2021 Book Reviews
/Looking for your next good read? Try one of these! I try to read 2-4 books each month and review them in my monthly newsletter.
Before I jump in, I’ll give you my very own rating system:
YESSSSS!!!! = Put This one at the TOP of your list!
Yes = I definitely recommend this book!!
Maybe = I might have some hesitations.
Nope = Pass. There are too many other good books out there.
Of the 27 books I read last year, these are the top seven that earned the YESSSSS!!!! rating. And the only one that got a Nope. If you enjoy these reviews, make sure you’re signed up for my email list and you’ll get all my reviews hot off the press! These reviews have been literally copied and pasted from my newsletters.
Safely Home by Randy Alcorn (Fiction)
Originally written in July of 2001, Safely Home is more relevant now than ever. Li Quan, a Chinese believer, wakes up every morning with one question on his mind: “Is this the day I die?” Though fictional, Li Quan represents the lives of countless believers around the world who live the words of Jesus from Matthew 5:10-12
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…" (NIV)
This book is inspiring, gripping, and enlightening. It sheds light on the suffering of believers in countries around the world where following Jesus brings persecution and often death. It's filled with scripture highlighting the lifestyle that should characterize all believers.
I couldn't help but wonder how I will respond when following Jesus becomes as costly for me as it was for Li Quan and his family.
Forever, Why You Can't Live Without It by Paul David Tripp (Christian Living)
I recently discovered this book after speaking at a women's retreat about the eternal hope we have despite living in this broken world. My first thought was - Paul Tripp has gotten into my head! The message of Forever… resonates with my heart.
Tripp talks about the garden, the fall, the brokenness of this world, the restoration and rescue offered by Christ, and the eternal hope we have because of Jesus' work on the cross. He reminds us of the futility of “asking this temporary, physical world to give [us] what it cannot possibly give [us]: life”
I've been a fan of Paul David Tripp for many years and would also highly recommend these books of his as well… (Bonus!)
Broken-down House: Living Productively in a World Gone Bad
Relationships: A Mess Worth Making
What Did You Expect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage
Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change
Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family
Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt (Christian Living)
Between reading through the gospels and David Platt's book, Radical, I've been challenged to examine my life in light of what it truly means to follow Jesus. Here are a few quotes:
“This is the unavoidable conclusion of Matthew 10. To everyone wanting a safe, untroubled, comfortable life free from danger, stay away from Jesus. The danger in our lives will always increase in proportion to the depth of our relationship with Christ.”
“Jim Elliot once said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Radical obedience to Christ is not easy; it is dangerous. It is not smooth sailing aboard a luxury liner; it is sacrificial duty aboard a troop carrier. It’s not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And He is more than enough for us.”
If you're ready to be challenged to pursue Christ into new and dangerous territory, this is a great and challenging book.
Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff (Motivation)
Fellow perfectionists, do yourself a favor and read this book! Finish is funny, relatable, and full of practical advice for people who struggle with leaving so many things unfinished. (I wrote about my struggle with this here.)
I never realized my reason for not finishing things is usually perfectionism in disguise. Acuff calls out my “hiding places” and "noble obstacles" which are basically fancy words for excuses. Are there goals that keep eluding you? Is there something you want to do but can't seem to get done? You will find a friend in Jon Acuff as he shares his own struggles, and encourages you to understand why you don't finish things, and how to turn that around.
This is my second time listening to this book. I really need to buy it, so I can underline and write comments in the margins. I think I'll go ahead and order it on Amazon… as soon as I Finish this newsletter!
The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine by A. W. Tozer (Christian Living)
Let's just get this out there. Any book by AW Tozer is going to get a big yes from me! His books are usually short, encouraging, convicting, and they always turn my heart toward God.
I learned something amazing in the forward of this book. A. W. Tozer was a pastor, writer, and theologian who wrote over 40 books, yet he began his ministry without so much as a high school education. What he did have was a desperation for God, a passionate prayer life, a knowledge of God's Word, and a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Maybe a heart fully devoted to seeking God is more than enough.
“To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul’s paradox of love.” p21
“The evil habit of seeking God and effectively prevents us from finding God in full revelation. In the and lies our great woe. If we omit the and we shall soon find God and, in Him, we shall find that for which we have been secretly longing all our lives.” p24 ---- AGHHHH, YES!! (Underlined, starred, highlighted!!)
Which book inspires you to know God more deeply?
Elijah - Bible Study Book: Faith and Fire by Priscilla Shirer (Bible Study)
This is one of those Bible studies that's been hitting me right where I am… in EVERY. SINGLE. LESSON.
Here are my top 3 takeaways:
Elijah's goal was always only to turn the hearts of the people toward God. And that's exactly what he did. At the end of the day, nobody was even looking at Elijah, they were on their faces saying “…The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!” (1Kings 18:39 ESV) Oh God, let this be true of me!!
God weaves EVERY experience in our lives to bring us to the place where He can use us. No struggle, disappointment, pain, or hour of loneliness is ever wasted. It's all preparation.
Elijah prepared a worthy sacrifice…but God ignited the fire! Ours is to show up and boldly, humbly do what God asks of us. But the fruit of our ministry is only a result of His presence and power.
I cannot recommend this Bible Study enough. It's my first Priscilla Shirer study and it definitely won't be my last. Have you ever done any of her studies? Which ones? What did you think?
The God of the Garden: Thoughts on Creation, Culture, and the Kingdom by Andrew Peterson (Memoir / Inspiration)
I picked up God of the Garden at Andrew Peterson's “Behold the Lamb of God” concert. Before I get to the book, I need to tell you about the concert.
It was the best concert I've ever been to. We listened to wildly talented musicians who had obviously labored long and hard in lonely hours honing their craft. But for all the talent under the lights, it felt somehow like we were sitting in a living room among friends. There were no flashy introductions, no cameras zooming in on strumming fingers, no efforts to impress. There was passion and deep conviction in every true and powerful word sung. And through it all my mind and heart were pointed toward worship.
I've been listening to Andrew Peterson for years and I've always enjoyed his unique style. I'm inspired by an artist who is real, and simple, and doesn't feel the need to posture. The concert ended with all of us singing the doxology while the musicians quietly slipped from the stage.
If you haven't heard any of his songs, you can find his music here.
Now to the book… God of the Garden is part memoir, part encouragement to notice and tend to God's creation. What I liked most was Andrew's vulnerability. His struggles are mine. He writes of watching his kids discover the brokenness of the world and the pain he feels as a parent who is helpless to stop it. He openly writes about his tears, his fears and though he doesn't tie things up with a bow, he somehow brings hope to the narrative. This is my second Andrew Peterson book. (I also highly recommend Adorning the Dark, Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making.)
With all the things going on in December, I looked forward to picking up this book at the end of the day and spending just a few minutes being inspired by this poet, artist, author, songwriter, and friend.
And in order to spare you from wasting time on the worst book I read this year…
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (Fiction)
It isn't often that I don't recommend a book, but this time I just can't. Where the Crawdads Sing was wildly popular when it came out a few years ago. My sister's book club read it and when I asked about it, she told me I probably wouldn't like it. I kept hearing of it, and it was recommended by a trusted friend. So I went against my sister's advice…
On my 31 (yes 31!!!) hour car trip from New Hampshire to Florida, my daughter and I listened to the audiobook. It shouldn't take anyone 31 hours to drive the length of the east coast, but we managed to take a trip that was estimated at 21 hours, and add TEN more hours to it! We saw a ton of accidents, and it rained so hard, I had to peel my fingers from the steering wheel. So, maybe the stress of the car ride skewed my judgment.
Or maybe it was that we had to fast-forward through multiple sex scenes. Or maybe it was the ending (Spoiler alert!) in which I found myself cheering for a murderer. Gab and I concurred that the book wasn't worth our time. But of course, we couldn't stop listening because Delia Owens is a master storyteller. She is excellent at weaving words and painting pictures with them. I just didn't like the portrait she created. I'm clearly in the minority. But I'm ok with that.
Did you read Where The Crawdads Sing? Love it or hate it? I'd love to know!
There you have it! The best and worst of 2021. What would you add to my must-read list? I’m always looking for a good book!
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