If the best way to understand the Christian faith is to read the Gospels, it follows that the books that follow them in order of importance must be those that help to better understand those Gospels.
Noting this need in his own congregation, J. C. Ryle wrote his Meditations on the Gospels, which have spread throughout the world for over a century without their popularity or usefulness diminishing.
Ryle's clear and direct words are also a great encouragement to read the Bible. While his main goal is to help the reader to know Christ, he also has another idea in mind: he writes in such a way that his commentary on Mark can be read aloud to others.
Unlike many authors, his work is just as good heard as read. There are many other more extensive commentaries on the Gospels, but none are as fascinating to listen to, whether with family, in groups, or on the radio, as those by J. C. Ryle.