18 Big Books I'd Like to Read

I've got quite a few large books (close to or over 500+ pages) that have been accumulating on my bookshelves. It will probably take me years to complete them all, but thought it would be fun to share them here with you.

No Compromise: The life story of Keith Green by Melody Green and David Hazard (500 pages)

I've had this book on my shelves for years and have still to pick it up.

Keith Green was a singer who had a passion for God. He wrote many beautiful songs that are still enjoyed today. My favorite has always been...

Oh Lord You're Beautiful

Oh Lord, you're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child
Your grace abounds to me

Oh Lord, please light the fire
That once burned bright and clean
Replace the lamp of my first love
That burns with holy fear  

I want to take your word and shine it all around
But first help me to just, live it Lord
And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown
For my reward is giving glory to you

Oh Lord, my body's tired
But you keep reminding me
Of many Holy tireless men
Who spilt their blood for Thee

He died very young at the age of 29 in a plane crash along with 2 of his 4 children. This is his story, told by his wife Melody.

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky (430 pages)

I love this beautiful cover! My copy is a thrift store buy and I've been contemplating getting this edition.

This is a Russian classic about a man who believes intellectuals are above the law and decides it's his right to murder two people he thinks are vile to society. Thus begins a battle for morality of the mind and soul. It sounds like a fascinating, physiological read.

5000 Years of Royalty by Thomas J. Craughwell (499 pages)

I found this book at a local used bookstore and thought it looked interesting. Each royal (king, queen, prince, emperor and tsar) has one page of information along with a full length picture opposite it.

I've just started looking through it and think it's a wonderful, though brief, introduction to these lives that have lead kingdoms and countries throughout history.

Kristen Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset (1124 pages)

I've mentioned this book before, but haven't got around to picking it up yet. Like most of these books it's length is very intimidating!

I discovered it when I read that it was Elizabeth Elliot's favorite novel. Elisabeth Elliot was the wife of Jim Elliot who was one of several missionaries that were murdered while out on the mission field in South America back in the 1950's.

This novel takes place in 14th century Norway and follows a young girl throughout her life. I've never read anything set in Norway, so I'm looking forward to getting to this one.

Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland H. Bainton (442 pages)

This is a biography of Martin Luther. I'm fascinated by this time period of change within the church and Martin Luther's part in it.

Alone, he stood before the church leaders of the world and said:

"Since then your sere Majesty and your Lordships seek a simple answer, I will give it in this manner, neither horned nor toothed. Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God.

I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise, God help me. Amen."

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (1304 pages)

I've seen the play and I've seen the movie and I've loved them both. This is such a beautiful story of redemption, grace and the love of God. I can't wait to delve deeper into these characters through Victor Hugo's writing, as I follow the many lives shared within these pages.

Middlemarch by George Eliot (889 pages)

This is another lengthy novel I'm excited to read. It takes place in the provincial town of Middlemarch in the 1830's. It follows the many lives of those who lived there and sounds like a great study of 19th century English country living.

The Early Years & The Full Harvest Autobiography by C.H. Spurgeon (vol.1-547/vol.2-508 pages)

These two volumes are the autobiography of Charles Spurgeon. I've had them on my bookshelves for many years and started the first one but didn't get to far. I will have to dedicate time to carefully get through these. I love Spurgeon and find his work inspiring and encouraging.

One of my favorite quotes from Surgeon is this:

“Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.”

It has encouraged me to test all things against Scripture, and to be careful to only put my faith in Christ.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (580 pages)

This is one of my all time favorite movies. It's another epic story of redemption and the grace of God. I've always wanted to read the book. I have a mass paperback copy, but I thought this cover was so beautiful so I'm sharing it. : )

The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin (525 pages)

I've had this book for over 20 years and have read bits and pieces here and there. Each chapter discusses a certain cult such as Scientology, Mormonism, New Age cults and Jehovah's Witnesses.  It's very informative and is a book much needed today, with so much of these cult ideas seeping into the church.

I have an old copy, but this revised edition for the 21st century sounds interesting as well.

The Brontes by Juliet Barker (979 pages)

I love the Bronte sisters. Their novels aren't all feel good books, but I think they give us a deeper view of human nature and our need for a gracious Savior. Whether it's Wuthering Heights (Emily) or Jane Eyre (Charlotte) or Agnes Grey (Anne), we find broken characters who we can relate to.

This is a very long biography of these sisters and there lives together along with their family.

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (985 pages)

The name Charles Dickens is usually associate with long works of fiction. And this is one of those!

This is about a young impoverished boy who grows up to become a novelist.

It is known as Charles Dickens favorite of his written work. That alone makes me want to read it. : )

Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin (988 pages)

I started this one a few years ago and got to chapter thirteen. I've been meaning to get back to it!

It's a long one filled with much wisdom and gives you so much to think about. I can't believe Calvin was only 25 years old when he started writing it!

Heaven by Randy Alcorn (476 pages)

Randy Alcorn is becoming one of my favorite living authors of non-fiction. His work is easy to understand and biblically sound. This book is a study on heaven and what the bible has to say about it.

 Villette by Charlotte Bronte (586 pages)

I've mentioned this book before and I'm planning on reading it soon. It's next on my TBR pile!

I've heard this is about an introverted character named Lucy Snowe, and since I'm an introvert I'm really curious about this story. I've also heard this novel is autobiographical.

Sons of Encouragement by Francine Rivers (638 pages)

This is five novellas in one, but I'm including it here because my copy has all the books combined. I've read the authors 'Lineage of Grace' series which I enjoyed. It was about five women in the Old Testament.

This book is about five men in the Old Testament. Aaron, Caleb, Jonathan, Amos, and Silas.

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell (688 pages)

Ever since I read Elizabeth Gaskell's novel 'Ruth' I've been wanting to read 'Wives and Daughters.' I saw the mini-series years ago, but don't remember to much about it. I do know this was her last book and she didn't get to quite finish the last chapter before her death.

It will probably take my lifetime to get through all these books!

I tend to read books between 250-400 pages the most. I think it's because the longer books are so time consuming and often very dense, especially the classics.

Have you read any long books lately? Let me know if you've read any of these or of any others you found worth reading.