5 Short(er) Books to Consider Reading over the Christmas Season

The “holiday” season is usually so busy that it hardly feels like a holiday—and we find little time to read. Nevertheless, maybe you’ll find at least one book to read among these short(er) books that have challenged me recently. You’ll likely not agree with everything in every book, but you will be challenged. 

1. The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction, by Justin Whitmel Early. 204 pages. One of Christianity Today’s picks for potentially the most influential books in 2020, this book has almost forced me to re-think the busyness of my life. The proposed habits are simple, but transforming.
2. Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus, by Mark Dever. 122 pp. I picked up this book because I’ve seen Dr. Dever’s influence in the lives of young men. This book is biblically sound, local church-centric, and practically relevant.
3. The Preacher’s Catechism, by Lewis Allen. 211 pages. Based on the Westminster Shorter Catechism, this new catechism is a series of 43 questions for preachers (which could be read in a daily reading plan). I was specifically convicted by Allen’s warning signs of making an idol of preaching.
4. Who is the Holy Spirit? Biblical Insights into His Divine Person, by Malcolm Yarnell. 123 pp. A theology of the Holy Spirit that looks at biblical pictures of the Spirit, this small work in the Hobbs College Library series is, according to Albert Mohler, “richly biblical and thoughtful, and yet concise—a very rare achievement” (back cover). I’m sure I’ll return to this book in the future.
5. The Pathway to God’s Presence, by Tom Elliff. 140 pp. I picked up this book simply because I know how clearly Tom walks with the Lord. If you’ve lost a sense of God’s presence in your life, check out this little book.

What short(er) books would you recommend to read this holiday season?