Some Book Recommendations from my 2025 Reading
As promised in last week’s Midweek Update, here are some recommendations from my readings in 2025. Many of these books can be accessed at a library as well, some even as audio books through the Libby app. Choose one and use it to fuel your growth in 2026!
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt: The sermon I received the most feedback on this year was on Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything…” So many in our world are facing overwhelming anxiety. Eight years ago, the author predicted a culture-wide rise in anxiety and theorized that it would be a direct result of social media on phones. This book is the follow up proving that his theory came true. Though full of data, it’s an easy-to-read book, with stories and examples relevant to anyone. He ends the book with practical steps to reverse the course our society seems to be headed on. This book has caused many school districts to rethink their in-school phone policy, causing some of them to ban all phones. We will be featuring this book in March as a part of the student WKND, seeking to equip families with tools to battle anxiety. It’s worth the read now, but we will be supplying summary notes and audio links later.
Prayer by Tim Keller: I’ve said over and over again that I think the thing that will make the greatest difference in our church in 2026 is a deepening commitment to personal prayer. The temptation is to read a book about prayer as a substitute for actually praying, but this book on prayer accomplished what many have not for me, in that it prompted me to pray all throughout. Since reading it, I’ve been praying the Lord’s Prayer on a daily basis which has helped guide and focus my prayer efforts.
Understanding God’s Word by Jon Nielson: For years I taught a Bible Study Methods class with Campus Crusade for Christ. This book is a great introduction to the topic, helping one to see the big picture of the Bible and how to think about how it all fits together. If you want an easy way to be encouraged to read this book, we’re offering it as a dGroup this session. Sign up here.
Correct, not Politically Correct by Frank Turek. We featured this in our Worldview dGroup recently. Turek makes a case for biblical sexual morality, specifically addressing the common misconception that what people do in private “isn’t hurting anybody… so why should Christians care?” Speaking of books from former dGroups, the women’s group read Memorizing Scripture recently and I found it to be a huge encouragement. If you want to up your Scripture memory game this year, this book will help!
Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy: I wrote early in the year about my short-lived dream of reading becoming a sport (it didn’t). After some reporters caught an NFL player reading this book on the sidelines, it soon became the number one selling book on Amazon. I read it just to see what the craze was, and learned the author was a Christian. Though the book is clearly in the self-help category, many of his concepts come straight from Scripture. His writing is even laced with quotes from well known Christian writers like Tim Keller, C.S. Lewis, and John Piper.
Wide as Waters by Benson Bobrick. The subtitle says it all: “The story of the English Bible and the revolution it inspired.” I read this book last spring while preparing to teach a dGroup on the history of the Reformation. Probably the defining characteristic of the reformation was the rediscovery of the Word of God. Much like when King Josiah rediscovered a copy of the Bible (2 Kings 22), it revolutionized God’s people. We often pray for revival. This book shows the connection between spiritual renewal and the spread of the Word of God!
Mindful Marriage by Ron and Nan Deal: I served with Ron at FamilyLife and found him to be, hands down, one of the best communicators I’ve ever seen teach on marriage. This book tries to get to the heart of what motivates us in marriage. Why do I do the things I do? The concepts are easy to understand, but challenging to apply. The most important idea is to make sure you are self-regulating, rather than just reacting to your circumstances. We are actively working to bring them to Valley View for a conference in March of 2027.
These three interviews (first, second, third) with his wife about her struggle with addiction (which also led to them writing this book) are some of the more moving interviews I’ve heard. If you’ve not read his most popular book, Smart Stepfamilies, and you are in a blended family, put that book at the top of your list this year!
Tim Keller on the Christian Life by Matt Smethurst: Yes, I know this list is starting to feel like the Tim Keller show. You can tell I was on a “Keller Kick” this year! This one is not a Keller book, but a summary of some of the main themes and ideas that run throughout his teaching and writing. As you can imagine, he is heavily quoted throughout. This book is an excellent introduction to his life and writings.
And just for fun…
D-Day by Stephen Ambrose: If you like World War 2 books, this one focuses on “D-Day”, June 6th 1944, and specifically on the American landing on the beaches of Normandy. I’ve been reading 20 pages here and there when I’m riding on the indoor bike trainer. It’s truly astounding the level of industry, coordination, and sheer courage and will power that went into this invasion. Nothing like it has likely occurred in history before or since.