I am counting the weeks now until the summer holidays. Whether you are having a staycation or vacation, the longer evenings and (we hope) better weather should tempt us to slow down a little and enjoy those 3Rs: rest, recreation and reading. It is one of my favourite things about the summer – investing time to restore my soul through inspirational books, expanding my horizons with theological texts, rekindling my passion for God through biographies, all interspersed with some good imaginative fiction.
Here are my top 10 picks for recommended summer reading from some of the latest batch of books to hit the shelves. You might want to start scouring your local Christian bookshop so that you start your holidays fully loaded with the books you need.
1. Biography
God and Churchill, Jonathan Sandys and Wallace Henry, SPCK, £19.99
It is hard not to be impressed by Churchill's incredible oratory and his steady hand of leadership during the dark days of World War II. It's safe to say that the Western world could have looked a lot more like Philip K Dick's The Man in the High Castle than our current world if it hadn't been for leaders like Churchill. I have scanned this beautifully produced hardback book quickly and it's going to be the first thing in my suitcase this holiday. Written by Churchill's great-grandson and a former White House staffer, I am fascinated to know the role that faith played in his life, and the hope that offers for all of us seeking to lead in our contexts.
2. Theology
Pictures at a Theological Exhibition, Kevin Vanhoozer, IVP, £14.99
If you ever get to hear Kevin Vanhoozer give a lecture, he is one of the best. He brings great erudition, creativity and unimpeachable orthodoxy together in a very fresh way. In his latest book, which is a collection of previously unreleased essays, he explores the interaction between theology, worship, apologetics and wisdom. Vanhoozer fans will find innovative takes on familiar themes. If you are a newcomer to his work, this could be an excellent introduction. Be prepared for your brain to have a strong workout while your body rests by the pool.
3. Commentary
Discovering Genesis, Ian Provan, SPCK, £19.99
Most commentaries are best read in small doses; you dip into the passage you are preaching on and then return the volume to the shelf. But imagine you could dive into the commentary and enjoy the sweep of a whole book of the Bible. What if you read a commentary like you watched a box set? SPCK has launched a bold new series of Bible commentaries that are short yet substantial, scholarly yet accessible. I have read Ian Provan's first volume on Genesis and it is excellent. I am looking forward to getting hold of the rest of the series.
4. Lifestyle
Simplify, Bill Hybels, Hodder and Stoughton, £9.99
This seems to be a book for our time. Hybels recognises that many of us are living life at an unsustainable pace and he calls us to make some radical changes. Some may find the book a little preachy and most of us don't have the resources (a yacht and a summerhouse) that are available to Hybels. But if you can get past those issues there's wisdom in this book that we can all learn from.
5. Prayer for thinkers
What Happens When We Pray, David Wilkinson, Monarch, £8.99
It's not every day that someone with a PhD in astrophysics and a PhD in theology writes an accessible, warm-hearted and theologically provocative book on prayer. Wilkinson has given the scientists and thinkers among us a gift of a book. If you like science or you struggle with prayer (or vice versa) this book could be a real help to you as you let your brain grapple with some of the biggest questions of our devotional life.
6. Prayer for dreamers
Naked Prayers – honest confessions to a loving creator, Mara Measor, Elevate, $13.95
At the other end of the scale I was taken by the quirky and thoughtful musings of the British born Mara Measor, a singer/songwriter and actor who is a graduate of the Tisch School of Arts at New York University. She offers honest prayers grappling with making a new life in the Big Apple, struggling to find purpose and direction and wrestling with depression. The book is beautifully put together with charming illustrations and poetic prayers.
7. Justice
Scars Across Humanity, Elaine Storkey, SPCK, £9.99
There are books that we simply ought to read. Elaine Storkey's Scars Across Humanity is a brilliantly researched book on the epidemic of violence against women in the world. You might wonder how I can recommend this as some summer reading. This is an important, if difficult, subject and Storkey has found an accessible tone in which to present it. If you are only going to read one book this summer this might be a tough book to take to the beach, but if like me you are likely to consume several, then include this to open your eyes and your heart to exactly the kind of challenges God calls us to take action on.
8. Family
Lion Comic Book Hero Bible, Jeff Anderson, Siku, Richard Thomas, Lion, £14.99
This is a beautifully engaging new graphic Bible. It's aimed at 12-year-olds and above but my 9 ¾ old thinks it is amazing and has read it cover to cover twice. At a time when Marvel and DC films are ruling the box office it makes great sense to contextualise the message. This Bible connects the most epic story of all with the stories that are enthralling cinema goers. Faith Man – Abraham, Rain Man – Noah, Law Man – Moses, Wonderful Woman – Ruth and the like are great entry points for a new generation into the Bible and will bring even the most familiar stories to life. The quality of the art work is excellent. Jeff Anderson is a leading graphic novel artist well known for his work for Marvel on Transformers and Judge Dredd. Well done to him, Siku, Richard Thomas and the team for producing such a beautiful rendition of some of the Bible's most precious stories for the whole family to enjoy.
9. Advice
The Wisdom House, Rob Parsons, Hodder and Stoughton, £8.99
Rob Parsons is a master communicator and in his latest book he finds a very gracious way to help us engage with some of life's biggest struggles. Written in a style that feels like a fireside chat with a favourite grandparent, Parsons tackles issues such as the unfairness of life, difficult people, disappointment and forgiveness. It is classic Parsons and therefore will be appreciated across the board.
10. Worship
Body: Biblical spirituality for the whole person, Paula Gooder, SPCK, £9.99
Here is a book full of careful scholarship, pastoral awareness and eloquent clarity. Paula Gooder helps us to think more biblically about our worship by showing us the importance of our bodies. It is a short book that will help all of us offer God full-bodied worship as opposed to the waterered-down overly-spiritual mushiness that we too often settle for. This could be a good one to read while you are strugglng to top up your tan.
Rev Dr Krish Kandiah is a contributing editor for Christian Today and director of Home for Good.
