2010 Summer Reading List: Mine

I’m a bit of an overachiever when it comes to reading.  Oh sure, I believe that it’s entirely possible that I can read the entire thirteen volume series of A Series of Unfortunate Events over the course of commercial breaks of NBC Nightly News, but my actual reading time often gets interrupted by church emergencies, falling asleep on the couch with a book in hand, and the occasional land shark attack.  Nevertheless, I fully intend to tackle these books this summer.  That’s right: ten books in ten weeks.  A veritable decabyte of reading.

Editor’s note: Perhaps you should make #11 a dictionary.

Here they are, in no particular order…

1. Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change, Paul David Tripp. The title alone used enough ink that the publisher had to charge 28% more.  But I started Tripp’s book last year and had to put it down after two chapters due to a land shark attack.  I would explain what it’s about, but I’m paying by the word and the book’s subtitle used up all the availab
2. Outstanding! 47 Ways to Make Your Organization Exceptional, John G. Miller.  The author of Question Behind the Question is back with a great book on improving the performance of your business, church, etc.  This book has been taunting me from the shelf, whispering for me to pick it up and peruse ever since I bought it.
3. The Principle of the Path: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, Andy Stanley.  The megachurch pastor’s pastor always delivers.  Can’t wait to see where this path takes me.  Pun intended.
4. What to Say to a Porcupine: 20 Humorous Tales that Get to the Heart of Customer Service, Richard S. Gallagher.  I know nothing about this one, but it looked fun.  And it was on sale.  And any book with the words “porcupine,” “humorous,” and “customer service” is okay by me.
5. Leading on Empty: Refilling Your Tank and Renewing Your Passion, Wayne Cordeiro.  I don’t feel burned out.  I don’t particularly smell burned out.  But I’ve heard enough people say this book is money that I need to read it just in case I ever get burned out.
6. Breaking the Islam Code: Understanding the Soul Questions of Every Muslim, J.D. Greear.  The Summit’s lead pastor may or may not have promised to fire me if I didn’t read his book and give it a very positive review.  So I can say in advance faith: “five stars, two thumbs up, I laughed…I cried…much better than Cats.”
7. The Me I Want to Be: Becoming God’s Best Version of You, John Ortberg.  I’ll admit that I feel like I should be drinking a cappuccino, wearing a beret, and playing a lute while typing that title, but a trusted friend gave it to me and he swears it’s good, so I’ll bet it’s good.
8. Autobiography of George Mueller, George Mueller.  I refuse to explain further.
9. Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion, Kevin DeYoung & Ted Kluck.  These guys have a good track record (they also wrote Why We’re Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be).  No land shark in the world will keep me away from this one.
10. Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream, David Platt.  I felt like hot pastoral stuff when the publisher sent me an advance preview copy in the mail.  Not many people got an advance preview copy of this particular book, mind you.  It was just me…and 16 other members of our staff…and people who used to lead small groups in the 80’s…and a guy named “Big Stu” whose official mailing address includes the description “cellblock 157.”  So even though I’m not as hot as I thought, I’m still readin’ it, because free is good.

Did I miss anything?  What would you say needs to fit into my ten-week reading marathon?