I read and review a lot of books. You already know this. I have been pleased to find that other Christians able to benefit from my love of reading through these reviews. I’ve received a lot of encouragement from people who have purchased books based on my recommendation and have been blessed by them. It has always been my purpose to help put good books in the hands of believers while helping them avoid ones that just aren’t worth reading. It is great to see this happen!
On occasion I’ve been told that people have difficulty navigating the large number of reviews on my blog (there are, after all, several hundred reviews now). To alleviate that problem, I have created a mini-site in which I have categorized and listed the reviews of books I recommend. Do note that in this section I have listed only books that I recommend (and hence I will not list books I do not recommend). Each book has a link to Amazon.com and a link to my review of that title. I hope and trust you will find this beneficial. I intend to make regular updates to this section, so please check back regularly.
If you are looking for a wider variety of reviews written by more people than just me, consider visiting another of my sites, Discerning Reader.
Because Christmas is coming and many people buy books for others, I have created a couple of lists of Christmas suggestions you may find helpful (books for non-readers and books for unbelievers).
You can visit the mini-site at www.challies.com/booklist/.
Comments (11) »
1. Kyle
November 2, 2006
10:47 AM
Tim,
Thanks for the helpful resource. I’m sure this will prove very beneficial, not only for my Christmas shopping, but for formulating my reading list for the next year or so.
One note to make: there are several examples of a book appearing twice on the same page.
Kyle
2. Tom
November 2, 2006
2:00 PM
Great list, Tim? I love reading/book lists, and will be sure to add your list to other “reading lists” I’ve linked on the right side column of my blog.
Blessings!
Tom
Doctrine Matters
3. Tom
November 2, 2006
2:07 PM
Whoops. Wrong key.
Should read Tim! with exclamation point, not a question mark. :(
Tom
Doctrine Matters
4. Doc
November 2, 2006
2:09 PM
Tim
Good list. Surely I can’t be the first person to recommend to you that you include ‘America Alone - The End Of The World As We Know It’ by Mark Steyn, can I. If you haven’t read it, you must. If you have, why isn’t it on the list??!! :-)
5. Josh
November 2, 2006
2:35 PM
Hi Tim,
Is the link broken for the review of Jonathan Edwards: A Life by George Marsden, or have you simply not posted the review? It doesn’t seem to be working.
6. JoannainCa.
November 2, 2006
4:46 PM
I’m reading “Mayflower” because of your recent positive review. :)
7. Gretchen
November 3, 2006
12:02 AM
I appreciate your recommendations. I have managed a children’s book store for the past 3 Christmases, so we have bought MANY books for gifts over the years. I especially appreciate your ideas for “non-readers” and I laugh because I have read so many of them! But I do see why they would be great for non readers! Thanks so much and keep up the good work!
8. Odious Herodias
November 3, 2006
2:04 AM
Tim:
It actually might be helpful to at least LIST the books you do not recommend. That will remove the uncertainty for folks considering a book not on your recommended list, ie. has Tim not reviewed this book or is it not on his recommended list?
OH
9. Tim Challies
November 3, 2006
6:24 AM
Odious - That is more a function for Discerning Reader, I think. But I may consider it.
“I’m reading “Mayflower” because of your recent positive review. :)”
Glad to hear it. Others who have done the same have enjoyed the book a lot.
Josh - I should have a review of it today (or soon, anyways)
“One note to make: there are several examples of a book appearing twice on the same page.”
That is when I’ve pulled a few titles to appear as “Top Picks.”
10. Ann
November 3, 2006
6:13 PM
Thanks! I am thankful for your reviews and now an easier way to access them!… and thankful for the Discerning Reader.
I wonder if you would put an author list on your mini-site? It would be a great help when researching books to choose for book-clubs. Sometimes I might want to choose a specific author, say John Piper, and want to quickly see reviews of several of his books.
And, please read more fiction! :) Fiction works well for drawing new people into a book-club, but it is much harder to sort through this genre. Jesus displayed the power of drinking in doctrine through stories. More stories, please. :)
11. Tim Challies
November 3, 2006
6:24 PM
Ann - One reason I don’t review more nonfiction is that I don’t feel I am very discerning when it comes to quality. I tend to enjoy books that others would feel are just plain bad. The same is true of music, actually…