In keeping with tradition, here’s a collection of books I enjoyed and/or found helpful this year. Here’s some of the “uniquely portable magic” that I experienced in 2022.
(For the 2020 list, click here, 2021 here.)
A few caveats:
Because I enjoyed a book does not mean that I fully endorse any of the authors or books. By telling you about a book means I found it helpful, thought provoking, or interesting in some way.
All the links shared (click the picture of the book) go to Amazon. If you purchase from Amazon, I recommend you also support a local non profit like Gospel Rescue Mission, or Agape house through the Amazon Smile program. Or perhaps even better, support a local bookstore like Peregrine Book Company, or the wonderful people at Hearts and Minds books in Pennsylvania.
You can always check the local library. Some of the titles are available in Yavapai County!
This book was recommended by Beth Moore via Twitter, and if you hang with the different writing style, (no chapters, different prose) it will captivate you. Daniel Nayeri shares the story of his mother’s conversion to Christianity and their plight as refugees that resulted. Keep some Kleenex close by.
This short story should come with a warning label on the cover, “The reader will be impacted, haunted, and likely changed.” The novella is based in the 80’s in Ireland and asks some deep questions about life, faith, love, and doing the right thing at the right time.
If Tim writes it, I want to read it and have yet to regret it. This book covers the resurrection of Jesus and its implications, with good news for today. The book is a great distillation of many bigger works like “Resurrection of the Son of God” by NT Wright. Keller writes through his own journey of cancer and how he personally has found hope through suffering.
Kate Bowler shares reflections from her life after a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer. With humor, candor, and theological reflection she shares her story of treatment and wrestling with the ultimate questions from it. It isn’t only memoir, there is a lot of help in how to walk well through life, pain, and suffering for ourselves and alongside others.
Recommended by my sister, this book didn’t disappoint. The Grand Canyon is a happy place for me and this detailed history of the journey down the Colorado River was packed with adventure and so many fascinating details.
I just finished listening to this book and it’s worthy of a re-read and further consideration. From the book page, “Many Christians live a faith that is "nowhen." They are disconnected from the past or imagine they are somehow "above" the flux of history, immune to it, as if self-starters from clean slates in every generation. They lack an awareness of time and the effects of history--both personal and collective--and thus are naive about current issues, prone to nostalgia, and fixated on the end times.” I found it to help root and reorient to living in the present.
Honorable Mentions:
East of Eden - John Steinbeck - Quite possibly my favorite book ever from one of my top authors. I revisited Steinbeck’s magnum opus and it didn’t disappoint. He understands people, and writes in a way that cultivates thought and cuts to the soul.
Ruthless Trust - Brennan Manning - This book was recommended to me by my counselor a few years ago, and it was calling my name again this year. Manning writes in such a compelling and refreshing way. How do we trust God and live out of that in life? This work helps immensely.
Reading Black Books - Claude Atcho - A fellow pastor and personal friend, Claude’s first release is a book about books. He explores a selection of African-American works that can helps us all in our journeys of being more whole and just.
This Hallelujah Banquet - Eugene Peterson - A posthumous release from the beloved pastor, Eugene gives a shepherding perspective on the book of Revelation. Some of this book is the inspiration for our upcoming series through the seven churches in Revelation.