Top 5 of ’05: Books
In case you haven’t figured it out, I love books. Just wish I took more time to read them. That’s a regret I have in my life. I’m constantly wishing I was reading more than I do. Maybe you all can hold be accountable to that in 2006. Until then, I’ve sorted through all the books I’ve read since I started blogging in April and these are:
Tony’s Top 5 Reads from 2005
- 7 Practices of Effective Ministry by Andy Stanley, Reggie Joiner and Lane Jones
- Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus
- Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham
- First Impressions: Creating Wow Experiences in Your Church by Mark Waltz
- Buzzmarketing by Mark Hughes
How about you? What were your favorite reads of 2005?
Note to Andy Stanley: I’ve noticed you’re posting comments on blogs all over the Web now. What’s it going to take to get you to leave a comment on my blog? I’m hoping that naming your book the "Best of 2005" will at least give me a shot at getting some of that Stanley love. How about sharing your favorite reads of 2005?
“Stanley love”?? I don’t even know what to say to that!!
Andy, should you actually read this, let me just say that not everyone here at Granger has Tony’s “issues.”
Also, my personal favorite book of yours is “The Best Question Ever” and you are more than welcome to comment on my blog at any time… ;) Love you Tony!!
In no particular order, here are my top 2005 picks…
“Jesus As They Saw Him” by William Barclay
“The 8th Habit” by Steven Covey
“Whatever Became Of Holiness?
by Steve DeNeff
“Never Eat Alone” by Keith Ferrazzi
“I Am Not But I Know I AM” by Louie Giglio
“Blink” by Malcolm Gladwell
“The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell
“The Far Side Wall Calendar” (2005) by Gary Larson
“Intentional Diversity” by Jim Lo
“The Barbarian Way” by Erwin McManus
“Pure Drivel” by Steve Martin
“God Is Closer Than You Think” by John Ortberg
“Can We Do That?” by Andy Stanley & Ed Young
“Summoned to Lead” by Leonard Sweet
“Biblical Interpretation: An Integrated Approach” by W. Randolph Tate
“The Younger Evangelicals” by Robert E Webber
In no particular order:
1. Eugene Peterson, Christ PLays in 10,000 places.
2. David Hackett Fisher, Albion’s Seed
3. Christian SMith, Soul Searching
4. John Steele Gordon, Empire of Wealth
5. Richard Hays, Conversion of the Imagination
Hi Tony,
Can you give us some links to the blogs that Andy Stanley has commented on. He shares some great insights and I would be interested to see what he says and who he is reading.
Thanks
Mark, these are the ones I know of:
> about North Point
> about closing Christmas weekend
tony
Hi guys.
Ok…should I surmise that my book God’s Blogs is not in your top reads because you haven’t read it?
Y’know, Andy wrote part of it. Actually the reference on the back cover.
Was just cruising through blog world and saw Andy’s name so I though I would drop by and do some shameless self promotion of my book,
Lanny Donoho
Lanny, if you send me a copy of your book, I’ll review it, and I’ll make you famous in donut shops, Taco Bell restaurants and other gathering places throughout metropolitan Granger, Indiana.
tony
Hi Tony,
Here’s something to chew over… Your top read of 2005, I’m sure they’re good books, but they’re all strategy / ministry books.
This isn’t a personal attack on you as such, after all I have no idea what other books you’ve read, but a lot of the blogs I’ve read with their reading lists and top books of 05, all of them are strategy.
Where are the books which just make you fall in love with God more and more?
Yes, strategy books do point you towards God but not in the same way devotional books do. Where are the books illuminating Scripture, deeper understanding, allowing you to soak Scripture and build an even bigger view of God into your life…
What do you think… are devotional books important?
James, I agree. That’s why I, in addition to reading the Bible, try to read books in these three categories:
> books by people inside the church that know stuff about building healthy, growing ministries
> books by people outside the church that know stuff about leadership, growing businesses, marketing, etc.
> books by Christ-followers that will give me new insights into my spritual journey and help me better understand my relationship with Jesus.
Barbarian Way falls into that last category. So does flashBANG and You! which are currently featured on the left sidebar.
I do, however, read a lot of strategy books. Mainly that’s because that’s the way God created me. He designed me to be strategic. So, I try to fuel that in my life so that I can be the best strategic guy I can be within God’s power. Then I try to share what I’m learning with others. I guess the jury is still out on whether or not that plan is working.
tony
hey
i just now made it back to your site
i will send you my book if you send me your address
send it to my email address
thanks
hope i make it to the donut shops in your area
lanny
Thanks Lanny! Can’t wait to read it.
tony
Think Big, Act Small by Jason Jennings
Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott
The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman
Freakonomics by Dubner & Leavitt
enjoy…