December 2022

In this post I will share my favorite books read in 2022.

Since my elementary school years, I have been a voracious reader.

Reading good books is one way to cultivate your mind and obey God’s command to love him with all your mind (cf. Matthew 22:37).

For over 20 years before my retirement from full-time work, I was reading 100-150 books every year.

I retired from full a full-time leadership position in financial services 7 years ago and, while continuing to work part time because I enjoy the mental challenges and contact with coworkers and clients, I’ve been able to read an average of 250 books each year.

This is not a list of my picks of the best books published in 2022. In fact, some of these books have been sitting on my bookshelves or in my Kindle library for several years.

I am not providing links to Amazon or other booksellers (with one exception). If you are interested in a book, you will certainly know how to find it.

Fran’s Top 10 Favorite Books Read in 2022*

Please note that this is not a ranking in order of priority. Each of these books was an enjoyable read.

Awake, Not Woke by Noelle Mering

Awake, Not Woke unmasks this ideology by examining its history, major players, premises, and tactics, showing us that “Wokeness” at its core is an ideology of rupture. Indeed, it is an ideology with fundamentalist and even cult-like characteristics that is on a collision course with Christianity.

Debunking the 1619 Project by Mary Grabar

In her book, Debunking the 1619 Project, scholar Mary Grabar, shows, in dramatic fashion, just how full of flat-out lies, distortions, and noxious propaganda the “1619 Project” really is. It is essential reading for every concerned parent, citizen, school board member, and policymaker.

The Rise & Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman

Since the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision in 2015, sexual identity has dominated both public discourse and cultural trends—and yet, no historical phenomenon is its own cause. From Augustine to Marx, various views and perspectives have contributed to the modern understanding of self. In The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, Carl Trueman carefully analyzes the roots and development of the sexual revolution as a symptom, rather than the cause, of the human search for identity. This timely exploration of the history of thought behind the sexual revolution teaches readers about the past, brings clarity to the present, and gives guidance for the future as Christians navigate the culture’s ever-changing search for identity.

Strange New World by Carl Trueman

How did the world arrive at its current, disorienting state of identity politics, and how should the church respond? Historian Carl R. Trueman shows how influences ranging from traditional institutions to technology and pornography moved modern culture toward an era of “expressive individualism.” Investigating philosophies from the Romantics, Nietzsche, Marx, Wilde, Freud, and the New Left, he outlines the history of Western thought to the distinctly sexual direction of present-day identity politics and explains the modern implications of these ideas on religion, free speech, and personal identity.

Faith Misused by Alvin Schmidt

The original definition in the New Testament is the Greek concept of faith called Pistis. Pistis means that God’s followers have complete confidence in Him and believe He is the creator of all things, loves all His people, and will one day return for them. Rev. Dr. Alvin J. Schmidt explores how society has slowly been shifting away from this definition over time and discusses how Christians can help restore the true meaning of faith.

Our Daily Biscuit by Todd Starnes

Our Daily Biscuit: Devotions with a Drawl is a celebration of faith, family, food, and the authors’ Southern heritage. Each chapter features a verse of Scripture, a funny or poignant story about Southern culture—with a devotional tie-in to bless your day or make you think—a prayer, and questions to help you deepen your relationship with God. There are even recipes from some of those fabulous Southern cooks sprinkled throughout.

Counterfeit Kingdom by Doug Geivett & Holly Pivec

In Counterfeit Kingdom, apologists and NAR experts Holly Pivec and Douglas Geivett show how the NAR’s key tenets distort the gospel, twist the Scriptures, are influenced by New Age practices, and lead faithful Christians to shipwreck their faith. They also offer practical suggestions for readers who are already influenced by the NAR, curious about it, or concerned about loved ones who have been swept up in the movement.

The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank

Discovered in the attic where she spent the last years of her life, Anne Frank’s remarkable diary has become a world classic—a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and an eloquent testament to the human spirit.

The Ambassadors Guide to the Voice of God by Greg Koukl

The notion that each Christian can receive personal revelation from the Almighty was novel in times past. Nowadays, though, listening to Christians talk about it, the experience appears to be ubiquitous. Virtually everyone seems to be “hearing from God” in some fashion these days—pastors, writers, worship leaders, even the regular folks at our weekly Bible studies—so the basic idea must be right.

But is it? Must I “hear the voice of God” in order to know what He wants from me? Is this what Jesus meant by, “My sheep hear My voice,” or what Paul meant by being “led by the Spirit”?

And what if I hear nothing but silence when I listen? Does this say something about my spiritual well-being? Am I living a substandard Christian life if I don’t have a hotline to God? Addressing those concerns and more like them is vitally important. And much rides on the answers.

There’s only one way to address such questions. They cannot be answered by appealing to personal experiences, but only by appealing carefully to the text. What does Scripture teach? That’s the question being answered in this Ambassador’s Guide.

Bibi: My Story by Benjamin Netanyahu

In this memoir Bibi weaves together his gripping personal story with the dramatic history of Israel and the Jewish people. Through a host of vivid anecdotes, he narrates his own evolution from soldier to statesman, while providing a unique perspective on leadership, the fraught geopolitics of the Middle East, and his successful efforts to liberate Israel’s economy, which helped turn it into a global powerhouse of technological innovation.

Favorite Books Read in 2022 – Fiction

I also enjoy reading good fiction. Listed below are my favorite fiction reads of 2022.

Quicksilver by Dean Koontz

The Big Dark Sky by Dean Koontz

The Last Disciple by Hank Hanegraaff & Sigmund Brouwer

The Last Sacrifice by Hank Hanegraaff & Sigmund Brouwer

The Last Temple by Hank Hanegraaff & Sigmund Brouwer

The Well of the Soul by Doug Powell

Among the Ashes by Doug Powell

The Place of Descent by Doug Powell

What are your favorite books of 2022?

I am always looking for good books to read. Please share your favorite books with me.

 

*Book descriptions are quoted from the book information provided on Amazon.com, unless otherwise noted.