What’s your reading list for 2009?

In catching up with my blog reading this week, I noticed that the folks over at Reformation 21 have made a rather epic New Year's resolution: they're reading through John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion in 2009. They've got a reading schedule laid out that you can request via email, and they're already faithfully blogging their way through Calvin's theological epic. You can follow along by checking the "Blogging the Institutes" sidebar on their main page.

Apart from Mary's noble giving up of her DVR for the New Year, we haven't talked too much about New Year's resolutions. Have you made any resolutions, and are you still sticking to them halfway through January?

Reading resolutions like the Institutes reading plan above are a great type of resolution, especially if you make an effort to share your progress with others who are making their way through the same books. Reading through the Bible is always a good choice, and there are plenty of good Bible reading plans scattered around the web. But what are you committed to reading this year? The Bible, a famous work of theology, a trashy series of sci-fi novels? And is it a reading journey that you'll be sharing on a blog or other forum?

Here are a few of the books on my list, if you're curious:

  • I've decided that 2009 is going to be the year of the Russians: I want to read one previously-unread book each by Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Solzhenitsyn, and Nabakov. (But don't worry—in between those, I'll be reading trashy sci-fi novels.)
  • Given the number of times I've blogged about Anne Rice and her conversion, I've not yet read any of her novels about the life of Christ. So those are on the 2009 reading list.
  • I'm a military history geek, and each year I try to pick an obscure conflict I know nothing about and read up on it. Any suggestions?
That's not really on par with reading through John Calvin's magnum opus, but hey, it's a step up spiritually from my resolution last year to play through the old Zork series of text games. How about you? Share your reading goals (and any relevant web links) in the comments below!

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Comments (18)

GOALS:

Finish Betty Spackman's A Profound Weakness: Christians and kitsch

Read Gothic Architecture * Sculpture * Painting

Start G.K. Chesterton's The Complete Father Brown Stories
I resolved to read through the entire bible, so I am using the NIV One Year Bible. So far I am LOVING it . Not that I haven't read all of these passages before, it is just that reading a bit at a time in chronological order is helping me to see things I have never noticed before.

Great idea with the Russian novels. I am almost finished with Anna Karenina - its tremendous.

As for an obscure conflict, ever read about the Boer War? Me neither.
Interesting post and comment. The Boer wars was one I was going to suggest.

You can get a copy of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's (Author of Sherlock Holmes stories) 'The Great Boer War' on project gutenberg http://www.gutenberg.org/etext...
Perhaps Victor David Hanson isn't obscure but any of his books on the early Mediterranean wars are excellent. http://www.victorhanson.com/Bo...

Cheers!
Hi. I am a Christian too. I just want to know, how can reading books such as those offered in Russian literature or American literature for that matter, be helpful in enriching a Christian mind? Thanks.
On the stack right now:
Paul in Fresh Perspective, N.T. Wright
Life of Prayer, St. Theresa of Avila
The Year of Living Biblically, A.J. Jacobs (Christmas gift)
Reaching Out and The Inner Voice of Love, Henri Nouwen
Suprised by Hope, N.T. Wright
Essential Church?, Thom and Sam Rainer
Sticky Church, Larry Osborne
Lasting Impressions, Mark Waltz
Also want to read:
The Great Emergence, Phyllis Tickle
Missional Renaissance, Reggie McNeal
Christianity Beyond Belief, Todd Hunter
Russian: Don't forget poetry. Try, "After Pushkin" edited by Elaine Feinstein
How about a graphic novel?
-Allan Moore's, "Watchman" : The big graphic novel/movie of 2009
-The 600 page "Blankets" by Craig Thompson: One of the saddest expressions of the loss of faith and the need to simply be warm.
-"I Shall Destroy All The Civilized Planets!" by Fletcher Hanks. Few people dish out justice like Hanks.
On my reading list is "Bowling Alone" by Robert D . Putnam.
I am reading the New Testament in detail. To solidify my understanding, I am writing my understanding of it. I am posting the results on sawboyrick.pnn.com and it is turning out nice. Thanks for the encouragement! It is so nice to read other Christians thoughts, especially in these days of trouble and confusion.
Skip Ann Rice and refuse to go where scripture does not with the life of Jesus Christ.
Military history:

I recently read Jeff Shaara's "Gone for Soldiers" about the Mexican War.
Granted, it's more of a novel than a strict "history." But fascinating, nonetheless.

"Anabasis" by Xenophon is pretty awesome, too.

And I agree with the person who recommended Victor Davis Hanson.
Bible obviously. Then anything by G.K. Chesterton. More books by Catholic believers. Some more emerging church stuff. Tom Wrights commentary on Romans.

@amyb - We studied the Boer war at school and visited the famous sights. You ain't missing much my friend!

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