Book recommendation posts are my favorites and I'm sharing some of my top reads from this past year. I didn't seem to read as much as in past years but did spend a lot of time camping in the Sermon on the Mount resources for the series at the podcast. Martyn Lloyd Jones has become my new best friend.
We have a book club in The Homemaking Matters Community and this has been a help to me in thinking a bit more deeply about the books I'm reading and noting my takeaways from them.
I've pondered starting a reading log and 2022 may be the year I finally get to it. Do you keep track of the books you read? Share with us in the comments or when you see this post on social media how you keep track of your reading. I've tried Goodreads in the past but I don't tend to keep up with it.
If you're looking for recommended book reading lists, both G3 Ministries and Tim Challies have one out for 2022.
You can visit my bookshop here and some of my other Top Ten Book Posts here.
I utilized audiobooks a bit more this year than previous and many of my books were read on my Kindle too.
In a letter written from prison, Paul requested Timothy to bring him “the books” (2 Tim. 4:13). Charles Spurgeon, the nineteenth-century “prince of preachers,” expressed amazement at such a request from Paul: “He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has been preaching at least for thirty years, and yet he wants books! He had seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He had had a wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He had been caught up into the third heaven, and had heard things which it was unlawful for a men to utter, yet he wants books! He had written the major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books! Spurgeon then reminds us, “He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains proves he has no brains of his own.”
Bob Kauflin, Worship Matters
The first one on my list would be my top recommendation and the others are in no particular order. I'm an eclectic reader so not all the books are by Christian authors and I encourage you always to read with great discernment.
The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges
This book is one I always say every Christian should read. Do you wonder what it looks like to “preach the Gospel” to yourself daily? Look no further than this great read from Jerry Bridges. It was our first book club read in the Homemaking Matters Community.
Redeeming Your Time by Jordan Raynor
I am a productivity book junkie and this one came about after listening to Jordan on one of my favorite productivity podcasts, Redeeming Productivity with Reagan Rose. Some great help on managing your time from a biblical perspective. I'm still putting parts of it into practice.
Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
This was a delightful listen (I highly recommend it on audiobook) recommended to me by a dear friend and I've put a couple of Katherine Reay's other books on my wishlist. If you're looking for a lighthearted, beautiful story that will make you smile—put this one on your to read or listen to list!
A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller
This was my third time through this book and this time I listened in by audiobook. I can't say enough about Paul Miller and this book but just encourage you to read it. It will change your prayer life. It's not your typical structured book on prayer but from the first chapter and on it will have you developing a praying life.
A Loving Life by Paul E. Miller
Since we're on Paul Miller this book about the relationship between Ruth and Naomi and “hesed” love will walk you through how to truly love as God's Word calls us to. It's biblically solid and deals with what true biblical love looks like lived out in all our relationships. It's made me read the book of Ruth with new eyes.
Heart & Habits: How We Change for Good by Greg Gifford
I so appreciate practical books that walk us through what if looks like to live out our theology. Greg Gifford does just his in this encouraging and most excellent read. Pick up this short read and you'll be glad you did.
Spiritual Mothering: The Titus 2 Model for Women Mentoring Women by Susan Hunt
Susan Hunt has been a mentor in my life from afar through her books and in this book she shows us what it looks like to have Titus 2 relationships in our lives. This is one every Christian woman should read. It would be a good one to go through in your women's ministry.
The New Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan (Updated by Judith E. Markham and Warren Wiersbe)
This is a revised edition and it's beautifully done. If you enjoy Warren Wiersbe, you'll appreciate reading along with his notes to guide you in this classic. I've read it through several times and this version is my favorite!
Lilac Girls: A Novel by Martha Hall Kelly
This book was a vacation read for me and it was a hard one to put down. I favor historical fiction and this WWII story revolving around the lives of three women did not disappoint.
Ordinary: Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World by Michael Horton
Another re-read or I should say a listen and if you've not sat with this one yet put it on your list. As a wife and homemaker and mother and grandmother, it's a book that reminds me to find joy in the ordinary moments of serving the Lord.
What are some of your favorite reads from 2021?
Please share with us in the comments or wherever you see this post on social media.
If you enjoy book discussions, you might enjoy joining us in The Homemaking Matters Membership Community. Our next Zoom book club read is Who Am I: Identity in Christ by Jerry Bridges. You can find out all the details by clicking on the image below.
Hi…thanks for these books. Pls do you have books on femininity. I am currently on my walk out of the modern feminist mentality and i need Christian and only Christian books on femininity. I would be grateful if you could drop some recommendations. Thanks.
Elisabeth Elliot is one I would recommend to read any of her books but Let Me Be a Woman is so good. Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney is another helpful one too!
Here’s a link to my favorite books from 2021!
I’m going to pick up “A Loving Life”. Thanks!
https://dinahoverlien.com/2021/12/27/my-top-books-of-2021/
Dinah – thank you for sharing! Lots of prayer reads on your list – love it!