I was able to finish a few more books this year than last year. It helped that Star Wars was better this year. As always, here's my disclaimer: This list only represents the books that I actually finished. This would be a far greater list if I retold all the books that I started, parts of commentaries that looked through, or early church reading that I accomplished. Okay, here it goes:
Professional Reading
1. The Secret Blend (Stan Toler) 180 Pages
2. The Making of a Leader (Robert Clinton) 272 Pages
3. Passion, Power and Purpose (Various) 207 Pages
4. Life Together (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) 122 Pages
5. The Spirit of Early Christian Thought (Robert Louis Wilken) 368 Pages
6. Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? (Philip Yancey) 351 Pages
7. Practical Guide to Solo Ministry (Stan Toler) 192 Pages
8. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team (Len Lencioni) 229 Pages
9. Serve God, Save the Planet (J. Matthew Sleeth) 225 Pages
10. Common Ground (Keith Drury) 187 Pages
11. Treasure the Word (Joseph Coleson) 201 Pages
12. The Orthodox Way (Kallistos Ware) 164 Pages
13. The Last Word (N.T. Wright) 146 Pages
14. Simply Christian (N.T. Wright) 240 Pages
15. The History of Christian Thought (Jonathan Hill) 352 Pages
16. Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger (Ron Sider) 335 Pages
17. Leading on Empty (Wayne Cordeiro) 215 Pages
18. 3 Colors of Your Spirituality (Christian Schwarz) 192 Pages
Personal Reading
1. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (Sean Williams) 319 Pages
2. The Copper Scroll (Joel Rosenberg) 368 Pages
3. Star Wars: Revelation (Karen Traviss) 410 Pages
4. Extreme Measures (Vince Flynn) 430 Pages
5. Star Wars: Invincible (Troy Denning) 299 Pages
6. The Associate (John Grisham) 373 Pages
7. Star Wars: Millennium Falcon (James Luceno) 317 Pages
8. Black Order (James Rollins) 426 Pages
9. Star Wars: Outcast (Aaron Allston) 302 Pages
10. Playing For Pizza (John Grisham) 262 Pages
11. Star Wars: Omen (Christie Golden) 236 Pages
12. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen) 281 Pages
13. Star Wars: Abyss (Troy Denning) 332 Pages
14. Open (Andre Agassi) 388 Pages
15. Star Wars: Precipice (Ebook – John Jackson Miller) 35 Pages
16. The Romanov Prophecy (Steve Berry) 387 Pages
34 Books 9343 Total Pages
Top Three Professional
1. A History of Christian Thought - I received this book many years ago and have slowly plugged my way through it... not because it was uninteresting... but because I was enjoying it so much. This single book gave me a passion to know and understand how the theology of Christianity has been developed through the years.
2. The Spirit of Early Christian Thought - My one/two punch should tell you where my interest has been recently... the exploration of Church history through the time of Augustine has been fascinating to me. This is a great book exploring the worship patterns, poetry and theology of the very early church. Well written.
3. Three Colors of Your Spirituality - This was a very interesting book that I just finished under the 2009 buzzer. The premise is that there are many different antennas that God 'broadcasts' on and each of us have a primary way of connecting with God. (The author gives nine options.) I found out that I connect with God best through the 'Sacramental' style... and might be more at home within an Eastern Orthodox worship service than even my own Wesleyan denomination. (No, I'm not switching...) I think this would be a book that could benefit many congregations.
Top Three Personal
1. Open - This autobiography by Andre Agassi was the best book I read all year. Agassi's various inner battles are disclosed. There were moments when I laughed out loud and there were moments when I was deeply moved. It's just a great story about a guy who was forced to play a sport and had to overcome himself in order to succeed in that sport.
2. Pride and Prejudice - Very good book. Grew to care about the characters and loved the witty dialogue. Never, in a million years, did I think this book would make my top two last January 1.
3. Star Wars: Millennium Falcon - Great 'mystery' story that explores the beginnings of this iconic ship from the classic Star Wars films.
