My 2023 Reading List


A new year usually means new initiatives. For the past several years, I've compiled a list of books to read for the year. Hardly a new initiative. But most of the books are new. My goal is to read at least one book a week for 52 weeks. I read the Bible every day using this Bible study plan.

I have a broad range of interests, so choosing books is usually very easy. There are some books I reread every year because they're classics to me. I rarely read fiction, unless I'm reading it to my children. And I read books that I know I'll disagree with because they help strengthen my convictions.

I practice three types of reading.

(~50%) Reading for the forest -- very broad reading to get a big picture of the book. I familiarize myself with the table of contents, the introduction, the conclusion, headings, subheadings, and perhaps the conclusion of each chapter. 

(~30%) Reading for the trees -- this type of reading is more nuanced and would require rereading book chapters, intros, conclusions, and references. This would also include very light highlights, annotations, and some comments. 

(~20%) Reading for the bark -- the most detailed reading possible, with detailed and heavy notes, annotations, comments, and analysis. I reserve this reading for highly technical and challenging works, commentaries on the Bible, and the Bible itself. 

*books I reread every year, or every other year

GENERAL THEOLOGY

Desiring God by John Piper*

The Gospel According to Jesus by John MacArthur*

Knowing God by J.I. Packer*

A Quest for Godliness by J.I. Packer

The Doctrine of God by John Frame

Redeeming Mathematics by Vern Poythress

Redeeming Science by Vern Poythress

The Lordship of Christ by Vern Poythress

Logic by Vern Poythress

STUDIES IN THE PASTORAL EPISTLES (FOR ThM Studies)

The Goal of our Instruction: the structure of theology and ethics in the Pastoral Epistles by Philip Towner




The Faithful Sayings in the Pastoral Epistles by George Knight




The Ecclesiological Grounding of Pauline Language of Leadership in 1 and 2 Timothy by Stanford

Was Paul Prooftexting? Paul's Use of the Old Testament as Illustrated through Three Debated Texts by Richard Lucas

Elements of a Doctrine of Godliness: A study of 'eusebeia' and its cognates in the Pastoral Epistles by Thompson



Be the Example: Christ-Centered Followership in the Pastoral Epistles by Sarver

BIBLE COMMENTARIES

The Pastoral Epistles, Baylor Handbook on the Greek New Testament by Larry J. Perkins

Entrusted with the Gospel: Paul’s Theology in the Pastoral Epistles by Andreas J. Köstenberger and Terry L. Wilder

The Elder and Overseer: One Office in the Early Church by Benjamin L. Merkle

A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles by I. Howard Marshall

PARENTING AND FAMILY

Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn

Siblings without Rivalry by Adele Faber

13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don't Do by Amy Morin

How to Talk So Kids Can Learn by Adele Faber

How to be the Parent You Always Wanted by Adele Faber

Make Your Kid a Money Genius by Beth Kobliner

Teach them to work by Mary Beeke

How Children Succeed by Paul Tough

How to Talk When Kids Won't Listen by Joanna Faber

How to Raise Successful People by Esther Wojcicki

Creating Innovators by Tony Wagner

PRODUCTIVITY/MISCELLANEOUS

Becoming a Neurosurgeon by John Colapinto

How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton Christensen

YES! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive by Noah Goldstein

Someday is Today by Matt Dicks

Influence by Robert Cialdini*

Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

Generations by Jean Twenge

PERSONAL FINANCE

The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton

Die With Zero by Bill Perkins

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Stand and Deliver: How to Become a Masterful Communication by Dale Carnegie Training

Make Yourself Unforgettable by Dale Carnegie Training

The New One Minute Manager

It Doesn't Have to be Crazy at Work by Jason Fried

The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni

How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie*

Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni

Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni*

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

The Motive by Patrick Lencioni

4 Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney

The Five Most Important Questions You Will Ever Ask About Your Organization by Peter Drucker

The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker

Traction by Geno Wickman

GENERAL BUSINESS

Business Adventures by John Brooks

Become a Venture Capitalist by Gary Rivlin

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

Entrepreneur Revolution by Daniel Priestly

Where Are the Customers' Yachts? by Fred Schwed

The Real-Life MBA by Jack Welch

More Than a Hobby by David Green

What it takes by Stephen Schwarzman 

INVESTING

The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham

One Up on Wall Street by Peter Lynch

Warren Buffett and the Interpretation of Financial Statements by Mary Buffett

Poor Charlie's Almanack by Charles Munger

University of Berkshire Hathaway by Daniel Pecaut

Learn to Earn by Peter Lynch

Beating the Street by Peter Lynch

The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape

The Little Book on Common Sense Investing by John Bogle

Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits by Philip Fisher

Security Analysis by Benjamin Graham

RELATIONSHIPS

How to Not Die Alone by Logan Ury

Boundaries by Henry Cloud*

Plays Well with Others by Eric Barker







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