Book Reviews

Top Ten Books Read in 2025

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This is the eighth year that I’ve been writing these posts. This past year was particularly busy and challenging, so I didn’t get to read as much as I had hoped. Let’s just say certain opportunities in my church and priorities in my family took precedence and reading got relegated to the back burner for about six months. The focus of my study this past year centered on three major themes—biblical counseling, secular theory, and creativity (poetry in particular). I hope you enjoy these reflections and find something from my list that you can pick up and read in the new year. Notice, I snuck in an eleventh book.

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Top Ten Books Read in 2024

Peter LeDucLeave a comment

It’s hard to believe that today is the last day of 2024. It’s been a great year. While our church plant has become independent and continues to grow, I, too, am growing as a pastor. This means that I’m learning to balance shepherding, sermon prep, administration, counseling, fitness, and family life with good reading habits. I’ve added some audiobooks to keep up with my goals. Reading is necessary and formative. Good books are timeless and timely. They engage the mind by interacting with and challenging influential modern assumptions that we unconsciously imbibe on a regular basis. I need good books to awaken me from my slumber and arouse me from my stupor. I need good books to challenge my thinking and sharpen sharpen my skills. I need good books to motivate me to live for the cause of Christ and truth in a world committed to neither.

Here are the top ten books that I enjoyed the most and have had a profound impact on my life and mind—

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Biblical Counseling and The Psychologies: Review and Reflection

Peter LeDuc1 Comment

Dr. Ernie Baker’s new book, Biblical Counseling and the Psychologies (Shepherd Press, 2023, 100 pages), seeks to help biblical counselors engage thoughtfully, critically, and cautiously with current trends in the biblical counseling movement, especially those that are quick to integrate with and accept—as authoritative—the secular theories that currently grip the greater culture’s imagination. This insightful resource exposes the perils and pitfalls of integration, provides a framework for assessing various methodologies, and encourages steadfastness in biblical methodology

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Helpful Books for Foster/Adoptive Families

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Behind the walls of an evidently ordinary home are overwhelmed parents ill-prepared to deal with the behavioral issues related to childhood trauma. And behind the eyes of a seemingly normal child is an insecure soul unprepared to deal with the ever-emerging subconscious crisis of identity.

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Top Ten Books Read in 2023

Peter LeDucLeave a comment

It’s that time of year again. I am looking back at all I read this past year and looking ahead at my goals for the new year. Physically, movement is life. Reading is the motion and animation of the inner life. It’s a necessary and enriching experience without which my heart and mind would only grow stagnant. It keeps me aware of the past, conversant in our ever-changing culture, immersed in otherworldly imagination, sharpened by stimulating prose, and rooted in timeless truths. Tim Keller felt compelled to read broadly and deeply in order to prevent his preaching from growing stale and repetitive. I want to follow in that sentiment, which is brimming with both humility and wisdom. In descending order, here are the books that I enjoyed most this past year. I recommend them to you. Tolle lege!

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7 Books for Church Planters

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When I first began considering, praying, and planning to plant a church, I desired to be as prepared as possible, so I reached out to three friends who had successfully planted and asked them for resources on church planting that could prepare me for such a daunting task. Surprisingly, they each responded in a similar way; there really are no helpful books because most overemphasize the business/entrepreneurial aspects while neglecting a robust, biblical vision. They recommended I read the Pastoral Epistles, be sent and supported by a local church, and have a healthy church model to replicate. While I wholeheartedly agree with their assessment of most church planting books and their practical advice, I have found some resources that I believe to be incredibly practical, motivating, and sharpening in all phases of the planting process. This is my essential reading list for a prospective planter that covers all the bases.

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Top Seven Books Read in 2022

Peter LeDuc1 Comment

This has been a whirlwind year for me. With moving across the country, buying and renovating a house in rural NH, planting a church, and taking on the role of senior pastor, I did not read as much as I have in years prior. I’ve also started working out, watching the Celtics, and tackling more projects at our home. This year has also been one of continuing lament and grief as I try to make sense of life here in NH without Mom. I foresee my reading goals shifting in the years to come and will probably set a goal of 30 books instead of 60. I need to slow down, read bigger books, better books, prioritize my Bible reading, and overall, pursue a more balanced approach. I was playing catch up after seminary, but now I’m ready for a more ordinary and sustainable reading plan.

Here are my favorite books read this past year—

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A Paradigm-Shifting Book on Productivity

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There are countless books out there on the topic of productivity—religious and secular. I have read many of them. They sit heavily marked up on my bookshelves. I have my favorites; and I refer to them often. Each one has its own distinct philosophy and presuppositions, its own unique set of values and goals, as well as its innovative purpose and plan. Whether the focus is on self-improvement, time-management, goal-setting, better efficiency, or guaranteed success, the push for productivity is most often driven by a self-focused and utilitarian ethos. But Redeeming Productivity is different.

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Comforting Resources on Grief

Peter LeDuc1 Comment

Emily Dickinson once wrote, “I can wade grief, whole pools of it, I’m used to that.” On one hand, I can relate as I have been literally wading grief my entire life. I lost my birth mother at two years old and just lost my adoptive mom a year ago. It’s been a constant, lifelong journey—subconscious at times, palpable at others. Yet on the other hand, I can’t quite relate to the last part because grief is not something you get used to in this life. It is ever present—yes—but it is never normalized. Even in the ubiquity of tragedy, we wrestle and reckon with it, but never actually come to grips with it. The hurting and aching following loss will always remain in our hearts on this side of glory. Through the grieving process I’ve found comfort in Scripture and in songs, but I’ve also found it in great books.

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Top Ten Books Read in 2021

Peter LeDuc1 Comment

Well, this year resembled last year in a lot of ways. It was definitely busier as ordinary life and ministry picked up pace, but there was still much quality reading time to savor. I’m glad I set a goal and stayed ahead because I have been bogged down by various trials these past two months and haven’t had much time or energy to read. Here are my top ten books that I read this past year—

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