Jeremy Sarber

2021 Christian reading challenge

For the second time, I’m joining Tim Challies’s Christian reading challenge. This year, I’ll read books that fit the following descriptions, probably in the order listed here.

I’ll update this list throughout the year and include a three-star rating once I’ve completed each book. One star means I don’t recommend it. Three stars are my stamp of approval. Two is, of course, somewhere in the middle.

  1. A book published in 2020 or 2021: Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane C. Ortlund (★★★)
  2. A memoir or autobiography: Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi (★★★)
  3. A classic novel: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (★★)
  4. A book by or about a pastor or a pastor’s spouse: Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church by Paul David Tripp (★★★)
  5. A book about a book of the Bible: 1-2 Peter: An Expositional Commentary by R.C. Sproul (★★★)
  6. A book published by Zondervan: The Prodigal: A Ragamuffin Story by Brennan Manning (★★)
  7. A book with the word “Gospel” in the title or subtitle
  8. A book with an image of a person on the cover: Parenting by God’s Promises: How to Raise Children in the Covenant of Grace by Joel R. Beeke
  9. A book about a current social issue
  10. A book for children or teens
  11. A book about theology: Kingdom Come: The Amillennial Alternative by Sam Storms
  12. A book about Christian living
  13. A book of your choice: Stop Reading the News: A Manifesto for a Happier, Calmer and Wiser Life by Rolf Dobelli (★★)
  14. A book written by a Puritan
  15. A book recommended by a family member
  16. A book about social justice
  17. A novel that won the Pulitzer Prize
  18. A book with two or more authors
  19. A book with at least 400 pages: The Confessions by Saint Augustine
  20. A book by C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien
  21. A book that has a fruit of the Spirit in the title
  22. A book on the New York Times Bestsellers List
  23. A book about prayer
  24. A book about theology
  25. A book about Christian living
  26. A book of your choice
  27. A book from a theological viewpoint you disagree with
  28. A book by someone whose ethnicity is different than yours
  29. A book that won an award
  30. A book about leadership
  31. A book by Charles Dickens or one of his contemporaries
  32. A book of poetry
  33. A book based on a true story
  34. A book with an illustration on the cover
  35. A hardcover book
  36. A book with 100 pages or less
  37. A book with a one-word title
  38. A devotional book (30 days or longer): Reading Between the Lines: Old Testament Daily Readings by Glen Scrivener
  39. A novel set in a country that is not your own
  40. A book about music
  41. A book of Christian fiction
  42. A book about joy or happiness
  43. A book by a female Christian author
  44. A book whose title comes from a Bible verse
  45. A book by an author 30 or younger
  46. A self-improvement book
  47. A book set during WWII
  48. A book you own but have never read
  49. A book about abortion
  50. A book about theology
  51. A book about Christian living
  52. A book of your choice