It brings me a lot of joy to put this post together year after year. Initially, I couldn’t think of many books I read for hobby in 2022 (so typical right now, snort), but then I remembered I shared many of them on social media (which is totally hilarious given I left that “world” in November). I also took many photos of the books I was reading with my phone. OH, and then I remembered the books I read for my Graduate program with Moody. Seeing the final list, I heard myself say hooray! :)
Here are the books I read in 2022:
Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon, wife of Charles H. Spurgeon by Ray Rhodes Jr.
- This beautiful biography on the life and ministry (including many challenges) of Susie Spurgeon inspired my prayer / letter writing ministry. Click here if you’d like to share a prayer request & receive a letter reply.
- A fun change from what a typically read. I enjoyed Ota’s ability to describe in detail what he saw as he visited many historic kitchens. Each chapter (kitchen toured) ends with a personal letter to his wife with his best tips for the design of their future “dream kitchen.”
Devoted: Great Men and Their Godly Moms by Tim Challies
- This book doesn’t have to try hard to get you to understand why the ministry of Biblical motherhood (especially toward sons) is so important. We don’t often see much progress in our daily work of teaching and training, but the potential is beautifully high if we stay the course.
The Story of Christianity, Volume 1 (The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation) & Volume 2 (The Reformation to the Present Day) by Justo Gonzalez
- Both volumes were required reading for my Church History class with Moody Bible. Very interesting, and more information than you probably knew was available is presented ;)
Tethered to the Cross: The Life and Preaching of Charles H. Spurgeon by Thomas Breimaier
- Though another required read for my Church History class, I greatly enjoyed this biography on Spurgeon himself and the two connections the theologian and historian author makes of Spurgeon’s sermons: all sermons are Christocentric and Crucocentric.
Social Sanity in an Insta World by Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra, Melissa Kreuger, Jen Wilkin and more
- This may have been the beginning of the end of my time on social media, which I officially announce with this blog post. It was helpful to read so many varying thoughts and examples of how to use social media and encouragement if it feels like too much.
Yours, Till Heaven: The Untold Love Story of Charles and Susie Spurgeon by Ray Rhodes Jr.
- Biographies were a new genre for me to read in 2022, and it turns out I really love them! Ray Rhodes Jr. is an excellent researcher and writer. Here’s one more book on the Spurgeon couple; I enjoyed this thoroughly.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
- This book was a re-read from a few years ago. My Bible study group read it during the fall months. Toward the end of the study, we decided to take a “silence & solitude (plus sisterhood!)” weekend trip to read, study, and rest. Author John Mark Comer focuses on four Spiritual Disciplines worthy of practicing to keep in step with “the way of Jesus.”
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney
- Are you curious to learn about the Spiritual Disciplines? Here, Donald S. Whitney outlines a dozen or so that he titles “valuable” to walking with Christ. Each chapter focuses on a different discipline (practice), with the first couple of chapters outlining how to read, study, meditate and memorize Scripture. I really enjoyed this book! I’ll be referencing it often.
Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot
- This is a small book of short chapters written by the late Elisabeth to her engaged daughter Valerie. Reading this made me feel like I was sitting in on their special conversations <3
Remember Your Joy: A Bible Study of Salvation Stories in the Old Testament by Melissa Kreuger
- This was the first book my Bible study worked through. Last summer I attended The Gospel Coalition’s Women conference in Indianapolis, and this was the theme of the 3-day event. It never fails to impress to see how the Old Testament is connected to the New Testament, and vice versa.
The Bondage Breaker by Neil Anderson
- A required reading for my Spiritual Warfare & Spiritual Discipleship class with Moody. It was quite interesting to read and I learned a lot, though this isn’t one I would have picked on my own. One example of the elders in your life are valuable to the younger generations :)
Three Crucial Questions about Spiritual Warfare by Clinton E. Arnold
- A second required reading for my Spiritual Warfare & Spiritual Discipleship class.
Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth
- Once again, a required read for one of my Graduate classes ;) though the cover jacket is a little goofy, the wisdom Nancy shares within is wonderful. I personally benefitted from “I can’t help who I am,” “I’m not/She’s not a good mother,” “If I feel something it must be true,” and “I can’t control my emotions.”
The Heart of Anger: Practical Help for the Prevention and Cure of Anger in Children by Lou Priolo
- This was a required read for my Spirituality and the Family class with Moody. With four young children at home, it was helpful to read wisdom on a topic that can often feel too hard to address or re-direct.
A Survey of the New Testament by Robert H. Gundry
- Cue the nerdy glasses! This textbook was enjoyable to read, though (once again) it included way more information than I knew possible. I have come to really love this about Christianity: the information is in-depth because it’s a proven part of history.
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My goal with the books I read in 2023 is to include more fiction for lightness and to improve my writing. I should probably do a little searching and make a plan for which titles would be good to crack open. (Any suggestions?)
How about you? Tell me about your all-time favorite book, which genre is your favorite – what do you even think about people who read? ;) are they strange, fascinating, not your type, or exactly your type?
xx, Maggie
FROM THE ARCHIVES:
- What do you consider “a good book”?
- What I read in 2021 (plus a reading tip for mothers!)
- 7 books I read aloud to my children in 2020
- 3 books I want you read in 2019
These books remind me of my undergraduate days! Fiction is my very favorite. My favorite genre is probably what I’d call Christian Fantasy/sci-fi. I love C.S. Lewis’s sci-fi trilogy. Frank Peretti is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read every book by him. I also like some of Randy Alcorn’s fiction books as well! Safely Home is fantastic. I also like some of his other books that delve into the spiritual realm! I can’t wait to hear what you read and love in 2023.
I forgot to say- since I was a kid my favorite book has been the Giver. There’s a quartet of books with it too! I read all those. Soo fascinating!
Ohhhh, tell me more about your undergraduate program :) Are you reading anything right now? xx
I am always very encouraged by what you share. Thank you for taking the time to write and publish these posts. You don’t know me from Adam, but I found you years ago when you were living in LA and pregnant (?) with your second baby. Anyway, some of my favorite books… Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, All the Light We Cannot See… and for read-alouds with the kids, we love My Side of the Mountain and Adventures with Waffles. I always hope to read more “productive” books, but these past few years it’s been mostly fiction.
Kiersten, oh that WAS years ago! About seven years ago we left Los Angeles for the Detroit area, and now we’re in the lake town of Petoskey, MI (about 4 hours north). Natalie, my second, was about 14 months old when we moved across the country. I was mulling over the idea of “you can’t use up your creativity; keep sharing it,” and how that has been especially true for me. It’s increased even as I decided to leave social media a couple months ago. Also, reading helps a lot! Thanks so much for your kind comment and sharing which books you’ve loved. I believe I have “All The Light We Cannot See” on my shelf, I’ll have to look… xoxo
Yum! I’m going to have to check out Social Sanity in an Insta World.
I approve this message ;)
I’d love to know you’re top 2 or 3 from the year! Which ones would you highly recommend from your list?
What a great question, Autumn! I would say Susie (a biography), The Kitchen, and Social Sanity in an Insta World.
I just read a couple of books by Patti Callahan that I think you would enjoy. They are fictionalized accounts of the life of C.S. Lewis, but you can tell she did a lot of research, and they are really well written. One is called Becoming Mrs. Lewis, and the other is Once Upon a Wardrobe. The other book that I highly recommend is an autobiography called Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber, definitely one of the best books I’ve ever read. I read the Song of Acadia series of books by Janette Oke and T. Davis Bunn quite a while ago, but they stick out in my mind as books that are very well written and incredibly interesting. The first one in the series is called The Meeting Place.
Jeanine,
Yes, I read “Becoming Mrs. Lewis,” I loved it so much! I am glad you hear you enjoyed it too! Thanks so much for the other recommendations, I’ll add them to my “want to read” list. Have you enjoyed reading all your life? Tell me, if you remember, about the moment when you knew you loved books.
Wow what a year! Always remember that your reading not only fills you with knowledge, it inspires your kids and husband to fill themselves with learning as well.
Thanks Queen
What a great list, Maggie! I think Lies Women Believe is such a great book, and the companion, Lies Young Women Believe was a great read for my daughters when they were younger. My favorite genre is historical fiction. I can easily get lost in another time and place! We Were the Lucky Ones is one of my favorites. :)
Shelly! What a joy to see your name and read your comment :) I didn’t know there was a book for younger women, that is so great – thanks for sharing! Oh, and I’m adding the title you listed to my reading list! xx
Thank you for your kind words about Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon.
I greatly enjoyed the book, along with Yours, Till Heaven :)