Books become friends. They instruct and inspire. As my wife will tell you, there are a lot of books around our home! At any given time there are several off the shelf, in the process of being read.

I have previously written several articles on reading and developing a library. There is both a discipline and a joy to reading. One thing that has helped me to read more is to read several books at a time. In this way, I am less likely to get bored with any one of them. I have also found that it keeps me well-rounded to read a variety of subjects and authors.

As I travel people often ask for book recommendations. This is a good practice and one I have tried to do personally. You can’t read everything. Good recommendations will keep you from wasting your time! A dear friend cautioned me not to “over read” just for the sake of reading. Read selectively. You only have so much time, energy, and resources.

I thought I would share a few of the books I am in the process of reading. They won’t all be your “favorite” but they are books that are ministering to me this week.

Here are books that are on desk…and in my briefcase…and on my bedside table right now…

Day by Day by George Duncan (devotional)

How the Scots Invented the Modern World by Arthur Herman

Treasury of Hymn Histories by Al Smith

They Were Pilgrims by Marcus L. Loane (biography)

Press On! You Can by Dave Barba

In Light of Eternity: The Life of Leonard Ravenhill by Mack Tomlinson (biography)

Biblical Slave Leadership by Daniel L. Anderson

The Way to Pentecost by Samuel Chadwick

The Pilgrim Psalms: Our Pilgrimage to God’s Presence by Jimmy R. Reagan (commentary on Ps. 120-134)

Never stop reading! Most importantly, never allow any book to substitute for the Bible. “Give attendance to reading” (1 Timothy 4:13).

It would be a joy to hear some of your favorite books and authors. What are you reading right now?