What follows is the list of books I’ve read this year, with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ as to whether or not I would recommend it.

Song Without Words: The Photographs and Diaries of Countess Sophia Tolstoy by Leah Bendavid-Val

She is definitely a woman worth taking the time to get to know.

The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment by Tim Challies

Yes.

Redefining the Strong-Willed Woman by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias

Don’t bother.

How to Get Your Husband to Listen to You by Nancy Cobb and Connie Grigsby

Yes.

A Quest for More by Paul David Tripp

Yes.

A Steadfast Heart by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Yes.

Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears

There are good and not so good things about this one. I enjoyed reading it. Driscoll seeks to correct popular misconceptions about who Jesus is. I would say he succeeded.

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and Jeffrey Zaslow

I enjoyed reading it, but this book made me very sad. Not one mention of Jesus. Paush writes, “I was raised by parents who believed that faith was something very personal. I didn’t discuss my specific religion in my lecture because I wanted to talk about universal principles that apply to all faiths — to share things I had learned through my relationships with people.” He goes on to share what he’s learned from some people in his church. The book was supposed to provide a broader platform than his lecture. He goes into detail about other things, but not his faith. Of all things to leave for his children, why not write more about that?

Idols of the Heart by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Every woman of God should read this book.

Mistaken Identity by Don and Susie Van Ryn (Author), Newell, Colleen & Whitney Cerak (Author), and Mark Tabb (Contributor)

Yes.

The Doctrine of Repentance by Thomas Watson

ABSOLUTELY!

Contentment by Lydia Brownback

Yes.

Trust by Lydia Brownback

Yes.

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

Yes.

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

NO!

Saving the Appearances: A Study in Idolatry by Owen Barfield

Very difficult book, but worth reading.

Because He Loves Me by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Yes!

More Than Kindness: A Compassionate Approach to Crisis Childbearing by Susan Olasky and Marvin Olasky

Yes.

Once Blind: The Life of John Newton by Kay Marshall Strom

Yes.

Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell and Patrick Robinson
Read a Discerning Reader review. Yes, I’d recommend this one.

The Missionary Call: Finding Your Place in God’s Plan for the World by M. David Sills
This is a must-read for any Christian who feels called by God to be a missionary.

Practical Theology for Women by Wendy Alsup

Yes.

The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace

Yes.