It’s National Book Lovers Day—Here Are 7 of Our Favorites

Love the smell of an old book or the feel of the cover of a new one? Or does downloading a new digital book make you smile?

Today is your day.

Book Lovers Day (aka National Book Lovers Day in the United States) is celebrated on August 9 every year, an unofficial holiday observed to encourage bibliophiles to celebrate reading and literature.

But to truly celebrate it, you’ve got to—you guessed it—read something.

Here are seven of our favorites.

Jesus and the Victory of God

by N. T. Wright

Jesus and the Victory of God is easily the most influential academic book I’ve ever read. It opened my eyes to the background of the Gospels and showed me how Jesus’ coming into the world had a context rooted in Israel’s history. While I wouldn’t say that I agree with every conclusion Wright had, my reading of the Gospels (and the Bible) was never the same.
— Daniel Motley, Team Lead, Live Products

Read Jesus and the Victory of God.

Strange Days: Life in the Spirit in a Time of Upheaval

by Mark Sayers

Mark Sayers is one of my favorite Christian thinkers. His book, Strange Days, was incredibly helpful for me after returning from two years of living overseas. His insights into the dynamics of Western culture and the Church have changed the way I think—and have stayed with me, as it seems we are facing stranger days all the time.
— Natalie Mills, Marketing Manager, Lexham Press

Read Strange Days: Life in the Spirit in a Time of Upheaval.

The Pastor

by Eugene Peterson

I found his pastoral memoir deeply inspiring. I intend to read it yearly in hopes it shapes my own pastoral vocation. Peterson calls for a simpler, more personal and patient kind of pastoral ministry than is found in most churches today. (Think of The Pastor as the narrative version of Peterson’s well known The Contemplative Pastor.) — Matthew Boffey, Editor

Read The Pastor.

The World of Jesus and the Early Church: Identity and Interpretation in the Early Communities of Faith

by Craig A. Evans, et al.

The words of Jesus and the actions of the early Church need to be placed in the proper context in order to be fully understood. Craig Evans and the other contributors to The World of Jesus and the Early Church sketch out the basics of how different communities of faith worked and how they handled their Scriptures.
— Rick Brannan, Information Architect

Read The World of Jesus and the Early Church.

Can We Trust the Gospels?

by Peter John Williams

Peter Williams’ Can We Trust the Gospels is a compelling account of the historicity of the Gospels. He makes his case in thoughtful ways, bringing a creative perspective to the discussion the reliability of the New Testament.
— Michael Aubrey, Faithlife Linguist, Editor of Koine-Greek.com

Read Can We Trust the Gospels?

Biblical Authority after Babel: Retrieving the Solas in the Spirit of Mere Protestant Christianity

by Kevin Vanhoozer

If you are concerned by our fragmented Church’s reading of the Bible and its disparate and contradictory interpretations, you should read Biblical Authority after Babel. Kevin Vanhoozer demonstrates how the Reformation’s five solas recover proper biblical authority in an era that balks at any infringement on individual will. — Jesse Myers, Associate Publisher, Lexham Press

Read Biblical Authority after Babel.

Mission in the Old Testament: Israel as a Light to the Nations, 2nd ed.

by Walter C. Kaiser Jr.

This short book opened my eyes to how God’s plan has been for the salvation of all people since the beginning. From it, I gained a fuller understanding of God as a “missionary” God. It helped me see the continuance of his mission of love from ancient times to today and better grasp his beautiful plan for the redemption of the world.
— Karen Engle, Editor