Best Books of 2022
Over the course of 2022 I read 96 books. While it is nearly impossible to compare one book to another, especially across genres, here is my best attempt at a top 10 list. I only included books that I read for the first time this year.
#1 Horse by Geraldine Brooks
I have read all of Brooks’ books (except for the stupid one about David) and this one is her best yet. An engaging story that deals with the horrors of racism both historically and in the here and now. Oftentimes the best mark of a book is if it stays with you and boy does this one do that. A thoroughly enjoyable (except for the rip-your-heart-out parts) read!
#2 Apeirogon by Colum McCann
I read this early in the year and at that time thought, “This will be the best book I read this year!” It very nearly was…actually it was! This list is already wrong! A lesser writer could not have pulled this book off. Like no other novel I have ever read. A non-linear read which centers on two men one Palestinian one Israeli and the murder of their two daughters. McCann has a gift for taking pain which is too big, too universal and making it painfully, beautifully intimate. A very heavy read but a very important one!
#3 How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith
What a ridiculous list, who came up with this! Clearly this was the best book I read this year! Easily the best written and an engaging look at several historical sites in our country which played an important part in the systemic racism of our nation. Smith describes his own experiences and doesn’t hold back from expressing his own opinions but at no time do his own conclusions feel forced upon the reader. His graciousness knows no bounds. He could describe what he was eating for breakfast and I would eat it up!
#4 Conspicuous in His Absence by Chloe Sun
#1 in Bible/theology for me this year. At times overly technical but overall, the best exposition I have ever read (admittedly few) of either Esther or Song of Solomon. As someone who doesn't "feel" God, I found this book enormously helpful.
#5 Five Views on Biblical Inerrancy - Counterpoints
I've avoided titles in this series for a while, thinking they were kinda lightweight (not really sure why), but boy was I wrong. It is so vitally important that top scholars (in any field but especially in biblical studies) are submitting themselves to peer review. It is our brothers and sisters who point out our blind spots to us, help us recalibrate, reexamine, or in some cases confirm for us that we must hold the line. This book was an excellent example of brilliant minds presenting their views, offering mostly charitable and always well thought out critiques, and engaging in all too important dialogue. Having since read several others in this series I can also say that the contributors to this particular volume are exceptionally clear writers.
#6 Struggling with Evangelicalism by Dan Stringer
The title of this book describes my own wrestling over the past few years. The most helpful thing for me has been to realize that 95% of the world’s evangelicals do not live in America and don’t have the “problems” we have. The second most helpful thing has been this book. Sometimes there is one “nugget” in a book that makes the whole thing worthwhile. For me and this read it was the idea that evangelicalism can be both a brand and a space.
#7 A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
One of the top novels I read this year, honestly would have been higher on the list if it hadn’t been so painful. A powerful narrative which shines a light on the dignity of all humanity. A slow read at times but well worth it for the ending.
#8 Seven Things I wish Christians Knew About the Bible by Mike Bird
What a silly list. This really wasn’t “the eighth best book I read this year,” so much as “The #1 book that I will recommend the most from this year’s reading.” I have found and will continue to find this to be an enourmously helpful resource to recommend as an excellent introduction or a great refresher for those who need it. Bird's humor comes across in his writing.
#9 Imminent Domain by Ben Witherington III
An excellent little book! Bridges new heavens new earth eschatology and kingdom of God theology in a helpful and practical way. Short, accessible, readable. My one complaint is I would have stuck with “kingdom of God” language rather than “domain” language but that doesn’t change the content. I will return to this one again and again.
#10 From Adam and Israel to the Church by Benjamin L. Gladd
In all fairness this one makes the list rather than others in the genre (see honorable mentions) because I read it recently and it is still fresh in my mind. I enjoyed this one more than I expected to. It examines what the People of God are to be rather than who they are. The basic premise that the imago dei is our vocation to be Kings, Priests, and Prophets is interesting and Gladd is certainly consistent with himself in this assertion throughout. If he perhaps overplays this a bit (were Adam and Eve really meant to be "prophets"?) it is forgivable again because he makes a consistent BT from Genesis to Revelation. He comes from a reformed position but he is not quite as tied to the "good ole' boy's club" that many SB writers are. A few small things I disagreed with but that is to be expected. One I could definitely recommend as long as the reader understood this is an idea not the end-all truth.
Honorable Mentions (in no particular order)
Alexander the Great by Philip Freeman
Forsaken by Thomas H. McCall
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
The Last Green Valley by Mark T. Sullivan
No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler
The New Creation and the Storyline of Scripture by Frank Thielman
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austin