If you’ve been following me for a while now, then you know I’m a bookworm and absolutely love to read! 

When I started partnering with publishers in mid-2017 and added book reviews to my old blog, Seeking Grace & Gratitude, it was my hope to critique and introduce books my audience would be interested in or promote books they weren’t otherwise familiar with. 

I strongly believe the content that fills our minds and occupies our time shapes the lives we live and the people we become, very much like the adage, “you are what you eat.” This is the meat that feeds the ministry I’ve felt called to pursue and is why I intentionally prioritize my role as both a student of God’s Word and a continuing education learner. 

When retracking all the content I consumed throughout 2021, I found this year to contain my most diverse reading portfolio yet. While I primarily read non-fiction books written from the lens of a biblical worldview, I also read a few celebrity biographies, several classic works of fiction, American political commentaries, and even a book composed by a Canadian atheist, sexologist, neuroscientist during this year.* 

With so many books read and reviewed, I thought it would be beneficial to: 

• List all of the titles of the relevant books I read by the author’s name and organized by general topic or theme

• Narrow down the list to my top MUST READ books of the year

Enjoy!

Non-Fiction Books & Bible Studies Completed in 2021

Bible Studies

1. Better: A Study of Hebrews by Jen Wilkin
2. Ruth: Fields of Grace by the Daily Grace Co.
3. Wait: A Walk Through the Psalms (Psalms 31-60) by the Daily Grace Co.
4. The God That Comes Near: A Study on the Book of Haggai by the Daily Grace Co.
5. Even If: A Study of Habakkuk by the Daily Grace Co.
6. Now That Faith Has Come: A Study of Galatians by Beth Moore and Melissa Moore
7. The Books of Romans and 1 & 2 Corinthians by Proverbs 31 Ministries in coordination with the First5 app
8. Elijah: Faith and Fire by Priscilla Shirer
9. Truthfilled: The Practice of Preaching to Yourself Through Every Season by Ruth Chou Simons
10.  Wrapped in Grace: The Birth Story That Changes Everything by Deana Lynn Rogers

Spiritual Growth

1. It’s Never Too Late: Make the Next Act of Your Life the Best Act of Your Life by Kathie Lee Gifford
2. How Did I Get Here? Finding Your Way Back to God When Everything is Pulling You Away by Christine Caine
3. Divine Disruption: Holding on to Faith When Life Breaks Your Heart by Dr. Tony Evans, Chrystal Evans Hurst, Priscilla Shirer, Anthony Evans, & Jonathan Evans
4. The In-Between Place: Where Jesus Changes Your Story by Kat Armstrong
5. Revived & Renovated: Real Life Conversations on the Intersection of Home, Faith, and Everything in Between by Victoria Duerstock and Paige Rien
6. Goliath Must Fall (for young readers): Winning the Battle Against Your Giants by Louie Giglio

Apologetics/Christianity Books

1. A Grand Illusion: How Progressive Christianity Undermines Biblical Faith by David Young
2. We Will Not Be Silenced: Responding Courageously to Our Culture’s Assault on Christianity by Erwin W. Lutzer
3. Live Not By Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents by Rod Dreher
4. Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies by Hillary Morgan Ferrer
5. Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Sexuality: Empowering Your Kids to Understand & Live Out God’s Design by Hillary Morgan Ferrer (with Amy Davison)
6. Another Gospel: A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity by Alisa Childers
7. Can Science Explain Every Thing? By John C. Lennox

Culture/Politics/Social Issues

1. Fighting For Life: Becoming a Force for Change in a Wounded World by Lila Rose
2. Speechless: Controlling Words, Controlling Minds by Michael Knowles
3. Standing Up To Goliath: Battling State and National Teachers’ Unions for the Heart and Soul of Our Kids and Country by Rebecca Friedrichs
4. Frontlines: Finding My Voice on an American College Campus by Isabel Brown
5. American Marxism by Mark R. Levin

Social Justice/Wokeness 

1. Christianity and Wokeness: How the Social Justice Movement is Hijacking the Gospel and the Way to Stop It by Owen Strachan
2. Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe by Voddie T. Baucham Jr.
3. Why Social Justice is NOT Biblical Justice: An Urgent Appeal to Fellow Christians in a Time of Social Crisis by Scott David Allen
4. Choice Privilege: What’s Race Got To Do With It? by Melissa Tate

Gender Identity/Sexuality

1. The End of Gender: Debunking the Myths about Sex and Identity in Our Society by Dr. Debra Soh
2. God and the Transgender Debate: What Does the Bible Actually Say About Gender Identity? by Andrew T. Walker
3. Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, & What the Bible Has to Say by Preston Sprinkleby Preston Sprinkle
4. Living in a Gray World: A Christian Teen’s Guide to Understanding Homosexuality by Preston Sprinkle

Biblical Hospitality

1. Reach Out Gather In: 40 Days to Opening Your Heart and Home by Karen Ehman
2. Make Their Day: 101 Simple, Powerful Ways to Love Others Well by Karen Ehman

*          *          *

It is incredibly challenging to narrow down my favorite reads of 2021 because so much of what I read this year was SO GOOD and SO INSIGHTFUL! 

Even so, I’m holding myself accountable to choose the top books that had the biggest impact on me. To reemphasize, each of these picks are books or studies that I cannot stop talking about or recommending to friends, family members and random fellow-book lovers (both online and those lingering around my local bookstore!).

So, without further ado, here are my TOP 3 picks…

Top Bible study recommendation of 2021

 

Top book of 2021

 

MUST READ of 2021

Runner-Up Books:

1. The End of Gender: Debunking the Myths about Sex and Identity in Our Society by Dr. Debra Soh
2. Christianity and Wokeness: How the Social Justice Movement is Hijacking the Gospel and the Way to Stop It by Owen Strachan
3. Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe by Voddie T. Baucham Jr.
4. Why Social Justice is NOT Biblical Justice: An Urgent Appeal to Fellow Christians in a Time of Social Crisis by Scott David Allen
5. Tied: Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, & What the Bible Has to Say by Preston Sprinkle and Frontlines: Finding My Voice on an American College Campus by Isabel Brown

Runner-Up Bible Study

Now That Faith Has Come: A Study of Galatians by Beth Moore and Melissa Moore

*          *          *

I hope you found value in my recap of the books and bible studies I read and reviewed in 2021. I acknowledge my personal interests, life experiences and current season of life have directly contributed to how these books have impacted me throughout the year. Still, I believe my diverse reading selection can speak to a variety of individuals who are seeking new reads for the new year. As always, feel free to comment, share, or message me about any and all books you have loved and can’t stop talking about! Referrals are the best way to discover new reads!

My biggest takeaway for you, though, is this: 

Whatever occupies your time or your mind, may it be overflowing with positive, life-giving, truth-filled, and Christ-centered things that come from the Word and not the world. While I love to read, what I love more is refreshing my mind and spirit with biblical truth that speaks life and love into my heart. 

^“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies.” 

Philippians 4:8-9 (MSG)

*This number does not include any formal or group bible studies I’ve done through church and/or other women’s groups nor does it include any secular, fictional or children’s books I may have read in 2021 (unless otherwise mentioned in this post). 

**A large portion of the Christian non-fiction books I read in 2021 was in partnership with numerous publishers, authors and/or faith-based marketing agencies in exchange for promotion and an honest review (as noted in the footnotes of my linked reviews). Any other book I read was of my own choosing and personal purchasing.