My Top 10 Books of 2021
Here are my top 10 books of 2021. I will start from number 10. I based them on:
- Their impact on my life,
- Their ability to engage,
- Would I want to re-read it,
- And how well the author wrote it.
My judgment is subjective. I must say, I had loved reading this year. I read over 60 books this year. I can easily suggest my top 20 plus. But here are my top ten to start. (As always, the Bible is the best book of all and a book I read every year. It is on another level of good reads. Thus, I exempt it from my list).
10.
Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History by Erik Larson. I enjoyed Devil in the White City by Erik Larson and found this book in the used pile at a library for fifty cents. I struck gold. This book was dark, educational, and exceptionally written. The politics behind the early days of the weather service and the science of the hurricane that hit Galveston, Texas, fascinated me. 9.
The Baseball 100 by Joe Posnanski was a surprise. This year, Tony Reinke suggested this book on Twitter, and I am glad I took his advice and read it. I read it obsessively to my kids. They got sick of it, some of the stars were not role models, so I just finished the last 60 players by myself. This book was delightful to read out loud. It was so well written. It is 828 pages, and he keeps you guessing who is next and what made them great. It is great for baseball fans and fathers and sons: teaching perseverance, kindness, hard work, consequences, and baseball fans. I highly recommend it. Each chapter is short, with colorful vignettes. You can easily pick it up, read for fifteen minutes, and move on to something else.8.
Hunting Eichmann: How a Band of Survivors and a Young Spy Agency Chased Down the World's Most Notorious Nazi by Neal Bascomb. Pastor Mike Bettig picked this book for our book club, and I am glad he did. This book was a fast-paced true story of finding a mastermind behind the Nazi death camps. I learned so much about the dark side of Nazi Germany. I don't think you will be able to put this book down. 7.
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp. Mike Bettig gave this to me as a Christmas gift in 2020. What a gift. I found in the style of Wendell Berry. Ann is a farmhouse, homeschooling mom of six children. She explores thankfulness to God amidst her grief, fear, loss, anger, and longing. The words are like butter: sweet and warm. I needed to read this book. But, more importantly, I need to practice her practice: thanksgiving. 6. 
Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins we Tolerate by Jerry Bridges. Wow! Jerry Bridges surprised me. This book offers a quick look that pierces the soul and provides the balm of the gospel and change in areas that we too often neglect. This was so good. It is worth multiple reads.
Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins we Tolerate by Jerry Bridges. 5.
Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God's Grand Story by Christopher Yuan. I found this to be a phenomenal book. It covers Christopher's journey through finding Jesus. We live in a day and age where sexual liberty, fulfillment, and pleasure are gods. Christopher pursued those gods and wound up in prison. This book explores what he discovered God saying to him through Scripture and what God says to us today about sexuality. This book is an essential read for Christians in our time of moral confusion. 4.
Death of Porn Men of Integrity Building a World of Nobility by Ray Ortlund. Pornography is a national epidemic and a 100 billion dollar industry. It is a mirage using people for financial gain and ego. It wrecks the soul and damages relationships. As a seasoned pastor, author, father, and grandfather Ray Ortlund writes this book to men about their identity and challenges them to avoid pornography. God has something better. This book is: - It is short,
- Easy to read,
- And it encourages us to see the blessings God has given us.
I bought a bunch to give out at church.
3.
Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City by Tim Keller. I want to understand how do we plant churches. How do we share our faith? How do we make disciples? Center Church is a textbook on such things. It has excellent discussion questions, is well written, filled with Scripture, and is encouraging. I would say worth a second read with an eye for application in one's cultural context. 2.
How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing by Paul Silvia. This book is short and sweet, and motivating. One takeaway is scheduling your writing time. If you have a goal or desire, reflect it on your calendar. Schedule it. This book is not just for writers. You can apply this strategy to anything. However, if you want to write more, read this book. 1.
The Hour That Changes the World: A Practical Plan for Personal Prayer by Dick Eastman. I have read this book before, and it changed my life. How do you talk to the creator of the Universe? How do you hear from God? This book takes you through Scripture, story, and steps to bring life to your prayer life. This book is an excellent book for everyone. Try it. I am sure it has its limitations, but this book is a blueprint that will help you kickstart the New Year by talking to God. I would love it if you read one of these books, and tell me what you think. Or, comment below with your favorite reads of 2021.
See Also
I don't know what became of 2014 or 2015?
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