I promised yesterday that today I would have a big announcement. Well here it is.
I am announcing the launch of a new web site. Well, a new/old web site. You may remember a site called Discerning Reader. Once a very popular and well-regarded site, it ran into all sorts of trouble, the details of which I do not care to expound upon. Suffice it to say that the site shut down and the domain name was offered for sale. I purchased the name and have created a new site. There is no connection between the old owners and myself.
As you may know, one of my passions is reading. I absolutely love to read and to help others find books that are worth reading. With tens of thousands of Christians books hitting the shelves every year, it is becoming increasingly difficult to sort the good from the bad and the better from the best. This is where Discerning Reader comes in. It is a site that features reviews written by discerning readers. There are currently several hundred reviews available with many others to be added in the near future. There are author biographies as well as a whole list of new (or upcoming features). Among the features are:
- New York Times Bestsellers - We are reviewing many of the books that appear on the New York Times list of bestsellers. We hope to be able to expand this section to include all the books featured in the top position in nonfiction.
- Expert Lists - We have asked some of the most discerning and widely-respected authors and teachers to send us lists of books they recommend for various purposes.
- Where To Start Lists - Interested in beginning to read about a new topic? Let our experts guide you to books that will bless you as you read about spiritual disciplines, church history, systematic theology, family issues and more.
- Church Bulletin Mini-Reviews - Discerning Reader now offers short, discerning reviews suitable for placement in church bulletins.
- Bookworm Reviews - Discerning Reader has looked high and low to find other discerning book reviewers. Our “Bookworm” program features off-site reviews written by a wide variety of discerning reviewers. Check any of the titles in our database for these bookworm reviews.
Not all of these features are fully available yet, but they will be added in the near future. You may recognize the “bookworm review” program as the heart of what was once Diet of Bookworms.
I am quite excited about this site and am confident that it will prove to be of great benefit to the church. I invite you to visit the site, to take a look around, and to provide me with your feedback. Please spread the news as you see fit. Tell others about this resource!
Comments (34) »
1. James
April 25, 2006
1:56 PM
AWESOME
Definitely going add this to my bookmarks. So you letting the Diet of Bookworms site fade away since it looks like you rolled it into this site?
2. Blake Law
April 25, 2006
2:08 PM
I just hope that reviews won’t become my substitute for actually reading books. A lot of times I find that people mention a book I haven’t read yet and I did read the review, so if I want to talk about what they are talking about I have to say “I didn’t read the book, but I read the review, and it was saying how the book is really… ” And yeah, it just becomes too easy to avoid reading books when you can just check out the review of whatever hit-seller there is in Christendom. Like just take Wild At Heart. If people are talking about it and you want to join the conversation, you can be almost as well-informed by reading a few reviews than reading the actual book. All I’m saying is I hope I do that less.
Might there be a film section on the DiscerningReader???? that would be pretty helpful! maybe the DiscerningReeler or something catchy
3. Paul Martin
April 25, 2006
2:09 PM
Tim,
This is fantastic!
The look of the site is clean and crisp. It is easy to navigate around and the whole concept is so needed.
Could there be a better-named site?
Well done, brother.
Praise the Lord!
4. Chris Larson
April 25, 2006
2:12 PM
Great work Tim.
5. Erik
April 25, 2006
2:30 PM
Cool site!
A few weeks ago, you mentioned that you were looking for someone who would be willing to read 50 books a year, and write reviews on them. How does that tie into this new site? Have you found someone yet?
6. 4ever4given
April 25, 2006
2:39 PM
Here is the HTML I used on my site to make it a link on my main sidebar with the cool “Discerning Reader” logo:
<li><a href=”http://www.discerningreader.com/”><img alt=”GT%20books.bmp” src=”http://www.discerningreader.com/images/top_logo.jpg” width=”155” /></a>
The width can be changed to whatever.
Hope you don’t mind, Mr. Challies.
7. Jeri
April 25, 2006
2:43 PM
Tim, this is great. I remember how excited I was to find the original Discerning website…your management of it will be excellent and trustworthy, I know, and it may be that because of the name people will be more likely to “stumble” across it, like I did. I guess you’re not going to offer books for sale, so will you point people to a place to go to buy these books? Congratulations! And congratulations to Aileen, too…the Lord is good! Looking forward to your live-blogging.
8. David Williams
April 25, 2006
2:43 PM
I love the site Tim! :-) Im looking forward to the ‘expert reading lists’ upcoming. Thanks for providing a site that gives recomendations/reviews on good books. The site looks great, easy to use and clean looking. very nice indeed. Keep seeking Christ and have a great time at the TFG conference. Keep an eye on Paul for me, eh? :-)
9. Kyle Essary
April 25, 2006
3:18 PM
Thank you so much! I was one of the MANY who had money stolen from the former Discerning Reader and when I asked about why it had been months without my books shipping was rudely cussed at and insulted. Thanks for redeeming that site.
Your version of DR looks great!
10. david
April 25, 2006
3:23 PM
4ever4given,
For your information, when you type html in these comments, it gets read as html. If you want it to appear as typed, you have to type < as &_l_t_; (take out the _) and > as &_g_t_;
I fixed it for you.
11. Brian Thornton
April 25, 2006
3:34 PM
The site looks great!
12. Tim Challies
April 25, 2006
3:37 PM
Thanks, everyone, for the kind comments.
“Might there be a film section on the DiscerningReader???? that would be pretty helpful! maybe the DiscerningReeler or something catchy”
Yes. DiscerningViewer is on the way.
“Could there be a better-named site?”
No. That’s why I bought the name!
How does that tie into this new site? Have you found someone yet?
This was the project for which I needed another voracious reader. I have since put together a small team of great readers.
I guess you’re not going to offer books for sale, so will you point people to a place to go to buy these books?
I offer books through both Amazon and Monergismbooks (where they are available). So hopefully people can research books and then support the site by buying them.
13. mpethe
April 25, 2006
4:02 PM
If I remeber correctly, the price for that domain name was quite steep.
Hope you got a good deal on it.
Even though it went kind of goofy, I still miss the old DR for some reason. Your site looks good too though.
Did you have any thoughts of carrying on with book sales, or was it always the thought to leave that to the likes of Amazon and/or Monergism?
14. Warren
April 25, 2006
4:13 PM
Question: I remember a while back you were working on something called Review Force, that included music, books, and video. Is that gone, or is there a possibility of that becoming DR? Just curious — I got a great CD because of that (and reviewed it twice!).
15. Davey
April 25, 2006
4:18 PM
Love the design! It really looks great.
16. Mike Hess
April 25, 2006
4:22 PM
Tim,
Thank you for this great resource! I know that it will be used my many in the future.
17. 4ever4given
April 25, 2006
4:33 PM
Hey, thanks David… looks like I left alot of unnecessary spaces, too. Oops. Mr. Challies knows I am new at all this stuff. My 12 year old son is now my teacher in this. ha.
Anywho… it turned out looking really great on my sidebar. I am tickled pink to add this is as a link. What a fantastic ministry, Mr. Challies. Much appreciate the opportunity to enjoy the fruit of your labour.
18. Tim Challies
April 25, 2006
4:44 PM
“Did you have any thoughts of carrying on with book sales, or was it always the thought to leave that to the likes of Amazon and/or Monergism?”
No, I’ll never sell books. Not only does it not really interest me, but I live on the wrong side of the border to make that work!
“I remember a while back you were working on something called Review Force, that included music, books, and video. Is that gone, or is there a possibility of that becoming DR?”
That was a little bit before its time. I hope to bring it back before too long. I’ve come to realize that I cannot head it up, though, so have to seek someone who is a (ahem) discerning listener…
19. dcypl
April 25, 2006
5:01 PM
Hey Challie, Which is the wrong side of the border? I’m curious, the grass is always greener. you know!
Will definitely be on my “reading list” will there be feeds? Whole Site and by category? Firefox doesn’t show a feed for the site yet.
20. Derek Brown
April 25, 2006
5:38 PM
Awesome! What an excellent and helpful resource. Thanks, Tim!
21. Alex Forrest
April 25, 2006
5:50 PM
Tim this is fantastic. It looks great and will really fill a need. I’m particuarly enthused about the expert and starter lists. What a great idea.
Hope to meet you in Louisville.
22. Bibliomaniac
April 25, 2006
7:01 PM
Just one small suggestion regarding DiscerningReader:
You could also encourage readers to not only order from Amazon or Monergism, but also to call their local Christian bookstore and see if the store has the book.
Many Christian bookstores—particularly independents—are having a difficult time surviving these days given competition from Amazon, etc. So you might occasionally give a plug for the local Christian bookstore that helps bring resources to the community. In addition, orders placed for “discerning books” may encourage Christian bookstores to carry more like discerning books.
Now, please don’t review TOO many great books all at once. My wallet won’t be able to handle it.
23. Tim Challies
April 25, 2006
7:30 PM
“Hey Challie, Which is the wrong side of the border? I’m curious, the grass is always greener. you know!”
I’m in Canada. It would be well-nigh impossible to run an online bookstore in Canada.
“Will definitely be on my “reading list” will there be feeds? Whole Site and by category? Firefox doesn’t show a feed for the site yet.”
I hope to, eventually. First I need to learn how to create an RSS feed from PHP/MySQL.
24. Dallas Pymm
April 25, 2006
7:57 PM
It looks great Challies. You have done a great job and I look forward to some great reviews.
I think this announcement calls for celebration. How about a give away?
“You could also encourage readers to not only order from Amazon or Monergism, but also to call their local Christian bookstore and see if the store has the book.”
I have been really struggling lately purchasing things from my local Christian bookstore. Which is odd due to the fact I used to work there. They sell so much heretical garbage that I feel that even if I buy a good Christ honoring product I am still helping support a business that promotes this stuff. I have been very grateful for monergism lately and my pocketbook can attest to that. Anyone think I am crazy. I guess it would not be quite as bad if they did not call themselves Christian. My local store seems like any other business, so why pay their higher prices when I can get them cheaper? Any comments?
25. Brian Thornton
April 25, 2006
8:47 PM
I think Dallas makes some good points.
One issue is that of good stewardship - if I can find the same product at a lower price, aren’t I being a better steward of the resources God has given me?
Another is that of supporting ministries/businesses that are worth supporting…regardless of the price point. If a particular ministry is truly one that advances the truth and glorifies the Creator, shouldn’t I be willing to maybe pay a little extra…knowing that the money will be used for a worthy ministry?
The question then becomes, “What qualifies as a worthy ministry?”
I’m not so sure that a local “Christian” bookstore would qualify in my mind…mainly because (and I am thinking of the local ones here in my area) of the confusion and often flat out deception they create by the types of ridiculous products that are sold (the Jesus junk and heretical works of those outside orthodox Christianity).
So…my two cents is this: I would much rather purchase my books/DVDs from ministries such as Monergism.com and through Amazon off of the Challies.com web site, knowing that my purchases at Monergism are helping the work of John Hendryx, and my Amazon purchases through Challies are providing affiliate payments to Tim to further his work.
Good question, Dallas. I’m glad you asked it.
26. Ryan
April 26, 2006
12:02 AM
Tim,
I did a quick Google search for creating an RSS feed and found a PHP class that looks like it should get the job done easily.
Link: http://www.bitfolge.de/rsscreator-en.html
27. dcypl
April 26, 2006
6:46 AM
Thanks Ryan,
I thought someone would be up to the challenge!
Challie, Canadian “eh”!
My wife is one too and we’re moving back soon.
Excellent reviews and nice layout.
28. Spurgeonite
April 26, 2006
7:47 AM
This is truly great news. It was a tragedy what happened to the DR. I applaud you for “sanctifying” something that had been so corrupted. Way to go!
29. Bibliomaniac
April 26, 2006
8:14 AM
In response to the two people who didn’t feel purchasing books from their Christian bookstore were 1) in the best interests of good stewardship or 2) possible because the store carries so much garbage:
In response to both concerns, the key, has a lot to do with the bookstore itself. If there’s a good-quality Christian bookstore nearby, I don’t mind paying a little extra because it supports a business endeavor run by conscientious Christians who are making an effort to stock quality Christian resources.
I’ve interacted with many, many bookstore owners and workers through the years, and there are still a good number who open their stores as a ministry and genuinely desire to use discernment in terms of what they stock. These are the kinds of stores that are worthy of support. Over the last three years, close to 1000 Christian bookstores have closed their doors because bookselling (both secular and Christian) is such a low-profit-margin business.
Beyond that, it’s true there are also a lot of Christian bookstores that aren’t run as ministries and that carry biblically problematic books.
So it’s not a simple cut-and-dried issue. Multiple factors do enter the picture—1) do the owners see their business as a ministry to the local community, 2) do they use discernment in what they stock, and 3) are the prices reasonable?
There are more factors I could bring up, but these are the main ones.
30. Brian Thornton
April 26, 2006
10:20 AM
Bibliomaniac commented:
“So it’s not a simple cut-and-dried issue. Multiple factors do enter the picture—1) do the owners see their business as a ministry to the local community, 2) do they use discernment in what they stock, and 3) are the prices reasonable?”
I agree that it is not a cut-and-dried issue. The factors you listed above are the right ones, I think, to make a decision about spending money at any given “Christian” bookstore.
You say there are still plenty of bookstores where the owners are consciously trying to honor God in what they stock…and that very well may be true. I’m sure that even many of the owners who stock items and books that dishonor God would say they are trying to honor Him. Unfortunately, good intentions doesn’t always lead to the best of actions and choices.
My experience here in Georgia (by no means the necessary norm for others across the globe) is that there are no “Christian” bookstores here worthy of my money. The major ones - such as Lifeway and Family Chrisitan Bookstores - and the small mom-and-pops all stock the likes of T.D. Jakes, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyers and Joel Osteen right alongside works from Sproul, Piper, MacArthur, Ryken and Horton (though, one is usually hard pressed to find much of these latter authors in these stores). Not to mention the tons and tons of what I call “Jesus Junk”…today’s version of relics in my opinion.
So, while I am sure that there exists some doctrinally faithfull brick and mortar Christian bookstores, I have yet to see one in my area. I believe my money is better spent supporting ministries like Monergism and Challies and Ligonier and 9Marks.
If anyone knows of one in Georgia on the south side, I would love to know about it.
ps. My desire has always been to open up a God-glorifying bookstore/coffeehouse here on the southside of Atlanta…but I honestly don’t know how well it would do without all the trinkets and feel good authors…
31. Brendt
April 26, 2006
10:51 AM
Brian said: My experience here in Georgia (by no means the necessary norm for others across the globe)
and here on the southside of Atlanta…
Oh, well, we’re all totally normal over here on the north side of Atlanta. Yeah, right. ;-)
32. Brian Thornton
April 26, 2006
12:18 PM
Hi Brendt,
Didn’t mean to leave you high rollers on the north side of Atlanta out of my diatribe. ;>)
33. Dallas Pymm
April 26, 2006
2:29 PM
It’s good to see I am not alone with this opinion. I wish there was a great bookstore here in Sin City, Las Vegas. In the meantime, God has provided some great online sources. Speaking of which, Monergism is in the middle of updating and is accepting donations if anyone is able to give.
34. Sammy Jackson
February 16, 2008
7:33 PM
Christians Merging Together Ministries would like to invited other to be apart of a Praying For Communities Across The
Nation 2008. On March 1,2008 thur December 31,2008.
Please contact me about sharing a flyer with your church and community.