My Year in Books
It's becoming something of a tradition. Every year in December I share with you some of the books that have shaped, stretched and helped me during the year. Below you will find the list for 2025. These are books that I found stimulating, enjoyable, and helpful, and which I commend to you. I've also included a list of some fiction and non-fiction books that I enjoyed.
The Life of Martyn Lloyd-Jones – 1899-1981
by Iain H. Murray
At almost 500 pages of small print, this is not for the faint of heart. But I guarantee it will reward your effort and feed your soul. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the Welsh doctor and preacher, was one of the most influential Christian figures in the 20th century. He served for almost 30 years as the minister of Westminster Chapel in London. I was moved by his example of steadfast faithfulness, fervent prayerfulness, and devotion to the Scriptures. A marvellous book about a magnificent man.
Remember Heaven: Meditations on the World to Come for Life in the Meantime
by Matthew McCullough
How does the hope of heaven help us in the present? This is the question that Matthew McCullough explores in this deeply insightful and wonderfully edifying book. He connects the bright hope of heaven to many of our pressing problems—dissatisfaction, inadequacy, anxiety, grief, indwelling sin and more. McCullough was able to take familiar passages and infuse them with fresh insight, while also drawing on different Christian thinkers from the past. I'd previously enjoyed and benefitted from McCullough's book, Remember Death, and this was no different.
Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?
by Timothy Keller
This is trademark Tim Keller. He very ably navigates the fraught waters of forgiveness with biblical depth, practical wisdom and gospel clarity.
To the Tenth Generation: God's Heart for Your Family, Far into the Future
by Ray & Jani Ortlund
This is like sitting down with two wise saints offering their sane and Scriptural guidance for the wonderfully complex task of parenting. Perhaps surprisingly, but very helpfully, Ray and Jani remind parents that their main task is to attend to their own personal relationship with God and to work at building a flourishing marriage. Good parenting will flow from those two things. Simple but powerful.
Both/And Ministry: Living and Leading Like Jesus
by Gary Millar
Ministry, like life, is full of tension. There are all sorts of things we must do and be—often at the same time! As Gary explains, "Things like learning to live confidently in Christ and mistrust our own sinfulness; or being urgent about gospel work and patient with people; or taking up our cross and denying ourselves daily and running to Jesus to find rest for our souls." If you've ever felt this tension, or been tempted to settle for an 'either/or' approach to the Christian life, you'll find wise guidance in this book.
Why does God care who I sleep with?
by Sam Allberry
There aren't many more pressing or potent questions than this in our current cultural climate: 'Why does God care who I sleep with?'. In this short book (140 pages), Allberry answers the question with clarity, compassion and care, helping us to see, appreciate and cherish the biblical vision of sex and sexuality.
Others I Enjoyed
- Juice by Tim Winton
- Lords of the Earth by Don Richardson
- I Escaped from Auschwitz by Rudolf Vrba
- Australian Gospel: A Family Saga by Lech Blaine
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
- Nothing to Envy: Life, Love and Death in North Korea by Barbara Demick
- The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 by Lawrence Wright
- Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission by Hampton Sides
Grace and peace,
Adam
