My Favorite Books I Read in 2021
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for many reasons! One of my top reasons is because I get to see everyone’s “list of favorites” from the past few months. Like Spotify releases their Spotify Wrapped every year, this is my “Reading Wrapped” from 2021. In this post (my 7th annual list), I share my favorite books I read in the last 12 months. I’ll also include a few of my wife’s favorites, and if you keep reading until the end, I’ll tell you how you can win some free books!
I have an abnormal, borderline unhealthy at times, love for reading. I believe reading helps me grow spiritually, inspires and challenges me, and helps me become more innovative and creative. I write about reading because I want it to do the same for you! I enjoy seeing book lists from others and always find some books to add to my reading list. I hope this post encourages you to do the same for your own edification or as gifts for others. There are not many better gifts than books (IMHO).
Like years past, these books are not necessarily written or published in 2021. Rather, these books make my list if I read it this year. And, for the fifth year in a row, I got my wife to share a few of her favorites (check out Kristen's Korner below).
I know your time is limited. When I put together a list like this, I hope it helps you cut through all the noise out there. I just read that over 2,200,000 new books will be published in 2021. This short list is an accumulation of one man's favorites—just one person's humble opinion. Part of the reason I put this list together is to be helpful and to give some recommendations.
Stick around to the end of the post for a few giveaways.
In no particular order:
My Favorite Books I Read in 2021
My Favorite Sports Book I read in 2021. This was such a fun read. Any college basketball fan always hears about the “blue bloods” of college basketball (Kentucky, UNC, Kansas, Dook), but we rarely read about the small schools who don’t attract as much attention. In the book The Back Roads to March, prolific sports writer, John Feinstein, writes about the unsung, unheralded, and unknown heroes of college basketball.
My Favorite Audiobooks I listened to in 2021
The Audiobook from over 500 contributors. We all remember where we were on 9/11/2001. It was four days before our wedding day and the memories still flood our hearts and minds like they were a few years ago. The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of September 11, 2001 recounts the stories of over 500 individuals who were intimately connected with the attacks (i.e., government officials, family members of victims, survivors from the towers). The book itself is powerful, but the audiobook makes it come alive even more. Not for the faint of heart, but it will lead you to be grateful for our nation and for your friends and family.
The Audiobook about my favorite TV show. The Office; The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000's: An Oral History was a pure delight. With backstory on the cast, writing, challenges, and much more, I highly recommend this book and/or audiobook for any fan of The Office. The book itself is great, but I really enjoyed the audiobook since it included the voices of many of the actual cast, writers, producers, and directors of The Office. I am looking forward to reading this new one from “Kevin” (Brian Baumgartner) - Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History of The Office and for the record, I am a big fan of The Office Ladies Podcast and I am sure I will read their book when it comes out as well.
The Audiobook I enjoy as Much as I Enjoyed the Book and the Movie. Even though she’s a grad of the University of Alabama, I still love the book The Help by Kathryn Stockett. If you haven’t read/watched/listened, do yourself a favor and look it up. The audiobook is especially fun because it features four different narrators, including Octavia Spencer (War Eagle) who played Minny Jackson in the movie. I’ve read, watched, and listened to The Help three different times and I enjoy it every time.
Like many of you, I’m a big fan of audiobooks. Some of my favorite sources are Audible and ChristianAudio. But the one I use the most is called Scribd—think Netflix for audiobooks. For a monthly rate of less than $10, you get access to a huge library of audiobooks. Kristen and I are big fans!
My Favorite Marriage/Relationship Books I Read in 2021
If you know me, then you know I nerd out on marriage books every year. Here are four of my favorites I read in 2021.
The Marriage Book that Isn’t really a book about marriage. I read You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity by Francis and Lisa Chan when it first came out in 2014. I read it again this year to help with the curriculum we put together for a marriage class at my church. This book makes me love Jesus more, which in turn affects my marriage and helps me be a better husband to Kristen. Marriage is temporary, eternity is forever. The Chans write about how this truth ought to affect how we live now in marriage in light of what’s coming in eternity.
The Marriage Book from My Favorite Author. Gary Thomas wrote A Lifelong Love in 2014, but just released a revised and updated version. Gary is my favorite author (and wrote the Foreword for my book, Ready or Knot?), so I will read anything from him. This book reminded me of the importance of pursuing Jesus together and how that affects our intimacy and friendship in marriage. I am in the middle of reading Married Sex by Gary Thomas and Debra Fileta and am sure it will land on my best of 2022 list!
The Sneaky Good Marriage Book I Read This Year. I wasn’t expecting Marriage Conflict: Talking as Teammates (31-Day Devotionals for Life) by Steve Hoppe to be this good! I’m not a fan of devotionals, and I hadn’t heard much at all about this one, so my expectations were’t very high. I knew it would be good, I just didn’t realize how helpful it would be. I bought a few copies of this book to give away to couples because of the fact that each day’s devotional is packed with scripture, practical counsel, and authenticity. If you want to grow in your marriage and in your communication and conflict resolution, check this one out.
The Best Book on Dating I’ve Ever Read (also winner of Best Book Written by My Boss in 2021). Most individuals don’t know how to date well. Culture gives us poor guidance and the Bible is silent on the topic of dating. Others have tried to write helpful dating books in the past, but Outdated: Find Love That Lasts When Dating Has Changed by Jonathan “JP” Pokluda is the most helpful, biblical, and honest book ever written on the topic (in my opinion). JP has spent the last 15+ years working with young adults and couples - he has the wisdom and leadership experience to guide couples well in dating.
My Favorite Book (Series) That Made Me Feel Like a Kid Again. My friend Wes has encouraged me to read the Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson for years now. Well, Wes, I finally did it! The first book can be a little slow at times, but I thoroughly enjoyed this series. If I’m going to read four (long’ish) books in a series, I want to know that the ending is worth the time. It was worth it. Big time. Great to read on your own or to read with your kids (probably 8-9 and up). Check out the On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness (book 1) or the whole 4-part series (The Wingfeather Saga Boxset). The new hardback versions and illustrations in the book are so sharp-looking!
My Favorite Book on Intimacy I Read This Year. The book Rethinking Sexuality: God's Design and Why It Matters by Juli Slattery is a paradigm-shifting book. Slattery makes the point that we’re all discipled by someone or something when it comes to sex and we all need to start with the Lord as we formulate a theology of sex. She challenges the reader to know what they believe, live out what they believe, and pass on to others what they believe.
My Favorite Books Written by Former Co-Workers. Two-way tie on this one! I read Freedom Starts Today: Overcoming Struggles and Addictions One Day at a Time by John Elmore with one of my sons. John is one of the Teaching Pastors at Watermark and leads the re:gen recovery ministry where men and women come every Monday night to work through struggles, addictions, and challenges. For 90 days my son and I read this book, while we encouraged each other with truth and held each other accountable in our struggles. It was a very rich time. Grateful for my friend John and his story of grace and for the authenticity and Truth he shares in this book.
Another former co-worker (to be clear, I left and they stayed), David Marvin wrote a book called We're All Freaking Out (and Why We Don't Need To): Finding Freedom from Your Anxious Thoughts and Feelings. We’re All Freaking Out is a helpful guide to individuals who struggle with anxiety and worry. Talk about a timely book in 2021! David leads The Porch at Watermark Community Church, a ministry for young adults. David has spent the last 10+ years helping countless men and women who struggle with anxiety, stress, and worry. He leads with authenticity and wisdom, both of which shine in his new book.
My Favorite Book Written by a Family. I was so encouraged by the book Divine Disruption: Holding on to Faith When Life Breaks Your Heart by Tony Evans and his four adult children. The book is packed with scripture, and includes honest reflections on loss and trials as Tony, Chrystal Evans Hurst, Priscilla Shirer, Anthony Evans, and Jonathan Evans each share about some of the major challenges their family has been through the last few years. I appreciated how they wrote it from five different perspectives, yet every bit of it was Christ-exalting and founded in Truth.
Kristen's Korner
And now, back for round 5 in 2021, Kristen Kedersha! Kristen loves to listen to books. As mentioned above, we've found Scribd to be a great alternate to Audible—think of it like Netflix for audio books.
My Favorite Memoir I Read This Year. We are a college football-loving family, and I may lead the charge! ESPN’S Gameday is a Saturday staple in our home, so I was excited to hear that Kirk Herbstreit had a memoir coming out. In Out of the Pocket he shares his football journey, how he met his wife, his broadcast experience, his family, and his faith. It’s hard to remember college football without Herbstreit. Even though he’s an Ohio State grad and fan, I enjoyed hearing how he lives out his faith and how he leads his family.
My Favorite Marriage Book I Read This Year. As my husband shared above, we’re big fans of Gary Thomas and pretty much everything he writes! Through his book Cherish, Thomas helped me better understand the word “cherish” that so many of us use/share in our marriage vows. Reading this book helped add color to a word we often use but rarely think through what it means. I loved the practical aspects of the book as it helped challenge me to better cherish my incredibly handsome and Christlike husband (last sentence written by Scott).
My Favorite Medical Story I Read This Year. I have a medical background, so I typically enjoy books and stories about medicine (for instance, ER is still one of my favorite TV shows!). Love Anthony is the story of two families and their struggles, how they cross paths, and the story of an autistic son (Anthony). Anthony teaches these two women about the power of friendship and helps them to discover some universal truths that connect us all. It’s told from the perspective of Anthony, providing insight into what it’s like to live with autism.
Scott’s Honorable Mention:
Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff. This book made me laugh out loud a few times! I really enjoy reading and listening to Acuff. The book also gave me some really practical ideas I have included/implemented in my life.
Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey. Alright, alright, alright. Language aside, such a fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed McConaughey’s memoir, which includes stories of his family, love, movies, and so much more. I always liked him, but after listening to/reading his memoir, my McConaughey love only increased. Not for little ears, but a really fun listen as well. The hardcover book is also really sharp looking, so I’m torn on whether to recommend the audiobook or the hardback (I own both).
That Sounds Fun: The Joys of Being an Amateur, the Power of Falling in Love, and Why You Need a Hobby, by Annie F. Downs. I’m a big fan of her podcast (That Sounds Fun) and equally enjoyed the book by the same title. I struggle in having fun and need a hobby, so this book challenged me in the right ways to think about fun.
The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure, by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt This was such a thought-provoking book as I help lead young adults and raise four young men. Our staff read this together this year, and I’ve referenced my main takeaways from this book so many times.
A Burning in My Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene H. Peterson, Translator of The Message, by Winn Collier. If you’re a fan of Eugene Peterson, you’ll want to read this one! I so enjoy Peterson’s writing and loved hearing his story and learning more about his journey.
Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church, by Paul David Tripp. I read this with the family team at Harris Creek this year. Written out of a crisis of leadership in the church, Tripp provides a thoroughly biblical guide to help strengthen leaders.
Book Giveaways
I have several of these books to give away. If you respond to the questions below in the comments section, I'll enter your name into a drawing for the following books (7 different winners!).
Outdated, by JP (signed if you want it signed).
We’re All Freaking Out, by David Marvin
Complement, by Aaron & Jamie Ivey
Preparing Your Heart for Marriage, by Gary Thomas
Rethinking Sexuality, by Juli Slattery
Crazy Love, by Francis Chan (author of the book You and Me Forever, from my list above)
Ready or Knot?, by Scott Kedersha (signed if you want it signed...).
Note: I will choose winners next Monday (December 13th).
Last, a link to my lists from prior years.
Your Turn (Comment below to enter into a drawing to win one of the books listed above!)
What was your favorite book you read in 2021? What should I read? What would you recommend to others?
Speaking of Spotify Wrapped, what were some of your top artists or songs from your #SpotifyWrapped?
Note to readers: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means I get a minuscule kickback on any purchases you make through these links (at no extra cost to you). I need some way to recoup a small percentage of the money I spend on this blog every year and any purchases you make help keep this writing ministry going.