A young man asked me recently about why I love to read. I think the reason he was asking such a question was because he was looking for a magical formula to begin a reading life for himself. I told him I love to read because I read. In other words, reading is something I grew into. It has been a journey. If you would have told me when I was younger of the amount of books I now read I would have started praying for a new future. Yet I now love to read.

How much do I read? Well, I try to set a goal of a book a week. However, in the last year or so, I’ve not been too worried about meeting that goal. I focus more of reading each day and let the goal take care of itself.

When do I read? I try to read every morning and every night for 30 minutes to an hour. I also usually spend larger chunks of time reading during the weekends. I also carry a book with me wherever I go. You never know when a chance to read will pop up.

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What do I read? I mainly read theology, Biblical studies, and ministry-oriented books. Author/scholars that make me think are Michael Gorman, N.T. Wright, Scot McKnight, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Andrew Root and C.S. Lewis. Also enjoy everything written by Eugene Peterson, Philip Yancey, and Brian Zahnd.

I do try to branch out and read outside of the theological genre. Actually, I feel I MUST. This past year I have sought to read a few more memoirs along with some fiction. In regards to fiction, I have enjoyed Fredrick Backman. A Man Called Ove and My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry are a couple of my favorites of his.

What is my favorite book? It depends upon when you ask me. A year or so ago I would have told you that Eugene Peterson’s The Pastor: A Memoir is a must. Currently, I feel that Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer should be on everyone’s list. What will it be after Christmas? I’ll just have to wait and see.

I have one final thing to mention in regards to my reading life and it involves the opportunities I take to review books for The Englewood Review of Books (https://englewoodreview.org/). The reason I allude to this is because doing so helps me not only to become acquainted with new literature of which I enjoy, but to wrestle with it in a more formal way than I might otherwise.

I’m always on the lookout for new things to read. Therefore, my list of books to read grows daily. So if you have some suggestions, let me know. Also, if you’re a bit more curious about what I read, reach out to me. Or if you wish, pick up a copy of my book The Cross-Shaped Life and read through the footnotes. Blessings always as you read!!

Jeff Kennon is the director of the Baptist Student Ministry at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Paige and three children, Krista, Justin, and Josh. He is a graduate of Texas Tech as well as Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned both Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees. Jeff is a trained Intentional Interim Pastor as well as a frequent book reviewer for Englewood Review of Books. It’s also important to note that he is an avid Texas Tech basketball fan.