{"id":2484,"date":"2024-01-10T21:17:15","date_gmt":"2024-01-11T05:17:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/toddbolen.com\/blog\/?p=2484"},"modified":"2024-01-10T21:17:15","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T05:17:15","slug":"top-5-books-of-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/toddbolen.com\/blog\/2024\/01\/10\/top-5-books-of-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Books of 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I benefit so much from the book recommendations of others. I don\u2019t keep track of how many of the books I read were ones specifically recommended by others, but it\u2019s probably a majority. With less than 2,500 books left to read before I die (assuming I reach the age of 102), I don\u2019t want to waste any of those books. But, alas, I did read some flops this year (one was recommended; another was in an otherwise good series). But I wanted to jot down, before the year-end gets too distant, my favorite books of the year. None were published last year; reading the latest is of no attraction to me. But my life was better for each one, and I happily commend them to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inferno<\/a><\/em>, by Max Hastings\u00a0\u2013 I discovered recently that I had added this to a \u201cto read\u201d list more than a decade ago, but it was something else now forgotten that finally pushed me to it (in audiobook format). This single-volume history of World War II will convince you of the utter depravity of man (and not just the Axis). That may not sound like an inviting read, but I found it unfailingly engaging and instructive, and I thought many times that everyone should read this book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One Summer, America 1927<\/a><\/em>, by Bill Bryson \u2013 this is also a work of history, but entirely a fun read. You might not expect a book focused on just a few months in one random year to have so many exciting events going on, but this was the summer of Charles Lindbergh, Babe Ruth, and so much more. I probably picked this book up because I so loved Bryson\u2019s The Body.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Divine Messiah of the Tanakh<\/a><\/em>, Eric Engleman\u00a0\u2013 so this one was recommended by me by the author (and gifted by him). It\u2019s published by a small outfit and so it may get little notice. That is too bad, because Engleman has such a wonderful grasp of the Old Testament\u2019s rich testimony about the coming Messiah and his divine nature. You can study Psalms, Isaiah, and Zechariah, but if you\u2019re looking for a book to pull it all together, this is the one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shoe Dog<\/a><\/em>, by Phil Knight\u00a0\u2013 a student recommended this one on his prayer card (another great source of recommendations I get twice a year), and I keep seeing it pop up elsewhere too. Knight tells the story of Nike\u2019s origins, providing a good reminder that behemoth businesses don\u2019t just happen but require immense perseverance through all manners of setbacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated Guide to Biblical Geography<\/a><\/em>, by Paul Wright \u2013 this is the geography book for geography teachers. It will crush you if you have never been to Israel or Jordan, but if you have a decent grasp of the regions (say from a semester at IBEX), this will fill out so many details. The book is big and long, with too many metaphors, but there\u2019s nothing better in print for really understanding the land of the Bible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honorable mention:<\/p>\n\n\n\n