I started a practice in 2009 of trying to read 52 books a year. To be honest, I never really thought I could keep the book-a-week pace necessary to achieve this. In 2009 I read 39 books. In 2010, 16 books. In 2011, 38 books. This year: 67 books.
How did I do it? How did I exceed my goal by 15 books, and my personal best by 28 books? One word: audiobooks. I’m in my car a lot and 33 of the books I read (or, more appropriately, listened to) were audiobooks.
I also rekindled one of my childhood hobbies and got back into comics by reading about a dozen graphic novels this year.
My goal for this year? 52 books again. I would like to read more biographies and classic fiction.
Below is the list from 2012. Each listing is followed by a sentence fragment or two describing my impressions of the work. If I wrote a review for nickduffel.com or Amazon, I included the link to that instead.
The List:
1. The Richest Man Who Ever Lived by Steven K. Scott
2. Questions You Can’t Ask Your Mama About Sex by Craig Gross & Mike Foster
Q&A style book written for youth that deals with tough/”taboo” questions about sex from a Christian perspective. Very good.
3. The Radical Question by David Platt
4. The Pilgrims Progess by John Bunyan
A Christian classic. It really is as good as everyone says it is.
5. 52 Things Wives Need From Their Husbands by Jay Payleitner
6. Master Leaders by George Barna & Bill Dallas
Mediocre considering the authors and premise. Good, but not concentrated, insights.
7. Praying the Bible Into Your Life by Stormie Omartian
8. Radical Together by David Platt
9. Triple-threat Leadership by Alan Danielson
An evaluation and a book rolled into one. Gave me some good insights.
10. Worship by John MacArthur
11. Business for the Glory of God by Wayne Grudem
12. Stop Stealing Dreams by Seth Godin
13. Final Words by Adam Hamilton
14. Road to the Resurrection by Greg Laurie
15. Raising a Modern Day Knight by Robert Lewis
A must-read for fathers with sons. If you can do the accompanying study with a group of men, all the better.
16. Fields of Gold by Andy Stanley
17. M by Jon J. Muth & Adam Kempenaar
Beautifully illustrated graphic novel about a serial killer and the town that is hunting him.
18. Batman, Whatever Happened To The Caped Crusader by Neil Gaiman
Hypothetical story about the end of Batman. Existential and interesting.
19. The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler
20. Creating Your Personal Life Plan by Michael Hyatt
Excellent book about setting your life direction.
21. Soulprint by Mark Batterson
22. Temperance by Cathy Malkasian
Beautiful and interesting graphic novel about the power of truth and lies.
23. The Best of The Spirit by Will Eisner
Classic comics by one of the best.
24. Gazelles, Baby Steps, and 37 Other Things Dave Ramsey Taught Me About Debt by Jon Acuff
A lighthearted yet truthful look at money management by a very funny author.
25. Green Hornet, Vol. 1 by Kevin Smith
I love when Kevin Smith does comics. I wish they would have made this into a Green Hornet movie instead.
26. When Work & Family Collide by Andy Stanley
27. Cleaning House by Kay Wills Wyma
28. Age of X by Mike Carey & Clay Mann
Interesting and fresh look at the X-men. I wish this storyline would have been longer.
29. Planet Hulk by Greg Pak
The best Hulk story, period. Cinematic, tragic, literary…yes, I’m still talking about the Hulk.
30. Time Management for Creative People by Mark McGuinness
Short and invaluable. And it’s free.
31. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Excellent biography of an enigmatic, brilliant, and deeply-flawed man.
32. Jesus + Nothing = Everything by Tullian Tchividjian
33. How Should Christians Vote by Tony Evans
34. Why Church Matters by Joshua Harris
35. The Next Christians by Gabe Lyons
Insightful and challenging look at what’s coming next for the church.
36. Trinity by Matt Wagner
Very cool re-imagining of the relationship between Wonder Woman, Superman, and Batman.
37. Dark Force Rising by Timothy Zahn
It’s classic Star Wars; of course it’s awesome!
38. Fasting (Student Edition) by Jentezen Franklin
39. Jungle Doctor and the Whirlwind by Paul White
40. The Mighty Thor: Blood and Thunder by Ron Marz
If you like Thor and epic 90’s Marvel fights, this is for you.
41. Forgiveness by Adam Hamilton
42. Robotika by Alex Sheikman & Joel Jason O-Chua
Steampunk mixed with samurais. I’m like, totally nerding out right now.
43. The Best American Comics 2010 by Neil Gaiman (guest editor)
All over the board and fragmented, for obvious reasons. Some of the comics are good; some are brilliant.
44. Grace by Max Lucado
45. Erasing Hell by Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle
This is a hot topic right now, and this book is a must-read on the subject of hell.
46. Wrecked by Jeff Goins
47. RASL Vol. 1-4 by Jeff Smith
Amazing sci-fi graphic novel. Wish they’d make a movie…
48. Seeing Through The Fog by Ed Dobson
49. Real Marriage by Mark and Grace Driscoll
Solid book on marriage. It handles the difficult topic of sex unflinchingly and candidly.
50. Inside Delta Force by Eric L. Haney
This book was so much fun to listen to! Highly recommended.
51. Finding God in The Hunger Games by Ken Gire
52. The Truth About Same-Sex Marriage by Erwin W. Lutzer
I wish all Christians would listen to this book and elevate the conversation.
53. The Necessity Of An Enemy by Ron Carpenter
54. The Blessed Church by Robert Morris
55. Love Is An Orientation by Andrew Marin
Another vital book for elevating this important discussion.
56. Be A Better Dad Today by Gregory Slayton
57. Mission Trips from Start to Finish by Lnne Ellis & Doug Fields
This book has been my lifeline as I get ready to lead a mission trip for the first time in June.
58. Black by Ted Dekker
My first Ted Dekker book. I’m not hooked, but I’m intrigued.
59. Handel’s Messiah: Comfort for God’s People by Calvin Stapert
I learned a lot of interesting things about Handel’s Messiah and music in general from this book.
60. The Castaways by Rob Vollmar & Pablo G. Callejo
Graphic novel about a kid who rides the rails and befriends an elderly black man. What it leaves unsaid is what makes it powerful.
61. Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine
Graphic novel about the end of a dysfunctional relationship. Raises some interesting ideas about racial prejudices.
62. God in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
An Advent devotional of the highest order.
63. The Measure of our Success by Shawn Lovejoy
Must-read for every church leader who wonders if they’re making an impact.
64. Your Great Name by Michael Neale
65. James Sturm’s America: God, Gold, and Golems by James Sturm
It made me want to research the history behind the stories. That makes it good historical fiction, right?
66. The Millennials by Thom S. Rainer & Jess W. Rainer
A lot of stats and insights on America’s largest generation. A few valuable takeaways.
67. Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson
Review coming soon.
Good list and sound bites Nick. I’m adding some of these to my list for 2013.
Good list and sound bites Nick. I’m adding some of these to my list for 2013.