Listed below are the five books I read in January. While it was not intentional, there is clearly a strong emphasis on preaching in this list, with Charles Spurgeon taking center stage. However, I did manage to sneak in my Steinbeck and read a book I’d been meaning to for quite some time. Enough said, here’s the list.
1. "How to Eat Your Bible?" - Nate Pickowicz
I discovered this book after coming across a recent online review of it. I'm glad I found it and picked up a copy. I’d highly recommend to someone considering a deeper and more engaging read of the Bible. To the point, aside from the typical “through the Bible in a Year” approaches, I was drawn to all the different ways to engage with God’s Word, and in the end, it helped to shape how I’m reading the Bible in 2025. This book warrants 4 stars.
2. "The Winter of Our Discontent" - John Steinbeck
This might be my 4th or 5th Steinbeck book now. I’d been meaning to read this one for a while, but had been putting it off until “winter” to do so. While this wasn’t necessary (as much of it takes place in the non-winter months and in California), it was a good way to start off the year. On the whole, I liked the book, but it wasn’t my favorite. Still, Steinbeck’s style of writing is something I’m drawn to and will eventually lead me to "East of Eden" at some point this year. I give the book 4 stars.
3. "Spurgeon the Pastor" - Geoffrey Chang
I’ve been reading a lot about Spurgeon of late (see below) but for good reason: Spurgeon was an incredibly gifted pastor, administrator, and an entrepreneur of sorts. While not all of his strategies would transfer especially well into today’s world, many of them do. Chang’s gift of writing clearly, and not getting bogged down in the details, proved refreshing and incredibly helpful to me as a pastor. I give this book 5 stars.
4. “Spurgeon: A New Biography” - Arnold Dalimore
While this is no longer a “new” biography of Spurgeon, the short and yet incredibly thorough survey of his life was just what I needed. While there were parts less interesting than others, the author did a great job of moving things along at a swift pace. In the end, I learned a lot and it greatly helped me form a biographical sermon on Spurgeon’s life. I give the book 4 stars.
5. “Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale” - Frederick Buechner
I’d read this book in graduate school a few years back, but I knew it would be wise to return to it once again. I was not disappointed. Beuchner has an incredible way with words as a preacher himself, and he weaves together things we would likely not normally associate with the Good News - tragedy, comedy, and the fairy tale. A short but deep read that warrants repeated readings. I give the book 4 stars.
