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Bible and Biblical Studies

Anchor Bible
Series including translation and commentary, with an excellent variety of creative scholarship. This should not be consulted for orthodox or standard views, but rather for creative activity. The scholars are top rank, but are apparently not selected for being traditional.

Apollos Commentary on the Old Testament
Strong entry in the list of evangelical commentaries on scripture. Very scholarly, aware of critical issues, but tending to come down on the conservative side.

Cambridge Bible Commentaries on the New English Bible
An older set, but good for lay readers. It is based on the New English Bible which may put off many readers, since that version is not all that commonly available these days. You may also want to try the New Cambridge Bible Commentary, which is based on the NRSV.

Hermeneia
Excellent scholarly commentary series, reflecting some of the best of historical-critical thinking on the Bible. I look first for books in this series.

International Critical Commentary
The classic critical commentary series, with many new volumes added. Many of the older volumes represent classical results of historical critical methodology. These are some of the best if you want to get the technical details. They are much less useful for preaching. To get the best results, you will need to know the Biblical languages, though there is some information to be extracted even if you do not, but it will be difficult. This series is clearly for the serious student.

New Cambridge Bible Commentary
A more scholarly commentary than the older Cambridge Bible Commentary yet accessible to the serious lay student or the pastor. I have found some volumes in this set very helpful, especially the commentary on Revelation by Ben Witherington III which is exceptional.

New Daily Study Bible
The Daily Study Bible series has been my companion in Bible study since I was in college, and I continue to find blessings in reading its various volumes. William Barclay is the author of the New Testament portion, and various authors did the Old Testament portion. This is more devotional than either exegetical or expository, and it is certainly not a critical commentary. It does provide some good background, but the focus is on readability and providing some clear thought. I heartily recommend these volumes to any Bible student who is past the most basic level. (Note that I am including both OT and NT sections and both the Daily Study Bible and the New Daily Study Bible under this single series heading.)

New International Biblical Commentary
Commentary on the text of the New International Version.

New International Commentary on the New Testament
An evangelical commentary series on the New Testament. This series contains serious evangelical scholarship, not avoiding the hard issues, but always affirming faith. Technical issues are covered in some detail, but divided from the main commentary text in footnotes in many cases. The empahsis is on what is needed by the serious preacher or teacher. One of my favorite Biblical authors, Dr. Gordon Fee, is one of th editors.

New International Commentary on the Old Testament
A strong evangelical commentary series with an emphasis on the pastor who wants to do serious expository preaching.

New International Greek Testament Commentary
This series from Wm B. Eerdman's is based on the UBS Greek text and designed for pastors and teachers. I have not had an opportunity to use it for any period of study, but at a quick glance it looks quite promising.

Old Testament Library
This series is an older standard in critical scholarship. I have found many volumes extremely helpful, especially, Exodus (Childs), Isaiah (Childs), Psalms (Weiser) and Genesis (von Rad). The view is generally that of mainline scholarship with some variations for individual authors. A good general, middle of the road commentary for the serious student or scholar.

Participatory Study Series
This is the Energion Publications series on Bible study based on the participatory study method designed by Henry Neufeld.

Tyndale Commentary on the Old Testament
Short and scholarly, but not detailed or heavily into critical issues. This is a useful commentary for serious Sunday School teachers or for preachers.

UBS Handbook Series
The United Bible Societies has prepared this series of handbooks for Bible translators. Though they are primarily aimed at translators, serious Bible students will find much that is helpful. The notes examine various options for interpreting specific passages and then various ways of expressing that, including what to avoid. For those who do not know the original languages, or who do not have the facility they want with them, these volumes will be a tremendous help. Make sure you are understanding the text before you dig too deep into interpreting it!

Christian Fiction

Big Sky Series
Lori Wick has been a favorite Christian author of mine ever since I read Sophie's Heart many years ago. Ms. Wick has a wonderful gift to make her characters real and imperfect, showing how God can love them where they are and bring them to His fullness of joy where He knows they can be! This series is set in Montana Territory. A component of this series is the local church that is more a fellowship of believers, different than our modern churches--how I pray that it wasn't! There is a wonderful story line showing us how a Christian grows personally in their relationship with God and how a group grows and reaches out to non-believing people in their community. I recommend this series to women ages 12 to 90.

O'Malley Series
Series by Dee Henderson on a group of orphans who constituted themselves as a family when they met in an orphanage. Each passes through trials related to their area of work with the conflict of the story being about their spiritual decisions

Creation

Devotionals

Economics

Evolution

Fantasy

Lord of the Rings
Classic series recently made into a series of movies. These works are exceptional in scope, imagery, characters and themes. I strongly recommend them.

Magic Words
By author Thorarinn Gunnarson and set on earth plus a range of alternate universes. This is not serious reading, but just plain good fun!

Oath of Swords
David Weber's fine series featuring Bahnell Bahnakson and the Hradani. There's a good deal of both swords and sorcery, and Weber shows he can be as good at fantasy as at science fiction.

The Chronicles of Narnia
This seven book series was written originally for children, but has been enjoyed by adults as well. It is set in an alternate universe where the animals are intelligent and can talk. Children from this world can visit there from time to time, and the books describe their adventures. In these adventures, many moral values and Christian principles are illustrated. I recommend reading these, and reading and studying them with your children.

Fiction of Ideas

General Fiction

History

Holy Spirit

Music

Mystery

Amelia Peabody Series
This wonderful set of mysteries involves a woman, Amelia Peabody who is an archeologist and follows both Egyptology and various criminal matters through her and her family. Elizabeth Peters is not only a wonderful writer; she is also very knowledgeable on her subject.

Brother Cadfael Mysteries
This is an outstanding set of historical mysteries set in and around Shrewsbury, Shropshire during the late 12th and early 13th centuries. Brother Cadfael is a monk who found his calling late in life. He has much worldly experience that helps him observe and understand the world around him. The various volumes of this series present intriguing mysteries set in an authentic historical background. The author is Ellis Peters, a pen name for Edith Pargeter, who also wrote books of history. More information on this author and series can be found at Energion.com Page on Ellis Peters.

Claire Malloy Mysteries
Detective Claire Malloy is a bookstore owner who tends to get involved with crimes. On the positive side I think she's an interesting character, on the negative I don't find her interactions with the police either interesting or realistic. Thus far 3 out of 5.

Father (and Bishop) Blackie Mysteries
This series of mysteries by author features the unorthodox priest Father John Blackwood "Blackie" Ryan. Ryan specializes in locked room mysteries, but mostly "sees to" things for the Archbishop of Chicago. I find these mysteries great fun as mysteries and as stories. In addition, without being pushy or letting a message take over the story, Father Greeley manages to present the message of God's love and grace.

Lena Jones Mysteries
Series by Betty Webb set in the Scottsdale, AZ area. Lena Jones is an interesting, character and is very well portrayed in this enjoyable series.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas
J.D. Robb's series set in mid 21st century New York.

Melanie Travis Mysteries
Series by Laurien Berenson featuring Melanie Travis as an accidental detective, and a number of standard poodles.

Midnight Louie Mysteries
A black cat of lower social standing manages to solve mysteries, meet people (and avoid others), and generally provide a good deal of fun along with his human named Temple Barr. I enjoy this series for light reading.

Sugawara Akitada Mysteries
Mysteries of Ancient Japan.

The Cat Who Series
Author Lillian Jackson Braun has written more than 25 stories featuring Qwilleran and the cats KoKo and Yum Yum. I find this material just plain fun, and I recommend it for relaxing reading in the evening. It won't stimulate your cat's intelligence, in the way Qwilleran's reading to the Siamese does, but it will improve your temper.

Thomas the Falconer Mystery
A series of historical mysteries set in Elizabethan England. I must admit that I really like the lead character and enjoy following his tactics and seeing how the author fits him into his world.

Philosophy

Consider Christianity
Consider Christianity is a two volume set on Christian apologetics being issued by Energion Publications. The first Volume, Evidence for the Bible, has already been released, while the second, Evidence for the Christian Faith, is scheduled for release in September, 2005.

Political Science

Romance

Science

Science Fiction

Bolos
Series initiated by Keith Laumer, and now carried forward by numerous other authors, featuring AI supertanks in various combat roles and examining their nature and intelligence. Great fun all around, though I suspect actual computer science is running and will run well ahead of the AI in these stories.

Dragonriders
The Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey, is an extended series in a very interesting world. It has many of the features of fantasy, but definitely falls into the science fiction category. I include in this series all the books in the Dragonsinger series as well.

Flinx of the Commonwealth
Flinx is a young man with a very interesting background. With certain developing, but very unreliable mental powers, and some excellent equipment, including a special starship with exceptional capabilities as a result of his experiences. He is regularly underestimated, but has a much larger impact on the universe than he, or anyone else, every seems to expect. All of these stories are action packed and fun, and I love the entire cultural background of the Humanx commonwealth and also the AAnn, as well as the history of the galaxy that lies behind his stories. (HN)

Honor Harrington
This is David Weber's most popular series, I believe, and it is one of my two or three favorite series. When I want some fun reading that keeps my attention, is not light and fluffy, and provides interesting characters, this is one of the few series I look for.

Humanx Commonwealth
Alan Dean Foster's future history. Don't think this is one of the slow moving, ponderous histories that are more intended to expound philosophy than to entertain. It is interesting, and I find the backgrounds and stories fascinating, but Foster is never slow or boring. (HN)

Kris Longknife Series
A space opera style history featuring Kris Longknife, daughter of a powerful political family, who choses the navy as a career. Adventures find her, people follow her to danger and sometimes to their deaths. It's not deep but it's great fun.

Lensman Series
Wonderful series of science fiction stories set in a historical panorama of great imagination, written in the 40s and 50s by E. E. 'Doc' Smith. This series set many of the standards of space opera and adventuresome science fiction. It is great entertainment, and you're missing something if you don't read it.

Man-Kzin Wars
As a series, I find this one falls at the middle of my scale or just above, perhaps a 3.5 on a scale of 5. One should note, of course, that I will generally read any new book in a series I rate that high, though I may not seek out all instances of older or out of print books. Most recently I've read Destiny's Forge, and that book I rate a 5. I'll definitely be looking for other materials by its author, Paul Chafe.

McClintock Series
This is my informal title for the series of books that begins with March Upcountry, continues in March to the Sea and March to the Stars, with the present volume being We Few. John Ringo and David Weber, both high on my list of good scifi authors, team up to present this interesting series. It's military scifi with good fun, interesting characters, and a great background. Now in its fourth book, one can hope it will become a reasonably long series so we can continue to enjoy these characters and backgrounds.

Miles Vorkosigan Series
Adventurous, humorous (in that order) science fiction series by Lois McMaster Bujold. I have only read a couple of books in this series myself, but the rest of them are on my list.

Petaybee (Powers that Be and Twins of Petaybee)
This single series entry covers both the "Powers" series and the "Twins of Petaybee" by Anne McCaffrey and co-authors. This is a bit lighter than the Dragonriders series, but it's great fun with interesting characters, cultures, and even a planet that has more personality than usual.

Quadrail
Timothy Zahn's series about a future earth in a universe connected by a special railroad operating on some sort of quantum whatever (my description, not his!). In this series, Frank Compton enters the employ of aliens who manage the railroad against a group mind called the Modhri which is, for some reason, determined to rule the universe.

It's fun action adventure in a very odd scifi universe. It's not Zahn's best--for that I'd go for the Conqueror series--but it's lots of fun to read.

Retief, Diplomat
Series of humorous science fiction stories set in the far future in which Jame Retief solves the problems of the galaxy while the diplomats who are supposed to do so dither. Great fun, and too close to real world diplomacy for complete comfort.

Starwolves Series
Far future series about genetically engineered warriors fighting a human tyranny. Some fun combat, strategically a bit routine, but great fun in terms of character.

Taken Trilogy
Alan Dean Foster chronicles the lives of four creatures taken from earth by slavers, including a human and dog from earth, along with two other aliens. Lots of light fun that you expect from Foster, along with some interesting character and cultural twists.

Widowmaker
Mike Resnick's series about a superb bounty hunter and clones. A bit of mystery, a fair amount of action. Light and good fun.

Spiritual Gifts

Spirituality

Lord Meren Mysteries
A series of mysteries set in ancient Egypt in the time of Tutankhamun featuring Lord Meren, Eyes and Ears of Pharaoh.

The order of the books is:

• Murder in the Place of Anubis
• Murder at the God's Gate
• Murder at the Feast of Rejoicing
• Eater of Souls
• Drinker of Blood
• Slayer of Gods

Theology

Conflict of the Ages Series
Ellen White's key series. I believe this series will be of interest to those who are not SDAs (such as myself) because of the view of history presented. I find that Great Controvery, the final volume, has become dated with its view of the Catholic church. Nonetheless I find much to commend this series for in presenting the conflict between good and evil in the world thoughout history.

Testimonies for the Church
Nine volume set that will largely be of interest to Seventh-day Adventists. Those from other denominations might find Ellen White's book Steps to Christ or her Conflict of the Ages series of interest.

Video (VHS or DVD)