2022 Non-Fiction Roundup

I had 20 non-fiction books in my planner to read in 2022. Ten were just general non-fiction and ten were business related. I read exactly two of those twenty books. With moving and all my trips, I just didn't have a ton of time to devote to non-fiction. I really need uninterrupted time so I can focus on what I'm reading and I didn't have a lot of that. I did end up reading 15 non-fiction books this year, which surprised me, and I'm glad of it. I'm also glad that I'm not frustrated with myself for not reading the books on my list. That shows some good growth!

These are my top 10 books of 2022. They are listed in the order I read them, except for the last two, which are re-reads.

1. The Hard Good by Lisa Whittle. If you are waking through pain and are ready to start healing, you should read this book. It’s really hard but really good. And I’m not trying to be punny. That’s the truth.
2. Amazing Grace by Eric Metaxas, Anyone seeking to end such evils as abortion or work to reform our manners today need to read this book and see what elements of Wilberforce's life can be applied to our work in these great battles that face us in the 21st century.
3. Find Your People by Jennie Allen. I would say that, while this book does give you practical ideas about making friends, it more makes you take stock about what kind of friend you are and want to be.
4. Dayuma: Life Under Waorani Spears by Ethel Emily Wallis. This wasn't the best book just on its own but because it is another piece of the bigger story I was really excited to read it.
5. How to Win Friends & Influence Enemies by Will Witt. In his book, Witt spends each chapter looking at a controversial topic that lots of people are passionate about and ardently defend or think nothing about. He gives you sample questions and lots of examples of how he's used the questions to change minds. Each chapter is short and sweet and you really can just refer to the chapter that covers the topic you need. I think this is a helpful book and it is written in Witt's excellent style. It's simple and conversational and informative.
6. It's Not Supposed To Be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst. Life often looks so very different than we hoped or expected. Some events may simply catch us off guard for a moment, but others shatter us completely. We feel disappointed and disillusioned, and we quietly start to wonder about the reality of God’s goodness. Lysa TerKeurst understands this deeply. But she's also discovered that our disappointments can be the divine appointments our souls need to radically encounter God. In It's Not Supposed to Be This Way, Lysa invites us into her own journey of faith and, with grit, vulnerability, and honest humor, helps us to see our lives in the context of God's bigger story. Whether we're dealing with daily disappointments or life-altering loss, we can find unexpected strength as we learn what it means to wrestle well between our faith and our feelings. (Book copy)
7. The Word Before Work by Jordan Raynor. An excellent devotional for everyone who has a job. One of the things I love about Jordan's work is how he emphasizes that EVERYONE is a creator and doing work that matters to God, regardless of whether or not we are in traditional "ministry" roles.
   
8. Liturgies For Hope by Audrey Elledge. I love the variety of prayers and how the authors recognize that even the little things or the mundane things can and should be prayed over. There is a prayer for a wide range of things and I loved it. I will be buying a copy.
   
9. It's Not What You Think by Jefferson Bethke. The chapter on Sabbath is still my very favorite. I would recommend this book solely for that chapter.
10. As You Wish by Cary Elwes. I had not read this book since 2015! How have I let it be this long since I’ve read this?! Inconceivable!! 😉 This book is a gem. I had forgotten some things and laughed out loud a bunch. I need to not go so long between reads in the future, as this is a regular read.

If you know what P. I. Guides are, I read two of those this year as well. They were amazing. I could not believe how much I didn't know before. Definitely an education.