5 Books to Read in 2022
By Chuck Fenwick
January is a time of new goals and fresh starts. And after the past two years we’ve had, we’re ready for a fresh start!
If reading is something you’d like to incorporate more of in your routine, this will be helpful! Here’s a list of 5 books (and maye a few extras) that I think are essentials for your 2022 reading list.
If you read all 5 of these books this year, it’s about one book every two months (with a few extra weeks to spare).
Know What You’re FOR
By Jeff Henderson
Key Takeaway: Too many people know us by what we are against. It’s time to be known for what we are FOR.
I love this book because the author, Jeff Henderson, simplifies the purpose of any organization down to just one word – for. Businesses, non-profits, and most organizations are typically defined by what they are against.
By changing your perspective and internally reorganizing your purpose, you can revolutionize the way people see you or your organization.
Jeff Henderson uses his extensive knowledge in customer service to encourage all of us (especially churches/Christians) to know what we are FOR.
We want to be known for being FOR others. The same people Jesus was FOR. Churches and businesses alike are really in the relationship business, not simply in the monetary transaction game.
If you have seen us using the #fornewhaven hashtag, we were inspired by this book! Total 10/10.
Love Like That
Key Takeaway: Deep down, we all want to be better at loving others. The best way to love others is to love like Jesus loved.
Dr. Les Parrott breaks down 5 relationship keys (he calls them secrets) coming directly from Jesus. We may think it’s impossible to love like Jesus, but it’s not. By learning the ways that Jesus loves others, we can imitate them and transform our relationships.
Before you read this book, please know that you will experience failure. We all will fail at loving like Jesus. But, that is how we grow and get better at loving.
Loving like Jesus is simpler than it sounds. It’s not easy, but we can do it.
At Your Best
By Carey Nieuwhof
Key Takeaway: We only have a few hours in any given day when we are at our best. If we do not decide ahead of time how we will spend our best hours, someone else will decide for us.
If you feel like you never have enough time in the day, this is an excellent book for you. Even if you do feel like you have time but you’d like to manage it better, give this one a read!
Carey Nieuwhof lays out a way for you (regardless of your stage of life) to do your best when you are at your best. It takes some work. It takes some time. It is worth both.
We all have different cycles of energy throughout the day, and that is okay. Once we discover these cycles of energy we can recognize a pattern. And then we use that pattern to our advantage.
By acknowledging that we need to take better control of our own life, we can truly offer our best when we are at our best.
I recently read this book and when I tell you it’s changed my life I’m not lying. I prioritize my life and my calendar in a new way and it’s impacted me in ways I would have never realized!
Dangerous Wonder
By Mike Yaconelli
Key Takeaway: Jump First, Fear Later. Our faith does not need to be so cautious. Following Jesus is reckless and, quite frankly, dangerous.
This book was written some time ago by Mike Yaconelli, but remains my all time favorite. It’s a simple read and yet it is extremely profound.
Consider what it would mean to have ‘child-like faith.’ As adults, this seems really challenging at first. But kids tend to ask questions and have certain perspectives about God that are incredibly profound.
Most of us know we should have that kind of faith because we hear this frequently in our lives. However, this same group of people are the ones that rarely embrace it.
But why are we like this? Probably because we are afraid. And it doesn’t have to be that way.
So if you’re looking to grow in your faith this year, I highly recommend reading this book.
The 5 Love Languages
By Gary Chapman
Key Takeaway: Determining you love language is extremely important information for you. The love language of the person(s) closest to you is also essential information. Knowing your love language will help you and others love one another better.
Many people have heard of the concept of love languages before. Gary Chapman does a great job of breaking down love languages and gives a clear path to discovering your own love language.
While this book is primarily written for married couples, there are other variations of the book for people in other walks of life, too!
You may already know your love language, or maybe you just think you do, but this book is definitely worth the read.
This book will undoubtedly impact your relationships (whether with a spouse, kids, friends, family, or coworkers) because you’ll understand each other better.
Not only can you love others in a more specific way, but you’ll learn to communicate how you would like to be loved as well.
Bonus Book Recommendations
So, I couldn’t just pick 5. The books above are my top recommendations for 2022 but I really wanted to include these as well. Please consider adding these to your list!
Momentum For Life
By Mike Slaughter
Author Mike Slaughter holds nothing back! If you truly want to be the best Christian you can be, this is the book for you.
Mike offers several biblical practices to help fain and sustain physical, mental, and emotional health.
This book helps you improve your life at home, work, church, friends, and basically everywhere else. If you want to improve anything about your life, seriously read this.
You Don’t Have to Be Wrong For Me to Be Right
By Brad Hirschfield
Rabbi and author Brad Hirschfield will make you think about faith in a new way. You may not even agree with everything he has to say. Sometimes that’s a good thing.
Brad has a unique perspective when it comes to faith and how it is practiced and lived. In a way, the title says it all. It is not going to be the easiest book to read, but well worth your time. You don’t have the time? Go back up and read ‘At Your Best’ again. Then come back to this one :)
Quick Reading Tip
If you truly don’t feel like you have time to read, consider trying out audiobooks! These are great to listen to on your commute, while you’re grocery shopping, washing the dishes, or going for a walk.
You can find these for free on the public library app, there are some available on Spotify, or you can get a subscription to a service like Audible.
You’ve Got This
If you try out one of these books, send us an email and let us know! Also, if you have any book recommendations, send those our way too. We are cheering you on.