In no particular order, here are 10 recently written books (i.e. written within the past 50 years) I recommend. Matthew Weathers, my friend serving the Lord in China, inspired this list. I hope you find this list helpful brother Matthew.
1. Always Ready - a compilation of the late Greg Bahnsen's writings. If I could only recommend one book besides the Bible I would recommend this one. The more you discover about presuppositional apologetics, the more you'll realize that's the bible way to defend your faith. And as you practice presuppositional apologetics, you'll find it begins to look less and less like apologetics and more and more like declaration. You can find out more about Dr. Greg Bahnsen HERE.
2. Faith Works: The Gospel According to the Apostles by John MacArthur. This book was key in helping me understand what the call of the gospel really is. God calls lost sinners to repent and believe. This summer, I was confronted about my preaching by a concerned layperson. This guy literally ran after me as I was exiting from the service. I could tell he was not pleased with me. For about an hour we discussed the doctrine of repentance (he felt like I was wrong to tell people to "turn from their sins" because to him, repentance was simply a change of mind about Who Jesus is and what I was saying sounded like "works salvation"). At one point, he scolded me: "You're telling people to do something they simply CANNOT do." I think I surprised him when I said: "Sir, I couldn't agree with you more." I went on to explain that I believe that both faith and repentance are saving graces (i.e. something given/granted). Anyway, the conversation prompted me to do some study on the matter of repentance. I stayed up all night and by 4AM I was convicted! But not the kind of conviction my critic would want. I was convicted that I was not preaching repentance nearly hard enough! After reading Pink, Spurgeon, Whitefield, Edwards, and a few others on repentance...I'm convinced we're wimps. FWIW, I've found that many of the guys that criticize MacArthur and his position on "Lordship salvation" haven't actually read MacArthur's books.
3. Teaching Truth, Training Hearts by Tom J. Nettles. This book was foundational to the development of the Kids 4 Truth curriculum. This book provides the biblical and historical justification at the heart of all Kids 4 Truth is and does. The greatest need for the day is not less doctrine, it's more. As I travel around America I'm appalled by the doctrinal dumbness and theological apathy that is rampant in our churches. We must teach the next generation what Christians believe and why they believe it. First and foremost, we must get our theology right. "What we believe about God is the most important thing about us," said Tozer.
4. The Pleasures of God by John Piper. If you only read one Piper book, read this one. Your view of God will be challenged in a really good way. I'm not a Piper head and I would echo his own words to some extent when he says: "You only need to read one book by me. If you've read one book by me, you've read them all." But John Piper has helped me to see God in more of His glory. IMHO, the most edifying material that Pastor Piper has produced are his biographical sketches. If you listen to two, listen to the one on William Cowper, and then after that, listen to the one on John Newton.
5. Watership Down by Richard Adams. Yeah, it's a story about rabbits that can talk. And a seagull. So why is this book on my top ten list? Apart from being a fascinating story told by a clever, articulate story-teller, this book will cause you to consider your place in the world. Forget the animated presentation, it does the book no justice. Read.
6. The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis. What a work. At a particularly low point in my life, God brought Lewis into my life. For the Christian, at the heart of any/all obedience to God is love. So it stands to reason its a pretty good idea to know as much about love as we possibly can. Read this book and find out about gift love and need love.
7. Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem. This is my favorite systematic theology book written within the last 50 years. Grudem clearly demonstrates that theology is not simply an academic pursuit...real theology has legs. He includes hymn selections and poignant application questions at the end of each chapter to help us understand that theology requires a response.
8. Christian Theology by Millard Erickson. Another very good systematic theology that helped me greatly while I was in seminary. I appreciate Erickson's stand on inerrancy and his careful directing of all things back to the glory of God.
9. Spurgeon V Hyper-Calvinism by Iain Murray. I love Charles Spurgeon. When I was beginning my ministry, I regularly read his sermons and listened to Charles Koelsh read them. I want to be Spurgeon-esque in just about everything I do that relates to ministry. IMO, there is something irresistibly attractive about Spurgeon. Preach the gospel hard, passionately and call everyone to respond to the gospel.
10. I'm still thinking. I've got about 3 for this slot and they're all tied right now.
This list will probably inspire a top ten old books list. But don't hold your breath. Those old, dead guys can get you into a lot of trouble! Perhaps I'll do a top ten catechism list as well.
Have a nice weekend, both of you.