My Favorite Books I Read in 2022
Part of the reason why you don’t see many new posts on my blog this year is because I spend too much time reading and not enough time writing! As much as I enjoy writing, I really enjoy reading. With that in mind, I’m excited to share my list of my favorite books I read in 2022. As I said last year, this is like my personal reading version of “Spotify Wrapped.” In this post (my 8th annual list), I share my favorite books I read in the last 12 months. My wife Kristen also shares a few of her favorites, and at the end of the post I’ll share how you can win a free book.
Something about reading I learned this year was my enjoyment of reading books with others. This isn’t anything profound, but I found myself reading several books this year with friends. In the process, I enjoyed the books more, applied more to my life, and grew some friendships. I read a marriage book with two other men. I read a few productivity books with an online community. I read a leadership book with a guy I discipled and our church staff read a book together in the beginning of the year. I’m going to continue to look for more ways to read along with others in 2023. I’d encourage you to do the same. Maybe we can do a version of an online book club through this site (let me know in the comments if you’re interested in that!).
Like years past, these books are not necessarily written or published in 2022. Rather, these books make my list if I read it this year. It’s truly been a GREAT year of reading for me. I’m so thankful for good authors!
I know your time is limited. When I put together a list like this, I hope it helps you cut through all the noise. Between self-published books and traditional publishers, MILLIONS of books will be published in 2022. 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 2022
The Most Powerful Book I Read This Year. Pastor, speaker, and prolific blogger Tim Challies and his wife Aileen tragically lost their 20-year old son Nick in November of 2020. In the book Seasons of Sorrow, Challies captures many of his reflections and lets us into his journal and personal writing. I’d recommend this book for anyone walking through grief and loss. I appreciated Tim’s honest reflections which he captures alongside of his deep affections for the Lord. I was moved by his affections for his son and the grief his family walked through in mourning the death of his only son.
My Favorite Marriage/Relationship Books I Read in 2022
If you know me, then you know I nerd out on marriage books every year. Here are four of my favorites I read in 2022.
The Most Practical Marriage Book I Read This Year. I loved the book The Rhythm of Us by Chris & Jenni Graebe. The book was a compelling, simple read on the importance of establishing good rhythms and habits in your marriage. The book is part explanation and part workbook as the Graebes encourage readers to not just absorb content but to figure out how to best apply what you learn to your own life. I got to have lunch with them in Nashville and they were so much fun to connect with in person.
The Marriage Book from My Favorite Author. Gary Thomas’ newest marriage book, Making Your Marriage a Fortress, is written to help couples make it through the storms of life. In each chapter he shares the story of a real couple who has walked through significant challenges (i.e., loss of an 18-year old son, a husband who is gone serving our country overseas for months at a time, a spouse with chronic illness). He shares their stories and while none of their stories are the same as mine, there’s so much for us to each learn about how to navigate the storms of life.
The Marriage Book That Challenged My Thought Life. I read the book Us In Mind: How Changing Your Thoughts Can Change Your Marriage by my close friend Ted Lowe with two other married guys. We had such great discussions about this book and each of us was challenged to think rightly about our marriage, our spouse, and ourselves. I was most challenged by the chapter on empathy which has led me to change how I listen to and interact with Kristen.
The Best Marriage Book I’ve Ever Read About Intimacy. I love the joint efforts of Gary Thomas and Debra Fileta in their book Married Sex. I appreciate that it’s written from the perspective of a male and female, a pastor and a counselor, and someone in their 50’s and another in their 30’s. The book is practical, biblical, and honest. It’s by far the most helpful book I’ve ever read on physical intimacy. We have all of our newlyweds at Harris Creek read this book, but honestly every married couple would greatly benefit from reading (and applying) it.
My Favorite Audiobooks I listened to in 2022
The Book that Surprised Me Most This Year. I’ve been entertained by the videos and comedy of Jon Crist for years now. I appreciate clean comedy, especially when someone can poke fun at the body of Christ. A few years ago, Crist was exposed for some moral failures. In his new book Delete That (And Other Failed Attempts to Look Good Online, Crist honestly shares his failures. He admits where and how he fell short and doesn’t make excuses for his sins. His honesty is refreshing in a world that often values appearances. I enjoyed his reading of the book.
The Author Who Best Lives Out Her Message. I don’t have a ton of fun in life. We’re all busy and have many responsibilities. I’m not whining, but I have a wife, four sons, a very busy ministry job, and writing to keep up with. It takes all my time to do these roles well—I certainly act like I don’t have time for fun. BUT, we need to have more fun! That’s why I adore Annie F. Downs and her podcast That Sounds Fun. I recently finished her 100-day guide to fun called Chase the Fun: 100 Days to Discover Fun Right Where You Are. She reads it and she is the most fun. Read the book but listen to her read it to you, and then go live it out.
The Audiobooks about My Favorite TV Show. Many of you know about my deep affection for The Office. This year I read/listened to two books about my favorite show, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed! The first is the book from “Kevin” (Brian Baumgartner) Welcome to Dunder Mifflin. The second one comes from the co-hosts of one of my favorite podcasts, Jenna and Angela, The Office Ladies Podcast. Their book The Office BFFs was a really fun listen/read.
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. You can try it free for one month! For a monthly rate of less than $12, you get access to a huge library of audiobooks. Kristen and I are big fans!
The Book I Read Every Year. This 45-minute read is a book I read every single year. In fact, I probably read and/or listen to it twice every year! It’s deeply encouraging while simultaneously feeling like a loving kick in my rear. The book is called The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness and is written by one of my favorite authors, Timothy Keller. I need the consistent reminder that the best way to true joy is not by focusing on the self but by focusing on the Lord and others. Keller unpacks the true definition and picture of humility. It’s the book I give out probably more than any other book.
My Favorite Book Written by Former Co-Workers. The book is called The Edge: How to Stand Out by Showing You’re All in and is written by Adam Tarnow and David Morrison. I’ve already read this book two times this year - one time on my own and once with a young man I had the privilege of discipling. The Edge is honest, practical, and humorous (much like the two authors) and helps you understand how to stand out in your workplace. This is another one I’ve recommended many times this year. I loved how much of the book dovetailed with the culture of our church staff.
My Favorite Productivity Book I Read This Year. I am a sucker for a good productivity book, especially when the book comes from a like-minded follower of Christ. Redeeming Your Time by Jordan Raynor provides excellent, biblical principles that will help the reader be more productive and present in your daily rhythms. I find myself coming back to this book often to learn more from Raynor.
My Favorite Book Written for Teenagers. I love the book Soundtracks by Jon Acuff. It made my 2021 Favorite Books post. The book Your New Playlist addresses the same topic of overthinking but is written by Jon and his two teenage daughters and is written for teenagers. The message is equally powerful as they challenge readers to turn overthinking from a super problem to a super power. As someone who struggles with negative, hurtful thoughts about myself, both Soundtracks and Your New Playlist have helped transform my thought life. I also recently re-read the book Finish by Jon Acuff. He continues to be one of my favorite writers and speakers.
The Parenting Book I Wish I’d Read 10 Years Ago! Man I loved Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley. So much so that I wish I’d read it years ago! It’s honest, practical, biblical, and helps parents develop some healthy rhythms for families on topics such as bedtimes, technology, play, and discipline. This would be a great book for a community or life group of parents to read together.
The Book to Read if You’re Think of Writing a Book. I haven’t talked about this much here (or anywhere), but my next book comes out in October of 2023. It’s a prayer guide for couples - I’m pumped about how it came out and can’t wait to tell you more. But, I digress. The book Write a Must-Read is a must-read for anyone thinking of writing a book. I will go through this book in close detail for every book I write in the future. The process she lays out is so helpful and helps authors truly write a book that has the capability of changing a reader’s life.
The Book That Captured One of My Struggles So Well. Kristen and I moved to Waco after 18 years in Dallas, TX. We had many long-standing friendships and the hardest part of leaving Dallas was leaving our friends. For this reason I’m so thankful for Jennie Allen’s honest, practical wisdom and encouragement in her book Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World. While we’re surrounded by so many in life and through social media, we often feel lonely and lack deep friendships. Jennie has done it again with this new book!
Kristen's Korner
And now, back for round 6 in 2022, 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 Biography I Read This Year. We are all-in with the Baylor Bears; especially since we now have a son who calls Baylor home! We love cheering for the Bears in every sport, but it’s really easy to cheer for the men’s basketball team because of the head coach. Coach Scott Drew released his first book earlier this year - The Road to J.O.Y. “The book is refreshing and encouraging! I knew Coach Drew was a believer and a fantastic coach, but I never knew how seriously he took discipleship with his team and staff.” Scott loved this one as well.
My Favorite Book About the Place I Want to Visit. In One Italian Summer, a woman’s mom passes away and to help her cope with the grief of the loss of her mom, she takes the mother-daughter trip of a lifetime that they had planned to take before her death. She gets to experience the place her mom had loved. The author uses this trip to allow the daughter to get to know her mom in her younger days. “It is an intriguing plot. I loved the ending and it makes me want to spend a summer in Italy!”
My Favorite Thought-Provoking Book I Read This Year. In Good Apple, a woman born in the south moves to New York City and shares her experience as an evangelical follower of Christ in the Big Apple. “She shares what it’s like to be far away from your home in the big city where not everyone shares her views and her background.” Scott thinks this one sounds interesting!
Scott’s Honorable Mention:
Single, Dating, Engaged, Married by Ben Stuart. A book I have recommended many times this year. I love how Ben shares the purpose of each season of life and encourages readers to live to the glory of God in every season.
Judges For You, by Timothy Keller. I recommended several books in this commentary series in last year’s post. I read the Judges commentary in the past and re-read it this year as I studied the book of Judges. Not all the books in this commentary series are great, but the ones by Tim Keller sure are!
The Intentional Father, by Jon Tyson. This practical book on how to be an intentional father to your sons helped inspire a sermon I preached earlier this year. We all want to be intentional as parents, and this book tells you how you can do that. Also check out Parenting by Paul David Tripp. I finally read it this year and it didn’t disappoint!
How to Be Married (to Melissa), by Dustin Nickerson. The guy is just hilarious and his comedy is clean. I want to review this one again because he has some really unique ideas. It’s kind of the “anti-marriage book marriage book.”
Dragonfly, by Leila Meacham. Historical Fiction, and by far my favorite fiction book I read this year. Spy novel, with hints of The Nightingale (one of my all time favorites).
Book Giveaways
I have several 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).
Preparing Your Heart for Marriage, by Gary Thomas.
Ready or Knot?, by Scott Kedersha (signed if you want it signed...).
Fun loving you, by Ted Cunningham.
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness, by Timothy Keller.
Lead, by Paul Tripp.
Adorning the Dark, by Andrew Peterson.
Note: I will choose winners next Tuesday (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 2022?
What should I read? What would you recommend to others?
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.