My Recommendations for the New Year

As most of you who read this have hopefully figured out by now...I like reading.  A lot.  And I'm really nerdy about the whole thing.  So I decided to compile a list of things I have read recently that I think everyone ought to read (because they are amazing books.  They are compiled by author.

G.K. Chesterton
Essentially, his big three all should be read.  Heretics, Orthodoxy (written in response to criticism about Heretics) and The Everlasting Man.  The last book is probably his best book ever, and reportedly strongly influenced C.S. Lewis to convert to Christianity.  It is essentially an overview of history as informed by the incarnation of Christ.  Honestly...if you read one book by Chesterton, it should be this one.  He is an amazing writer.
Warning: If you get bogged down in the first...30 pages of Chesterton's books (any of them) it is just because you aren't used to his writing style yet.  He is an old British curmudgeon, and writes just as ironically as the best of them, and so his voice takes some getting used to.  But I assure you, it will be worth it.

C.S. Lewis
I could say just read all of his stuff, but that would be too easy.  My recommendation for this year is his Science-Fiction trilogy, better known as the Ransom Trilogy (sidenote again, he wrote it based on a coinflip with Tolkien, where they agreed one would write a time trilogy and one a science-fiction trilogy.  Tolkien wrote Lord of the Rings and C.S. Lewis wrote the Ransom trilogy)  Anyway, all the books are just amazing, I blew through them while in school in a month (about 600 pages in a month...is a lot during school...but it was too good for homework to take priority).  It amazes me that Lewis can weave his philosophy into his fiction as well as his nonfiction, and sometimes even clearer in his fiction, which is the mark of true genius.  This trilogy is a must-read for any person remotely interested in Lewis.
P.S. If you have time, also pick up Till We Have Faces, Lewis' retelling of the Cupid-Psyche myth.  Truly magical.

J.I. Packer
An oldie but a goodie,  Packer's Knowing God has amazing insight and readability for a man who is so immersed in  theology (He is the chair of translation for the ESV  Bible).   Honestly, this book calls you  to reckon with yourself.  I hope no Christian who is theologically passionate passes up on this book.  His sound Biblical doctrine combined with amazing application convicts your understanding of God page after page.

If I think of any more books to read, then I will write an additional list.  Have a great new year.