2025 Summer Reading List: Mine
Summertime is upon us, and with it, that glorious season of summertime reading.
While I love to read all year long, in the summer months I try to be a bit more intentional about what I read. That’s why my recommendation and curation process often begins in April as I try to source what others are reading in an attempt to build my own list.
Earlier this week, I shared ten titles I think you should take a look at. As for me, I’m going to spend the 14 weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day working through the following. Let me know if you follow suit on any of these, and we’ll compare notes!
Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest (Stephen Ambrose) I’ve been on a bit of a war kick lately. Having never seen the series, I figure, why not dig into the book?
Biblical Grandparenting: Exploring God’s Design for Disciple-Making and Passing Faith to Future Generations (Josh Mulvihill) We’re now at four, so each year I try to read at least one book on how to get this Pops gig right.
The Book Of Lost Tales, Part One (History of Middle-Earth 1) (J.R.R. Tolkien) I was late to the Tolkien game, having just read The Hobbit when I was 40. This is the next level of nerddom.
Brand Luther: How an Unheralded Monk Turned His Small Town into a Center of Publishing, Made Himself the Most Famous Man in Europe–and Started the Protestant Reformation (Andrew Pettegree) I’m going to Germany for the first time this summer to see a couple of church planting friends, so my reading list this spring has been trending towards the history of that region. This one was recommended by my pastor and looks like a pretty interesting take on Mr. 95 Theses himself.
De-sizing the Church: How Church Growth Became a Science, Then an Obsession, and What’s Next (Karl Vaters) I’ve long been a fan of Vaters, and a recent interview on a friend’s podcast made me know this was a book I need to read.
Likable Leader: Becoming a Leader People Love to Follow (Jason Young and Jonathan Malm) I heard Jason give this talk nearly ten years ago, and it still resonates with me. I was thrilled when he told me it’s turning into a book. Even though I haven’t read it, I’m confident I can recommend it to you!
Lost in the Middle: Midlife and the Grace of God (Paul Tripp) When I told a friend that I plan to read this book this summer, he replied “It’s kind of late for you to be reading this, isn’t it?” And that’s why we’re no longer friends.
A Non-Anxious Presence: How a Changing and Complex World will Create a Remnant of Renewed Christian Leaders (Mark Sayers) I’ve heard enough folks talk about this book (and had enough friends recommend it) that it was a no-brainer for this summer’s list.
Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void (Mary Roach) Another Mary Roach book? Another Mary Roach book. I figure if Elon is making us all go to Mars, I should be ready.
Reset: How to Change What’s Not Working (Dan Heath) Any Heath book that goes to print is an automatic pre-order for me. This one has an extra-special twist to it…stay tuned for the inevitable Top Ten Quotes post.
Seven Women: And the Secret of Their Greatness (Eric Metaxas) Another book that’s resided in my Kindle for years. Look at me being fiscally responsible.
Sharing Your Church Building (Ralph Curtin) Tell me you’re a church administration nerd without telling me. (Everybody else on the beach reading their political thrillers are gonna be so jealous.)
That Hideous Strength: (Space Trilogy, Book Three) (C.S. Lewis) I’m wrapping up the Space Trilogy journey that started for me on last year’s list. I’ll just go ahead and confess my unpopular opinion: Narnia is way better than Malacandra.
Writing to Learn: How to Write – and Think – Clearly About Any Subject at All (William Zinsser) Another title that’s been pointed to and referenced enough times that it’s time to actually read it.
Bonus: Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind (Nate Bargatze) I thought my summer reading list was finished a couple of weeks back. But then I discovered that my favorite stand-up comedian just released his first book. This one will be an Audible listen, obviously.
Thanks to you who recommended great titles, including some I ultimately chose above. So for the rest of you, what are you reading this summer? Comment below!
