Men don’t read books, right? Maybe that’s part of our problem! The best research I could find reports that the average man reads only nine books per year. I was actually surprised that it was that high. I have a friend who thinks books are for wusses. Women are a little better than we are, averaging 14 books per year. I have a daughter who is a voracious reader, consuming more than 100 books a year–that’s two a week or more!
Men, we need to read more good books.
To that end, for the first meeting of The Drawing Room, I pulled from my library eight books especially for men. Here is my list, with a few brief annotations, followed by other books that were recommended by other Drawing Room members during the session.
From Larry’s Bookshelf
- The Man in the Mirror by Patrick Morley
- Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs (A tip we’ve used—for you and you wife, or for any couple: get two copies and two highlighters—a pink one and a blue one. Have the wife read and highlight in pink, especially portions she wants her husband to note. The husband reads his copy and highlights in blue, especially portions he wants her to notice. Then trade copies and re-read. Very eye opening!)
- Demolishing Strongholds by Johnny Hunt
- Your Life…Well Spent (previously published as A Life Well Spent) by Russ Crosson
- Tender Warrior by Stu Weber
- Point Man by Steve Farrar
- Every Man’s Battle: Winning the War on Sexual Temptation One Victory at a Time by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker with Mike Yorkey
- Fathered by God: Discover What Your Dad Could Never Teach You (previous published as The Way of the Wild Heart) by John Eldridge
More Recommendations
- From Seth York: Finally Free by Heath Lambert (eight clear strategies that will help those caught in the trap of pornography turn from their sin to trust in the sufficiency of Jesus Christ)
- From Josh Crawford: Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes
- From Josh Crawford: in general, biographies as a genre
- From Thomas Walters: When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper (author of Desiring God)
- The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions
- From Lindell Ormsbee: The Life of God in the Soul of Men by Henry Scougal
- From Royce Hunt: In the Arena by David Prince (my Pastor, Ashland Avenue Baptist Church)
One other suggestion: if you’re not already using Goodreads, I highly recommend it. It’s a great way to track what you’ve read and what you want to read, as well as share books with friends and get their recommendations, too. It’s free! Open an account, and let’s follow each other. My Goodreads handle is Larry Alan Thompson.
Author: Larry Thompson
