Here are the books that I read in 2011 and a short thought about them (Listed in order of when I read them through the year):
1) Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick:
- Very challenging and inspiring book, especially for church planters. Good practical as well as philosophical thoughts and approaches to life and ministry.
2) Love Wins by Rob Bell
- Interesting read. Nice thoughts at times. Mostly regurgitation of other people’s thoughts. No real original scholarship. What scholarship there was, it seemed to poor.
3) Passion is Not Enough by Greg Darley
- Really good read, especially if you want to do something great. Fantastic practical steps and insights to achieve big goals.
4) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling
- Heartwarming, fun read. Fantastic start for the journey. This book really does set the foundation for the series well. Its all about the trio: Harry, Ron, and Hermione overcoming obstacles. That is the truth of the series.
5) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling
- Starts introducing you to more of the story. Intricate details emerge for later. Great, fun read.
6) Crazy Love by Francis Chan
- Radical, yet biblical approach to life and relationship with Christ. Didn’t blow me away like it did others.
7) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling
- New story elements that keep building the immensity of the story. Such fun.
7) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling
- The story goes to a whole new level. The villain has returned. The plans of both sides are set in motion. The good guys experience death. The kids experiences love and loss.
9) Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling
- Very fun book. For the most part the book is a very necessary filler. It creates depth for all the sub-characters, and connects them in strength to the story as a whole. The final chapters of the book reconnect back to the whole story. This is the first place where your emotions get really involved. The bad guys again thwarted in their short-term plans, but the good guys experience tragedy.
10) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling
- Its the opening act to the end. You get to plainly see where you are headed with the story. Its superbly written and my second favorite book of the series. Once again, your emotions run high, and I for one shed a tear reading it.
11) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
The perfect book. The perfect ending. Fantastic. Brilliant. The intricacies that been woven throughout come back together here. There is completion, friendship, love, loss, hurt, pain, death, victory, and new life. It is by far the best book of the series and one of the best books I have ever read.
12) Prodigal God by Tim Keller
- The best Christian book I read this year. Purely wonderful. Reaches deep, cuts away the excuses, provides hope. Wonderful.
13) Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel
Very good. Worth the read for all believers, especially those in ministry. Practical insight, and heartfelt instruction.
14) Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
My first venture into the life of Sherlock Holmes. Will not be my last. Very enjoyable!
15) He is There, He is Not Silent by Francis Schaeffer
Never has a book so small been so good and at the same time so difficult to read. Bring along a dictionary.
16) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Great book. I love the story and the premise. I had heard a lot about it before I read it and I was not disappointed!
17) Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
WOW! Just wow… Better than the first book. Very great. Perfect continuation of the story. Its a lot like Empire Strikes Back in that its one of the rare situations where the sequel is better than the original.
18) Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Good book and I loved it until the last three chapters. Then it was like she realized she was running out of time and threw it all together at the end. Really disappointed with the way it ended. I enjoyed the resolution but the way it happened was weak!
19) Quidditch Through the Ages by JK Rowling
Fun little supplemental book to the Harry Potter series. A lot of fun.
20) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by JK Rowling
Ditto.
21) The Bro Code by Barney Stinson
Given to me by a bro a few years ago. Very funny. Not spiritually uplifting at all. Not all bad though.
22) Tales of Beadle the Bard by JK Rowling
The wizarding fairy tales introduced in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Akin to Aesop’s fables in that they are fantasy with a moral story to them. Nice.


