Theology
Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist by John Piper - By definition, "hedonism" is the pursuit of pleasure and self-satisfaction. But Piper changes everything when he introduces the term "Christian hedonist," defining it as one who pursues joy in God, delighting in duty, and reveling in satisfaction solely in Christ.Name above All Names by Alistair Begg and Sinclair B. Ferguson - This book is a rich, beautiful, thoughtful read on seven names of Jesus as examined in the Scriptures. Begg and Ferguson instill in the reader a deep desire for worship and joy through the exaltation of the Name above All Names, Jesus Christ.
The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul - Through poignant reflections and biblical insight, Sproul highlights a powerful and essential characteristic of God that has been sadly minimized or downright ignored in many churches today. As one marketer said, once you encounter the holiness of God, you will never be the same.
Knowing God by J.I. Packer - This is another powerful book from a seasoned theologian, with over 1,000,000 copies sold. Just as the title suggests, this book is about the life-long pursuit of knowing God.
What is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert - This is a short book, and Gilbert wastes no space in his message. The gospel is made up of four parts - God, man, Christ, response. Highly recommended for new Christians.
Biblical Womanhood
The True Woman: The Beauty and Strength of a Godly Woman by Susan Hunt - By far probably the best book I've read on biblical womanhood, Hunt brings a different perspective than so many of the common cliches. Grounded in the gospel, this is not a self-empowerment book to help women feel better about themselves; it's a convicting, challenging, humbling, theological, yet simple and sincere call to women to exchange the new woman of the world for the true woman of the Bible.Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God by Noel Piper - This is a biography of sorts, highlighting six "faithful woman and their extraordinary God." Piper examines the lives of Sarah Edwards, Lillias Trotter, Gladys Aylward, Esther Ahn Kim and Helen Roseveare, all the while weaving the threads of the gospel through the rich narratives of their stories.
Damsels in Distress: Biblical Solutions for Problems Women Face by Martha Peace - The subtitle of this book illustrates its extreme practicality through the no-holds-barred approach Peace takes to the "problems women face." Through humility, kindness and a firm stance on truth, Peace looks at oft-neglected issues like manipulation, vanity, hurt feelings, gossip and the feminist influence.
Girl Talk: Mother-Daughter Conversations on Biblical Womanhood by Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Mahaney Whitacre - A fantastic resource for mothers and daughters, Mom and I read this book a couple of years ago and were immensely encouraged and edified through it.
Current Issues
Abortion: A Rational Look at an Emotional Issue by R.C. Sproul - This is a book that is written mainly to refute the arguments of pro-abortion activists, but as an anti-abortionist I still found it to be a remarkable resource. Sproul speaks eloquently, graciously, firmly, kindly and rationally at, just as the subtitle suggests, "an emotional issue."What He Must Be ... If He Wants to Marry My Daughter by Voddie Baucham, Jr. - My dad and I read this book together and often had discussions with my mom about the content. It is about marriage and more specifically about courtship. But first and foremost it is a book about the gospel and how that impacts everything we do and especially whom we marry.
Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations by Brett and Alex Harris - Born as a blog (TheRebelution), the movement of "Do Hard Things" was sparked by two teenage boys, Brett and Alex Harris, who wanted to do just what their book suggests years before its publication - rebel against the low expectations placed on teens in this society. Do Hard Things is a call for teens to cast off their low expectations and embrace the much higher ones God has placed on them.
Fiction
Safely Home by Randy Alcorn - One of the best fiction books I have ever read, Alcorn weaves together a rich, insightful, contemporary and sobering look at the persecuted church in China.The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien - Critically acclaimed to be some of the best works of literature produced in the twentieth century, Tolkien has created a masterpiece through the world of Middle Earth. Bilbo, Frodo, Samwise Gamgee, Gollum, Gandalf and every multi-faceted character in between - a brilliant work from a brilliant writer.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - This is one of my all-time favorite books, exploring so many deep and serious and important themes. And it doesn't hurt that Scout is one of the best narrators ever.
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis - This series is a beautiful allegory, written for children but read and enjoyed by people of all ages. Seven short books following one grand story brings the land of Narnia to life.