Top Ten Books of 2008

It's that time of year when we make lists, and I'm joining a few others in ranking the best 10 books I've read this year. For the record I've reviewed 21 books on this blog this year, so I'm reading one a fortnight. I think I need to read a few more next year. So fully half make the top ten!! The links take you to my reviews.

10. Rob Bell's Jesus wants to save Christians (His best book, explaining well why it is so important that we remember the poor)
9. William Young's blockbuster The Shack (not because it's a great story, it isn't, but because no other book has created so much discussion and explained so effectively that God walks with us through valleys of pain and doesn't always protect us from them)
8. Bob Holman's biography of FB Meyer (FB Meyer was simply an inspiration in building a big church that cared for the poor and made effective disciples)
7. CJ Mahaney's Humility (A great little book that speaks to the heart and challenges the soul)
6. Shane Claiborne's Jesus for President (A book with bite that snaps mischievously at the heels of the empire that is the USA.)
5. Melvyn Bragg's 12 Books that Changed the World (A book about books, brilliant! Well written, and opened new ideas and insights for me)
4. CJ Sansom's Dissolution (A new novel series that tells a great story and tells it well)
3. Miroslav Volf's Free of Charge (One of the best reflections on the nature of forgiveness and the character of God)
2. John Ortberg's When the Game is over it all goes back in the box (Treasures in heaven or on earth? Ortberg breaks it down in typical fashion and his stories hit home)
1. Randy Alcorn's The Treasure Principle (just the best book on giving and generosity I've read)