Books I've Read More Than Once

The Bible

I’ve read the Bible several times and in several translations, but need to read it many more times.

Pollution and the Death of Man
by Francis Schaeffer

Schaeffer’s short argument on the Christian view of nature has been one of the books I most frequently recommend. I suggest it often enough that I own a second copy to lend out. With such a clear apologetic of the proper Christian view of creation—published all the way back in 1970—it is embarrassing that so many professing Christians in America are such vigorous advocates of anti-environmentalism.

Genesis in Space and Time
by Francis Schaeffer

A proper historical interpretation to Genesis is critical for the truth of Christianity. Unfortunately, many people interpret Genesis in a concretist (under the guise of a “literal” interpretation) view, which is largely the result of 20^th-century misunderstandings.

The God Who is There
by Francis Schaeffer

Essential Truths of the Christian Faith
by R C Sproul

Sproul’s brief summary of classical Christianity is an excellent starting point for learning theology. While in some places Sproul simplifies this elementary systematic theology enough that it overstates the case for a particular view, it is the best summary at this level that I have read. I don’t have my original copy because I keep giving this book away.

Knowing Scripture
by R C Sproul

Sproul’s Knowing Scripture is an easy to read introduction to hermeneutics. It is so easy to read that it doesn’t rely on words like hermeneutics. This is one of the few books I’ve bought extra copies of and given them away.

Craft Cider Making
by Andrew Lea

This is the best introduction to cider making. I frequently reference this book.

How to Brew
by John J Palmer

This is the best introduction to brewing I’ve read. I think it is a better starting point that the typical recommendation of Papazian’s classic, The Complete Joy of Homebrewing.

The Compleat Meadmaker
by Ken Schramm

A Walk in the Woods
by Bill Bryson

A humorous introduction to the Appalachian Trail. I’ve yet to read a book by Bryson that I didn’t enjoy, and A Walk in the Woods may be his best. Don’t judge a book by its movie.

Proficient Motorcycling
by David L Hough

Everyone should understand this book before earning a driver’s license.

The Cuckoo's Egg: Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage
by Cliff Stoll

Takedown: The Pursuit and Capture of Kevin Mitnick, America's Most Wanted Computer Outlaw-By the Man Who Did It
by Tsutomu Shimomura and John Markoff

This book had a large influence on me in high school, but didn’t stand up to the second reading later. If you read this, I’d recommend also reading another account of the story, such as Mitnick’s Ghost in the Wires.

Mobile Robots: Inspiration to Implementation
by Joseph L Jones and Anita M Flynn

The Bicycle Wheel
by Jobst Brandt

This book was helpful in understanding spoked wheels, and in building and truing bicycle wheels.

John E Freund's Mathematical Statistics
by Irwin Miller and Marylees Miller

This was my textbook for Mathematical Statistics, I’ve since reread it to refresh my statistics skills.

Introduction to Electrodynamics
by David J Griffiths

A good introduction to electricity and magnetism.

Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
by David J Griffiths

A good introduction to quantum mechanics.

The Hobbit
by J R R Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings (entire series)
by J R R Tolkien

Smith of Wootton Major and Farmer Giles of Ham
by J R R Tolkien

Tolkien didn’t only write about middle earth! These two novellas are often published in one volume.

The Chronicles of Narnia
by C S Lewis

Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength
by C S Lewis

For years Lewis’ Space Trilogy was my favorite sci-fi series. Most philosophical science fiction quickly becomes annoying with too little story and too much bad philosophy, but Lewis strikes a good balance. The Space Trilogy can even be considered near-future (at the time it was written) sequel to Tolkien’s Middle Earth books.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (entire series)
by Douglas Adams

The Hithhiker’s Guide is one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. I’ve read the entire trilogy (of five books and a short story) at least twice.

Ender's Game
by Orson Scott Card

The entire series of books in the Ender’s Game universe is worth reading, but Ender’s Game itself is one of the great science fiction books of all time.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
by Mark Twain

One of the great works of fiction.

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain

This shouldn’t even need a comment.

Brave New World
by Aldous Huxley

I read this for fun and as required reading for an introductory philosophy class. I never quite got around to reading the last few chapters of Huxley’s utopian counterpart, Island.

Animal Farm
by George Orwell

Nineteen Eighty-Four
by George Orwell

Dune
by Frank Herbert

The Caves of Steel
by Isaac Asimov

One of Asimov’s best.

The Naked Sun
by Isaac Asimov

The sequel to The Caves of Steel.

Cat's Cradle
by Kurt Vonnegut