The Greatest Advice I Have to Offer

09/07/2010

Seriously

When someone recommends a book to you, read it.

- i can’t think a single time i’ve regretted doing so

- you need to read more anyway

- people usually have your best interest in mind

- it’s a good way to earn the right to do your own recommending

The last book I read was “Same Kind of Different as Me,” and it was recommended to me multiple times by someone I consider a mentor.  Soon I will be writing a post about how this book changed the course of my life.  ”Soon” as in sometime this year.

Now I’m wondering what I’m missing out on in life due to the hundreds of times I didn’t read a book that someone who cares about me recommended.

So, what book should I read next?

, ,
  • http://kelseyhill.blogspot.com Kelsey

    I'd recommend "I became a Christian and all I got was this lousy t-shirt" by Vince Antonucci (also, his second book "Guerilla Lovers" is a good choice, too).

  • Scott

    I can think of a time where the recommendation failed. I had another fellow man also aged 28 years, who wholeheartedly recommend that I read Twilight.

  • http://thismortallife.blogspot.com David Wilhite

    I like to follow C.S. Lewis's advice and read more older books than new. Here are a few I'd recommend that still incredibly relevant today.

    Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman (especially for what you do, a must read)
    Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton (witty and insightful look at truth)
    Life Together by Bonhoeffer (the best (& shortest) book on community out there)

  • Nancy Rabern

    "The Artist's Way" by Julie Cameron

  • http://www.pofgblog.com joerob577

    You should definitely read Twilight.

    But seriously, if you haven't done so already, read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.

    If you have read that, then read old stuff like David said above… I'm rereading 'Confessions' by St. Augustine right now. Quality…

  • kathryn

    "extremely loud and incredibly close" by jonathan safran foer

  • Melissa M.

    Cutting for Stone
    A Severe Mercy
    Poisonwood Bible

  • http://www.tylertarver.com Tyler Tarver

    the Bible.

    ohh, you just got Christianed.

  • http://www.thebeautifulsurrender.com Kelly

    "Walking With God" by John Eldredge

    Complete game changer for me

  • http://www.thegetintentionalmovement.com Ryan Jenkins

    Trip, I'm with ya 110% about the power of reading. I believe it to be the purest form of personal development. It becomes very hard to lie to yourself when it's just you and those pages.
    My life course changer was "Now, Discover Your Strengths" by Marcus Buckingham.
    So many books – so little time! Thx for the spot-on reminder!
    Read on!

  • Jessica Willis

    A few on my favorites list:
    The Glass Castle
    Redeeming Love (I know, I know…but if you haven't read it, you are missing out)
    Velvet Elvis
    The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay (a series of 3. Not Christian fiction, but definitely good action reads!)

  • phoebe

    Here are just a few if my favorites: Redeeming Love, The Swan House, Pilgrims Progress, The Good Earth , The Sin Eater, The Antonement Child,and THE HELP……… Those of us who love to read can appreciate how much reading impacts our lives……Not to mention It is also a great escape! Love to hear from others what is good…. Thanks Tripp, great idea!

  • MrsTho

    Crazy Love, To Kill a Mockingbird, A Tale of Two Cities, Columbine, Eat Pray Love

  • Jeff

    Three Cups of Tea

  • inaneasylum

    All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren
    The Man Who Was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton
    100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
    Lancelot by Walker Percy

  • nate

    I echo life life together by bonhoeffer- very easy read.

    old man and the sea- seriously- i dare you not to be moved by that book

  • jthelmsdeep

    Derailed – 5 lessons learned from catastrophic failures of leadership (Tim Irwin)

    Blue Like Jazz – Donald Miller

    The World turned upside down – Melanie Phillips

  • Cafeteria Doug

    The Shadow of the Wind

    More advice: skip the Twilight series.

  • Thomas

    Atlas Shrugged by Ayn (“ine”) Rand. Listed as the most influential book by business leaders, distant second only to the Bible.
    I’m in my 4th attempt at this +1,000 page monster.

  • bianca

    I'm with home girl up top on:
    The Glass Castle
    Redeeming Love
    and….
    Captivating….great read for guys! Great insight into females
    :)

  • http://docoasis.blogspot.com/ Education Library

    I bookmark your blog. Great Posts.

  • http://www.theprofessionalidiot.com S. Gray

    Hi Tripp, just started following you after a recommendation from Jon Acuff. You have some hilarious videos. Great stuff. 

    The book I would encourage you to read is ‘The Life You’ve Always Wanted’ by John Ortberg. He makes me laugh and think.

  • http://www.trippcrosby.com Tripp Crosby

    It’s already one of my fav books of all time. Love it