Christmas time is always a great time to buy a book for a friend or catch up on a book during your own vacation. If you’re looking for something good to read (or to buy), here are a few suggestions from my reading list this year:

Great By Choice: Uncertainty, Chaos, and Luck – Why Some Thrive Despite Them All by Jim Collins & Morten Hansen

Like Collins’ other books, Great by Choice is backed by empirical research and loaded with fantastic insights. The authors unpack the three core behaviors that mark “10x Companies”: Fanatic Discipline, Empirical Creativity, and Productive Paranoia. Sound interesting? It’s well worth your time to read this book.

The Power of a Whisper: Hearing God, Having the Guts to Respond by Bill Hybels

Hybels’ book provides a practical and inspiring perspective on hearing God. Not only is the book full of great stories, but it provides a biblical basis for hearing God and shares a variety of ways God speaks to people today. This is a great book for anyone who wants to grow in their relationship with Christ and deepen their sensitivity to the promptings of God’s voice.

EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches by Dave Ramsey

Dave Ramsey’s new book is a great resource for anybody who recently started, or is thinking of starting, a business. It is full of practical wisdom that is often overlooked when launching a business. Ramsey addresses mission, goals, time management, decision-making, marketing, hiring and firing, sales, money, communication, building unity and loyalty, compensation and recognition, delegation, and more. It really is a great place to start…or a great tool to use if you want to mentor emerging leaders.

Leadership Coaching: The Disciplines, Skills, and Heart of a Christian Coach by Tony Stoltzfus

This book provides some outstanding insight on coaching leaders. Stoltzfus articulates a thorough understanding of coaching and outlines a solid coaching process that is client-driven, identifies clear outcomes, and leverages active listening and powerful question-asking to coach leaders toward their full potential.

Small Groups with Purpose: How to Create Healthy Communities by Steve Gladen

Steve Gladen oversees the small group ministry at Saddleback Church in California. This book outlines the dynamic process Gladen used to develop 4,000 small groups at Saddleback. This isn’t a flash-in-the-pan success story but rather a proven strategy that is developing leaders and connecting people in community.

Question: What books would you add to the list?