Why I love Books?

By Jay Memoria

"Just as a carpenter or a mechanic buys tools, so the preacher should buy books and build a library." (Joel Beeke, Reformed Preaching)

I don’t like to read. It's boring and makes me fall asleep.

Back in high school at St. Joseph School—La Salle, we had a one-hour recreational reading session every Monday right before lunch. All students were required to bring a book and read, but for me, it was the most painfully boring part of the day. I couldn’t wait for it to end so I could finally eat my lunch! Honestly, I wasn't reading at all. I just stare at the book and daydream about what I’d have for lunch or what I’d do after school.

But everything changed when I was converted to Christ in May 2014, during my second year of college. My appetite for reading suddenly awakened. What bored me before excites me now! I want to read!

What happened?

I grew up as a devoted Roman Catholic, indoctrinated in Roman Catholic teachings and traditions. But during my first year in college, I went through an apologetic crisis that shook my understanding of Christianity. I became confused and unsettled. In the Philippines, many religious groups call themselves Christian, yet they hold conflicting beliefs about what the Bible actually teaches. Surrounded by so many opinions claiming to have the truth, I reached a point where I genuinely didn’t know what to believe anymore. (You can read my full personal testimony here.)

When I heard the true gospel at a summer camp, I finally understood something. At that point, I still didn’t know which religious group was teaching the truth—but I knew this: Jesus came to die in my place, and through faith alone, I could be saved from the wrath of God. I understood it clearly and embraced Christ by faith.

The Lord used that experience to ignite a deep desire in me to read, not just to find answers, but to know the truth. And more importantly, now that I’ve come to know Christ savingly, I long to know Him better and love Him more deeply. It was truly a “caffeinated” moment—my mind awakened to the realities of Christ, and with it, my love for reading. After all, how else could I truly know Him unless I read the very Book that reveals Him?

So the first thing I did was visit the Philippine Christian Book Store (PCBS) and purchase a beautiful NKJV Bible. As I browsed the shelves, certain titles caught my attention—Eternal Security, Systematic Theology, Transforming Grace, The Truth About Grace, and many more. I was intrigued. I began to realize that these books could help me understand the Bible more deeply. I’ve never considered myself smart (just ask my parents or former teachers!), so I knew I needed help. These books became my “teachers.” Indeed, throughout the centuries, God has graciously given His church teachers to equip the saints (Ephesians 4:11–12), and we ignore them at our own peril.

While browsing through the shelves, I noticed a book by someone named John Piper. I didn’t really know who he was at the time, but his name stood out to me. I had seen a Facebook post quoting his well-known line: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” I also remembered that my former mentor at the Baptist church where I was baptized seemed to admire him. So, I decided to buy the book. 

That book, entitled Finally Alive, became the very first theological book I ever read. In it, John Piper beautifully explains what it truly means to be born again. It was also my first introduction to Calvinism, or what is known as Reformed Theology. I was amazed by how clearly and passionately he articulated the biblical doctrine of regeneration.

Though I struggled to read because if I were spiritually dead, just as a physically dead person can’t raise himself, then it would take a miracle for me to come to Christ. That was an "unsettling" realization. But that’s exactly what the Bible teaches about our condition apart from Christ: dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1). And that’s precisely what happens in regeneration—God makes us alive together with Christ (Ephesians 2:4–5).

As I continued reading, I was overwhelmed by the sheer grace of God toward me personally. Who am I that God would choose me and make me the object of His regenerating grace? There is absolutely nothing in me that could make God desire to save me. In fact, there is everything in me that would justly compel Him to condemn me, because He is holy and just. And yet, He is also merciful and loving. That’s why I’m so grateful for His electing, soul-caffeinating, and utterly undeserved grace.

Because of that, Christian bookstores became one of my favorite "tambayan"—my regular hangout spots. If you couldn’t reach me or didn’t know where I was, chances are you’d find me at PCBS or Booksale, happily lost in the religious section.

Over the years, my appetite for reading has grown remarkably. Books have become an essential part of my life. In fact, when I migrated to Australia, I made sure there was enough space in my baggage to bring some of my most treasured books with me. 

Some of my favorite reads that have shaped my journey include Kevin DeYoung’s book Just Do Something was incredibly helpful. It taught me to trust in God’s providence, to act faithfully for His glory in every area of life, and not to be paralyzed by fear of missing His “secret will.” (I highly recommend reading it!)

Another book that proved especially helpful in my professional life was The Gospel at Work by Sebastian Traeger and Greg Gilbert. It helped me understand the true value of work in the Christian life—that our jobs are not just about making a living, but about serving Christ wherever He places us.

Books are God’s precious gifts to humanity. After all, God Himself gave us a Book—the Bible—through which we can know who He is, His commandments and His salvation in Christ alone.

So grab a good book, make yourself a cuppa, and have a read!

“Give yourself unto reading. The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains, proves that he has no brains of his own. You need to read.” (Charles H. Spurgeon, Lecture to My Students)