I’ve read so many books these past 25 years. Some I can’t even remember the name of. Others have had characters that “came to life” on the pages and continue to live on in my memory. Many were highly entertaining. Some I would never recommend to my friends(or my enemies!). But if I were to choose only 5 books to read for the REST of my life, then these five must have something special about them…something life-changing and/or filled with timeless truths.

Like you, my Bible would be the first book I would choose. Since I was a young teenager, it has taught me, rebuked me and continued to change me into someone who is radically different from the Carey who was once a wretched 14-year old sinner. It continues daily to speak to my heart and soul, even though I’m nearly 50 and still a sinner!

The devotional, My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers would have to be my second choice. I received a copy of this when I was 18-years old and a fairly new Christian. I read it from cover to cover while I was living as an AFS student in Bangkok. Even though Chambers used language and spoke truths that were WAY beyond my understanding, it planted a deep hunger in my heart for the things of God. Since then, I’ve read it through numerous times and have had to replace worn out copies with new ones. It continues to be the best devotional I’ve ever owned.

Next on the list, The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. It may sound melodramatic, but this small book opened my eyes to a God I never knew existed…a God that could truly be known, just as you and I know one another! What a thought!

Following closely behind is another of Tozer’s books – The Pursuit of Man. In Tozer’s own words, “this book contains strong medicine, bitter to the taste but potent if taken in contrition and in belief”. He was right, many of his words have been bitter, but I believe that those who choose to read this book will be better for it! I love what he has to say about books:

“Perhaps a word of warning would not be amiss here: It is that we beware the common habit of putting confidence in books, as such. It takes a determined effort of the mind to break free from the error of making books and teachers ends in themselves. The worst thing a book can do for a Christian is to leave him with the impression that he has received from it anything really good; the best it can do is to point the way to the Good he is seeking. The function of a good book is to stand like a signppost directing the reader toward the Truth and the Life. That book serves best which early makes itself unnecessary, just as a signpost serves best after it is forgotten, after the traveler has arrived safely at his desired haven. The work of a good book is to incite the reader to moral action, to turn his eyes toward God and urge him forward. Beyond that it cannot go.”

Last book(s)on the list – a set of the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S.Lewis. I’ve read these countless times, but each time I read them, I find myself trasported back back to very familiar Narnian turf and into another great adventure!