10 Best Books I’ve Read in 2025
10 Best Books I’ve Read in 2025
Any study will show what we already intuitively know and that is you can draw a straight line between next level communicators and their commitment to read or consume large amounts of context (I use the word consume because today we have audio books).
I caught onto this when I was just starting out as a young communicator. My dad always kept a book in his hand. To this day, he’s always recommending books he’s recently read, and he’s well into his seventies. My pastor's home office and church study were overflowing with books. D.A. Carson once told me he read around five hundred books a year (That’s more than one book a day!). One university president told me he has a personal library of over sixty-five thousand books and that he’s read them all. On and on I could go. In fact, I don’t know of a single communicator I respect who doesn’t read widely.
I think you get the point. If there’s one skill we should develop which will have a multiplying impact on our growth as communicators it’s reading and consuming vast amounts of content.
Twice a year (once at the end of June, and the other at the end of December) you can count on me sharing with you some of the best books I’ve read. So here goes:
Rejoice and Tremble, Michael Reeves
Reeves takes a deep dive into what it means to fear the Lord. While he’s an academic, his approach will stir your heart. I haven’t read a book this year that warmed my affections for Christ more than this one.
Lyndon Johson and the American Dream, Doris Kearns Goodwin
I don’t know why, but I’ve been on a Goodwin binge the last few months. This memoir on one of the most legislatively accomplished presidents in American history should be required reading for all leaders. If nothing else, read chapter eleven. While most biographers either place halos or horns on their subject, few hold the tension between hero and humanity like Goodwin does in this book. I see why she won the Pulitzer for this one.
The Familiar Stranger, Tyler Staton
Haven’t read a better book on the Holy Spirit than this one. So there’s that.
The Invention of Wings, Sue Monk Kidd
My wife Korie reads more than me, but it’s all fiction, while I’m all non-fiction. Last year I decided to ask her to recommend some fiction so we can have more talking points, and she’s yet to miss. While fiction, this book is based on actual historical people (the Grimke sisters) and events. Kidd does a masterful job of pulling us into the tension, intelligent, strong willed women felt in the antebellum south who were opposed to slavery. I found myself crying and hopeful while reading this book. Thanks Korie!
The Tiger Slam, Kevin Cook
If you’re looking for a mindless, enjoyable read while digging your feet into the sand on vacation then this is for you…especially if you love golf. Tiger Woods winning four consecutive majors beginning with the 2000 US Open and ending at the 2001 Masters Tournament, is arguably the greatest stretch of golf ever. I couldn’t put this book down while on vacation earlier this year.
One Lost Soul: Richard Nixon’s Search for Salvation, Daniel Silliman
Okay, you should pick up by now that I’ve got a thing for biographies on political leaders. This is a unique one though, as Silliman looks at Nixon through the lens of faith. His failure to rest in the saving grace of God led him to control everything to his own peril. My favorite part was Nixon starting a church service which met just about every Sunday in the White House. He would determine the guest list, who spoke and what they would speak on. He did all of this because he was tired of going to church and having the preacher work him into their sermon.
Authentic Ministry, Michael Reeves
Yep, I’ve read a few Reeves books this year. Michael takes Paul’s instruction to Timothy to, “watch your life closely” and develops a whole book around it. If you are in ministry in any capacity this is for you. It’s a short book which challenges what the author calls “theological puberty,” which is where a person loves theology and doctrine more than Jesus. Instead Reeves calls us to develop an inner life of prayer and delighting in God. As with his other book that I read this year, I felt as if I was worshipping while reading.
Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions, John Grisham and Jim McCloskey
Dad recommended this one to me and I’ll say two things about it: 1. I hate this book and love this book. 2. I want my sons to stay in the house for the rest of their lives and avoid any possibility of even getting confused with a crime. Gut wrenching. Terrible. Somewhat redemptive. We’ve got to do better as a country.
Last of the Lions, Clarence Jones
In February of 1960, Clarence was a young lawyer living the dream in Altadena, California (his house had a palm tree in it), when Dr. King showed up at his house and asked him to lead their legal efforts. Oh, and he’d have to do it for free since he couldn’t afford to pay him. Clarence turned him down, and then made the mistake of going to church and hearing Dr. King preach. He knew what he had to do. When it was all said and done, Clarence would take the job, go onto smuggle King’s famous Letter from a Birmingham Jail and deliver to the press, write early drafts of King’s iconic, I Have a Dream speech and negotiate the release of so many who had been thrown in jail protesting for freedom. What a reminder that fulfillment doesn’t come from money or possessions.
Cry the Beloved Country, Alan Paton (re-read)
Hard to believe this book was written in 1946, two years before apartheid would become the law of the land in South Africa. A beautiful story of loss and hope across the ethnic divide.
What are some great books you’ve read this year? Shoot me an email and I’d love to add to the list. Oh, and don’t forget to preorder my book on Amazon, Grace to Overcome, which comes out August 19.
