Recommended books
I love to read and learn, especially non-fiction.
I really value learning, and I know of few better ways to learn than to read books. It is the distillation of wisdom that another person’s life has been in pursuit of finding—and they get to share their secrets with me (at a fraction of what it would cost were I to hire them directly, no less).
There are lots of authors I admire, and there are some great books out there that were written by one-timers. I certainly don’t have the corner on book recommendations, and there are many others who have much bigger and better lists than I do.
Still, I can let you in on the books and reading that have most impacted me. As a result, this is less of a list that includes all of the books I’ve enjoyed, and more of a list of books that have significantly influenced my life and thinking.
I’ll say that again. This list only includes the books that have most impacted me.
Since I don’t read fiction books that much (like, it’s less than 5% of my total reading, honestly), and I’d imagine most people don’t want to read more academic theological books, I’m going to keep this list to what I know best—Christian and business-oriented non-fiction, keeping them in alphabetical order.
But if you’re looking for my absolute favorites, I’ll cap it off with my all-timers.
Christian books
All is Grace by Brennan Manning
The Character of God’s Workman by Watchman Nee
The Centrality and Supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ by T. Austin-Sparks
The Crucified Life by A.W. Tozer
The Deeper Christian Life by Andrew Murray
Encounters with Silence by Karl Rahner
Everything by Mary Demuth
Finding Organic Church by Frank Viola
From Eternity to Here by Frank Viola
Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning
Her Gates Will Never Be Shut by Bradley Jersak
How God Became King by N.T. Wright
How the Bible Actually Works by Peter Enns
Insurgence by Frank Viola
Jesus Speaks by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola
The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer
The Life That Wins by Watchman Nee
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Love Does by Bob Goff
Love Not the World by Watchman Nee
The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert E. Coleman
The Message of the New Testament by F.F. Bruce
The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee
Pensées by Blaise Pascal
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton
The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
Reading While Black by Esau McCaulley
Reimagining Church by Frank Viola
The Release of the Spirit by Watchman Nee
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
Satisfy Your Soul by Bruce Demarest
Sit, Walk, Stand by Watchman Nee
The Stewardship of the Mystery by T. Austin-Sparks
The Strength to Love by Martin Luther King Jr.
Victory in Christ by Charles G. Trumbull
What Shall This Man Do? by Watchman Nee
As a bonus, I’d strongly recommend checking out Frank Viola’s list of the best 100 Christian books ever written. I used that as a huge guide for me in finding books and authors I had never heard of at the time, but have since played a significant role in my personal and spiritual development.
Non-Christian books
The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Caste by Isabel Wilkerson
Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Lost and Founder by Fish Rankin
Measure What Matters by John Doerr
Mindset by Carol S. Dweck
Multipliers by Liz Wiseman
Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile
When by Daniel H. Pink
My all-timers
If you only want to know the books that have most-most impacted me (two “mosts” makes it really real, ya know?!), here they are. 🚧 Words and descriptions as to why coming soon.
01. The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee
02. The Release of the Spirit by Watchman Nee
03. From Eternity to Here by Frank Viola
04. Finding Organic Church by Frank Viola
05. Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
06. Sit, Walk, Stand by Watchman Nee
07. Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton
08. Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning
09. Victory in Christ by Charles G. Trumbull
10. The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle