Great Books to Make You a Good Person

Dear J. Valjean:

I'm trying to discipline myself to read more next year. I'd like a recommendation of a few books you've read recently (or not so recently) for me to consider. Thanks!

— Pastor Gimmebooks


Dear Pastor Gimmebooks:

What a fun question!

Anything in particular you're looking for? If so, that could help narrow my recommendations.

Otherwise, I'll focus on giving you non-theological books, books that TGC won't give you—I know you can get those anywhere (although John Piper probably has some similar tastes—he'll rave about some of the same books).

Non-Narrative

I'll only give you one non-narrative book:

Essentialism by Gregory McKeown

This book was one of the most helpful I've read in the past few years. It helps me to focus my time and energy so that I can make the biggest contribution. It helps me choose my calling, not just clutter; the best things, not just good things; and my priorities, not just others'.‬

Great Books to Make You a Good Person

But if you don't give me any more direction, I'll give you stories. I'll give you what moves and shapes my heart.

These are great books to make you a good person.

They're not just Great but just great—fun, eloquent, moving, and well-written. And they'll make you a good person—they'll help you feel that the good and the true and the beautiful really are good and true and beautiful.

But if you're reading them for utilitarian purposes—to become a better person—you're doing it wrong. Use that excuse, if you want, to get yourself to pick up the book. But after that, surrender to the story and the language.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Perhaps no book/series outside the Bible has impacted me more. Wayne Grudem forms my head, but Narnia forms my heart.

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

This helps me love Jesus and others. It makes me braver. It makes me laugh and wonder.

Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

In this tragic, compassionate, cross-cultural tale, Ender is a hero. But his superpower isn't just tactical skill; it's empathy. [By the way, you should probably read Ender's Game (which itself is a good book) before this.]

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

If you last read it in high school, you probably don't remember how good this is. It's wise, funny, empathetic. It will make you a better person for having walked in its shoes.

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

I think the author must be a Christian, but don't discriminate against him for that. He's a really good writer! I don't remember much from it now, except that it was magical, and I was in love with it. (John Piper was, too.)

The Man Born to Be King by Dorothy Sayers

I read this before I read much theology, so I can't vouch for all the theology. But how it moved me to worship Jesus!

The Tale of Desperaux by Kate DiCamillo

This is a lovely children's novel full of light, forgiveness, and soup.

Good Books with Downsides

Okay, here are some really good books with downsides:

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

I've read this a handful of times, but now, to be honest, it's been a while since I read it. But based on how often Tim Keller quotes it, there are riches here. Judging by the movies' impact on my heart, the books have got to be great. (By the way, Lewis has a stronger hold on my heart, but Tolkien is probably the better artist. And that's saying something.)

Downside: It's really long, and it's been a long time since I read this.

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

This is a beautiful story! It moves me to love mercy, forgiveness, and justification.

Downside: There are multiple huge (70-100 page) digressions.

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

This is supposed to be really good (the greatest novel from the greatest novelist).

Downside: I've never read it.

Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin

This book argues that Abraham Lincoln was a great leader because he was a good man—that his empathy made him strong and canny, not weak.

Downside: It's really, really long.

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

I loved this book! It's a twisty thriller, but it captures the glories of mundane family life—of eulogy virtues vs. resume virtues, of gaining the whole world but losing those you love most. Thematically, I kept thinking of Andrew Peterson's song "Family Man" (or, to a lesser extent, David Brooks' book The Road to Character).

Anyhow. Those are just the themes. The plotting was great—much better than I'd expected. And I couldn't see the end coming until they were there.

Downside: It has some sex scenes (which are easy enough to skip).