. I love to read stuff that will make me think, so I can’t wait to read your suggestions.
What are your views on reading classic fiction? Like Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, etc…
Also, a wonderful book about holiness (especially for girls) is “Stepping Heavenward” by Elizabeth Prentiss.
August 22nd, 2006 at 5:27 pm
Amy: We love classic fiction! We do not currently read as much of it as we did when we were younger, regarding it as a special treat rather than the main course, but we do enjoy it. Thank you also for reminding us about Stepping Heavenward. We have read that book as a family and greatly enjoyed it. God bless you!
August 25th, 2006 at 5:42 pm
Very encouraging…to see high schoolers this much into theology, etc,…..
August 28th, 2006 at 4:15 am
Hey guys,
After looking over the list and noticing, not the absence, but a bit of a lack of fictional works, I thought I just plug in here one work of fiction which has been for me (and surprisingly at that) more important than much of the non-fiction works that I’ve read in helping to shape my views of true Christianity. The book? “King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table” by Roger Lancelyn Green.
I was given the book as a kind of joke from a friend a few years ago on account of my (still going) fascination with medieval times, knighthood and the concept of chivalry. I honestly expected it to just be like a kid’s storybook, but I was amazed by its depth. Actually, I was in the middle of a long study of the book of James at the time, and I found myself drawing parallels from the book such that it became, if not a commentary, at least a bit of an illustration of many of the principles I was learning from the Bible. A few months later I re-read the book while I was studying Ecclesiastes, and found this was true for it as well. The biblical principles and the concept of true manhood are thick in it, and being well-written and enjoyable fiction, they’re extremely easy to digest (so long as you’re not the sort who is put-off by “fairy-tales”, that is).
August 31st, 2006 at 2:58 pm
What kind of fiction do you guys read besides Father Brown? I read him last year for school and now my mom hopes I’ll start writing better:)
September 21st, 2006 at 7:43 am
Have you guys read Martin Luther’s ‘Bondage of the will’. It is a great book and I found it helpful with debating philosophies and logic.
September 22nd, 2006 at 5:34 pm
Hey guys, I just recently discovered your website and I am very impressed! Thanks for this great book list. I recognized many titles and will definitely look into reading others. I am currently reading The Universe Next Door in one of my classes. Thanks again!
September 24th, 2006 at 5:10 pm
This is INCREDIBLE. Not only the amount you guys have read, but the amount of comments on those books. I have read all of GK Chesterton’s Father Brown Mysteries and I could not put them down. My dad and I are big Chesterton fans. Have you read The Everlasting Man? Now that book is fun and thought-provoking:)
One of my favorites is The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson. It’s not PG rated, but it is very moving. Also, for historical fiction for all younger siblings, read any GA Henty novel.
Blessings on you both!
September 24th, 2006 at 5:11 pm
I also recently discovered your sight. I enjoy books, so this should be a great help. Thanks! Have you guys ever read any of Randy Alcorn’s fictional books? Also, do you have any suggestions for books to write book reports on? I can never find good ones to write on, and my mom has challenged me to find better books.
September 25th, 2006 at 11:38 am
hey! i absolutly LOVE reading. my friends think its crazy when i get grounded from reading! i have read a couple of the books on your list and really enjoyed them. do you guys know of any good daily devotionals that i could do? i just finished my utmost for his highest by oswald chambers and am now looking for a new devotional.
September 25th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
Do you think there is only one version of the Bible to read?
Because some say “verses missing” while other have it and the ones that don’t have the verses take out really good ones.
And why is there so many versions?
Wasn’t the KJV AV 1611 good enough?
If our english is going down hill why should the Bible change every time there’s a “newer” word to replace the old word?
Some people say easier to understand but i don’t think that’s true.
I know of a preacher who didn’t know how to read (didn’t go past the 4th grad either) and he learned how to from the KJV Bible.
How can we prove the Bible is true if we aren’t sure about which one to read????
September 26th, 2006 at 2:18 pm
Hey Guys,
It was VERY encouraging to read your blogs and fun to compare booklists. I am currently reading Mark Driscoll’s Radical Reformission and have been very challenged by his love and committment for reaching Seattle (and beyond) with the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ. Have you checked out much of A.W. Tozer yet?…And there must be something wierd about Hannahs.
In Him,
Hannah
September 27th, 2006 at 6:58 pm
This is a great list. The only thing I would recommend to add is Eric and Leslie Ludy’s “When God Writes Your Love Story” this one I really liked.
September 28th, 2006 at 8:16 am
I can’t believe you have the Ralph Moody books on there!!! I love those books. Also, a hearty second to adding “When God Writes Your Love Story.” It is definitely an amazing book. G.K. Chesterton is also an amazing author.
October 3rd, 2006 at 2:06 pm
And I thought I was well read…
October 4th, 2006 at 10:39 am
I’ve always loved to read, so looking through your booklist was interesting. Thanks for posting it. I will be looking into several of those books in the near future. I have read all of the Sherlock Holmes stories and most, if not all, of the Father Brown ones. I unreservedly agree that Chesterton’s are better than Doyle’s. Have you read “The Man who was Thursday” by G.K. Chesterton? I have read it several times and am still puzzling over it. By the way, what do you guys think of Shakespeare?
October 12th, 2006 at 5:48 am
Hey guys,
October 12th, 2006 at 5:59 am
Whoops, I hit enter key twice and I guess it actually posted it the 2nd time^^- sorry about that. {= } I just wanted to tell you guys that I recently read the article about your rebelution blog in the WORLD magazine, thus, I decided to check it out for myself. = ] I must say, I have been greatly encouraged and challenged by what I’ve read so far! I will definitely be reading at least some of the books from your (somewhat overwhelming) list above. = ] I also wanted to ask you: have you read “Wild at Heart” and “Captivating” by John and Stasi Eldredge? I know that some of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ have a dim view of them and was wondering what you guys thought of them. Well, that’s all for now… God Bless!!
October 13th, 2006 at 8:38 am
I don’t know if it is a problem with my computer or Amazon.com, but over half of the Amazon links were broken. Just thought I’d let you know.
October 28th, 2006 at 12:43 pm
One really great book is by Sinclair Ferguson called _The Christian Life_. This book is non pareil in connecting doctrine with practice, and showing why it is that doctrine is important. I highly recommend it, especially as a first book for new believers.
November 4th, 2006 at 10:04 am
Hello Alex and Brett!
I have been reading your blog for over a month now (I found out about it from the article in World magazine), but I’ve never commented before. I am a major bookworm, and I read a lot of Christian fiction. I read the Father Brown stories and thought they were great. One of my favorite authors is Ted Dekker. He is a Christian fiction writer who is absolutely amazing. His Circle trilogy is great. The three books are Black, Red, and White. They have a great message (although you might not quite know what it is until the end of the first one), and they are really exciting and “adrenaline-pumping.” I definitely recommend them. Thanks for all of the work you have poured into this blog- it shows. Sincerely, Alexandra.
November 7th, 2006 at 1:54 am
Wow! What a list! I’m a prolific reader myself, but only recognised a few of the titles in your list. Maybe the bookstores in Australia are stocked differently to America. I’m definitely going to take up some of your recommendations there.
I’ll second Cristina’s mention of Bruchko - I read it three months ago and was BLOWN AWAY! I’m presently reading “The Reformed Pastor” by Richard Baxter, and seriously, I’ve read dozens of non-fiction books in my time, but second only to the Bible, methinks The Reformed Pastor is vying for best book I’ve ever read! (OK, his theology isn’t perfect but 98% of the content is sheer brilliance.) Stimulating, challenging, refreshing, as well as being delightful prose.
Thanks Alex and Brett. You guys are an encouragement to me and clearly to hundreds (if not thousands or tens of thousands) more. Keep up the good work!
November 15th, 2006 at 8:00 am
I didn’t read all the comments, so some of these books may have already been suggested:
Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot
Shadow of the Almighty: The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot by Elisabeth Elliot (AWESOME)
Orthodoxy by GK Chesterton
The Hiding Place and Tramp for the Lord by Corrie ten Boom
C.S. Lewis books…every one is amazing.
The Holiness of God by RC Sproul (this is excellent even if you aren’t a Calvinist…I’m not and I love it.)
My All for Him by Basilea Schlink (This book is directed more towards girls but it is the single most challenging book I’ve ever read.)
Adventures In Prayer by Catherine Marshall
That’s all I can think of for now. I think this list is a cool idea.
November 16th, 2006 at 6:32 pm
I really appreciate this list. I know I will be referring to it often
I know tons of people have suggested books, but here are a few that have really been a challenge to me.
When People Are Big and God Is Small by Edward T. Welch
Brokenness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Trusting God by Jerry Bridges
Thanks for your website. It’s exciting to see your commitment and excitement for Christ
Thanks for the encouragement!!!
November 30th, 2006 at 9:25 am
Love the list! I’m definitely going to be reading a lot of these… they sound great.
Have you guys read “My Utmost For His Highest” by Oswald Chambers - that is literally the best devotional I have ever read and I’ve been going through it for like two years now and even though I’ve read everything over and over there is always so much more to learn from Chamber’s insight…. It VERY good… Also, “Hinds Feet on High Places” is really good and is about conquering your fear and following God through the mountains and valleys in life to reach the place where you belong with Him, in the form of a novel. It’s also highly recommended.
Also - thanks for this website - I love it. I come here almost every time that I’m online - it’s so encouraging to me and I love hearing from people our age about life and our relationship with God. Thanks for the awesome site Alex and Brett - it is MUCH appreciated.
May God bless you and keep you in His love and care…
- Carissa
November 30th, 2006 at 12:01 pm
It would be an understatement to say that I am impressed by your booklist. I thought I was the only teenager in the nation who read Francis Schaeffer!! You don’t know what it means to me to find out that there are actually other kids my age on this planet who take their faith seriously and who have a genuine concern for this generation. You will both be in my prayers!
By the way, to all you teens out there, the books you see on this list by Joshua Harris are must-reads!!
December 2nd, 2006 at 9:14 am
Hi! These books look great. I would like to recommend all of Eric and Leslie Ludy’s books, as well as CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, and GA Henty. I have also read some of Josh Harris’ books, and they are good too. I will be searching my church library’s shelves for some of these books that you listed, as well as my parents bookshelves. Keep up the good work.
In Christ,
Anna
December 2nd, 2006 at 9:21 am
Back again. I would also like to recommend the Elsie Dinsmore series by Martha Finley for girls, and The Crown and Covenant series by Douglas Bond for guys and girls. Thanks.
In Christ,
Anna
December 11th, 2006 at 7:12 pm
To the ladies I would highly recommend “Just for Women” by Shaunti Feldhem. This book is based on surveys taken from around the U.S. and it is a definite eye opener that each young lady should read. It definitly helped me in how I relate to my brothers and my guy friends.
There is also a book, “Just for Men” by the same author.
Thanks so much.
~Carissa
December 18th, 2006 at 2:04 pm
Great book list… but I’m wondering about the absence of C. S. Lewis. He’s one of my favorites, but recently some of my friends mentioned that they don’t like Lewis because of his doctrine. Do you know what they’re talking about?
~Annie
January 8th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I would like to make another recommendation. I recently finished re-reading The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. It is an excellent book, especially for anyone struggling with trusting God. It’s very sad, but uplifting at the same time (not the sappy romance novel kind of sad - the deep personal loss kind of sad). It’s very moving. I never cry over books or movies, but I came really close to crying over this one!
January 8th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Do you guys ever read anything just for fun???? I would like to recommend a novel by Francena H. Arnold called “Not My Will.” The book is filled with treasures of wisdom concealed behind an intriguing plot….Also Harold Bell Wright is an amazing author whose work has caused me to reevaluate and more firmly believe many of my beliefs and principles.
January 9th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Thanks for your recommendations, they certainly give a lot to chew on, or perhaps to digest would be better.
I just finished reading Ben-Hur again, and highly recommend it. The version I have is from Focus on the Family’s “Classic Collection” and provides discussion questions for each chapter, along with a small biography of the author, Lew Wallace. I appreciated the background, and the comments given by the editor Joseph L. Wheeler.
I recommend it both for personal reading, and for reading as a family. It is quite large, and can prove to be difficult to get into, but once you dig deeper than the first section, you cannot put the book down. The chapter questions encourage family reading and discussion.
Basically, its just a really solid read, engaging, thought provoking, and a terrific story.
January 10th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
I see you like books. I do too. You should try some books by the author G.A. Henty. They are historical fiction and all show the hand of God.
January 13th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
Oh! You should read Blue like Jazz by Don Miller. It’s one of my fav. at least.
January 13th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Janie: I’ve read a fair number of chapters from Blue Like Jazz. Actually, Donald Miller is an old friend of our family’s. He even worked for my dad for a while. =)
January 15th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
No way, you know Donald Miller?!? Ok, you just earned major cool points. You win.
January 17th, 2007 at 5:45 am
This is a very good and commendable list. Once again another great effort in promoting godliness in teens around the world.
Like Annie, I am quite surprised at the absence of C.S. Lewis, one of my favorite authors. His Anglican beliefs may show more in works such as “The Great Divorce,” but the Narnia books and “The Screwtape Letters” are not-to-be-missed books.
Have you heard of the book “When People Are Big and God Is Small”? I have found it to be one of the most helpful books in my Christian walk
Lastly, your comment on not being sure about having found “the girl” for you to meet will feed more young dreams and girlish hopes than you think
You are two amazing young men sent by God 
Keep up the good work! 
January 17th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
I love to think “deep”, but I have lately felt inadequate. Perhaps I will search out some of these books sometime.
January 18th, 2007 at 8:25 am
ok, one question and then I’ll leave you alone. My cousin is going to Iraq for 7 months come February and I was wondering if you knew of any books or music that could help me get through that time? Sorry, I know you’re really busy, but you two were the only ones I thought to ask…
January 21st, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Gracie Allen…
iPod culture is pretty much an organ of the music scene, just like…
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:03 am
Great list you guys! i know you don’t have novels on this list, but i highly recommend Ted Deker’s books, Red, Black, White, Blessed Child, & A Man Called Blessed. These are awesome books that make you want to laugh and cry over God’s amazing power.
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:00 pm
These are great books. I recommend the “Dragons In Our Midst” They are really good for teens who love a fantasy and Christianint mix.
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Bridgette-
I love Ted Dekker!!!!!! If you liked those books, you would probably like some of his other ones. “Thr3e”(recently made into a movie-I didn’t get to see it yet) is great. So are “Showdown” and “Saint.” He also co-wrote an awsome book called “House” with Frank Peretti, another great author. They are all so good! Just so you know, if you read those, they will make more sense if you read The Circle (Black, Red, White), then Showdown, then House, then Saint. Thr3e is separate, but those other ones kind of work together, and they make more sense if you read them in that order(I’m assuming you didn’t read them yet-if you did, then, umm…cool :)).
January 23rd, 2007 at 9:49 am
Alexandra-
Ya, i read thr3e, & i don’t like it quite as good as the others. I read Showdown after The Circle, and that one was awesome! I haven’t read House or Saint, but they look great! Another cool book of his is Blink, don’t know if u read that or not. Thanks 4 the heads up though!
January 23rd, 2007 at 11:56 pm
Y’all might enjoy Francis Collins’s The Language of God. Collins was converted from atheism partly by C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity, and was head of the Human Genome Project until 2000. As a scientist, he accepts evolution and therefore his ideas on how he found God’s presence in scientific theories rejected by many Christians (evolution, the Big Bang) may be useful to you in understanding positions less fundamentalist than your own.
January 24th, 2007 at 12:06 am
Administrator Note: Thanks, Kaitlyn. We understood that your recommendation was in jest, but other users may not pick up on that.
January 25th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Bridgette,
Also, thanks for recommending Blink. I never read that one.
You’re welcome
January 29th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
i LOVE all of the books that you guys have reccomended! i am a very avid reader, and have read many of the books you have mentioned. i just finished reading “PASSION AND PURITY” by ELIZABETH ELLIOT. what an amazing book!! ya’lls brothers books have also greatly encouraged me in staying faithful to my future husband, whoever he may be! thanks for all that you do…ya’ll are two of my role models!
January 30th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
I would like to start reading some of those. One book that realy challenged me was
TO THE MAFIA WITH LOVE. It is a really powerful book. It tells of a ladys story of being in the Colombian drug cartel to witnessing to the hard core! It is amazing. I really recomened thos book.
February 2nd, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Ouch! My pride just took a whack. Thanks for the book list and the whack!
February 7th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Hi guys, just wanted to say thanks for the list you’ve made. I love reading so i’m sure it will be of great help to me. I’ve just finished reading Boy Meets Girl. It was an excellent book and has helped me to understand that God’s way is best. Thanx again!!
February 9th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Thanks for this list, I will be looking it over a lot. I really appreciate everything you guys are trying to do. I hope to read a lot of these books in the future, thanks!.
February 9th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
I enjoyed the Father Brown mysteries. Thanks for the recommendation. Have you ever read anything by Francena Arnold? I think she is one of the best Christian fiction writers of the 20th century. I highly recommend Not My Will. I read it the first time of many when I was about your age. It is a powerful work of fiction. In addition, I would recommend The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers. I had already read it and then my husband had to read it for a seminary ethics class. Although he admits he will never be ever able to understand, he really appreciated the way it made him more sensitive to the pain a woman may have after rape.
February 12th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Awesome book list! I can’t wait to see your guy’s film adaption of the Ralph Moody books! Along with Laura Wilder’s series, Laddie(by Gene Stratton-Porter), and Chronicles of Narnia, Ralph Moody’s series will always bring back some of my favorite memories of our family. We live on a farm, so winter is always our favorite time of year, when we can really relax and read aloud our favorite books while doing puzzles!! Thanks for your book list I have been looking for some new ideas. Another good book to add would be “Gold Cord” by Amy Carmicheal. Beautifully written, it is one of my favorite books to read!!
February 15th, 2007 at 8:07 am
I heard your brother on Focus on the Family -and recommend his books. You might check out Dating with Integrity by JOhn HOlzmann. I see it validated your brothers’ book as well as vice versa. Wow. To see Teenagers reading these books on theology is amazing. In my church growing up -the teenagers weren’t encourage to seek to live for God like this. I wish they had been…
Thank you again for the list and sharing it.
Dont forget to check out MacArthur, Swindoll, books which are the only ones that come to mind right now-they are lifechanging and challenging. On the Christian psychology side like Townsend-dont forget to check those out even though they aren’t necessarily theology, etc.
I am 39. live in KS.
Judith S
Jer 29:11
February 15th, 2007 at 10:49 am
“Loving God” by Charles Colson is a great book.
~Kelsey
February 18th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
I was blessed by your list guys, I am brand spanking new to this Rebelution but I am seriously enjoying everything I am coming across and being encouraged greatly.
Thank you for spurring me on.
February 21st, 2007 at 12:12 am
I am so glad that Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview is on your book list. Despite its length, it is definitely a must-read (or a must-skim
) for any Christian going to a secular university (particularly a nerdy university).
February 26th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Wonderful book list! For girls I would like to recommend Noel Piper’s Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God and for guys interested in becoming missionaries/pilots I would recommend Jungle Pilot about Nate Saint who was martyed in Ecuador along with Jim Elliot(Elisabeth Elliot’s husband).
Lauren
February 28th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Good list. Read some, busy reading others, will try to read more! What a world of truth reading opens up for us!
I was wondering if either of you had read any of Brennan Manning’s books: Ragamuffin Gospel, Ruthless Trust, and others. They’ve had a huge impact on my life. I know you’re busy, but check them out some time and see if they’re list-worthy.
Phil 4:8
March 10th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
I just thought I would say that looks like a great list! There are some books I have already read, some that I will read in the future (even have some to be read when I get a chance), and thought I would offer a suggestion: The Sovereignty of God by A.W. Pink. It’s an excellent book! It focuses exactly on what its title is, and gave me many new insights.
March 10th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Wow! What a great list of books! I’m so glad to know that there are a lot of young people out there who are filling their minds with something that will really help them. Could I reccomend 2 more that have really been a blessing to me? I so enjoyed the biography of Desmond T. Doss in The Unlikeliest Hero by Booton Herndon. That is such an amazing story! Also Messages to Young People by Ellen G. White is a really good book. I haven’t finished it yet, (it was also written quite a while ago) but it has so much good counsel for teens today. Thanks again for posting the list!
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:15 am
As a homeschooling mom of 4 daughters, I just want to say how wonderful it is to know that there are young men that are being raised to counter the culture and return to God’s ways of doing things! I pray that these kinds of young men will be used by God to be Godly husbands to my daughters and countless others who are seeking like-minded spouses.
Looks like you’ve been doing some good reading!
Keep up the good work!
In Christ,
Mrs. Wade
April 9th, 2007 at 11:08 am
Great list. I’m currently reading “Red Moon Rising”. A great book about the vision Pete Greig has concerning teens and the 24-7 prayer movement.
April 9th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Hudson Taylor: The Growth of a Soul” is one of the best books I have ever read. I’m eager to start volume 2 soon. So much in my life has been challenged by the example of Hudson Taylor. These volumes are filled with his correspondence and journal entries too, so one really gets see ‘behind’ the scenes of his life. If you get a chance at these books, I heartily recommend them.
April 9th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Ah, an unexplained ‘a’ tag messed up my comment. Feel free to fix and then delete this comment.
Thanks guys!
April 13th, 2007 at 9:28 am
Another WONDERFUL book which puts GRACE on the front burner where it belogs is “Holiness By Grace” by Dr. Bryan Chapell, president of Covenant Theological Seminary.
This year HBG has been studied by a group of 12 seminary wives whose husbands attend Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. One woman in our group was Jodi Ware, wife of Dr. Bruce Ware. (You included Dr. Ware’s book “God’s Lesser Glory” in your booklist - good choice!) I know she greatly enjoyed this Chapell book, and it is on my personal, and rather short, “all-time favorites” list!
Take a look, and thanks for your great reading recommendations!
May 10th, 2007 at 6:05 am
Most of these books i’ve never seen, but they look good. My favorites, and I have many, are by Ellen Gould White. She wrote several books, Great Controversy, Steps To Christ, Christian Education, and much more. You can find out about her books from Adventist Book Store.
I really appreciated reading I Kissed Dating Goodbye.
May 24th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Francine Dee Video…
I Googled for something completely different, but found your page…and have to say thanks. nice read….
May 28th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Need Payday Loans…
…
May 30th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Alex and Brett,
Thank you SO much for the way you use your blog to further the Gospel and encourage teens like me who are so easily influenced by the culture to seek God.
Let me just say reading John Piper’s Don’t Waste Your Life impacted me and made me aware of how much I was wasting my time and not using my time for His glory. God has been at work in my life and He used this book to draw me closer to Himself.
I’d encourage EVERYONE to read Don’t Waste Your Life. For those of you that have read it check out the Don’t Waste Your Life Podcast here: http://www.desiringgod.org/DWYL/
June 1st, 2007 at 4:49 pm
I our youth group we just finished or are closed to finishing Don’t Waste Your Life. It is a very good book. But there is a quetion that comes up a lot in my mind:
How can you live your life as proof that God is more recious to you than life?
This is a hard question I have dealt with. I ma trying to stand up for my faith buy it is hard.
~Stephen Field
June 1st, 2007 at 8:15 pm
This is an excellent list, Brett and Alex! I will certainly add many of these books to my own reading list. One book that I didn’t see on the list that has left a deep impression in me is a book called ‘Courage’. It is written by Edwin Louis Cole for young men. It is a quick and relatively easy read, but very convicting and eye-opening. Cole’s tone is authoritative and convincing, while encouraging and urging us to have courage. I humbly recommend it to you and everyone else who might see this note.
Grace, peace, and courage to you from God our Father in Christ Jesus!
June 18th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
You support the reading of doctrinal works “to encourage our readers (guys especially) in the intentional study of doctrine.” Is this a reference to your support of male-only clergy and leaders in the Church? Not that I disagree with having only men as church leaders, but it seems equally important that both guys AND girls gain doctrinal knowledge equally as much because this doctrinal knowledge is what we should be able to discuss when asked, “What do you believe?”, a question posed to both men and women alike. Please discuss further what you mean by the aforementioned excerpt from your book list.
Thank you.
(And I realize that it is easier for me to criticize than to make a book list myself.)
June 19th, 2007 at 7:47 am
I see that C.S. Lewis has been mentioned a few times already and I would completely agree. He has written some of the most amazing books. Among my favorites -
Mere Christianity
The Four Loves
The Screwtape Letters (I did a journaling assignment with this book, writting an
entry for every letter, and I got so much out of this book.
It’s basically letters from one demon to another detailing how to
derail a Christian in his spiritual walk.)
The Chronicles of Narnia (I’ve read them all at least eight times over since I was six
and, as I’ve matured, I get more and more out of them everytime.)
Till We have Faces (Fictional. The last book the Lewis wrote if I remember right. It’s
not as well known as his other books, but it is by far my favorite.
There are some awesome spiritual truths in it.)
He wrote several other books as well and they are all amazing, these are just a few of my favorites.
Francine Rivers is another supurb Christian fiction author. Girls especially enjoy her writings, but I know of quite a few guys who’ve confessed to liking them too. (Redeeming Love and The Mark of the Lion trilogy are my favorites).
A few interesting (and contestable) books that I’ve recently read/enjoyed are Velvet Elvis, by Rob Bell, and The Irresistable Revolution, by Shane Claiborne (sp?).
Just be sure that whatever you read, use discernment and compare everything to the Scriptures (remembers the Bereans in Acts). Even those books by famous Christian authors might not be 100% acurate. Plus, in your endeavor to become more well-read, don’t neglect the most instructive book of all, the Bible. That’s something I’ve done before myself and I definitely slid a bit in my walk. No “Christian book” in the world can compare, believe me.
Great list by the way. Guess I’d better hit the books.
June 19th, 2007 at 10:00 am
Stephen: Saying “especially guys” isn’t putting down the need for girls to study doctrine (notice the “all our readers” part, immediately prior), but rather elevating the exhortation for guys to do so.
July 11th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Just wanted to add a comment about the book Unveiling Islam. It is very good. My mom bought it and I`ll be reading it pretty soon. I just think it`s so important to know about the culture and religion the people you want to witness to. In the mission field a lot of missionaries are needed in Muslim countries. Not to mention the need here in the US.
August 16th, 2007 at 2:01 am
I have read and enjoyed many of these books. Another amazing book is One Nation Under Gods by Richard Abnes. It is about America’s homegrown religion which is Mormonism.
August 20th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
WOW! that is a lot of books. I love Lee Strobel’s series The Case for Christ. they are great books and are powerfull.
August 28th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
I’m SO glad that you like G.K. Chesterton. He is so much fun to read. If you like him, you might also like a few of P.G. Wodehouse’s books, they’re great. I’d recommend, “Pigs have Wings”, “Cocktail Time”, and “Heavy Weather”.
August 28th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
I really like C.S. Lewis as well. One of my favourites of his is “The Greta Divorce”
August 28th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Sorry, *Great Divorce
August 30th, 2007 at 11:41 am
I would like to suggest “Ishmael” by E.D.E.N. Southworth. If Ishmael Worth was a real person in today’s time, he woud be a rebelutionary! Even the hard circumstances of his birth don’t stop him from serving God and becoming a prominent (and young) lawyer. Even though this is fiction it still has wonderful truths you can apply to your own life like perserverance. Give it a try! It is availble from Lamplighter Publishing.
September 13th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Alex, Brett,
Hey a really good book I’ve just recently read was ‘Do You Want to Go to The Mountain” by Thomas Young. Really good.
September 17th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
I will definitely second “The Cross and The Switchblade”. It’s a true story about the man who started Teen Challenge, a ministry that reaches out to troubled youth in New York City. Very intense, but true. It’s what inspired me to go into counseling/youth ministry.
“Run Baby Run” is the story of Nicky Cruz, one of the gang members that was reached by Teen Challenge. Again, it’s intense, but incredibly powerful.
September 22nd, 2007 at 11:50 am
Hey!!! I just wanted to say that I enjoyed going to the conference in Indy. God changed my life, and I can’t wait for next year!!! Thanks for everything, and keep living for our great Savior!!!
September 28th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
This is a great list of authors and titles! As a librarian, I encourage anyone to check these out from your local public library. Most libraries have interlibrary loan services that borrow titles from other states and within their own state. Ask your librarian to help you. In that way, we can impact the system to be true to it’s own acknowledged principle - represent viewpoints from all sides of an issue.
Also, if your local library does not own these titles, most will place patron’s suggestions on a recommended purchase list. If your library needs to have titles reviewed by a qualified review source, Publisher’s Weekly does operate this service. And you can always ask that the title be borrowed from another source for you. That works even if your local library does not purchase.
May I also recommend Robin Hardy’s Streiker series. Great allegory.
September 30th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Have you read “La’bri”, by Edith Schaeffer? (I’m not sure if that’s spelled right) It’s an EXCELLENT book that is basically an overview of the La’bri mission in Switzerland. It’s also a powerful encouragement if one’s prayer life is struggling. My daddy has an awesome history, and at one point in the 70s, he actually stayed there for a few months, when he was searching for meaning in life.
October 1st, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Hey Bookreader!
I just wanted to say hi and second everything you said about libraries. I also work at a library, so I was excited to see your comment.
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:26 am
One of my favorite books is “Humility” by C.J. Mahaney. We SGM people love him!
October 8th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Most of these books sound really good. I can’t say I’ll be reading all of them any time soon, but I will be working my way through.
Also, a REALLY, REALLY good author for girls especially is Melody Carlson. My favorite is the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. It helped me a lot. Also, another good speaker and writer is Ron Luce. He’s all about reaching to our generation too. Thanks!!!
October 9th, 2007 at 4:36 am
Oh, yeah - one more must read: Frank Peretti’s This Present Darkness is amazing. A lot of his books are good, but this one gives an awesome insight into the battles that angels and demons are fighting constantly.
October 22nd, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Elisabeth: I just finished reading “Humility” but C.J. Mahoney today, and I loved it too!
October 26th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Those are wondeful…I will definitely check them out. Mom said I needed some good books to read this year and here they are. Thanks!
In Christ, Miss Elizabeth
October 28th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Alex and Bret:
Thanks so much for this book list, it has been realy helpful. I didn’t have time to read everybodys comments so some of these books might be repeats. I would highly recomend God’s outlaw by Brian Edwards. It is a very insightful book on the life of William Tyndale. The other book I would stromgly recomend is growing your faith by Jerry Bridges. I highly recomend this book it is easy to understand and has been very helpful to me.
November 6th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Great list guys. I did find it interesting that you link to Desiring God ministries and their blog, but you do not have Desiring God on your list. Hopefully, it is an oversight, because it is one of the most important Christian works written in our lifetimes.
November 7th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Bridgette and Alexandra, if you like Ted Dekker you MUST check out Frank Peretti. All of his books are great but the best ones are: The Visitation, This Present Darkness, and Piercing the Darkness.
Alex and Brett,
The Ralph Moody series is one of our favorites! My little brothers especially love it them.
Also, just wondering why there isn’t any C. S. Lewis on the list? You should add The Chronicles of Narnia
November 10th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Greetings from the Caribbean, your site has traveled that far and I’ve been deeply blessed by this site and so many others as well. I’m looking forward to read the books on culture and our approach to it as Christians, thanks a lot for the list. I truly believe that as Christians we need to understand our world and other cultures in order to preach the Word of God to other societies. I pray that God enables us to be instruments in his hands for doing hard things for His sole glory.
November 18th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
I saw Total Truth on there. Excellent book. It describes a comprehensive Christian worldview, takes apart false worldviews, adds a historic perspective, addresses the unique problems facing the church today, and has a whole section on personal application.
I must echo the Harrises in saying it is a must read for rebelutionaries.
November 21st, 2007 at 9:29 pm
You’ve got some great books on here!
I would definitely second bookwormans recommendation of “Ishmael”–and the sequel, “Self-Raised”. Also, I’m sure someone else has mentioned this, but “Hind’s Feet on High Places” by Hannah Hurnard is a must-read!
November 22nd, 2007 at 7:42 am
I second those who said that this list is awesome!! I can’t wait to search the library for the books mentioned. God Bless you all!
December 4th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Have you guys read the book “Concise Theology” by J.I.Packer? My church is going through that book right now for our adults Sunday school class. It’s challenging but the the same time, easy to understand.
December 21st, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Rachel Joy,
Thanks for the reccomendation! I do like Frank Perretti, although I must say that after reading The Cooper Kids Adventure Series and the Veritas Project books, I was kind of dissapointed with his adult books! Have you read House, the one Ted and Frank coauthored? It’s SO GOOD! -Alexandra
January 1st, 2008 at 5:07 am
Guys when are you going to update your book list? It says at the top of this page that it was to be updated frequently…
January 8th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
My brother checked out the book Don’t Waste Your Life, as it was recommended by our pastor. Since I am always looking for something to read, I also read it. A very good book with great guidelines. I have also read I Kissed Dating Goodbye, which is also a great book.
January 16th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
If I may humbly speak, I highly recommend, “Unshakable Foundations: Contemporary Answers to Crucial Questions about the Christian Faith,” a book by Norman Geisler and Peter Bocchino. I’m reading this for a Foundation For Christian Worldviews course at school, and it has helped me immensely in discovering answers to questions such as, “Why is there pain in the world?” and other things. Just a suggestion.
February 4th, 2008 at 8:36 am
i think you should add C.S Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia i know other people have said this! with the second movie coming out ya’ll it would be cool!
February 12th, 2008 at 6:07 am
Good book list! i just finished reading “don’t waste your life” and that was a great book!! Have you guys ever read, “The Gate Seldom Found” by Raymond A. Reid? It’s a neat book about one of the “first” churches in Canada and ties a lot of stuff in with Acts… Anyways, it was a neat book
Thanks again for your booklist 
March 5th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
I don’t know if you plan to update this page but I would heartily recommend John Piper’s “don’t waste your life” I think it reaffirms everything you promote, anyways thanks for the book list (it doubled as my Christmas wish list as well
)
March 5th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
oops, I just realized you updated it and its on there, a really big oops,
March 6th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Alex and Brett,
).
Thanks so much for updating your list! I thought you had forgotten about us bookworms (although I guess writing a book of your own can hardly be considered neglecting bookworms
March 7th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Hey y’all thanks for the list I’ll have to try to read some of them they all sound great. I have a couple of suggestions …
So you don’t want to go to church anymore by Jake Colsen
Sister freaks, stories of women who gave up everything for God by Rebecca St. James
The Shack by William P. Young, I highly recommend This book. My family is reading it together for the second time. the Shack starts out heart wrenchingly sad but keep reading it gets AWESOME!
One thing you can’t do in Heaven by Mark Cahill
True volumes 1 and 2 By Irene Dunlap
And some great fiction…
The Dragons in our midst series by Bryan Davis
The space trilogy by C.S Lewis
The Viking quest series by Lois Walfrid Johnson
And The squires tales by Gerald Morris
March 7th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Hey y’all thanks for the list I love to read and could use some new reading material they all sound great. If y’all have nothing to read (though I doubt it) =)I have some of suggestions …
So you don’t want to go to church anymore by Jake Colsen
Sister freaks, stories of women who gave up everything for God by Rebecca St. James
The Shack by William P. Young, I highly recommend This book. My family is reading it together for the second time. the Shack starts out heart wrenchingly sad but keep reading it gets AWESOME!
One thing you can’t do in Heaven by Mark Cahill
True volumes 1 and 2 By Irene Dunlap
And some great fiction…
The Dragons in our midst series by Bryan Davis
The space trilogy by C.S Lewis
The Viking quest series by Lois Walfrid Johnson
and The squires tales by Gerald Morris
Enjoy
Your sister in Christ,
Kirstin A. Jackson
March 7th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Oops it posted twice Sorry
March 24th, 2008 at 4:21 am
Hi! I haven’t read the two books on your list regarding feminism ’cause I live in Australia and it’s kinda hard to get them here but they both sound pretty anti-feminist. Are you guys opposed to feminism and if so, why? Don’t you agree that Jesus himself was a feminist in the way he had so much more respect for women and allowed them positions of great importance compared to other people of his time?
March 26th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Thanks so much for this list, guys. Getting Things Done by David Allen is now on my list of books to retrieve from the library.
March 30th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Alex and Brett,
Thanks for all the awesome book recommendations. I’ve really enjoyed checking them out.
Here are several suggestions for reading:
The Truth War by John MacArthur
Revolution in World Missions by K.P. Yohannan
The Teenage Years of Jesus Christ by Jerry L. Ross
Shadow of the Almighty by Elisabeth Elliot
No Compromise-The Life Story of Keith Green by Melody Green
In Christ,
Jordan
P.S.
How about the book, Do Hard Things? I’m not sure who wrote it though. ;>)
April 11th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
It’s very encouraging to see some guys my age who are so radically devoted to Christ that they’re willing to be true ‘Christian Hedonists’ constantly striving to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. I just got a hold of a new book by Francis Chan called Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a relentless God (Comes out May 1st). I think you would love the message of this book I think it is directly in line with what you guys are striving for. You can get a taste of it at http://www.crazylovebook.com
April 18th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Great list! Wonderful comments! (I always love reading the comments section on this blog.) I would enthusiastically recommend David Bercot’s “The Kingdom That Turned the World Upside-down” or his “Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up?”. Mr. Bercot packs alot into a little bit, but his books are still easy, uncomplicated reads.
April 21st, 2008 at 6:48 am
Read any of George Weigel’s books, but espescially Letters to a Young Catholic to gain a true understanding of Christianity (that can only be found in the Catholic Church) and for helpful spiritual sustinence.
April 23rd, 2008 at 2:30 am
Hey Alex and Brett! Have you read the books “Every man’s Battle” or “Every young man’s Battle?” by Stephen Arteburn and Fred Stoeker (much the same, except one is for single, young men, and the other is more towards married men)? They are the most straight forward, honest books about men’s struggles with sexual purity that I have seen. I’m a girl, and the book really helped me see men’s struggles from an inside perspective. This has lead to me being less condemning towards guys who struggle. The book focuses a lot on the verse which says there shouldn’t even be a hint of sexual immorality in our lives.
Thanks for the modesty survey, by the way. Stumbled across it a few days ago, since someone had put a link to it on Facebook. I live in a country where believers dress only slightly more modest than non-believers, and it’s soo easy to conform. I’m praying to God that He will help me so that the way I dress comes from a heart to glorify God. I love that perspective!
April 29th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I’m gonna check out some of the books for sure! Oh and may I recommend “Every Young Woman’s Battle” there is also “Every Young Man’s Battle” for the guys! Written By Shannon Ethridge and Stephen Arterburn.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:36 am
Have you guys read the count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas?
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:19 am
A really cool book I just finished and would pass on is “Why We’re Not Emergent” by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck. I’m gonna go out a limb and say it’s probably one of the best books on the Emerging Church Movement and its shortcomings
May 5th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Alex and Brett, i heard of one book called something like “Do Hard Things”
May 8th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Hello,
I commented on your most recent post about this but then I realized it would be more appropriate to leave my comment here :).
Anyway, here it is:
I would like to recommend some excellent non-fiction books. They are written by K. P. Yohannan who is the founder of Gospel for Asia (www.gfa.org). You can read what I wrote about Gospel for Asia on my blog post: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lifeoffaith/428326/
First, I recommend reading his books Revolution in World Missions (available free–https://www.gfa.org/freebook/) and The Road to Reality. You can read more about those books and other wonderful ones here: http://www.gfa.org/store/books.
If you decide to read the books, please let me know what you think about them.
Thank you,
Alyssa Liljequist
P.S. Anyone else who might be reading this: I encourage you to read these books and check out Gospel for Asia, too!
Note: I am currently reading Living in the Light of Eternity by K. P. Yohannan. It is so wonderful! I would like to share something that K. P. Yohannan says in this book, “But does it move us to think that more than one billion Muslims living in the world today do not know the love of Christ? That eighty thousand people are slipping into hell every 24 hours?” That is why I am so passionate about reaching the unreached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!!
May 10th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Hello Alex and Brett!
It´s such an honor to write in this blog. I have read a lot of the books that are on your list. I highly recommend the brand new Macarthur´s “a tale of two sons”. It is a very profound investigation of the Prodigal´s son parable. I hope you have the time to chek it out.
God bless you
greetings from Mexico
May 10th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
“So Much More” by Anna Sophia Botkin and Elizabeth Botkin
This is one of the best books I ever read. It is about women embracing femininity and how the home has changed over the years.
May 11th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Great book list! Didn’t see any John MacArthur. Just wondering why?
May 13th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Thanks for the list. I would recommend “Reviving Ophelia”, a great book on the pressure of culture on girls/women. I would also recommend “4″ by Matt Brinkley, a great resource for youth workers on a Biblical model for doing ministry. Thanks for honoring God with your lives
May 13th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Thanks for putting your book list on here! Being a bookworm, I’m always looking for books that push, pull, and force me to rethink my actions. I’m adding a few of yours to my own future book list.
Thanks again!
Angie
May 13th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Hey guys im really sorry i know this has nothing to do with the book list but i am in major doubt about God right now and im getting farther and farther away from that sort of stuff i told my parents about it but they are not really helping me no one seems to be able to help me so far my dad shoved the book Do Hard Things in my face and im really amazed at what Alex and Brett are doing im also jealous because they seem to be filled with the holy spirit and i asked God into my heart when i was five ’so my parents say’ but i dont really remember… i really need help can anyone help me? like listing a good helpful book for me to read that will help me ge back on track? Please Help!
May 15th, 2008 at 7:42 am
that a pretty good list but i think u guys should read “Signs” by Michael W. Smith
May 18th, 2008 at 6:30 am
[...] Crunchy Cons Filed under: Book Recommendation, Family Stuff — gnipgnat @ 7:45 am I was perusing the Harris boy’s Rebelution website and came across their recommended book list. They have some interesting books that they have read and recommend. One in particular caught my eye. Catch this title: [...]
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Dear Alex and Brett,
I just discovered your website yesterday and I am so excited!Your brother’s books have really blessed me and I am so encouraged to find others from all over the world (well I’m guessing most of you are from America) who enjoy reading from most of my favorite authors too.I don’t have many friends here who read from Elisabeth Elliot,Joshua Harris etc.
I’ve copied SOO many tittles of the books on your booklist and will be sourcing for them soon.I thought I might suggest the biography of Dr. Ben Carson in his book “Gifted Hands”.It was one of the few that hadn’t already been mentioned after going through all the posts LOL.
God Bless!!
May 24th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Wow! Ya’ll have a pretty extensive book list! I love to read and already have a pile of books that I got for my birthday (Yes, most of my presents were books- and I was very exited!) but I will definitely be looking back at this for some more great ideas.
Some suggestions include “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis, The Renegade Spirit Series by Jerry B. Jenkins and John Perrodin (while they are fiction, they taught me SO much), “I Would Die For You”, Just about any book by Francine Rivers, and many more!
May 26th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Thanks for the list
I was planning to read more books this year. Now I know where to start.
Alissa
May 26th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Skylar: I’m sorry you’re going through a difficult time right now. C. J. Mahaney’s “Living the Cross Centered Life”, about the gospel and its centrality, comes to mind - I don’t know if it would be a help to you. Even if people don’t seem to understand or be able to help you, God can. Don’t shy away from Him even when you have doubts about Him. Ask for His help, and let the Bible, His message to us, speak to you.
I’ll be praying for you.
Sarah
May 28th, 2008 at 6:26 am
I heard your father speak at the FPEA conference in Orlando this past weekend. GOD used him to confirm that my husband & I are on the right path, despite what those around us say or do. Of course, I bought your book!!
I began reading your book last night and woke up wanting to read more. I am so proud of you boys!!! I have a very wayward almost 17 year old who has become the poster child for low expectations. He moved in with his grandmother a little over a year and a half ago due to the influence he was having on our 2 younger sons (9 & 7). He has no ambition, no dreams, no passions. Recently, he told me he just wants to do what he wants to do. He believes in Jesus with words, but does not want to submit his life to Him. Would you please pray for him? His name is Brandon.
I raised him as a single parent for the first 6 years of his life. I put myself through college knowing I did not want to be on welfare and impoverished. I made some mistakes along the way, but GOD redeemed my life 5 years ago. (I’m now 36.) Brandon was 12 before he ever stepped foot in a church. I had a hard time letting him go, but GOD told me the seeds were planted. Your passion is to reach teens like him. Please intercede for him!! Thank you!
Lastly, a few books that I have read that have radically changed my view of GOD and my walk with HIM are (1) The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozier, and (2) The Gospel According to Jesus by John F. MacArthur, Jr.
Again, I am so proud of you boys! My husband began telling the boys 4 months ago to choose to do the hard work. What a blessing that we know have a book that will further instill this in our young sons.
May the LORD continue to bless you!!
In Christ ~ Justine Kresl
May 28th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Skylar: If your having doubts about wether believing in God is logical or not then I highly recommend The Case for Chist and The Case for Faith both are by Lee Strobel.
I’ll be praying for you as well.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:50 am
Skylar: Don’t give up. Read your Bible and let God speak to you through His word. I recommend you read C.S. Lewis book Mere Christianity. The first portion of the book is entitled, “The Case for Christianity.” It contains a clear logical argument for God and Christianity (apart from Biblical references). Please contact me if you would like to discuss this with someone. I’ll keep you in prayer and God Bless.
Contact: http://www.ecbrownblog.com/contact-page/
May 29th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
wow. tha’s quite a list. but no C.S. Lewis? Anywho. Have you all ever read “More than Dates & Dead People” by Stephen Mansfield?? It’s about recovering a Christian view of history. An easy read but very insightful. Also, i resently finished reading Understanding the times by David Nobel. very long but worth the time. Blessings.
May 30th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I was reading y’all’s book and noticed you mentioned that among other things God has placed a passion on y’all’s hearts for fighting poverty (p. 58). In light of that, I’d like to recommend two books which I found to be very helpful and enlightening:
Social Justice and the Christian Church by Ronald H. Nash
Discipling Nations: The Power of Truth to Transform Cultures by Darrow L. Miller
By the way, I have really been enjoying reading Do Hard Things; it is quite provocative and true. Thanks for going through the hard work to write it! God’s grace is amazingly evident through y’all’s lives. Grace and peace to you. ~Josiah
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:23 am
What do you think the age groups would be for this? I am 13 and I like to read, especially Christian historical fiction. I do, however get bored easily - though not with your book, do hard things - that is challenging me. Do you think that some of these books are too old for me, I mean, if you think I’ll enjoy them, I’ll do the hard thing and read them (or at least try :)). I do have a high grade level reading - I love to read biographys, and have ‘made’ my parents buy both sets by Geoff and Janet Benge (which I would highly recommend). I’m not sure if you put those on your list, I kinda just skimmed through it.:)
~ Kaitlyn Kay
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:23 am
What do you think the age groups would be for them? I am 13 and I like to read, especially Christian historical fiction. I do, however get bored easily - though not with your book, do hard things - that is challenging me. Do you think that some of these books are too old for me, I mean, if you think I’ll enjoy them, I’ll do the hard thing and read them (or at least try :)). I do have a high grade level reading - I love to read biographys, and have ‘made’ my parents buy both sets by Geoff and Janet Benge (which I would highly recommend). I’m not sure if you put those on your list, I kinda just skimmed through it.:)
~ Kaitlyn Kay
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:24 am
Sorry about the double post!!
June 4th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Here’s another excellent and thought provoking book to add to the long list.
It is fiction, but there are many applicable and important themes that play out throughout. I found the book to be very convicting and inspiring.
Safely Home by Randy Alcorn
June 6th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Wow I that is a really long list of good books. I just want to see if you guys have read the book “Tilly.” Its really good!!!!!!!! keep up the good work
June 16th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Like I said before- Awesome list!
Just wanted to let y’all know that I wrote a bunch of them down (I have a small spiral notebook in which I write all the books I want :D) and even bought a few when I was at Mardel the other day!
Keep up the great work!
June 18th, 2008 at 5:06 am
Here are two excellent classic you might want to have a look on:
Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners - John Bunyan
Auto biography of John Bunyan, Great insight on how to view sin
Humility - Andrew Murray
Great addon to Humility : True Greatness my CJ M. An perceptive of the late 1800 on humility, simple to read
Thanks for the challenges
June 18th, 2008 at 8:19 am
I have read some of those books they are eye-opening and can change your life!
June 18th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I love the books!
June 21st, 2008 at 2:03 pm
This seems to be a great list of books. I read a lot and will try to find to read some of these. I recommend “Love This” by Andy Braner. It is a wonderful book and has changed the way I see people and interact with them.
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
A book that I would recommend for everyone to read is “The Culturally Savvy Christian” by Dick Staub. The sub-title really gives a great thesis for what the book is about. “A manifesto for deepening faith and enriching popular culture in an age of Christianity-lite.”
June 26th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
In my previous post(s) I asked a question… Anybody can answer it if they know the answer… Thanks!
June 27th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Kaitlyn, I think that you have to decide whether or not to read them yourself. If you start a book and don’t understand or feel that you’re ready to read it then you can always stop reading it. That is what i usually do if I don’t know very mch about a book.
July 1st, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Hey, great books guys. I’ll try to read some of them when the time permits me. I have 4 recommedations. The Name by Franklin Graham, It came from within by Andy Stanley, Shadow of the Alimighty (Jim Elliot’s bio) by Elizabeth Elliot, and Walking from east to west (Ravi Zacharias’ autobio).
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:23 am
THANKS for the great list!
I’d like to also recommend “Revolution in World Missions” by K.P. Yohannan, who started serving the Lord in India at age 16. You can download it or have it shipped to you for free at http://www.gfa.org. It’s amazingly inspirational.
Other books by K.P. Yohannan, like “The Road to Reality”, “Against the Wind” and “Living in the Light of Eternity” are also thought-provoking and challenge us to walk more intimately with Jesus. These and others are also available at http://www.gfa.org.
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Thanks Dani! That’s really good advice! (I probably should have thought about it..)
In a different post Amy suggested the book “Stepping Heavenward”… I’m not sure who will reply to this, but does anybody know if that is the full title of the book? If so, who is the author?
July 4th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Hi Rebelutionaries
I would also highly recommend:
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas
Religious Literacy by Stephan Prothero
Jesus Freaks (volumes I and II) by DC Talk
The Case For Christ by Lee Stroebel
The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancey
What’s so Amazing about Grace also by Phillip Yancey
ANYTHING ever written by C.S. Lewis,
–but particularly The Screwtape Letters, Miracles, and Mere Christianity
likewise, anything by Max Lucado
7 Kinds of Smart by Thomas Armstrong
Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
and, if you enjoyed The Tipping Point, you might also like Blink, which is by the same author, Malcolm Gladwell
July 5th, 2008 at 4:43 am
(and more…)
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (a challenging byt deeply worthwhile read!)
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
The Blessing by Gary Smalley & John Trent
Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand
Your Heritage by J Oris Ledbetter and Kurt Bruner
Raising a Modern-Day Knight by Robert Lewis
Evidence Which Demands a Verdict by Josh MacDowell
Who Moved the Stone by Frank Morison
Basic Christianity by John R W Stott
For an unusual non-Christian point of view, you also might look at
The Year of Living Biblically by A. J. Jacobs
for fiction, try JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy
and anything you can find by George MacDonald,
particularly his “Princess” books- The Princess and the Goblins, the Princess and Curdie-
and his short-story collection, The Gifts of the Child Christ
and some standby Christian classics not to be forgotten:
In His Steps by Charles M Sheldon
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Practicing the Presence of God (alternately titled: The Practice of the Presence of God)
—by Brother Lawrence
The Christian Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith
The Dark Night of the Soul by St John of the Cross
The Interior Castle by St Teresa of Avila
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis
Confessions by St Augustine
July 5th, 2008 at 5:03 am
(oops- last one… really… I hope!…)
Ben Hur by Lew Wallace
Quo Vadis ny Henryk Sienkiewicz
The Robe by Lloyd C Douglas
The Divine Comedy (Inferno, Purgatory, Paradise)
Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained
Hind’s Feet in High Places by Hannah Hurnard
Foxe’s Book of Martyrs by John Foxe
The Greatest Story by Johnston M Cheney and Stanley Ellisen, ThD.
and for the slightly unconventional:
The Singer trilogy (The Singer, The Song, The Finale) by Calvin Miller
and Walter Wangerin Jr’s Book of the Dun Cow
July 9th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Alex and Brett,
My sons and I enjoyed the Dallas conference. Thanks for doing it! Is there an easy way to print out your book list or parts of it without having to copy the text and paste it into a new document? Is there a printer-friendly list available? Having a printed copy might be helpful when “treasure hunting” at a used book store. Thanks.
Wendy
July 12th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Hey guys. I’ve noticed alot of talk about C.S. Lewis. I am currently reading Mere Christianity by him and am amazed at how many times I have read a chapter explaining something about Christianity and I go, “YES! I’ve tried explaining that so many times and haven’t been able to!” His explainations are amazing.
I do have one problem with Lewis, though, that I thought you guys might know something about. In The Last Battle (the last Narnia book) Aslan tells a follower of Tash (the false god) that everything he had done in his life that he attributed to Tash was counted towards Aslan and that he was saved anyway. What do you think about that? I think he is wrong in this obvious analogy of salvation. I don’t think that if someone is generous “in the name of Allah” that it counts for him toward heaven. That goes against the whole “through Jesus” business.
Anyway, I like some of Lewis’s stuff but also have problems with other’s of his.
Alanna
July 13th, 2008 at 7:43 am
Hope it’s okay for an older “kid” (youth worker) to drop a couple of suggestions… just finished “unChristian” from the Barna Group– statistically (and they’re all about the stats) about 70% of believers aged 16-35 fall away from the faith of their youth, especially in college… very challenging, eye-opening read.
The writer with the deepest impact on me is Watchman Nee, especially “Normal Christian Life” and “The Spiritual Man”. Explores deeply the 3 parts that make up man– body, soul and spirit, and drives home how to “walk in the spirit” (compare a life lived in the power of the soul in Romans 7, and a life lived in the power of the Spirit in Romans 8…). Very challenging– very radical. Initially, I wasn’t sure that Watchman Nee wasn’t a heretic, but his truth (well, God’s truth that he effectively explains) won me over. Read “Normal” first– “Spiritual Man” is graduate-level spiritual food, but interestingly enough, was written by Nee when he was quite young (25 or so).
BTW, just got “Do Hard Things”– finished it that next day. I am very impressed (not easy to do). Not just a great message from a couple of “kids”, but a great message that is doubly impressive BECAUSE it was written by a couple of “kids”. I’m going to do all that I can to light a Rebelution where I’m at– “Because the time is short…” SB
IN review:
unChristian- by David Kinnaman (from the Barna Group)
The Normal Christian Life- By Watchman Nee
The Spiritual Man- By Watchman Nee
Do Hard Things- by… By… slips my mind
July 14th, 2008 at 10:55 am
hi- me yet again.
Nearly finished reading Distracted: The Erosion of Attention and the Coming Dark Age, by Maggie Jackson, and I just have to add it to the top of my lsit of HIGHLY recommended books, especially for Rebelutionaries, to read.
July 15th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Thanks for the list!
How about ‘More Than A Carpenter’ by Josh McDowell?
July 16th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I love scary stories… so i think Frank Peretti is an awesome author.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I am about finished with part one of “Do Hard Things” and i love it… i am taking notes and highlighting all of the scripture quoted in the book.
July 17th, 2008 at 8:10 am
You forgot one impotant book to put on you list…..The Bible. ya`lls book is so awesome I`m only 13 and i understand.
July 19th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Your list sounds great I can’t wait to read some of them. The Gifted Sophmores by Terri Blackstock is a wonderfully inspireing 1 Timothy 4:12 type of book if you like Christian fictian.
July 19th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Hello, guys! First of all, I just want to say the the Des Moines conference today was FANTASTIC!!! And also, great book list! I’m an avid reader, and I’m always looking for something wholesome to read. I especially liked the inclusion of “The Dangerous Book for Boys”…even though I’m a girl, I like it. Fun stuff!
I have two books that have changed my life. The first is The Isbane Conspiracy by Randy Alcorn. It’s Christian fiction, and sort of like the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. It is so good that I read it twice….in less than six months. (Context - generally I wait a year or more to re-read a book!)
The second is The Shack by William P. Young. I know that at least one other person posted about it, but it’s worth posting again! I finished the book just yesterday, and let me say, it is powerful. It really helped me understand God better.
Happy reading! God bless!
-Taylor
July 20th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Wow–this looks like a great list! I highly highly recommend “Don’t Waste Your Life” by John Piper–that book has made an impact on my life!
July 20th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Oh–one more book.
I have really been blessed by “The Valley of Vision” by Arthur Bennett. It is a collection of Puritan prayers that are about God, the Trinity, redemption, (plus many more topics) and just all about His awesome attributes. They are VERY enriching and I have been really blessed by this book.
(hmmm…I guess this turned into 2 more books :)) Another book that has really enriched my prayer time is “Praying in the Word of God” by Kathleen G. Grant. It is basically praying Scripture right to God. She takes Scripture and then changes it just enough so that you can pray the Scripture in sentences. (i don’t know–does that make sense?) She covers praise, thanks, intercession, praying for the lost, praying for believers, praying for the church, etc. I have really really benefited from this book.
~Kate D.
July 20th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Hi. I really liked your book and I was at the Des Moines conference. I really enjoyed it, it was alot of fun to watch and be apart of. I loved the part about his first agonizing shower. How exactly do you do that rain thing again?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:46 am
I was told about your book list after I went to your conference. The person who had looked at it said it was long and would be great for me. Since I go through a book a day I find that this list will hopefully be challenging and life-altering to read. I appreciate you letting people know about books you have read or will read because it makes the rest of us who believe that we can grow closer to God if we apply ourselves to reading look less like anti-socialists and nerds. I look forward to reading all of these great books and hope to discuss them with others as well as maybe with you guys.
Thanks ever so much,
The Previously Unchallenged Summer Reader:
Katie
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:48 am
By the way your book was amazing and I can only hope to have God use me in such an awesome way.
Katie
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:18 am
Glad to see such a good reading list. (I’m currently reading Do Hard Things and it has already sparked some interesting conversations!) One book you must read if you haven’t: No Man is an Island by Thomas Merton. My favorite author/book by an incredible person, it travels with me wherever I go. Read it!
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:46 pm
i will absolutley check out these books , right know i am reading Do hard things , and Taming a liger (a napolean dynamite bible study ) i love both books !!!!!!!!!
July 24th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Is this place just for descussing books listed, or is it alright to suggest books we thoght were good that aren’t listed?
July 24th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
you can suggest books Mgan ! i did !
July 24th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I am sooooooo glad you guys reccomend a book on courtship, especially by Joshua Harris!!!
July 27th, 2008 at 11:07 am
hey alex and brett
thank you so much you have made such a difference in my life by the conference you put on in Gathersburg also that book list looks realy interesting God bless you guys and your family
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Some of these books are familiar but many I have never heard of. I definately plan to remedy that. I did not find it on the list but ‘The Naked Truth’ By Lakita Garth is a book that makes you give a genuine double-take on pre-marital sex. Although the book is not centered on christianity, it is certainly a book to look into. By the way I am on page 78 of your book. So far it has made me laugh, cry and it has made me feel like I could go find the cure for cancer. I cannot wait to see what I do at the end!
August 4th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
i have a question:I like to read big book’s on dragons knights dwarves and all the sort.
August 4th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
im sorry i forgot the rest of the question is it bad that i read those books.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Hey James,
Usally those sorts of books contain witchcraft and/or wizardry(sorcery) and we as Christians are supposed to stay away from it. Here is a verse that supports my statement:
Deuteronomy 18:9-14
When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in [a] the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. 13 You must be blameless before the LORD your God.The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.
So, James I do not think it’s the best idea to read these books. In my family, Harry Potter books are banned from the household. Although I don’t think you’re actually practicing it, I would stay away.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
James
I would say that it greatly depends on what sort of ethical worldview is being promoted. Many books dealing with fantasy do promote a New-Age spirituality and philosophy- that truth and morality are dependent on the circumstances, and personal empowerment as the highest good: this is not a biblical worldview. On the other hand, Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and CS Lewis’ Narnia series both dealt heavily in magic and fantasy, and both were very much Christian. (Harry Potter, in my own opinion, falls in between these two extremes, and is comparable to The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, or perhaps Star Wars)
August 7th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Hi, I was wondering If there was any other way to get your book. I would love to read it, but I cant buy stuff through online. P.S. I am all for what you guys are doing, and God Bless, because I tried to bring people to God as well, but it just isn’t working so much. And the list is an amazing list. I am going to check those books out as well!
August 10th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Thank you Alex and Brett for posting this list. I have read many of the books you recommend and have heard of many of them and not read them yet. I also saw some I have not heard of that sound like very good reads.
I was going to mention Stepping Heavenward and someone has already. Its a wonderful read and very encouraging. Since you all are guys this is probably why you do not have it on there. Also I recommend So Much More by the Botkin sisters. Its wonderful!
Again thank you so much for doing what God has called you to do and encouraging a generation that needs it!
August 18th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Hey guys! I noticed that “Unveiling Islam” was on your book list, and I was wondering if you had read “The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (And the Crusades)” by Robert Spencer. The author wisely includes “Muhammad vs. Jesus” sections in which he contrasts parts of the Bible and Koran… I haven’t read much of it yet but I suspect that it is a very good read!
August 19th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Hey all.
Another really good book is Out Of the Depths by David Harrell. It is a survivors story of the sinking of the U.S.S Indianapolis. The author is a firm Christian. Emotionally hard to read, but well worth it. I also highly recommend the Holy Bible, by Elyon, a.k.a. the Lord Almighty, a.k.a. GOD.
In Christ alone,
Jeremy
August 25th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Hi!
My sister and I are listening to ‘Do Hard Things’ right now. It’s challenging and I will admit I needed that right now. Thanks for that!
We also like the booklist that you have, as we have not heard of many titles before. We are planning to read them, though, as we are avid bookworms!
One novel I liked, if novels are Ok is ‘St. Elmo’ by Augusta Jane Evans.
August 25th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Great list! I see some books on there that I’ve heard are really good. I’m reading a book right now called “So Much More” by teenage sisters Anna Sofia Botkin and Elizabeth Botkin. I highly recommend it to any girls out there who are searching for “so much more” fulfillment in their Christian life!
But I’ll have to warn you, if you’re too chicken to hear the truth, this book is not for you, lol. Once again, highly recommended.
And lol on what Jeremy said. The Holy Bible totally tops any other best seller out there!!
August 25th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Oh, I’d like to say another thing. This is for JAMES, and for any one else in the world who has a passion or any amount of love for fantasy, like I do!!
Fantasy is not sinful. Dragons are usually not wrong. It’s just like a painting isn’t sin or a piece of poetry something to stay away from. In fact, fantasy stories can bring glory to God in the most amazing ways…. IF the author decides to make it do so!! Just like any work of art, it’s easy to spoil something beautiful. Some people make pictures of horrible, sinful images that do not bring glory to God. Others make wonderful, God-glorifying artwork. You just have to make sure you choose the right one to look at. It’s the same with poetry. And movies. And singing. And fantasy.
So, it could be wrong to read fantasy… if you’re reading something wrong. Or it could be a wonderful, amusing, even faith-healthy thing to read fantasy. It just depends on which story you’re reading. I won’t go naming all the “bad” works of fantasy out there. I think that’s up for you to decide; which glorifies God and which opposes Him. But I can certainly help you out by giving a small list of Christian fantasy series that I believe glorify Him very much. I’ve even read the blogs of some of the authors, and they love God with a passion. There are many more Christian fantasy stories out there, but these are all I know about so far. I hope this is of help! (And if anyone else out there knows any more books, please continue the list!)
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
The Door Within Trilogy by Wayne Thomas Batson (thedoorwithin.com) (enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com) (TDW is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!)
Dragons in our Midst Series by Bryan Davis (dragonsinourmidst.com)
The Kingdom Series by Chuck Black
The White Lion Chronicles by Christopher Hopper (also highly recommended! although i’ve only read book #1, lol!!) (christopherhopper.blogspot.com)
Those are books I’ve read so far, but I have more on my to-read list…
Swords of Lyric Series by Sharon Hinck (sharonhinck.com)
DragonKeeper Series by Donita K. Paul (donitakpaul.com)
Oracles of Fire Series by Bryan Davis (dragonsinourmidst.com)
The Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathan Rogers (wilderking.com)
Ryann Watters and the King’s Sword by Eric Reinhold (ryannwatters.com)
Echoes from the Edge Series by Bryan Davis
You can google these books, find a lot of them on Amazon, or look for them in most Christian Book Stores. I see them around a lot. There’s a lot of information online too.
Well, that’s honestly just a start! There are many more worth-while fantasy books out there, and more coming. I’m only a teenager, but I’m writing a fantasy novel myself right now and I totally plan on publishing it when I’m finished. I know God has called me to continue writing more fantasy novels after that for the rest of my life… novels that glorify Him. It IS possible for knights and dragons to be Christian topics.
In Christ,
A fellow writer
August 25th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Can you list the books that your father gave you to read that summer that inspired your rebelution to take off? I am just wondering what books were so inspiring.
August 26th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Wow! I am really impressed. Your reading list is a real encouragement.
KidTrek’s vision is to mobilize the church to serve families in crisis so that at-risk kids in America will have the opportunity to grow up and become men of God as you have. So many kids in America have no one to nurture them.
Check out our website http://www.kidtrek.or and blog http://www.whymissionaries.wordpress.com to see the “impossible” vision the Lord has given us to challenge the church to raise up the invisible children of America to become young men and women with your type of rebelloution.
God bless
August 27th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Hi, I think this is all totally - let me repeat that - TOTALLY wonderful. I’m familiar with many of the titles y’all mentioned mostly because one of my parents, or some group of adults, are reading them. Not the best recommendation, so I didn’t think twice about them - until now. I’ve realized recently (what with reading that book, Do Hard THings, and all) that there’s so much out there that I haven’t read, and that I need to read, before it’s too late and the real hard choices of my life are upon me.
So what do people think about books like The Golden Compass? I’ve heard in sort of wishy-washy tones that “it’s not that good”, of course for no reason (though there are times and books that do have good reasons for not reading them/reading with caution). That and many other books that have an anti-christian (at least at first glance) image - should we read those? Should we fill our minds only with good thigs, as the Bible tells us, or should we prepare ourselves for conflict with the sinful nature of this world by reading these “not so good” books alongside ones that are truely beneficial to us? (BTW, The Golden Compass is probably not the best example of that kind of thing, me not having read it, but you get the picture)
Thanks guys!!!
Keep suggesting and, of course, reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kyriana
August 29th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
“One Thing You Can’t Do In Heaven” by Mark Cahill is an incredible book that got me fired up about telling others about God’s good news in Christ. The book is, as Bill Bright puts it, “Filled with fascinating accounts, practical tips, and sobering wisdom on evangelism.” This book leaves you with no excuses (save laziness itself) to not share the gospel. All in all, I recommend this book to any Christian, especially the ones that want to share the gospel with others but are unsure in any way about it.
By the way, thanks for putting up such a list of books, I’ve been interested just recently in committing to read, so thanks for the healthy list of books to choose a couple from.
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:21 pm
If you are interested in reading any Christian fantasy books that are really good, I would recommened a series called, “Oracles of Fire” or “Dragons in our Midst” both written by Bryan Davis. Or a book called “In His Steps” I don’t remember who wrote it.
September 5th, 2008 at 11:05 am
You def have to check out “Irresistible Revolution” by Shane Claiborne…if you have not already (I do not see it on the list)…
His book is how I heard of you!
God bless!
September 8th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Hey,
So glad you guys put business/marketing books on your list! I’ve read the Heath brothers’ book along with both of Malcolm Gladwell’s. I do think that “Blink” was the most interesting out of the three… (and it wasn’t on your list…) Ha ha… I’m just saying…
September 11th, 2008 at 11:12 am
i dont know any of these books, but, i will try and find them, but, i all so think that your guy’s book is quite good so far.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Thanks for the list! I really want to check out the tipping point. I heard it recommended by someone else. For island writer and james (and anyone else), I’m reading some great christian fantasy right now that I highly recommend. It’s a series called The Lost Books Series and it’s by Ted Dekker. It’s especially for teens. The books are:
chosen
infidel
renegade
chaos
lunatic (summer 2009)
elyon (summer 2009)
I also highly highly recommend the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Hobbit.
Amazing books and fantastic movies.
Alex and Brett, I noticed that you didn’t have Mere Christianity on your list and I wanted to recommend it to you and anyone else. I personally love C.S. Lewis, but it just is a really great book and very helpful for me.
Thanks so much for everything you two have done. Your book has really impacted me and is now in my favorites list. Let me just tell you that I’m a voracious reader and I’m really thankful that you posted this list. And that I found the book you wrote. I’m already starting to do my big hard thing.
Thanks,
Molly
September 15th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Wait, one more thing. I just noticed that someone else posted something about ted dekker earlier. the lost books series goes along with the circle trilogy for anyone who cares.
September 17th, 2008 at 12:44 am
Hello! I love the reading list and have read several of the books. But one in particular caught my eye…The Universe Next Door by James W. Sire. I had to read the book in college, and it is truly an amazing book (easy to read) about the various worldviews that exist. It is a handy reference book when relating to people who hold different worldviews. I also wanted to recommend to you another book by James W. Sire, and I think it’s even better than The Universe Next Door. It’s called Habits of the Mind, and it is about being both an intellectual and a Christian. It takes a look at higher education and the practice/spiritual discipline of developing your mind.
Onto other things, I just took on teaching the high school Sunday School class, and I am thinking about using Do Hard Things for it.
Keep up the great things you’re doing!
September 18th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Thanks so much you guys! This really helps me. I am a HUGE bookworm! And I found you book. Its so AWSOME!!! It is helping me soooo much in my life!
September 20th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Kyriana
The Golden Compass and its sequels- Amber Spyglass and Subtle Knife, collectively known as the His Dark Materials trilogy- were the author Philip Pullman’s attempt to do for atheism what CS Lewis’ Narnia series did for Christianity. The books have a strong anti-Catholic bias, and seem (to me, anyway) to get more stridently “preachy” as they go on. I would need to re-read the books to remember specifics of what I didn’t like, but I do remember that the ‘God’ character comes across as a sort of cosmic tyrant who does not even know what he is doing.
You ask a very good question, and I am not sure I have the answer. I think it is important to be able to know and understand where others are coming from, if you want to have meaningful and constructive dialogue with them. Especially I think it is important to actually read/ view a piece before going to critique it (a point which the critics of The Passion of the Christ, on the one hand, and of the Harry Potter books, on the other, have conveniently forgot.). On the other hand,a lot of the stuff out there is just not edifying. Since there are only so many books/movies one can finish in a lifetime- why waste time on junk? I think a good rule of thumb is, if a work becomes really big in popular culture (The DaVinci Code, for example), it is probably worth being familiar with it in order to have an informed opinion.
September 24th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I know there are lots of comments but i wanted to tell you incase you haven’t listed it or even if you haven’t read it “HOW TO RUIN YOUR LIFE BY 40″ By STEVE FARRAR is a awesome book. im 14 and it is great for decisions i need to make latter on. even if im not close to 40.
September 25th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Hey guys! The books that I saw on your list all look really good. In my Sunday school class at my youth group, we went through a book by Rob Bell, the guy that does the Numa Numa videos. The title is Sex God. It’s an amazing book! You guys should really read it. Another good one is Velvet Elvis. It’s by the same guy. I also wanted to let you guys know what an inspiration you guys are. I’m a junior in high school, and have a really busy schedule, but after I got your book, and read about some of the stuff you guys have done, it’s really motivating.
p.s- We’ve moved on from Sex God, and now we are doing your book :). My youth pastor has totally deleted the word teenager from his vocabulary and now refers to us as young adults. He’s using us to organize and run projects that he would usually have the youth staff do.
September 27th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Thank you for the list! I am in a Leadership program at my church and we are required to read a book a month (I’m a book nerd so I have no problems with that requirement), and I haven’t read a lot of these titles so I’m excited about pursuing some of them. Just wondering- have you two read “Blue Like Jazz” by Donald Miller? If not, I highly reccomend it. His style of writing is kind of different, but I really enjoyed what he had to say. Thank you again for the list and everything you’re doing!
Oh and, Sami L- I purchased my copy at the Books A Million in our area, and my mom also ordered a few from the local Christian bookstore to give as graduation gifts. Just a few ideas of where to look.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
wow. thanks for posting this. I don’t have much time for books, but I’m a real bookworm and I always seem to find time. btw–y’all go to PHC, right? I have relatives that go there!!! lol. They’re older than y’all though, so y’all probably don’t know them…
September 29th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Here’s another book that, while not Christian, is certainly a great resource for any teen who wants to grow up to be well, as the cover says: [u]The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens[/u], by Sean Covey. These habits are tried-and-true, having been gathered from the info of lots of important, effective adults. So that’s a great book I definitely recommend to anyone.
Mei-Lin Po -
Thanks for your comments! It’s great to keep that in mind, and your comments on the Golden Compass etc. really do make me want to be more informed on those sorts of books before making widespread claims. I quite agree on comments about Harry Potter and The Passion, most of which resulted from prejudice and misinformation.
Thanks again for this great list!!
In Christ,
Kyriana
September 30th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Alex and Brett,
Is your brother’s book “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” the kind of book that even someone who has already decided not to date should still read?
God bless!
Sarah.
October 3rd, 2008 at 6:00 am
Nice list! Have you guys read ” Of Knights and Fair Maidens”? I’m reading it now, and it’s really good. I’m probably going to read ” The Universe Next Door” pretty soon. My brother suggested it last year.
Sarah, I read ” I Kissed Dating Goodbye” a few months ago. Even though you don’t date, ( which was my case too) I would still read the book. It answered a lot of questions for me. Before, even though I didn’t want to date, it was still more of my parent’s desicion for me. Now, I have answers to those ” Why don’t you date?” questions.
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:40 am
:chuckles: Wow if you two would really read all the books that people have suggested you would be reading for the rest of your life. Ok maybe not that long but close.
Great List. I’m gonna have to check into some of them. I work in a Christian Bookstore so I’ll see if we can get any of these in here. I know we have a few of them already!
God Bless as you seek His Face!
–
Melodie
October 3rd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I was so excited to see the booklist and all the interesting comments on it! I love reading, and it’s great to know that lots of other people enjoy reading, too. I honestly don’t know many people who like reading, especially truly worthwhile reading, so it was really encouraging to see this!
I just finished reading your book, Do Hard Things and it really encouraged me also, and challenged me! I also have a few suggestions of some good books: The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey, What if Jesus Had Never Been Born by D. James Kennedy, Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis, The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson, and 23 minutes in Hell by Bill Weise. Looking forward to checking out some of the books on your list.
God bless you guys and keep letting God use you to accomplish things for His kingdon!!
~ Roni Jo
October 6th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Hey I don’t know if anyone has said anything about this book, but “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan (The pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Southern California and the speaker in the “Just Stop and Think” video.) He wrote this book earlier this year and his church (where I attend) got to be the first ones to read it. And I have to say it changed my life. Its an amazing book. You guys should definitely check it out.
http://www.crazylovebook.com/
October 8th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Arielle,
Thanks. I am definatley going to get this book! It was also good to know that there are other girls like me that aren’t going to date. Most of the people I know think I am crazy not to date and I really want to give them some good reasons why I don’t.
Thanks again and God bless!
Sarah.
October 9th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Sarah,
No problem. It’s sad watching all these girls date and giving bits of their hearts away before they’re even 16. It’s really rare to find girls who are committed not to date. Enjoy the book!
Arielle
October 10th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Arielle,
It is horrible to see girls giving pieces of their hearts away and what is even worse is that they don’t realize how dangerous it is or how it will effect their lives.
Have you read Sarah Mally’s book “Before you meet Prince Charming”? If not, you should. It is truly a wonderful book! All young girls(and women) need to read it.
By the way, I just love your name! It’s so pretty!
God bless!
Sarah.
October 11th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Guys, I see a lot of you mentioned C. S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity. For those who read it, you come back to it again and again because it’s just packed with stuff. However, I’d also like to recommend The Problems of Pain and The Great Divorce. The Problems of Pain goes into one of the toughest questions all Christians have to ask, “Why do people suffer?” The Great Divorce is a story. Unlike his other fictions, he taps into the traditions of Milton, Blake and Dante. It is a modern tale of Hell and Heaven. A great book.
October 13th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Wow. That’s a lot of books. I would have to agree with Arnold though. The Great Divorce is a awesome book by C.S. Lewis. Getting Things Done looks like an interesting book. I’ll have to check it out.
October 13th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Hey I’m a 16 year old girl and I haven’t really read to much non-fiction much to my down fall, and I think the only one on your list that I have read is “Ikissed dating goodebye”.
I was just wondering what would be a good book to start with.
October 14th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Sarah
I haven’t read that book, but I’ll be sure to look it up this week. Thanks for the title. I’m always looking for new books.
Thank you!
Arielle
October 14th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Arielle,
I forget to mention one thing about “Before you meet Prince Charming”. The begining of each chapter has a little story and it may seem “little kiddish” but just keep reading it and it will get better. Enjoy!
God bless!
Sarah.
October 15th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Another book suggestion for anyone is The Slumber of Christianity: Awakening a Passion for heaven on earth by Ted Dekker. Ted Dekker is one of my all time favorite authors, and I love this book.
Sarah,
I looked it up and saw something about fairy tales or something last night. I was going to ask you about it. Thanks for the heads up!
October 16th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I just want to say that I am quite impressed by this reading list, and I will definitely try to read some of these books. Quite honestly, I LOVE to read, anything from Jules Verne’s classics to Ted Dekker’s suspense, and I know I should try to read more Christian books that will challenge me in my walk with the Lord. I have read “I Kissed Dating Goodbye”, “Boy Meets Girl”, and “Sex Is Not the Problem, Lust Is”, and I have to say they have made a wonderful impact on my life. I’ve always grown up in a “courtship family”, but the lack of other teens/young adults that were commited to courtship was a discouragement. These books challenged my views on purity and relationships and were a great encouragement. I am so grateful for these books, as well as your book “Do Hard THings.” It is totally AWESOME!!!! It has challenged my faith in a new way and changed me view of the teen years. Thanks soooo much for writing it and for being “rebelutionaries”! This website is also a great encouragement to me. Keep up the good work! God Bless!
October 17th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Hey Susanna! I haven’t read too much non-fiction either. A book that I’m reading right now, that is on their list, is The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. It’s very interesting and I highly recommend it. It isn’t Christian, but I think it’s a good place to start. Another one is Mere Christianity. So many people have mentioned it ( I actually think I might have before!) and it really is good. Hope this helps!
Molly
October 17th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Arielle,
You’re welcome!
) I’ll will let you know what I think of it. Sounds good though!
As I am writing this comment, I am also trying to get my computer to load Ted Dekker’s site to look up his book. When it finally does (if it does
Allison Taylor,
Hey, I know what you mean! I too am growing up in a “courtship family” and I don’t know anyone who is commited to courtship! It’s SO frustrating!
God bless!
Sarah.
October 21st, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I plan to start reading many books on your list. Thank you so much for having something like this so that teens like me have a list of books that I know will be helpful in my christian walk. I have read your book “DO HARD THINGS” and I think it is fantastic! It has given me a lot of insight to what the teen years are all about. You talk a lot about heroes and you guys are two of mine. Thanks so much!!!
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:04 am
By the way, do you two recomend any in particular for a 14 year old??? I wasn’t sure if some were geared more for older teens or not. I’m planning on reading the book titled The AP Guide to Newswriting by Rene J. Cappon because I hope to one day be a writer.
October 24th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Arielle,
Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I was sick fo a while and then my mom said I was getting behind in my schoolwork so… there was no time for Rebelution.
. But anyway, I went to Ted Dekker’s site and read about his book. I looks absolutly great! I am going to put it on my Christmas list! Thank you!
Leah Lebo,
I have not read all of the books on this list but even if they are rather old for you, (I too am only 14) you could still read them. It’s a Hard Thing and it will build your brain muscles!
If you want some recomendations for fiction books I could give you some. But as to non-fiction I only know a few. Mostly girl character builders.
God bless!
Sarah.
October 25th, 2008 at 7:36 am
Sarah-
I got Before You Meet Prince Charming in the mail the other day. I read the first two chapters and I like it so far.
October 25th, 2008 at 7:59 am
has anyone read “Men to Boys”, by Gary Cross- about the development of the modern (male) ‘kidult’- what Cross calls the “boy-man”? Since this is hardly an exclusively masculine phenomenon, I could wish that the author had included more about the experiences of women trapped in girlhood, but nonetheless it is a good book with an intriguing premise.
October 26th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
One of the most inspiring books I have ever read in my life, I just finished. It’s small. It’s called “Five Who Changed The World”. Its by Danny Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. It is wonderful. I also have a huge list of books to read, one being “Wild Goose Chase”, my youth pastor said its one of the greatest books he has ever read and he is one of those people that devours books for breakfast along with the Bible if you know what I mean. He has a few small libraries of his own.
October 27th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Arielle,
Great!
Sarah.
October 27th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Oops! Forgot I also wanted to say: “Make sure you tell me what you thought of it when you are finished!”
God bless!
Sarah.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Arielle,
Another question about “I kissed dating goodbye”. Does it also talk about what to do instead of dating (i.e. courtship)? Because whenever I tell someone that I am not going to date they always ask me “How are you ever going to get married if you don’t?”
By the way, am I bugging you? I mean by asking all these questions and writing you all these comments. If I am just say so and I’ll stop.
God bless!
Sarah.
October 30th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Sarah,
I need to go back through the book and take notes. My brother married the first girl he ever courted. He got to know her through a group setting. Just a bunch of friends who hung out together on a regular basis at college. After a few months of getting to know each other in the group setting, my brother asked her dad for permission to pursue a relationship with his daughter, and now they’re married. Basically, just pursue good, solid friendships in groups of guys and girls. It sounds like we’re the same age, so I can’t really give you any personal advice. I tend to hang around people who don’t date, so I don’t get asked that question very often.
No, you’re not bugging me! I’d love to answer any questions you may have, though I think there are probably people who could answer them better than I could.
Arielle
November 1st, 2008 at 10:32 am
Hey guys!
I was just reading your comments on dating and courting and I wanted to share about a show I’ve been watching. The show is on TLC and is called “17 Kids and Counting.” It’s about this family that has 17 kids who don’t believe in dating, only courting. Recently there was an episode where the oldest proposed to this girl he had been courting and it was just really inspirational to watch. They were both so happy because they had saved themselves for each other. I found that it gave me so much confidence in what I believe and that it was just another boost to keep me going in staying strong for God. If you ever get the chance to watch some of their episodes, they are really good!! The repeats of the engagement are on tonight if you want to watch them. Good luck with everything!!
In Him^ always,
Melissa
p.s. Has anyone ever read the book “Lies Young Women Believe?” I’ve been thinking about reading it for a while and just wanted to hear some feedback.
November 1st, 2008 at 10:56 am
Hey, Great list! I suggest reading God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew. It’s an amazing book about brother Andrews life smuggling bibles into other countries.
November 1st, 2008 at 3:56 pm
wow long list i suggest any of john pipers books my dad is a good friend of his
November 3rd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
One book I noticed wasn’t on the list was Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost For His Highest. This book has been a great inspiration to me and is full of ideas for sermons.
November 3rd, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Arielle,
That is so sweet about your brother! I always think it is so wonderful when someone gets married to the first person they ever court. I just love hearing love stories anyway :)!
You know, one thing I like about the internet is that you can act as old as you want. So I hate to say this, but I am only 14 years old (I’ll be 15 in a few months). Are you much older?
You said you tend to hang around with people who don’t date. How do you even find people like that? I probably only know one girl and one guy who agree with my family on this issue.
I am so glad you are not being bugged by my silly questions and comments. It has been a lot of fun talking to you and you have given me a lot of helpful information. And I don’t think anyone could have answered my questions better than you. Thanks again!
God bless!
Sarah.
November 4th, 2008 at 5:43 am
Another book suggestion. An Arrow Pointing to Heaven ( I can’t remember the author) but it’s a devotional biography about Rich Mullins. For those of you who don’t know who Rich Mullins was, he wrote the song Awesome God and Sometimes by Step.
Sarah,
I’m not older than you. : )
Most of my friends are homeschoolers with the same values as our family. I do have some friends who go to public school or private school and don’t date. The people I hang out with are all from church or a Bible study one of my friends started. I hang out mostly with girls but I do have few guy friends from the Bible study.
Your questions were not silly. I enjoyed talking to you also!
Arielle
November 6th, 2008 at 1:15 am
The Bible. A really great book (because this it is God breathed.) this is Gods word for us, it is God speaking to us, this the best book because through DEVOTION and study He will give us understanding, not only of the scripture itself but the understanding of your spiritual walk with God. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness, and all these thing shall be added to you.” Paul writes in 2 timothy 2:7 “Consider what I say, and may the lord give you understanding in all things.”
so give the bible a read and plenty of prayer, because Gods individual plan for us is amazing, so get into what God is saying doing and planning to do in your life. thats how far prayer and the Bible combo go.
November 6th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Thanks so much!!! I also recommend Evolution Exposed, a publication of Apologia Ministries.
November 10th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Arielle,
I know it is not very wise to put information about yourself on the internet (I am questioning if I should have even put my age) but I am curious as to what denomination your church is. Because at my church very few kids are Home schooled and most of them think my family is crazy to choose it instead of public or private school.
By the way, did you know that in Rich Mullin’s song “Our God is an awsome God” he used a double negative in the second verse? It says “And it wasn’t for no reason that he shed his blood”. It just has always bugged me. The rest of the words are great though.
It’s funny you should mention the song. I heard it this morning on the radio.
God bless!
Sarah.
November 11th, 2008 at 6:19 am
Sarah,
My church is baptist. There aren’t very many homeschoolers at my church either, but I’m friends with practically all of them. : )
I am very aware of it, though I get tongue tied every time I sing it. I need to listen to more Rich Mullin’s. Any time I listen to him though, I spend half an hour trying to figure it out on the piano. The book I have is a little more advanced than I am so it takes me a while just to be able to play a verse decently.
Arielle
November 12th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Aelx and Brett,
I have a qustion, do you have a book that would be good for a 4th grader? You guys must L-O-V-E the LORD if you read all those books!
I LOVE the LORD that I want to learn more about HIM. So I would like to know if there is a book for me to learn more about him. Please let me know what book store or store so I can get it. You know the song ” Our God Is An Awesome God” I don’t get when he says ”And It Wasn’t For No Reason That He Shed His Blood”. Can you tell me what that means?
God bless!
Rebecca
November 15th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Arielle,
I don’t know why, but I guessed you went to a baptist. My mom went to one for quite a few years when she was younger, but we go to a Calvalry Chapel now. I like it very much, but sometimes I think they should have some limits on what people wear. Some of the teens will come in wearing, shall I say, a little less than modest clothing?
I bought another copy of “Do hard things” for our youth group leader (even though I don’t go to the youth group). But could you do me a favor and pray that he will read it to the youth and they will begin to do hard things for Christ? I am supposed to talk to him about it tomorrow.
BTW, I forgot to mention in my last comment that I was so shocked to find out that you are younger than me!
God bless!
Sarah.
November 15th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Oops! I fogot to tell you one more thing. If I don’t answer you quickly next time it is because my mom is going to put me on “a rebelution diet” as she calls it :(.
Melissa C.,
Is the show you were talking about that is on TLC about the real Dugger family? Because the only thing I could find out about it is that it is about a family named Dugger.
God bless!
Sarah.
November 17th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Thanks for the booklist, guys! It is incredibly helpful to me right now. Oh, I read your brother Josh’s book “Boy Meets Girl” a couple of weeks ago. That was THE best thing about Christian courtship that I have ever read! Again, thanks for the booklist!
November 18th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Sarah,
You can find less than modest clothes at my church too. I’m hoping our youth pastor will do a good lesson on modesty, though it seems to point more to girls than boys.
I’m praying! I actually haven’t read the book yet. We got the DVD but it got scratched before it made it to my room. : )
I kind of get used to that. Even at my church, people guess I’m about 2-3 years older than I actually am.
Haha. My mom will probably start doing that too.
Arielle
November 19th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
If you guys are up for the challenge, I recommend ” Radical Reformations” by Mark Driscol.
November 21st, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Arielle,
Do you mean you have never read or listened to “Do hard things” all the way through? How can you live without it! :)! You should get another copy now! :)! I have read it about four or five times and I have only had it for less than a year! My brothers say I talk about it and quote it WAY to often.
Oh, and keep praying. I wasn’t able to talk to the youth leader last Sunday but I am hoping I can this week.
God bless!
Sarah.
November 22nd, 2008 at 7:10 am
Sarah,
Yes, sadly. I’m hoping to do that. I’ll probably get copies for a Bible study I go to also.
I will!
Arielle
November 23rd, 2008 at 9:18 am
Sarah,
I just double checked and yes the Duggar family on the tv show is the actual Duggar family. It hasn’t been on the past couple weeks but I think they should be back on soon!
Melissa
November 28th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Arielle,
I’m SO frustrated! Our youth leader has not even started the book! It’s not because he doesn’t want to though, he says it’s just because he is too busy. Grrrrgh! At least his wife is reading it and she says she likes it very much. But whether they will share it with the youth is another thing. Keep praying they will.
Out of curiosity (and because we mentioned modesty in one of our earlier comments) do you think that in order to be modest a girl should wear only dresses? Just wondering your oppinion.
P.S. Are you a part of the forum?
Melissa C.,
Thank you so much for telling me! But do you know if there is a way I could see it on the internet? My family and I got rid of TV when I was little so I can’t see it there. Thanks again!
God bless!
Sarah.
November 29th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Sarah,
I will continue to pray!
I don’t personally think modesty means only wearing dresses. For me, I really look at neck lines and tightness. I also think that modesty has a lot to do with the heart and if your trying to dress for attention. Do you find it difficult to find modest clothes?
No, I am not part of the forum, but I’ll look into it.
Arielle
December 1st, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I really enjoyed reading “Do Hard Things.” I just could not stop reading the book. Now I am reading “Don’t Wast Your Life” by John Piper. It is really a good and interesting book. I am trying to get all the books that are on the list so I can read them all, because I love to read and ONLY read Christain books.
December 1st, 2008 at 6:57 pm
For all old-fashioned fiction lovers,
I strongly recommend “Ishmael” and “Self raised” by E.D.E.N. Southworth. The main character, Ishmael, is a perfect rebelutionary. He is constantly doing hard things despite strong opposition. Also, by E.D.E.N. Southworth is the book “The hidden hand” about a young (and very feisty) Christian girl. She is not the best role model but does have some qualities in character that I would like to imitate.
Arielle,
I agree! While I like wearing dresses occasionally (I love being a lady :)) I don’t think it is the only way to be modest.
For me finding modest tops is usually pretty easy but finding pants is SOO hard. Especially with the new style that is extremely tight all throughout the leg. I am very tall and relatively thin so it is very difficult to find pants that are small enough in the waist and yet lose in the back and leg. My mom and I will sometimes spend hours shopping for just one pair of pants. My mom always says she wants me to dress fashionably and modestly but without looking like a throw-back to another century :). Is finding modest clothes hard for you?
I am not a member of the forum either. It sounds very interesting though and I intened to submit my application sometime soon. I hope they accept me! If you ever join make sure you let me know!
God bless!
Sarah,
December 2nd, 2008 at 6:01 am
Sarah,
Dressing modestly is hard for me also. Pants are fairly easy except for the fact that girls my size also like to wear the skinny jeans. Ugh. Shirts are the hardest because I’m in between so many different sizes depending on a shirt. Plus, most of the time I have to layer. So, yes, it can be very difficult. May I ask what stores you prefer shopping at?
Arielle
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Arielle,
I am glad you think skinny jeans are “ugh” :). I think they are not only immodest but also totally unflattering to a girl. I like my pants to be boot cut and very loose in the leg.
I tend to find a lot of my shirts in clearance racks at J.C. Penny’s, Walmart, Target, and Burlington coat factory. A girl once told me “you just have to look at what’s NOT on display with big flashy signs, etc. The more modest stuff is usually on the sale racks, in the misses dept., or just on a rack with no signs at all.” I’ve found she’s right. I also tend to get some of my special occasion dresses from Chadwick’s. But they are a little expensive :(.
Could you do me a favor? It may not make any sense but, look above this comment where it says the date and time. What time does it say I posted it?
God bless!
Sarah.
December 4th, 2008 at 6:03 am
Sarah,
Same here. I prefer straight leg with plenty of room.
I tried J.C. Penny’s junior section and have never found anything modest. I do love Walmart’s stuff. I always hit the sale racks first. Can you believe girls will be wearing those little shirts in 30 degree weather?
It says 6:57PM on your last comment.. Or do you mean mine? I was not on at 6:00am I was in bed.
Arielle
December 4th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Hey girls, let’s try to stay on topic.
December 5th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Hey Alex and Brett! Thats a great booklist. I actually printed out a copy of it and am planning on reading all of these books. I love reading and I am always in need of new ones to read. So thanks. Question Have you guys ever read the book The Shack by William P. Young? I am getting ready to read it on the recommendation of my twin sister and she said it is an amazing book. You guys should check it out if you havent read it!
December 5th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Arielle,
I knew this would happen soon. If it’s alright with you, could we give eachother our email adresses or could you tell me of some other place where we could talk? Or would you rather just drop it? Please tell me what you truly want.
Alex,
I’m sorry! It was all my fault. It seems all I really do on the rebelution is cause problems :(. I’m so sorry.
Humbly,
Sarah.
December 6th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Wow, what wealth! Ive read a few of these and am about to start a new one from here.
An other must read is *Always Ready* by Greg Bahnson. My brother is working on that one in a seminary class and he assigned it for me to read as well. Passionately written by a man with an uncompromising stance against the “requirement” for neutrality in science and other scholarly fields, it is a necessary preparation to “… be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
One other thing I would like to mention… One of our Elders at out church gave a strong warning against The Shack. The “analogy” in it gives a very perverted picture of God. I don’t remember all he said about it, but based on his description, I decided it would not be a book I would read. (and I read almost anything I can get my hands on *iff* it is of any worth.)
Thank you guys for the great list!!
December 8th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Have you read any Frank Peretti?
December 9th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Sarah,
If it’s possible to exchange them through Alex and Brett, I don’t have a problem with it.
I was talking just as much as you were!
Alex,
I am also very sorry.
Ceira,
The Shack is an excellent book and I highly recommend it. The problem is, people don’t read it like the Fiction book that it is. They think they’re suppossed to believe that God is exactly like the people in the book. It is meant to be purely fiction.
Arielle
December 9th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Soccer Freak,
I just recently read Monster by Frank Peretti and highly recommend it. I was actually just coming over here to ask if they have read any Frank Peretti but you got that covered.
*waits to see if Alex and Brett have read any Frank Peretti books*
December 10th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
These are some good books that I’ve read recently:
Winning the Invisible War by E.M. Bounds
Francis Schaeffer by Colin Dureiez
Why We’re Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be) by Kevin Deyoung and Ted Kluck
December 10th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Oops, that was meant to be Colin Duriez. Sorry about that!
December 12th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Even if “The Shack” is fiction, it shouldn’t be read if it gives a wrong view or portayal of God.
December 14th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Jordan,
I don’t think it gives a “wrong” portrayal of God. Maybe different than the picture you see in kid Bibles, but not wrong. That’s just my thought on it though.
December 14th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Here are two good reviews on “The Shack”:
http://www.amazon.com/review/R181CNPBRQWDTY/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm
http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic_pdf.php?topic_id=25484&forum=34
December 15th, 2008 at 7:10 am
Jordan,
I do agree with some of the things mentioned in those reviews, but not everything. I read it as a fiction book and I never had the time to compare it to Scripture. If I had the time, I would. Unfortunately, I didn’t find anything in the book that fed me spiritually, but that happens from time to time.
December 15th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I know many kids have already recomended “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis but I also have to recomend it. Every Christian needs to read it!
Arielle,
I was hoping to give you an old email address that my dad doesn’t use but he said he would make me my own address. That sounds good but, knowing my dad it might take a while. So I’ll let you know when it’s ready. But when it is up how could we exchange it through Alex and Brett? Hope you have an idea.
I hope you and Jordan don’t mind, but I read the reviews on “The Shack”. I have never read it so if I get someting wrong just go ahead and correct me. I understand that this book was meant to be purely fiction, but what if a non-christian got a hold of it? It would give them the wrong idea of what God is like and they wouldn’t know the difference. I hope you agree.
God bless!
Sarah.
December 16th, 2008 at 9:59 am
“I understand that this book was meant to be purely fiction, but what if a non-christian got a hold of it? It would give them the wrong idea of what God is like and they wouldn’t know the difference.”
Really good point!
December 16th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I’m planning on getting Mere Christianity from the library, it looks really good!
Sarah,
That is a good point.. I probably should of thought about the book more than I did. I rushed through it and you two have made some good points about it.
About the email address, I know what you mean.. We would both give our emails to Alex or Brett and they would exchange them for us so we don’t have to post them for all to see. That is if they don’t mind doing it. : )
Arielle
December 16th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
“What I wish I’d Known in High School,” by John Bytheway. Great read. There’s also a couple other books to sequel them.
December 17th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Hey Alex,
I looked over your book list and recognized a lot of them! The books I didn’t know look really good. I’ll have to try them out.
A book that I’m just finishing up is called, “Justification and Regeneration” by Charles Leiter which I highly recommend. It is written simple and clear and really helped me out.
December 17th, 2008 at 9:27 am
A book I am finishing up right now is called “One Perfect Day” by Lauraine Snelling. I highly recommend it. It will make you laugh, and it will make you cry. I love it!!
December 18th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I am reading a book called Boo Hiss. It is a Christian fiction book as part of a series.
December 19th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Arielle,
If you really like fiction go to http://www.lamplighterpublishing.com. Their books are generally all old-fashioned literature (as I like it :)) but the morals are excellent and the stories are wonderful! Some will make you cry, some will make you laugh, and others will leave you on the edge of you seat with suspense!
Also, I am glad you agreed with my point :). But I want you to know that I am not saying “Oh, you should never read that book!”. I am merely wishing to point out the fact that a book which gives the wrong impression of God can be very harmful to unbelievers.
Jordan,
I’m glad you agreed too!
By the way, I checked out your blog and just wanted to say how glad I am that there are some teens out there that take the time to remember those pursecuted churches in our world today. Keep it up!
God bless!
Sarah.
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:38 pm
I’m new at this, but I agree. Lamplighter books are really good. Their books are not shallow. They have a special series called “The Rare Collector Series”. One of them,The Printer of Udell, was President Reagan’s favorite book. It was really good about hobo’s road to God.
Also I would like to suggest Jerry Bridges’ “The Holiness of God” and “Respectable Sins”.
a Sister in Christ, Kate
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:23 am
Thanks so much for this book list. I am 20 years old and until I entered college, I did not like to read much. I am nearly finished with “Do Hard Things.” I am recommending that book to everyone I know. Also, in challenging parents to encourage this Rebelution as well, a book that would help them is “Raising the Bar.” Also, another recommendation would be “Join the Movement: God is Calling Us to Change the World.” Both these titles are by Alvin Reid. Continue brothers.
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:02 am
Sarah and Katherine,
I agree. I love those books so much! We own a few of them and I’m pretty sure we’re going to get some more.
Arielle
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Sarah,
Thanks for the encouragement. I really appreciate it!
December 26th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Sarah,
Thanks!
Which ones would you suggest?
I have read many of them, but there are still alot to go!
Another good piece of “old fashioned literature” is Ben-Hur by General Lew Wallace.
Do you know of any good books on Church History?
December 29th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Katherine,
This will probably shock you, but I have read every Lamplighter book! Some of them I read several years ago though.
Here are my favorites:
“Hedge of thorns.”
“Ishmael”, “Self raised.”
“Prisoners of the sea.”
“The hidden hand” is my absolute favorite.
“Buried in the snow.”
“House of love.”
“Tomorrow” drives me crazy! If you have already read it you probably know why.
“The wrestler of Philippi.”
“A peep behind the scenes” is a really good one for people who want to be actors or singers. Like me!
“Mary Jones and her bible.”
“The highland chairman/Hans the crucified” is two books in one. I don’t remember the first one very well, but the second is SOO good.
“Fire in the sky.”
“The three weavers” my mom and I are making a play out of.
“Willie’s trunk.” The movie “The ultimate gift” was based on this.
“Nobody loves me” has always touched my heart because I have a passion for old and lonely people.
“The basket of flowers.”
“The lost clue.”
To name a few.
My dad is a pastor, so I think we have some good books on church history, but I have to ask him for his suggestions before I recommend some to you.
God bless!
Sarah.
P.S. I love “Ben-Hur”! Have you seen the movie?
January 1st, 2009 at 3:56 pm
I have read about half of your list. I love the Hidden Hand, Ishmael, and Self Raised, but my favorite of the classic Lamplighters is the Three Weavers. Thanks!
My dad is also a pastor and he suggested Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley, but I’m always looking for more… Thank you! Yes I have seen Ben-Hur. It is so good!
God Bless!
a sister in Christ,
Kate
January 1st, 2009 at 4:42 pm
I noticed alot of people admired CS Lewis’ books, but the one that I want to read the most and was said to be one of his best was A Grief Observed. It is about how Lewis coped with the death of his wife. His perspective on grieving. Kate
January 1st, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Arielle,
I got “I kissed dating goodbye” and “The slumber of Christianity” on Christmas! They are both really good! That is, what I have read of them so far. Thanks for the suggestion!
I’m so sorry that the whole e-mail thing has been taking so long. I’m still trying to get my dad to make it but I don’t want to bug him. He has a lot to do right now. Sorry!
God bless!
Sarah.
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:22 am
Hi Alex and Brett,
I got “Father Brown” by G.K. Chesterton for Christmas because you guys recommended it. It’s really making me streach my thinking and I’m finding myself staying up later and later at night reading it. Thanks for suggesting we read it!
January 3rd, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Hey Alex and Brett,
Thanks for sharing your faves. I saw some books that I recognized, but I saw lots of new
“faces”. I definitley recommend any Francis Schaeffer, and my little brother read(and reads) The Dangerous Book for Boys. He’s in love with it. I’m only 13, so I havn’t read any F. Schaeffer books yet (I’m basing my opinion on my mom’s ranting and ravings.She’s a very good book critic) but I’m going to start reading one in a couple of months probably. I’m a pastor’s daughter and, I like anything about worldveiw, theology, etc., and I think i’m going to check into the book called Pro-life answers to Pro choice arguments. I was also adopted so I have a heart for Pro-life issues, realizing that my birth mother chose life for me.
A sister in Jesus,
Lily Margaret Baker
Charlotte, NC
January 6th, 2009 at 11:28 am
hey I was wondering if you guys could make a list of ones you have written? I know “Do Hard Things” I’m reading that right now but do you have more?
January 10th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Hey! I just wanted to say that I have a friend reading your book and she is really loving it. I heard about yall through one of my best buds and I am so excited about reading your book! It is so great that yall have this massive list of great books to read.. I have been searching for a while…Keep it up! Oh, “Same Kind of Different As Me” should be added to your list if it isn’t on there!
January 13th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Recommend The Pursuit of God by A.W.Tozer. It is very thought provoking.
January 14th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Anybody there?
Philip
January 14th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
I recommend reading 90 Minutes in Heaven by John Piper. It’s an amazing book. And will reassure anybody with second thoughts about heaven!
raee
January 16th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Wow really helpful!
I was running out of good books to read.
All the books by Joshua Harris are really good by the way. I read I Kissed Dating Goodbye for the first time when I was 12. lol
I see a few on here that will be on going on my “need to read” booklist
Keep up the good work!
January 16th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
I just finished a book that has me totally amazed. It’s called, “Siberian Miracle” and it’s about how some persecuted Christians did hard things for God in the USSR. I was stunned to see the bravery these young people were in standing up to the KGB. It really was about doing hard things. I would encourage everyone to read it! You can find it by clicking on the following link: http://www.amazon.com/Siberian-Miracle-Peter-Bruijne/dp/0551025794/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232148658&sr=1-1
January 16th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
I am about to read Peace Like A River, by: Leif Enger.
January 20th, 2009 at 7:52 am
raee,
do you mean Don Piper?
January 21st, 2009 at 7:47 am
I just read a great fiction book, Riven by Jerry B. Jenkins. Regardless whether you are a fan or not of the Left Behind books (in the interest of full disclosure I only read the first) this is a MUST READ. The first 3/4 of the book just read like a Christian novel- while good, not a lot stood out as outstanding to me. But the last part- wow. I was in tears at the end of the book. (and stayed up past midnight to finish it!) I highly recommend it as a thought-provoking book.
I’m a girl who loves books, and also speedreads, though not intentionally, so I’m always on the lookout for more good reads!
Love the rest of the list BTW!
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:18 am
Cara- I started reading Riven but never finished it. I’ll have to go through it again!
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:39 pm
My family and I are going through an absolutly awsome book called “Talking with God” by Andrew Murray. I highly recommend it!
Arielle,
Finally! The e-mail adress is set up! But I don’t think we should try and exchange it through Alex and Brett. I just joined the rebelution forum though, and if you could join it too, then we could private message eachother and exchange the e-mails. Just go to the top of the page where it says “The Forums” and fill out the application. I really hope you are accepted! If you have changed your mind about the e-mails though, just let me know. I’ll understand.
God bless!
Sarah.
January 27th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
the ultimate gift The Best-Selling Novel by author Jim Stovall is a great book to read one of my favorites that and do hard things thanks nathan
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:02 pm
I got Don’t Waste Your Life (by: John Piper) for Christmas. It was great!
A good book for young women to read is So much more by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin. It is an inspiring book!
Stephanie D.
February 7th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
An awesome book for girls (and guys too, my brothers have read it)
is Created to be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl…
February 7th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Where can I find these books? Many of them are not at my library, local bookstore, or church library.
I read “Do Hard Things” and it really encouraged me. My siblings and I really appreciate what you guys are doing! Keep up the good work!
February 9th, 2009 at 11:05 am
You might try Amazon or CBD(Christian Book Distributors)
February 9th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
the Dream Giver is amazin too for anyone confused about what GOD wants them to do with their life.
February 10th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Thanks, Catherine, I will
February 17th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Hey guys! Just want to commend you for standing up to whats right. The world needs men like you. Thanks for this site. Keep seeking God. He has great plans for you! Here is a site for you to check out–passion613.org. A very good thing for everyone! Stay strong for God! Thanks-Sharon Good
February 21st, 2009 at 9:42 am
Sorry, Katherine… I misspelled your name… lol
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:35 pm
I would like to recommend The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis. It gave me a whole new view on spiritual warfare. It expanded my vocabulary too!
God bless you!!!
Dana
February 27th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Hey guys, We have “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” by Joshua Harris. I haven’t read it yet, but I heard it’s really, really good. And my brother and I got “Do Hard Things” for our birthday. It was really good. I loved it. Keep up the good work.
God bless you guys in all that you do!!!
Jacob
March 2nd, 2009 at 5:57 pm
I got “Do Hard Things” a couple weeks ago. I finished it the next day and I’m reading it again. I loved it!
March 7th, 2009 at 2:30 am
Some books i recommend are: “I don’t have enough faith to be an Atheist” by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek, “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis, “True for you but not for me” by Paul Copan, “Love your God with all your mind” (or “Smart Faith” for teens) by J.P. Moreland, “The Case for Faith” and “The Case for Christ” and “The Case for a Creator” by Lee Strobel, “Spiritual disciplines for the Christian life” by Donald S. Whitney, “From God to us” By Norman Geisler, and “Why Pro-Life?” By Randy Alcorn….Can’t think of anymore but there are many books to read!
March 14th, 2009 at 9:11 am
What have you been reading lately?
March 16th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
“Epic” by John Eldridge is a great book because it puts God’s story for our lives into perspective. I would HIGHLY recommend it, even to those of us who don’t like reading cause it’s one of the shortest books I’ve ever read. The length doesn’t take away from the truth of it though.
Thanks Alex and Brett, for the book list. I’ll get my hands on a copy of your book asap- sounds interesting and it’s written by God-driven youth so why shouldn’t it be?
We as teens should take the time to read now, so we can learn things NOW! and not put it off
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:54 am
Wow! Since becoming a christian around 2 years ago God gave me a love to read and desire to learn more about his character! I have read many books and just two days ago picked up Do Hard Things because some friends recomended it! It was a life changing book some friends and i are already talking about how the message applies in our life! Thanks for the book recomendations and i cant wait till the next book you guys write!
Love in Christ
March 25th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
That’s awesome Mary!! I recently read a book called “The Mind Siege Project” by Tim LaHaye, definitely worth reading. “Do Hard Things” is also a great book. Sam
March 31st, 2009 at 10:39 am
Thank you so much for this book list!!! I’m a big reader, I really appreciate it. What an encouragement. I can’t tell you how great it is to come somewhere, online it may be, and have (most) everyone so like minded. Very uplifting! Thanks again! And I must recommend a few books…War of the Worldviews by Gary DeMar. Written in 1980’s but still relevant today, and The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis. What an amazing book for such an intellectual. So conversational, as if the reader was sitting in his living room. Loved the conference by the way. A breath of fresh air!!
Sister in Christ,
Gabrielle
April 13th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Hey! I really like your site and God is definitely working through it! I like reading a lot so this booklist is super helpful… it is so hard to find GOOD, GODLY books between Harry Potter rage and the Twilight Series, everywhere you look, it seems the world is blasting me with ungodly this and that! (and I know some Christians that are avid Twilight readers, but obsession with anything but God and His word aren’t really healthy. You can read it without obsession, and I was actually going to read it and borrowed it from a friend. But, my mom and I, since we were going to read it together so if anything bad came up, she could tell me to stop, we both looked it up on Plugged In, a terrific Christian review site, and I stopped reading then and there. I was NOT impressed with the review… Look it up because the perspective is interesting and I really didn’t want all of that stuff in the book in my head…..) I looked for some good Christian books and just finished “Lord Foulgrin’s Letters”, a book of letters from a demon to his charge on earth, telling him the best ways to tempt Jordan Fletcher, intermixed with actual story narrative… I give it 3 thumbs up!!! It was great and really, a wake-up call about how we aren’t on the cruise ship of Christianity, but the battleship. Then there is a sequel called “The Ishbane Conspiracy” about Jordan’s daughter and 3 of her friends, and their journey to Christ. 1st by Randy Alcorn and 2nd by him and his 2 daughters… I highly reading it and adding it ot the list… they are real eye-openers!
Sister in Christ,
Sallie
April 21st, 2009 at 10:45 am
WOW, that’s a lot of books… If I read that many books my head would explode. No, just kidding, I think I’ll check those out sometime. Besides, my head could use something to make it bigger
Anyway, I’ve read some of these and they were good, so I think you guys have good taste in books. 
heh. I’ll read these, but it might take a while (the rest of my life, just kidding) Thanks for posting this, guys.
April 21st, 2009 at 3:21 pm
[...] The Rebelution There’s such a think out there as the Rebelution. Check out their blog. Check out their recommended resources. [...]
April 28th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
i heard a lot about i kissed dating goodbye. it changed many ideas and opinions. i highly recomend that you read what on earth am i here for by Rick Warren. it changed my life and was the best book i’ve ever read. i read it everytime i have a question or feel doubt about myself and god’s purpose for me.
April 28th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Thanks so much for the list, it looks really good! Before I read your book, i read another book called “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan… this book was easy to read (Chan writes in a way that is easily understandable by teens) and dificult to read as well (VERY thought provoking and convicting) I highly recomend it!
May 7th, 2009 at 2:10 am
Thank you so much for this reading list! Now I have something to do this summer. I don’t recognize most of the authors so it’s going to be an exciting reading list for me! I think it’s finally time for me to break out of 17th century literature.
May 8th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Thanks, this is great. My dad has at least half of them. He is really happy I found you guys. You are great. Thanks for all of it.
May 11th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
This list really is a great tool. I read The Tipping Point last summer and it really opened my mind to a bigger picture in life. Thank you!
I have a suggestion as well. John Eldredge. He is an amazing author! God has really blessed him with the ability to look at some of the deeper things in this life. A book that really helped me personally was Captivating; which was written by him and his wife, Stacie. He wrote one for the men as well called Wild at Heart.
He also wrote Waking the Dead. “Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!” Eph 5:14-16 MSG
It is a very encouraging book about how things aren’t how they always seem and learning that we have a cruicial role in a war.
God has really used both of you to impact me and my brother’s lives. Thank you for the reminder to Do Hard Things. God has opened so many doors for us that we never thought were possible!
God Bless
May 14th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Wow! That’s a great list! 2 other books I think every teen should read are “The Power of a Praying Teen” by Stormie Omartian and “Battlefield of the Mind for Teens” by Joyce Meyer. They’re really powerful books that definitely spoke to me. Thanks again for the great list!
May 16th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
I’m way to excited to read alot of those! Thanks!
A few recent books i’ve read are ‘i believe in visions’ by kenneth hagin. & 90 minutes in heaven. awesome books as well.
ps. do hard things was amazing! its encouraged be so much!
i cant wait to start doing the things im already thinking about bc of this book!
keep up God’s work guys : ]
Jesus always.
May 19th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
hi! do any of you know of a way to recommend ‘do hard things’ to a friend? i mean i know i could just email her, but is there a way to send her stuff about the book? she lives pretty far away.
thanks!
PS i absolutely love ‘do hard things’. i’m in the middle of it right now. I should probably tell you, i’m only 11, but i like the way you can act as mature as you want on the internet.
May 20th, 2009 at 4:52 am
Schöne Seite
May 24th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Thanks for the Book List! My ‘Do Hard Things’ for the summer will be reading at least half of these! I can’t wait to get started!
May 24th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I agree with Sarah (not me). Even though I’m only 12 it’s nice to know that there are people that feel the same as me. At my school the expectations are low and I am a loner on most things. I’m about 1/2 way done with the book and I’m still loving it! I totally agree with all of the things Alex and Brett say!
May 27th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
This is a great list. I have read a lot these books.
For any young men out there that like(in my case love) to hunt I suggest this book: A Look at Life from a Deer Stand: Hunting for the Meaning of Life by Steve Chapman
May 27th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Not Steven Curtis Chapman
June 4th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Hey guys!
Books that I would highly suggest would be any Ted Dekker books…particularly the Circle Trilogy and the books that go along with them. The Circle Trilogy has many analogies to the Christian life. You might not see that aspect right away, but as you progress in the series, you can start making alot of connections. It’s a fantasy series and totally enticing, especially if you’re into realistic fiction/fantasy. All of Dekker’s books intertwine…at least most do. It’s really cool, so check it out if you have time!! I’ve already read most of his books two or three times.
June 4th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
And by the way, “Do Hard Things” really encouraged me and helped guide me through a really tough part of my life when I had to change from Christian school which I attended for ten years, to public school. It encouraged me to see what other young people were doing around the world and brightened my mood considerably. I even used “Do Hard Things” as a discussion stimulator for a bible study I hosted on a public school music trip because we couldn’t go to church that Sunday. Thanks for that!!
June 5th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
have you guys read the Chronmicles of Narnia? particularly “the lion,the witch and the Wardrobe”. it’s a new angle the easter story!!!!!^_^
June 5th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Yeah, I adore the Chronicles of Narnia. I love all the connections between God, man, and life that C.S. Lewis portrays in them! The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is my favorite, along with the Silver Chair and The Last Battle.
June 6th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
I also have a HUGE reading list, it consist’s of the following books:
1: Desiring God by John Piper
2: Girls Gone Mild: Young Women Reclaim Self-Respect and Find It’s Not Bad to Be Good by Wendy Shalit
3: It’s Not About Me, Teen Edition By: Max Lucado
4: A Young Woman’s Guide to Making Right Choices: Your Life God’s Way By: Elizabeth George
5: Soul Sister: God’s Girl, The Ultimate Guide to Being a Girl of God By: Beth Redman
6: Radiant: Discovering Beauty from the Inside Out By: Chandra Peele
7: Every Day Deserves a Chance, Teen Edition: Wake Up and Live! By: Max Lucado
8: Set-Apart Femininity: God’s Sacred Intent for Every Young Woman By: Leslie Ludy
9: Prayers and Promises of the Bible By: J. Heyward Rogers
10: Dare to Be Rare By: Kathleen Whitten
11: Cherished: Discovering the Freedom to Love and Be Loved By: Chandra Peele
12: Following God For Youth: God Is, Leader’s Guide By: Norris Rhodes
13: God Wants You to Shine: The Faith Thomas Series #2, A Novelzine By: Stephanie Perry Moore
14: Positively Dangerous: Live Loud, Be Real, Change the World By: Frank Mercadante
15: Giving Yourself as Jesus Did - Slightly Imperfect By David C Cook
June 7th, 2009 at 11:03 am
i have started reading your book Do Hard Things and i am inspired by what your message is to all the teens in the US/ the world. what are some books do u thind i should read over the summer?
June 8th, 2009 at 8:42 am
hey! me too. i was thinking about doing a fund raiser for the AIDS orphans in Africa. any idea on how i could go about this?
June 11th, 2009 at 7:17 am
Those all sound like great books! One book that I’ve read that I didn’t see on there was “The Shack.” I know many people have heard of it and I think it’s really great. It was one of those books that really made me think. You guys should check it out!
June 11th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
what is “the shack” about? it sounds interesting.
June 15th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
I really would suggest Behind the Glittering Mask by Mark Rutland for anyone who wants an interesting book to read in the summer.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:49 am
i would really recomend _Hinds Feet on High Places_
It really makes you think and it uses alot of symbolisim so be prepared 2 be confused!
June 16th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Also one book i would recomend is Experiencing God
June 19th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Those are alot of good books, but the best I,ve found is the Bible
June 19th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I would recommend “The View from Saturday” By: E.L. Konigsburg. It is a pretty easy read but it tells the story of 4 6th graders that win an Academic Bowl. They actually set a record though because 6th grade has never actually gotten past the 7th graders at their school.. It’s a great book and I recommend it to everyone who believes in the Rebelution.
June 22nd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
And I thought I read a bunch! I will definitely start reading all these! I’ve read some of the books listed, but many of them are new to me. Have you guys read George MacDonald? His books are fiction but they have sooooo much wisdom in them and I have learned so much from them. My favorite two were the Fisherman’s Lady and the Marquis Secret. Another good read is Carry a Big Stick, it’s a biography of Teddy Roosevelt. Really good book!
Thank you guys so much for posting your list! God bless!
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:58 am
if you want some good books (not christian, but good), i suggest
- the series ‘Memory, Sorrow and Thorn’
- the Inheritance series
- and books by TAmora Peirce
all of these r fantasy and the last ones, girls would enjoy them the most (they deal with some mature subjects^_^)
June 24th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Hi again! Another good book I just remembered. It’s called In His Steps. I can’t remember the author but the book really challenged my thinking. Great read! It’s fiction but packed with wisdom.
June 26th, 2009 at 8:56 am
I will have to read some of these they look wonderful!
June 29th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Diese seite ist genauso interessant wie informativ. Viele Grüße!
July 7th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
I want to read ALL of these books!!! I love books, and these just scream of challenge and growth. Thank you for inspiring others to grow in Christ and in intellect through reading.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:44 am
I am a mother of a 10 year old girl and 7 year old boy. My daughter really loves reading her bible. Can you recommend a few books from this list that may be appropriate for her age?
July 12th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Alex & Brett,
I am a pastor and was just at the Chicago conference yesterday. It was great. This is a very good book list, thank you for providing it.
Here are just a few suggestions for your book list from what I consider some of the best books I have ever read on topics about which our youth need to be informed.
Anything by Eric & Leslie Ludy - they write about sexuality and purity with more power and clarity than anyone I know. Some of their books are: Authentic Beauty, Meet Mr Smith, When dreams come true and when God writes your love story.
Also Shaunti and Jeff Felhahn’s books for young men only and for young women only. I use their books for men only and for women only in pre-marital coaching, and in marriage counseling. Instead of handing a couple a whole stack of books I give them these two.
I consider the stuff by the Ludy’s and the Feldhan’s some of the most useful resources on my shelves.
Keep up the great work, and stay humble.
God bless
Paul
July 13th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
A book that I positively recommend to any christian girl of any age is Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. This incredible book unveils the mystery of a woman’s soul. It unlocks the secret to the feminine heart, and shows christian women they valuable purpose and how to let God come into your life and be the “hero” that is in every little girls story, to rescue your heart and “release you to live as a fully alive and feminine woman.” The couple have also written a similar book for men called “Wild at Heart” which I hear is equally incredible.
July 14th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Nice I am definetaly checking those out!! Hey some great books you should check out also, and these are books having to do with Creationism and Evolution, would be The Answers Book, The New Answers Book, and The Lie: Evolution, all by Ken Ham! they’re great to help build up answers about the world and why evolution is wrong and how God’s word is a very scientifically acurate book! another great book having to do with this topic is Evolution Exposed by Roger Patterson. I think the whole origins controversy going on today is a very important part of life today and we need teens to stand up against the false teaching of evolution and stand up for God’s truth in this crucial area!
July 27th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Just read an incredible book about the persecution of Christians in other countries, for this book specifically, China. It’s called “Safely Home”, by Randy Alcron. It’s fictional, but it is really happening. Great book.
July 29th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Wow! Nice booklist. I certainly check these out. Here are some that I like: The Jesus Freaks Series, Jesus and Mohamed, I Dared to Call Him Father,(Both on Islam) Gods Smuggler, Bruchko, The Last Sin Eater. (The last on is a novel)
Cheers,
Alex
July 31st, 2009 at 2:53 pm
wow, cool book list…I have read (maybe) a couple of those, I mostly read fiction by Randy Alcorn, Frank Pretti, and Ted DeKker…
July 31st, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Brandon, yes that is a great book, I loved it…
August 2nd, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Im almost finished reading your book “Do hard things” and love it! I also like how you guys are encouraging teens to raise the bar on what teens are able to do and that any one can make change happen.It has really helped me believe in my self that i can do anything i set my mind on to and what i do really can have a big impact every where.
August 9th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Your book has helped me so much! I can see now that God sees enormous potential in me that i dont, and that all i have to do is trust Him, and he will work through me!
My youth pastor told us a story that probably everyone already has heard, about his friend who took his son to the zoo. At the zoo they saw these monkeys, who could jump incredibly high, and could leap distances of up to thiry feet at once. Imagine how huge the cage to hold them in would have to be! But then my pastor said something that i was totally unprepared for: the only thing that they use to keep these tiny but very powerful monkeys in their area is a three-foot wall. Because the zoo-keepers found out through observation that these little monkeys wont jump anywhere if they cant see where they are going to land.
Then my youth pastor asked us this question: what is YOUR three-foot wall?
His point was that we all have enormous potential that we are afraid to use and trust God with in our lives because we have something holding us back, something we are afraid of that prevents us from being the proactive and motivated young christians we can be. That story really woke me up, and helped me to realize that if i can trust God enough to step out of my comfort zone, He can do amazing things!!!
Thankyou so much for your book, “Do Hard Things”, because it has helped me even more to see what other people who are just like me can do if they trust God!!!
August 9th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
I just started reading The Marketing of Evil: How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised as Freedom, written by David Kupelian, and I thought of you all. It’s definitely a book for rebelutionaries. Check it out!!!
August 10th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
im in the middle of reading your book and am loving it..this list of books too, some i’ve read..some i’ve yet to read..id ont know if youve heard of Grace Abounding to the Cheif of Sinners by John Bunyan but it’s a great read! checkk it out!
August 11th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Hey!I loved your book “Do Hard Things”, it was truly enspiring. I read it last year, but I just started reading it agian today. I’ve also read I kissed dating goodbye, and HIGHLY recomend it!it was very,very good!lol. Thanks so much for the booklist, i’m definatly going to read some of these!:)
August 14th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
I like reading very much, I especially like books by Joshua Harris, Alex and Brett Harris, C.S. Lewis, Elizabeth Prentiss, and many more great authors with wonderfully written books. I also enjoyed reading Fireproof and Facing the Giants by Eric Wilson, the movies were pretty good as well.
August 18th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Love the list; I’ll be looking at it a lot.
Laura, I saw your suggestion for “The Shack” and I wanted to say that that is an AMAZING book and I think everyone should read it. It’s a short read but it made me think about my relationship with God.
August 20th, 2009 at 4:56 am
I read what you said about a non-Christian getting the wrong idea from “The Shack”. I have to disagree. If a non-Christian did read it they may get an idea that isn’t necessarily true but at least it’s something. If the idea is strong enough, they’ll have a reason to pursue it and maybe go to church to learn more. Besides being a good read, it plants a seed that can grow into a relationship with God with the right nourishment. Also I think it addresses some realistic issues and gives reasonable answers.
If anyone has any suggestions for a younger reader that have the same messages as the books above do, please tell me because my mom is really picky with what I’m allowed to read. I’m not allowed to read anything Josh Harris at the moment.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Another Lindsey,
Your reasoning concerning “The Shack” sounds good and is what may people are saying about it. However, I don’t think that type of reasoning is biblical.
Consider, if a person is needing food (think on the brink of starving) and all you have are some brownies with some dog doo in them (as crude as it may seem), you wouldn’t say, “Well, at least it will get some nutrition into them.” No way! You’d be feeding that person, who so desperately needs nutrition, poison along with some nutrition.
In endorsing “The Shack”, I believe Christians (as well meaning as they may be) are doing the same thing. We need to endorse true, Christian orthodoxy instead of endorsing things that are pseudo-Christian and might make people think about God.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are TRUE, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil. 4:8)
August 26th, 2009 at 5:18 am
Jordan,
I can understand where you’re coming from. However, I think Young was just expressing his opinions in “The Shack” and while some people may not agree with his views, 1) it wasn’t written to convince others of his views and 2) its still a well-written book that has a good story and just because you don’t agree with everything doesn’t mean its a “bad” book.
I’m sorry if I offend anyone in saying this but I think that people don’t like “The Shack” because it doesn’t agree with the picture we’ve had in our heads since we were babies and we don’t want the image of a God we understand to disappear. You said, “We need to endorse true, Christian orthodoxy instead of endorsing things that are pseudo-Christian and might make people think about God.” Who’s to say that what we’ve been taught is “true, Christian orthodoxy”? As Christians, we should be open-minded to anything our brethren have to say about Christianity regardless of how it contrasts to what we think. There is more than one way to read the Bible and millions of ways to understand it.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Hi Another Lindsey,
You said, “As Christians, we should be open-minded to anything our brethren have to say about Christianity regardless of how it contrasts to what we think.”
I would agree to a certain point. We should remain open-minded until something goes against what is revealed in God’s Word.
What do you think this verse means: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil. 4:8) How does this apply to Young’s book?
August 26th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Brett and Alex,
If neither of you have read Crazy Love I think it would be benificial.
I read it and it totally changed my life, He puts to words what many Believers are thinking and are to afraid to say, and he says it all so eliquently without being to wordy! tis just a sugestion though.
~Vada Vick
Kyrie Eleison
August 27th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Jordan,
I’ll agree to “We should remain open-minded until something goes against what is revealed in God’s Word,” to a certain point too. Like I said earlier, there is more than one way to decipher God’s Word and just because we think something is obvious in the Bible doesn’t mean that it was what the meaning behind the words was originally.
Correct me if I’m wrong because I don’t know how good I am at deciphering the Bible, but I think Phil. 4:8 means that whatever falls into the categorizes of true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable is ‘good.’ But I’m not really sure how that would apply to “The Shack.”
How do you think it applies?
August 27th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Have you read in his steps even though its a bit different it strikes me as a lot like the idea of your book its also what originated what would Jesus do?
August 28th, 2009 at 6:45 am
Lindsey,
Many people today think that the Bible is hard to understand and that there is more than one way to “decipher” it. However, I just try to take it at face value (Although I do recognize that there are somethings that were meant to be symbolic. Like some of the things in the books of Daniel and Revelations.). The Bible promises that if we have the Spirit, then He will guide is into all truth (Jn. 16:13). Depend on the Spirit of truth as you read the Word and I believe it won’t be that hard.
You asked how I thought the verse in Philippians 4 applied to “The Shack”. I believe it means just what it says, to think on whatever is true, honest, pure, etc. And we know that how God has revealed Himself to us in the Word is true, so anything that doesn’t line-up with that isn’t true.
Thanks for being willing to discuss this in such a civil manner!
August 28th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Jordan,
You said that “The Shack” doesn’t line up with the Bible. I agree it’s not true, it’s fiction, but I’d have to say that I think it’s very admirable because, speaking as a young author, I know how difficult it is to write about God’s grace and still make a good book. “The Chronicles of Narnia” aren’t true but the messages in the story are the same as the messages in the Bible. “The Shack” talked about how the father, the son and the holy spirit are involved in our lives and I found it to match a lot of what my pastor preaches on and it was easy to understand.
Thanks so much for the advice. Sadly, I don’t read the Bible as much as I should, but I’m trying. The Bible can be hard to understand, but it also can be crystal-clear. I think that there is more than one meaning in the parables and therefore different ways to understand it.
I really enjoy talking to you, you have some really good points. I’m glad we can both discuss in a civil manner, we are citizens of God’s love!
August 30th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
I Highly recommend everything by Joel C. Rosenburg.
September 12th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
A GREAT list of books! My personal favorites are “The Universe Next Door,” by James Sire, (A fascinating discussion on worldview!) and all of John Piper’s books, especially “When I Don’t Desire God.” And I agree with Alex and Brett when they say that the field of quantum physics is fascinating. Keep up the reading!
September 17th, 2009 at 10:08 am
My oldest son is turning 12 next month - what books would you recommend for him. He is reading his first missionary biography (Nate Saint) which is stirring a passion in him to “do some hard things”. He’s also learning about the Constitution and Bill of Rights and sees clearly how far our country has strayed. I’d like to “strike while the fire is hot” and feed this passion.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:41 am
I recently read Francis Chan’s book Crazy Love, its a awesome book and I highly recomend it. And its a relatively cheap book too
September 22nd, 2009 at 5:53 pm
haha!
I just finished “Boy Meets Girl” last night. And I didn’t realize til just now he’s your brother! I’m going to pick up “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” soon, too.
Thank you for the list!
(:
September 28th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Thanks guys! My family is curriently watching the”I Kissed Dating Goodbye” lectures and we visit Joshua harris` church often.
September 29th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
All of your book are about religion, blahh. You guys need to diversifyy
October 5th, 2009 at 10:52 am
I disagree Zenna, this website is all about christian views. I think the books are great and I love ya’lls book.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I recommend When God Met A Girl. It’s not just for girls to read. It’s VERY good.
October 9th, 2009 at 9:37 am
This list makes me want to take a year off and just read and study these books! I wish I had a way of getting them!
October 10th, 2009 at 5:56 am
Destiny: I totally agree!!! I went to my library and I could only find like four!!! I wish there was a Christian library nearby!
October 11th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
As good as this list is, it’s missing several books I shall suggest. The Cost of Discipleship of Bonhoeffer, The Kneeling Christian, The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer, Praying Hyde, Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing by Kierkegaard and The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.
Enjoy.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Thank you guys. I’ve been looking for a list of books like this for a while. despite its length I’m sure it will help me grow.
October 15th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
WOW. I thought i read a lot of books but those were really good reqimendations! I thought Crazy Love by Francis Chan was also a great book. IT was so good i’m using it at my church in our youth group as a part of our study.
October 31st, 2009 at 4:03 pm
You have guys have tastes when it comes to books. A lot of these I have read and really enjoyed. I also really liked the book by Isaac Botkin, “Outside Hollywood.”
November 1st, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Hey guys, I wanted to recommend a couple of books. The first is “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan, and the other is “Velvet Elvis” by Rob Bell. They are both great books. Love your book, too.