Well, I just joined up here, and thought that this particular thread would be a perfect place for me to start. I'm a book fanatic. I
love reading! So allow me to give a short introductory list. I'd be happy to give more suggestions later.
I'll start with non-fiction books, and then move on to fiction.
Spiritual/Theological: The ones that have meant the most to me, and/or impacted my life the most are Desiring God, by John Piper, and The Normal Christian Life, by Watchman Nee. Amazing books. They come highly reccomended. Actually, just about anything by those two authors are fantastic.
Writing Aids: Aspects of the Novel, by E.M. Forester is a great read. Very humerous, and extremely informative.
Biographies: It's been a little while since I've read a good biography, but ones on Tolkien, Samuel Adams, and several other notable figures, both past and present, come to mind. Sorry I can't remember titles or authors.
I'm going to divide fiction books into several catagories.
Fantasy: Lord of the Rings, by the illustrious J.R.R. Tolkien, The Circle Triology (Black, Red, and White), by Ted Dekker (The guy is a genius - I'll read anything he writes!), The Guardian King series (The Light of Eidon, and The Shadow Within), by Karen Hancock, Beyond the Summerlands, by L.B. Graham, The Song of Albion series, by Steven Lawhead, and a whole host of others that my brain refuses to regurgitate at the moment. George McDonald is incredible as well, but titles elude me right now.
Thrillers/Suspense: Thr3e, by Ted Dekker, and Obsessed, also by Ted Dekker. Double Helix, by Sigmund Brower. I can't think of others right now. I'm really tired. Ted Dekker is a master at anything he writes, though.
Allegory: Most of those listed in Fantasy will also go here. Also, try C.S. Lewis' work. Great stuff there. Heaven's Wager, When Heaven Weeps, and Thunder of Heaven are all part of a series called "The Martyr's Song," and they heavily impacted my life. These books could also go in Thrillers, Fantasy, and Spiritual/Theological books. They are mind-blowingly good. And, incidentally, they are by Ted Dekker. ;D
Science Fiction: The Firebird Trilogy (Firebird, Fusion Fire, and Crown of Fire), by Kathy Tyres are really good. They could also go in Allegory. Her friend, Karen Hancock, wrote another book, Arena, that could go in Thrillers, Allegory, and this catagory. Great writers, both of them.
Poetry: T.S. Elliot is one of my heroes in terms of poetry. Anything he's ever written is just flat out amazing. Also, try the books that Andrew Schwab has written. A little odd, but very good. I couldn't very well say anything about poetry without mentioning Aaron Weiss - he's not exactly a writer of books, but he is quite possibly the best modern poet out there. On a little lighter side, but still excellent, and often rather pithy, is Bradely Hathaway. His poetry comes on CD, and is well worth obtaining.
So, methinks I'll have to revise this later, when my brain is functioning a little more clearly. Hope you enjoy reading some or all of these. God bless!
~EvadingShadows