As another year draws to a close, I wanted to take some time to consider the books I read in 2025 and to assemble a list of my top picks. Apart from the first book, which I consider the best (defined as the most helpful to me and my life) I read this year, the rest are in no particular order. In each case I’ve included a brief excerpt from my review. You can read my reviews of these books and many others here.

Not Old, Not Young, Not Done, by Christopher Ash

I am about to turn 49, and a few months later, Aileen will turn 50. But these are just numbers, and already we have a deep awareness that we have entered into this afternoon of life. Already, we are seeing how different our lives have become, and already we are grappling with new challenges and embracing new opportunities. This book has offered us exactly the guidance we needed to face these challenges and opportunities well. I didn’t know how badly we needed Not Old, Not Young, Not Done, nor how much we would benefit from reading it together. I highly recommend it to anyone else who is already in the afternoon of life or who will soon be. I have every confidence that you will enjoy it as much as we have. (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books or read my review)

Walking Through Deconstruction, by Ian Harber

Harber wants Christians who are witnessing a loved one beginning to deconstruct their faith to withhold panic and to ensure they do not respond with unnecessary fear or harshness. Instead, he wants them to prove trusted friends and a non-anxious presence in their life, to remain engaged and available, and to prayerfully seek God’s grace. He ultimately wants them to trust that God can work great good as people pass through a severe testing of their faith. ‘Deconstruction is a messy and complicated process. My hope is that you are equipped for all kinds of different situations at the end of this book. Our goal is to faithfully walk alongside our loved ones who are deconstructing their faith and surrender ourselves as an instrument in God’s hands, praying for the renewal of their faith.’ (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books or read my review)

The Tech Exit, by Clare Morell

I have often been grateful that I grew up in a pre-smartphone era and also grateful that my children grew up at least a bit ahead of the worst of it. I have great sympathy for parents who are navigating the challenges today and am hopeful that many of them will choose to adopt a Tech Exit kind of lifestyle. Morell’s book will provide a helpful explanation of the benefits of such a lifestyle and offer a trusted pathway to implementing it. I highly recommend that parents give the book a read and give the strategy a shot. (Buy it at Amazon or read my review)

The Art of Disagreement, by Gavin Ortlund

It is hard to disagree with someone you love. It is harder still to disagree well—to retain genuine respect and true friendship despite differing opinions or convictions. And, as we all know by experience, there is just so much to disagree about. I am tempted to say that today’s world gives us more to disagree about than at any other time in history. But I actually doubt that’s the case, for fallen humanity has always been disagreeable and always will be until the Lord returns. Until then, we can serve him best by disagreeing well. That is to say, we can serve him best in our disagreements if we follow the wisdom of a book like this one. (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books or read my review)

Read More