Intro
The Read Everything list is very simple. It’s authors of a special quality that I intend to read ~everything they’ve ever written (skewing long form > short form content). Below there are:
- Summaries by author.
- Those on the fringe with potentiality.
- Members of the read everything list, when I added them to the list, years they were born/died and age upon death.
- Changelog for this list.
CS Lewis
12 books as of 2024. Absolute legend. I don’t count the latter 4 from the Narnia series as it’s been so long since I read them (I think it was family homeschool audiobook as well). The former I’ve read multiple times I believe.
Tim Keller
An emblem of faithful, persistent lifelong ministry. Thorough in every topic he covers. Intellectual giant, yet always accessible to millions of readers.
John Mark Comer
Highly gifted at reaching millenials and Gen Z, as well as the modern, urban, and deconstructing. Strikes a balance of progressive, while rooted in tradition and orthodoxy. Extremely accessible conversational writing style. Excellent pulse on the Zeitgeist.
Contenders
- Mark Sayers - have read two. Can easily see upon a third. Loved “Facing Leviathan.”
- Balaji Srinivasan - the Network State was my #1 book of 2023, a competitive year of 31 books read. I also listened to a 7 hour podcast this year he recorded with Lex Friedman (podcast link with all platforms) - it’s episode #331.
- N.T. Wright - can easily see indictment happening. I’ve just only read Surprised by Hope (though an absolute banger) and he’s written a lot lot.
- Saifedean Ammous (economics, bitcoin)
- Nassim Taleb (risk, probability, antifragility)
- Michael Heiser (spiritual beings, Old Testament)
- Tom Holland (history)
Name | Year Added | Born (Year) | Died (Year) | Broad Impact Reached | Age Upon Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CS Lewis | 2017 | 1898 | 1963 | (age 44) published "The Screwtape Letters." Soon after, his WW2 BBC radio broadcasts resonated with many and were also later compiled into "Mere Christianity.” At age 52, the Narnia series surged, even among secular audiences. | 64 |
Augustine | 2018 | 354 | 430 | (age 32) Augustine converted and renounced many years of indulgent pleasure, as well as adherence to the Manichaean religion. (age 37) Ordained. (age 41) Appointed Bishop of Hippo Regius. (~age 44) Confessions written. (~age 59) City of God written. | 75 |
Tim Keller | 2019 | 1950 | 2023 | (age 38) founded Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. (age 58) “The Reason for God” was published. | 72 |
John Mark Comer | 2021 | 1980 | (age 24) planted Solid Rock Church with his parents. (age 31) founded Bridgetown Church in Portland and pub. his first book, one on hope. (age 34) broader reach with book “Loveology.” (age 39) national bestseller status with “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.” (age 41) left to found “Practicing the Way.” |
I include “broad impact reached” not because fame, money, or respect are within my category of highest ideals. One of the great idols of my life is positive “impact” and “influence,” so I’m challenged to tie my core to even deeper wells.
I include it primarily to be a reminder to any who read this that even the “greats” of history had a great number of “menial” years, by many definitions.
It’s a reminder to be patient and faithful in the daily grind of caring for one’s body, seeking the well-being of those surrounding us, and building in our occupations of placement. (Note: A job that feels like building is truly a gift. For many, and at most times, it feels like just getting by).
Changelog
- [~2017] +CS Lewis opened the list with my reading of Mere Christianity, though it did not exist yet.
- [~2018] +Augustine joins the list. I’m guessing his “non-Confessions” other works will be more of a slog due to the style of ancient times, but I’m still committed to reading everything.
- [~2019] +Tim Keller joins the list (though still not existing) with Every Good Endeavor and influence on me through a variety of non-book channels. By 2022 I’d read 5.
- [2021] Idea conceived probably about this time when I read the Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by +John Mark Comer.
Just for fun, here’s the first image AI spit out for me :)
