Have you ever wondered what the people behind Classical Conversations read? Classical Conversations is a company that provides classical, Christian homeschooling curriculum, community, and resources. Our mission is to restore the classical model of education and equip families to cultivate hearts and minds grounded in God’s truth. But what about the leaders themselves? What fires their passion and fuels their creativity?
The Greatest Books Ever . . . Or, At Least, Really Awesome Books
In this blog post, we’ll venture beyond our bookstore and take a peek inside the bookshelves of some of Classical Conversations’ leaders and explore the wide variety of books that inspire them. We’ve asked these leaders for their top books and their reasons for each choice. From faith-based titles to classic literature and even graphic novels, there’s something for everyone on this list. So, whether you’re looking for a new read or simply curious about what makes these leaders tick, this post is for you!
(Note: The Bible is a given, and some books have been picked more than once.)
Lisa Bailey, Lead Curriculum Developer for CCMM
1. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
This book forced me to push pause and thoughtfully consider why I feel so busy so often and how to reclaim the life the Lord is calling me to live. The answer, as I suspected, is not more time.
2. The Hurried Child by David Elkind
As we ponder how to help families grow healthy children into healthy adults we can either bemoan “what the world is coming to” or consider how to reclaim God’s design for children, heeding the warnings but also enjoying the possibilities.
3. Walking on Water by Madeleine L’Engle
This book challenged me to reconsider what I “knew” about the intersection of faith, art, and artists. While some of the ideas were uncomfortable, I need to think deeply about what I have always believed, and see if it rings true with what God is revealing.
4. A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
Mysteries are my secret pleasure, and this one is well-written and full of engaging characters. Another plus: it’s a series, so my enjoyment can continue!
5. Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village by Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper
This is absolutely delightful as a bedside read; it’s not really a story as much as a tongue-in-cheek take on those quaint English villages and their propensity for trouble.
Jeremiah Wentz, VP of Marketing
6. 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication by John Maxwell
We all communicate. Whether we do it well or poorly, either way there is a huge impact. I want to improve and become more effective in my communication about CC.
7. Natural Born Heroes by Chris McDougal
What makes some people rise to challenges while others wilt under pressure? I was a fan of McDougal’s previous book, Born to Run, and love how this book is based around a particular WWII instance on Crete. Homeschooling is intimidating to many parents. What can we learn to help them rise to those challenges?
8. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Autobiography of growing up during the Islamic Revolution in Iran. I’d never read a graphic novel before and my brother, who lives in the Middle East, recommended this and Maus (also on my list).
9. Algorithms to Live By by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths
Similar to Don’t Trust Your Gut (another favorite), this details how to make business and personal decisions based on science and data instead of emotions or hearsay. We live in a world of data, and this is incredibly helpful when knowing our customer and crafting relevant messages.
10. Picture This: How Pictures Work by Molly Bang
Wonderful graphic design book using the story of Little Red Riding Hood to illustrate how small details make a big difference.
Rex Elliott, CFO/COO
11. The Lord by Romano Guardini
A comprehensive survey of Christian theology told through the lens of the life of Christ as documented in holy scripture. It greatly deepened my understanding of the significance of each step Jesus took during his time on earth.
12. Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie
It was an opportunity to read alongside my 11-year old son who doesn’t enjoy reading very much. I also realized that I had never read it before and thoroughly enjoyed the rough edges of the original story more so than the sanitized Disney movie version.
13. The Abolition of Man by C. S. Lewis
At Amanda Butler’s urging, I recently picked this one up again for a reread and realized Lewis had captured many of my current thoughts in a way far more clever and thoughtful than I had been able to articulate myself.
14. Fearless by Eric Blehm
The biography of Adam Brown, a fallen member of Seal Team VI, is a story of redemption. Adam was the good kid who fell into the pit of addiction and, after a number of trials, became a member of the military’s elite Seal Team VI.
15. In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
It describes in narrative form the experiences of William Edward Dodd, US Ambassador to Germany 1933-37, and his family during the rise of Nazism throughout Germany. It describes the cognitive dissonance required to function in a country so highly cultured and simultaneously barbaric.
Timothy Knotts, Lead Curriculum Developer
16. Legends of the Round Table by Katerina Kern (ed.)
I am reading this aloud to my family and enjoying the beautiful language. The legends of Arthur and his knights are both important as models of behavior and as cultural forms that have influenced stories through today.
17. Tolkien Dogmatics by Austin Freeman
The contrast and continuity between C. S. Lewis’ very clear allegory and Tolkien’s pervasive but veiled Christian themes has always fascinated me, since I love both authors dearly. This book attempts to cut through the noise of apologists who color everything Tolkien wrote as overtly Christian and those who deny any Christian content.
18. That Hideous Strength by C. S. Lewis
C. S. Lewis’ Ransom Trilogy concludes with the longest and most difficult to understand of the three books. Jack’s incredible foresight is in its glory, as the story could have been written today and been just as timely with warnings about social and moral issues, all wrapped up in the beautiful story of an estranged couple reunited in marriage.
19. Almagest by Ptolemy
For about 1400 years, the amazing trigonometric calculations devised by Ptolemy at the height of the Roman Empire dominated the western understanding of the solar system and the movements of the stars and planets. No book is more clearly a model of the liberal art of astronomy.
20. The Rector of Justin by Louis Auchinscloss
I have wanted to read this for years, as it is one of the very first references in Hicks’ Norms and Nobility. It traces the influence of a long-time head master at a school for boys about 100 years ago through the eyes of his protegees and pupils, and raises some great questions about what it means to influence others as a teacher, mentor, or authority figure.
Amanda Butler, VP Training and Support
21. A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanuken
An autobiography relating the author’s relationship with his wife, their friendship with C. S. Lewis, conversion to Christianity, and subsequent tragedy.
22. Ways of Attending by Iain McGilchrist
How you attend to something—or don’t attend to it—matters a very great deal. This book helps you to see what it is you may have been trained by our culture not to see.
23. On the Human Condition by St Basil the Great
St Basil the Great addresses the questions posed by the human condition such as the image of God in the human being, the Fall from Paradise, and the human condition in this present life.
24. Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich
This book is the earliest surviving example of a book in the English language to have been written by a woman. Julian writes about the sixteen mystical visions of Christ’s love that she received in 1373.
25. That Hideous Strength: A Deeper Look at How the West was Lost by Melvin Tinker
The book aims to give Christians an understanding of what has been happening in our Western culture for the last few decades due to the influence of what is identified as “cultural Marxism” or “Critical Theory.”
Edward Murray, Manager of Special Projects and Research, CC Strategy, and Corporate Affairs
26. Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer
This is my absolute top-favorite book of all time. What we think about God is the most important thing about us, and Tozer (a master of words, doctrine, devotion, and hearts), does such a great job bringing this reality to the forefront of our awareness. Everyone needs to read this short book.
27. All That Is in God by James Dolezal
This is a fascinating book on the doctrine of divine simplicity. I absolutely love medieval theology, and am very thankful that many thinkers within the modern church are revisiting and retrieving it. This is a polemic work dealing with a doctrinal dispute that happened within Reformed churches a few years ago (so you have to tolerate presbyterians fighting), but its great.
28. Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin
Reading Calvin doesn’t mean you have to adopt 100% of what he says, nor do you even have to be a Calvinist. Everyone can appreciate this—he had a way with words, was a phenomenal pastor, and this really is a mind-expanding, well-written piece of work.
29. Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World’s Greatest Nuclear Disaster by Adam Higginbotham
Nuclear power is both fascinating and terrifying at the same time. Consider the fact that there is that much potential energy within such a tiny piece of creation, and yet it pales in comparison to the infinite might of the Creator who controls it. In addition to this, it was a frightening event that disclosed the corruption of the Soviet Union (a lesson for all of us in the age of supposed ‘misinformation’).
30. A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life by Joel R. Beeke and Mark Jones
This work is more of a reference piece, but it is hands down my favorite systematic theology. Ordered slightly different from other theologies, Beeke and Jones address several doctrinal topics through references within puritan works
Jennifer Courtney, Chief Academic Officer
31. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Cromer
A timely book for Christians who are trying to live beyond their limits. Cromer reminds everyone to slow down and take on the yoke of Jesus. He defines the Sabbath and gives suggestion for eliminating distractions.
32. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
I’m re-reading Dickens in order of publication date throughout 2024. Dickens always creates memorable characters who help me to accurately evaluate justice and mercy while learning to empathize with those who come from less fortunate circumstances. He has a gift for making you care about every human as a unique individual.
33. Manual of the Art of Fiction by Clayton Hamilton
This college text from the early 20th century offers excellent insight into both the parts of fiction and the reasons that stories have the power to help us make meaning out of life and to transform us.
34. Walking on Water by Madeleine L’Engle
L’Engle wrote much of my favorite fiction when I was a teen. This lovely book is her reflection on making Christian art.
35. Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
This is the first Hercule Poirot novel by Agatha Christie. I need a good mystery novel to give me a brain break at the end of the workday, so I’m reading my way back through these in order.
Kristi Dye, VP of Sales
36. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
This was the first book I actually ever read for enjoyment and still an occasional re-read. The story of girls making their way into the world in order to be supported, specifically Elizabeth who meets Mr. Darcy.
37. The President’s Lady by Irving Stone
A brief look into the early life of Andrew Jackson and (as Google says it best) the tender and poignant relationship between he and his wife Rachel. I enjoy biographies, and this was a two-for-one. It also gave a glimpse into the man behind the Trail of Tears that I had learned about while growing up in Oklahoma.
38. Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster Cline
The book that helped me survive parenting from 2 years old to now, actually.
39. Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor
A book I needed in a time of healing from intense grief. Taylor talks about the necessity of darkness and how the light of God shines brighter when there is darkness in our lives.
40. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
Because . . . Christmas.
Books, Books, and More Books
We hope you’ve enjoyed this list of the best books of all times (according to CC leaders). If you’re interested in more book lists, be sure to check out Leigh Bortins’ list of 117 must-read books for homeschoolers. And if you’re looking for an in-depth look at reading, here’s why you should read classic literature.
Until next time!
