Karl's Reading List

Published by Multnomah Publishers: Oregon, 2000. This little book was very popular in Christian circles when it first came out, and I remember hearing about it, but I'm not sure whether I read it or not. It doesn't really matter if I did read it; it was so influential that I got the gist of what it was about anyway! The titular prayer is found in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, where 'Jabez' makes his only appearance in the Bible, in the midst of a long genealogy. Wilkinson stresses: "Something about this man Jabez had caused the historian to pause in middrone, clear his throat, and switch tactics. "Ah, wait a minute!" he seems to interjet. "You just gotta know something about this guy named Jabez. He stands head and shoulders above the rest!"" (page 14) After repeating the two verses to us that contain all of Jabez' life, Wilkinson then uses the rest of the book to break the prayer into chunks and talk about why he thinks it is so effective. For ...

Published by Sovereign World Ltd: England, 1987. First published by Harrison House Inc, 1982. One of those "it caught my eye on a bookshelf" books that so often end up being worth it, I found this one on our church "library" shelf.  Author Albert Hibbert tells highlights from the ministry of Smith Wigglesworth, writing from the perspective of a friend of the preacher. There are elements of biography weaved throughout, but it could more rightly be titled a 'memoirs' of sorts, as the majority of the book focuses on short anecdotes about Wigglesworth - the heart of his message, the salvations, the healings, and most of all, the close walk with his God. Those wanting a step-by-step account of Wigglesworth's life will be disappointed, but those wanting an understanding of what Wigglesworth was like and what he valued in life have come to the right place. Within the book - which is relatively short and divided into three sections - we get many pithy sayings th...

Published by WIPF & Stock Publishers: Eugene, Oregon, 2025. Grant Romoser-Claunch and his family have been through hell. Their son, Simon, was diagnosed at a young age with cancer, and this book contains Romoser-Claunch's reflections on, and processing of, the diagnosis and following treatments. It is a deeply moving account, which - as the parent of a son whose age is similar to Simon's at the time of treatment - hits home a little harder than perhaps it would otherwise. At one point, when the hospital has just informed the family of the cancer's return, Romoser-Claunch writes: "During dinner Simon - only just having turned two years old - prophetically roared, "I'll beat it again!" Filled with pride and hope, trusting and believing it to be true more and more each time he said it, we all cried and erupted with cheers and affirmations." (page 104) Wow. I tear up a little even writing that out.  I can't imagine going through such a journey. T...

Published as an audiobook by Blackstone Audio, Inc: 2013. First published 1536/1559 in Latin, 1541/1560 in French. Translated into English by Henry Beveridge, 1845. Audiobook narrated by Bob Souer. There is a real artifice to creating a yearly book list, that is sometimes more apparent to me than others. In terms of the placement of Institutes at this point in this list in this year, it becomes very apparent to me, because this is an audibook I started listening to in (I seem to recall) 2024. That means that I actually listened to the vast majority of this book (which at normal speed is 67 hours long - I did listen to parts of it at 1.25 speed) in 2024 and 2025, and yet, because it was finished now, I add it to my 2026 list. Potentially I could have divided it into four reviews, matching the four books/volumes of the overall work, but as it is gathered together under one title, I'm mostly happy with my decision. Still, I'm happy to be able to add it to any list, because this ha...

This is the first time I have done a 'yearly' top 5 (although I did a ' Top 5 Top 5s ' previously, after my 5th book list), but it seems to fit with the year ending in a 5. Anyway, this is entirely subjective, and is an indication of where I currently sit in regards to these books. The list might even be different if I was asked on a different day. The following are not reviews of these books per se, but each one has been reviewed, and that review can be found by clicking on the title of the book in question. Also, these are ranked in the order that I read them, rather than specifically 1-5 or 5-1. That would take a while longer to sort out! The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. I will give this one the award for 'Best Audiobook of the Year' and 'Best Whodunnit of the Year'. I listened to this over the Summer holidays last year, and enjoyed it enough that I listened to the rest of the series in the same year. Twisty, humorous, a bit unpredictable (a...

Published by NavPress/Tyndale House Publishers: USA, 2020. 'Generic' Christian encouragement books are kinda hard to write. You want to encourage people, and spur them on, while being witty and hopefully, saying something insightful. But unlike secular self-help books, you want to point to Jesus as the only way that these things can truly be achieved. If you read a lot, then these books can also begin to sound a bit alike. Never Settle is decent, appropriately (mildly) funny, with some good personal anecdotes by writer and preacher Greg Holder, yet it does, for the most part, appear quite familiar. I enjoyed reading it for what it was, but still knew the jist of where he was going. However, the hope in reading these books is that you will find  something new, or at least, something said in a new way. Either that, or something will 'jump out' at you in a fresh way. And, although much of the book was familiar, there were still moments that I appeciated. The last chapter i...

Published by Tyndale Publishers. Accessed via the Bible App at: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/10819-the-one-year-chronological-bible Five years ago Elise and I spent a year reading a chronologically arranged NLT version of the Bible , occasionally using the NIVUK audiobook version narrated by David Suchet to give my narrating skills a rest. This year, we once again did the chronological plan, but this time around chose to listen to the entire thing rather than use our physical copy (which we have lent to my parents anyway). This is, I think, the first time since beginning this blog that I am re-reviewing a previously reviewed book. I have re-read some books, but so far only ones that I read before I was writing reviews. But, this is a good book to break that trend, both because it is the Bible(!) and because listening to a (mostly) different version in a (for me) different format means that there were some different things that jumped out this time around. I do remember point...

Published by Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK): London, 2011 (2006). Back in 2018 I read three books by Tom Wright: Simply Jesus, How God Became King and this one,  Simply Christian. Each of them had similar themes, and really interested me. In fact, they interested and impacted me enough that when I made a post called " The 5th Year 5 Top 5s " I included Simply Jesus as one of my top 5 theology books, despite admitting that I didn't remember the specific  focus of that particular book... rather, acknowledging that all three books together had meant something to me. I also acknowledged that "I will eventually reread these books and give a more detailed review." Now, four years after writing those words and seven years after last reading a Tom Wright book, I have finally reread Simply Christian. Whereas last time around I started with Simply Jesus due to it being the first Tom Wright book I had come across, I made the choice to start with Simply Ch...

Published by InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove, Illinois, 2010. Recently, I met someone who is theologically suspicious of Constantine. I realise that numerous people are, but this person is of the opinion that Constantine was 'playing' the Council of Nicaea, cynically attempting to take over the Church, and even changing Scripture! As someone who has studied Theology, including Church History, this hasn't sat well with me - it doesn't feel accurate to the historical record, or to my theological understanding of the purpose of Scripture.  So, I have been re-reading some theological works I enjoyed in years past, and making sure I understand the arguments for and against Constantine. Guess which side Defending Constantine takes! This book begins with a focus more on the history of the time period and a biography of Constantine. Author Leithart gives the reasons why he is convinced that Constantine experienced a 'genuine' conversion to Christianity, and argues per...

Published by Victory Press: London & Eastbourne, 1976 (1962 - fourth edition). First published in 1957. Wow, it's been five years since the last time I read a book by Watchman Nee ! Time flies! I got this book from a box gifted to me by my late grandpa's wife, Leone - very generously. I think I have another copy of it somewhere, by it jumped out at me, and I decided to have a browse. A browse turned to a read quite quickly. Sit, Walk, Stand is based on a series of sermons that Watchman Nee did, which were inspired by the book of Ephesians. From that book, Nee draws the titular words out as key: "1. Our position in Christ - 'Sit' (2.6) 2. Our Life in the World - 'Walk' (4.1) 3. Our Attitude to the Enemy - 'Stand' (6.11)" (page ix). The rest of the book is broken into three chapters (sermons?), each of which focuses on one of those keys, unpacking them in the insightful and slightly foreign (culture) style that I have come to recognise as Nee...

Published by Penguin Books/The Penguin Group: London, England, 2005. First published as Frygt og Baven in 1843. Translated from Danish by Alistair Hannay, 1985. If I told you I "got" all of this book, I would be lying. There are definitely aspects that went over my head, even if I thought I got the gist of them. It is not an easy book. It is interesting, though. Which makes sense. Søren Kierkegaard is a philosopher who fascinates me, because of the way in which he chose to write: under different pen-names that each took a different position on what he was writing. This book, for example, is written under the name 'Johannes de silentio' (John the Silent), and is a meditation on the faith of Abraham, particularly regarding the sacrifice of Isaac. It is also the only Kierkegaard book I have ever successfully read the whole way through (so far). I think this is because "John the Silent" is a writer that appeals to me, being interested in what we can learn about ...

(title continues) "...With the Necessary Preparation Required For the Benefit of Young Communicants, and of Such as Have Not Well Considered This Holy Ordinance. To Which is Annexed, The Office of the Holy Communion, With Proper Helps and Directions For Joining in Every Part Thereof With Understanding and Profit." Published by the Society For Promoting Christian Knowledge: Northumberland Avenue, Charing Cross, London. First written 1734. First published 1807. This (physically) little book with the massive title has been sitting on my shelf at home for ages, and at times I've picked it up, curious to have a read, but then haven't gotten into it. Recently, Ezekiel came across it, and pulled it down from the shelf. Because it is an older and perhaps more fragile book than some, I moved it to my bedside table to keep it safe, and in the process, finally got into it.  I'm glad I did. Bishop Wilson writes in an old-fashioned style, occasionally seeming like his faith mi...

Published by Hodder & Stoughton, 2014. Audiobook published by Penguin Audio, 2014. Narrated by Sean Pratt. Usually when I finish an audiobook I remove it from my phone, in order to create space for the next one.  ...Yeah, my phone is a little old. I'm trying to not replace it for as long as I can... With this book on prayer, I'm holding off. I have considered a number of times simply starting it again and re- listening to it, because of how inspiring and insightful it has been. Keller is a good author - I already knew this - but Prayer is a really good book.  Keller admits at the outset that he was not good at prayer, and that this book arose from his desire to have a deeper prayer-life himself. In sensing my own stirring to pray, I relate to how he felt, and also find myself being challenged and stirred along with him throughout the journey of this book. In different sections, Keller looks at the history of prayer, prayer in other faiths, some of the great theological wo...

Published by Tyndall Momentum/Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.: Carol Stream, Illinois, 2017. Devotionals, to paraphrase Forrest Gump, are like a box of chocolates. Sometimes you get one that is super sweet and a bit sickly. Sometimes you get one that takes a bit of chewing to get through. And depending on your taste, you can sometimes find one that ticks all the right boxes , really satisfying your palate. Often, a single devotional will have days in it that get the flavour combination better than others, days that really speak to your soul (as only the best chocolate can), while others ever-so-slightly miss the mark.  Yet, a good quality box of chocolates will still be strong even when you find those slightly 'lesser' flavours. You can still appreciate the quality, flavour and craftsmanship that went into that coconut rough, and you eat it happily, knowing that tomorrow you'll get that salted caramel you were secretly hoping for. On the other hand, sometimes you get an expe...

Published by Whitaker House: New Kensington, PA, 1986. Quite a short book, I actually read this in a few hours while I was putting together a sermon on the topic of prayer and fasting. I have read a longer work by Derek Prince on this topic in the past ( Shaping History through Prayer and Fasting ), and wonder if this little book might actually be excerpts from that, but either way, it provides a good foundation to the biblical principle. The primary reason for (Biblical Christian) fasting, reminds Prince, is not to gain the health benefits that can come, nor to try and twist God's arm to do what we would like Him to do. Rather, "Primarily, the purpose of fasting is self-humbling." (page 6) Prince points out that throughout the Bible God promises blessings on those who are humble, and stresses that "We cannot transfer that responsibility to God. To pray, "God, make me humble," is unscriptural, because the reply of God in Scripture is always, "Humble y...

Published by Passio/Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group: Lake Mary, Florida, 2011. This is a book on discipleship that my mentor recommended I read, and I am glad I did. It will take me quite a while to unpack it, but the insights will be helpful as our church seeks to grow in this area. Murrell is a pastor at Victory Church in the Philippines, a church which saw a large growth in numbers during his time in leadership, but Murrell points out, firstly, that numbers are not as important as lives changed and people growing, and secondly, that a lot of what has happened at Victory isn't directly to do with him. He takes the example of wikipedia (which the book title is based on), and points out that originally the creators of wikipedia had attempted to make an online encyclopedia written by - and checked by - experts, but that this slowed the project down to the point that it was untenable. When they opened the project to amateur writers, it grew rapidly, in numbers of articles an...

Published by Regal Books/Gospel Light: Ventura, California, 2004. Part of 'The Worship Series.' This short book by Christian worship leader and song-writer Matt Redman is (appropriately) all about worship. Matt is a great choice to write a book like this; his own journey as a worship leader included a season where he laid the musical side of worship down entirely in order to re-focus his team on Christ. The message of Facedown ties into this attitude closely. Matt reminds his readers that God is Almighty, holy, beyond our comprehension, and that worship is an appropriate response before such a God. "Each time we gather together, we don't just journey to a church building - we journey to the very throne of God. To lose sight of this is to lose sight of the majestic in worship. Every kingdom has a king, and every king has a throne. And the kingdom of God is no exception. He is the King above all kings, and He has the throne above all thrones. There is no higher seat of a...

Published by Adam and Charles Black Limited: London, 1963. Translated from German by LA Garrard. First published in German as 'Griechische Kirchenväter' in 1955. A 'proper' theological work by a 'proper' theologian, The Fathers of the Greek Church gives a brief biography of a number of the - wait for it - fathers of the Greek Church. Being written by a theologian, it is no surprise that the book focuses more on the theological writings of each individual than their actual biography, although this is still covered. I love church history, and what I enjoyed about  Fathers was learning more about the beliefs of a number of these individuals, or even (for a few) hearing about them at all! With early church history it is also interesting to track the development of concepts that modern believers take for granted. It is not that these concepts had to be invented - as Scripture alludes to them -   but it took some time for the understanding of these concepts to be soli...

Published by Hodder & Stoughton Ltd.: London, 1956 (1947). Some books are quick reads. Some are not. Some only take me a day or two. Some take a lot longer... I can estimate almost to the day how long this book took me to read, because I started it a day or two after I put up my post about finishing my previous 'devotional' book, The One Year Worship the King Devotional , posting on September 25th last year. So, about 214 days (including February 29th). This might imply that I didn't enjoy The Way, but that is definitely not the case. E Stanley Jones is a very interesting writer, but is just not a quick read. He was widely travelled, and spent a large amount of time in India, where he set up Christian 'ashrams.' This is important to note, because at times Jones sees things in a very non-Western way, pulling out gems of truth from scripture I had never considered before, or life-lessons that are very a pplicable while being quite 'foreign.' Two examples f...

Published by Penguin Audio, 2017. Audiobook narrated by the author. I knew next to nothing about Martin Luther before beginning this book, only that he was famous for starting the Reformation and did so by nailing his 95 Theses to the door of a church. There is a lot more to him than that! The thing that struck me most, while listening to this book, was how little Martin Luther intended to be controversial; as Metaxas argues, Luther wrote the 95 Theses in Latin (the scholarly language) because he intended to have a scholarly debate, not a revolution. It was only when his theses were translated into German and distributed by others that he was forced to defend them in public, thus going further than he intended. As things escalated, and Luther made more and more controversial statements (controversial to the ears of the established church of the day), there came a point where Luther gained a real peace with what was happening, because it was 'obvious that God was in it.' If that...