10 Favorite Books of 2022

 

I read 70 books this year, many of which were excellent reads. As always, it was tough to narrow down my favorites, but these ten books stood out this year. 

Theology 

Does Prayer Change Things?  (R.C. Sproul)

A tiny book that is brimming with deep theological truths about prayer, from the late Sproul, who has the unique ability to bright high-level doctrine from seminary to the everyday Christian reader. His writing is engaging, so it doesn't feel like a textbook at all. Best book on prayer I've read!

 

Rembrandt in the Wind: Learning to Love Art Through the Lens of Faith (Russ Ramsey)

Fascinating micro-biographies of artists like Van Gogh, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, the Impressionists like Monet, Michelangelo, and Henry Ossawa Tanner. Ramsey extrapolates Biblical truths from their lives and their most famous masterpieces. If you like art history, but don't want to read a textbook, this one is brilliant. 

Historical Fiction

I Must Betray You (Ruta Sepetys)

Based on real events from Romania's long Communist rule under horrible dictator Ceausescu, this gripping novel is set the last year of his reign of terror, 1989. A time when anyone could be a spy, so you couldn't trust anyone. A teenager struggles to keep a heavy secret of being a spy for Americans, while he questions if someone close to him might be a spy for the Communists. I immigrated to America from Romanian in 1989, so this was eye-opening and fascinating.

 

Last Bookshop in London (Madeline Martin)

A beautifully written novel about WWII in London from the perspective of a sweet, timid girl who grows in courage and boldness through the story. Not a reader herself, she reluctantly starts working at a small bookshop owned by a grumpy old man, but their friendship and their role in the community as the horrors of WWII surround them, was full of hope. 

Memoir 

Through the Gates of Splendor (Elisabeth Elliot)

I love Elisabeth Elliot's writing, so I have heard some of the details of Jim Elliot's death at the hands of the savage Ecuadorian jungle tribe. But it was great to hear the whole story, including information about all five men and what compelled them to leave the comfort of their American lives and move to remove villages underdeveloped Ecuador to share the gospel of Jesus. I was challenged by the men and their wive's willingness to to surrender everything for God, their ability to trust God in the hardest circumstances, and the wives' willingness to forgive their husbands' murderers and remain in Ecuador with their young children to continue to missionary work without their husbands.

Mothering by the Book: The Power of Reading Aloud to Overcome Fear and Recapture Joy (Jennifer Pepito)

Written partly as memoir as well as helpful guide through different types of fear, with journaling questions to dig deeper, Scripture to memorize, and recommended books to read (both with kids and on your own).  Jennifer is the creator of the wonderful preschool curriculum I am using this year, The Peaceful Preschool, and just an all-around inspiring woman, so it was a delight to read and learn from such a vulnerable and honest mama as she shared many of her struggles along the road to raising adult children. I took lots of notes and journaled through the questions at the end of each chapter, so I will definitely review what I learned when I recognize those fears resurfacing.

Honorable Mention: The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row (Anthony Ray Hinton)

Parenting

How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7 (Joanna Faber and Julie King)

This is an incredible resource that provides countless practical examples for various areas of childrearing. From dealing with tantrums to picky eating and sleep refusal, there is a ton of great info, presented in an engaging style that is easy to read. The book starts with a section on validating emotions, then moves to engaging cooperation, resolving conflict, tools for praise and appreciation, food fights, dealing with the morning rush of getting out the door, shopping with kids, tattling, cleanup, doctor visits, shy kids, what to do when kids hit, sleep issues, and a great troubleshooting chapter when things just don't seem to be working. There are even a few chapters on parents' feelings and what to do when you get really angry with your kid. 

Triggers: Exchanging Parents' Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses (Amber Lia and Wendy Speake)

I found this book and the study guide (which I purchased separately) to be incredibly helpful in recognizing and working through some triggers that lead me to angry reactions with my kids. It is Gospel-centered and focuses more on the parent's ownership of their anger rather than focusing on the child's behavior. There are plenty of good tips and suggestions to try, but it's not primarily a book of tips, but rather, digs deep at issues like selfishness, need for control, pride and other sinful roots to some of our anger. It is grace-filled rather than condemning, but it definitely convicted me towards prayerful change. I will be using this as a resource for years to come. The book is divided in two, with internal (like sleep-deprivation, stress, etc) and external triggers (too much noise, disobedience from a child, etc).

Honorable Mentions: 

Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids  (Kim John Payne)

Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms (Justin Whitmel Earley)

Classics

Pilgrim's Progress (John Bunyan) 

Originally published in 1678, this is definitely the oldest book I read all year, and yet it was very readable. This was a powerful book that explained so many doctrines of the Christian faith in understandable ways through the allegory of Christian and his family's journeys to the Celestial City  and all the dangers and temptations that met them along the way. 

Amberwell (D.E. Stevenson)

Published in 1955, this gentle, slow family drama of the wealthy Ayrton family was such a treat. Sprawling through several decades, it follows the fourth Ayrton children from childhood through adulthood and WWII. The character development of the shy Nell, who becomes the backbone of the family later in the book, was my favorite, plus the idyllic setting of a beautiful estate in the Scottish coast was fun to imagine. 

Honorable Mention: Five Children and It (E. Nesbit)

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To see previous year's favorite books, click HERE