My Top 10 Reads of 2022
I am working on three books right now. They are good, but they won't make my list below. It has been a slower year in the reading department. I ran a marathon, wrote a book, and am working on publishing. All of that was outside of work and family time. Some of the books I read to my children. Most of the books I read before I went to bed. Books moved up my list by their profundity and readability. I also rated them better if they engaged my heart and mind. The best book of all is the Bible. I read it every year and keep learning from it. Therefore, I excluded the Bible from my list. Here are my favorite reads for 2022 from tenth to first.
10.
9.
Sheltering Mercy Prayers inspired by the Psalms v. 1 by Ryan Whitaker Smith, and Dan Wilt. This is a great aid to worship and personal devotion. The authors infuse prayers with poetry based on the Psalms. I will use it again and again in my devotions.
8.
Literarily : How understanding Bible Genres Transforms Bible Study by Kristie Anyabwile. I love the Bible. Yet, it can be hard to understand. This book breaks down how to read the different types of genres in the Bible in a user-friendly way. Each chapter has brief activities illustrating how the different writing styles work. It is very readable and a good reference book. Kristie gathers much of the inspiration for this tool from a ministry called Simeon's Trust.
7.
6.
Heaven and Nature Sing: 25 Advent Reflections to Bring Joy to the World by Hannah Anderson. Heaven and Nature Sing was a delightful and brief read. The author, Hannah, lives in the country and shares twenty-five Advent essays based on her observations and the song Joy to the World. It won the CT 2022 Devotional Book of the Year award. Her husband does the artwork with wood cuttings.
5. 
Reforming Journalism by Marvin Olasky. This book was very informative and helpful in my writing. If you are a Christian writer, this book is for you.
Reforming Journalism by Marvin Olasky. This book was very informative and helpful in my writing. If you are a Christian writer, this book is for you.
4.
Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage by Gavin Ortlund. Over the last couple of years, the Christian community and society have become increasingly fractured. People are divided between different camps and become more hostile toward one another. Some friends have broken fellowship with others over debates in our society and faith community. There are some issues worth dying for; which ones? This book offers some helpful thoughts on standing up for the truth and pursuing unity in diversity. I highly recommend this book.
3.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West by Dee Brown and Hampton Sides. This is a national bestseller. It came out in 1970 and has been a textbook for many college courses. It is alarming. The book documents the systematic betrayal and abuse of the Native American population through the course of our nation's founding until the early 1900s'. It covers one tribe and then goes to the next. The stories are engaging but not for the faint-hearted. This is a good reference book to understand the perspective of a population that has been marginalized more than most people realize. All that said, it doesn't paint the Native Americans as good and the settlers as evil. Some Native Americans trafficked their women. Some settlers became friends and advocated for the Native Americans. I think this should be required reading for adults in America. I am surprised that I had not heard of this book or read it by now.
2. 
How to Read the Bible for All its Worth by Gordon Fee ad Douglas Stuart. I found this book helpful, readable, and a fantastic tool for the bible student, pastor, and curious. I would have to reread their argument in a few places to understand what they were saying. Its writing predates the newer translations like the CSB. Fee and Stuart are Egalitarians. They represent their argument in this book; however, I didn't find it compelling. It seemed shallow. They have a helpful section on those who hold to a KJV-only argument. On the whole, the book offers a robust and readable tool for studying the Bible.
The Ology: Ancient Truths, Ever New by Marty Machowski. I read this book to my children for a family devotion at supper time. They are six to eighteen of age. Each chapter in the book is wonderfully illustrated and brief. Marty engages the imagination and soul. He draws on scriptural truths to help walk through the basics of the Christian faith. There are verses and some resources in the back to go even more in-depth than I did with my daily devotional. I highly recommend this resource to families with young children.
How to Read the Bible for All its Worth by Gordon Fee ad Douglas Stuart. I found this book helpful, readable, and a fantastic tool for the bible student, pastor, and curious. I would have to reread their argument in a few places to understand what they were saying. Its writing predates the newer translations like the CSB. Fee and Stuart are Egalitarians. They represent their argument in this book; however, I didn't find it compelling. It seemed shallow. They have a helpful section on those who hold to a KJV-only argument. On the whole, the book offers a robust and readable tool for studying the Bible.
1.
The Ology: Ancient Truths, Ever New by Marty Machowski. I read this book to my children for a family devotion at supper time. They are six to eighteen of age. Each chapter in the book is wonderfully illustrated and brief. Marty engages the imagination and soul. He draws on scriptural truths to help walk through the basics of the Christian faith. There are verses and some resources in the back to go even more in-depth than I did with my daily devotional. I highly recommend this resource to families with young children.
Tell me what you think if you read one of these books. Or, comment below with your favorite reads of 2021.
See Also
I don't know what became of 2014 or 2015?
Some of the best / most helpful books I read this year:
ReplyDeleteThe Gospel Call and True Conversion by Paul Washer, https://amzn.to/3W5UFIh
Narrow Gate, Narrow Way by Paul Washer, https://amzn.to/3FrrSH6
The Gospel of Jesus Christ by Paul Washer, https://amzn.to/3FYDy5J
Lessons from the Upper Room: The Heart of the Savior by Sinclair Ferguson, https://amzn.to/3UYUrRP
Alive: How the Resurrection of Christ Changes Everything by Gabriel Fluhrer, https://amzn.to/3V66q05
Be filled with the Spirit by Stuart Olyott, https://amzn.to/3WmtAQL
Guidance and the Voice of God by Phillip D. Jensen, Tony Payne, https://amzn.to/3FCuphN
Welcome to a Reformed Church: A Guide for Pilgrims by Daniel R. Hyde, https://amzn.to/3uXn33s
Jesus Unmasked: The Truth Will Shock You by Todd Friel, https://amzn.to/3FvUzml
Calvin on Sovereignty, Providence, and Predestination by Joel R. Beeke, https://amzn.to/3j8PZCZ
Being the Bad Guys by Stephen McAlpine, https://amzn.to/3BKgrcr
I also read The Ology to my family (ages 5-12) and found it helpful. Other books I read this year that I would recommend for kids:
The Radical Book for Kids: Exploring the Roots and Shoots of Faith by Champ Thornton, https://amzn.to/3Yr4bY6
The Gospel Story Bible: Discovering Jesus in the Old and New Testaments by Marty Machowski, https://amzn.to/3Yv0RLp
The Priest with Dirty Clothes by R.C. Sproul, https://amzn.to/3HEKMgr
Thank you Anthony! I like the sound of your book recommendations!
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