David Mathis

What I Read in 2021 (and Maybe What You Should Read in 2022)

What I Read in 2021 (and Maybe What You Should Read in 2022)

I’ve been able to hit the 100-plateau of books the past few years. This year I read 111 books (the symmetry of that number made me smile). If you wonder how I read that much, this post might help spur you on and provide some practical pointers in your reading journey in 2022. I love reading for many reasons. It’s a gift to be in conversation with a multitude of wise voices, to be invited into the imaginative worlds of some of the best minds of our time, and to grow in empathy and understanding as I step into the shoes of those very different from myself.

I love the gift of reading books with friends. Most of the books I read are recommended by friends and I love it when friends read a book I recommend. If you read any of the books recommended below, I would love to hear what you think. And I would love to hear what your favorite books of 2021 were. If you want fuller reviews on any of the books listed above or just want to connect on an ongoing basis about reading, I encourage you to friend me on Goodreads.

Let me start with my three favorite books of 2021, and then we will get to the rest of the action:

This Week's Recommendations

This Week's Recommendations

1. The COVID Vaccine and Christian Unity: Keith Kauffman, an immunologist, helps navigate a tricky subject. He discusses the trials as well as the ethical concerns, among other issues. He says, “But from what has been publicly disclosed––and it is still a law in the United States that researchers must disclose whenever they use tissues from aborted babies––the production of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines do not use cell lines from aborted babies.”

2. How Christians Can Navigate Cultural Gender Confusion: Carl Trueman first explains the principles that undergird this movement and then explains how to navigate it. The third principle undergirding the movement “…rests upon the broad modern conviction that our selves—who we are—are essentially psychological. It is who we feel or think we are that is the real us.”

3. He Thinks the World is Round! AW Workman shares his experience visiting a remote tribe and trying to explain that the earth is spherical. He concludes, “The path toward truth often begins with a terrifying realization that our tribe has been woefully wrong about many, many things.”

4. No Meekness Without Might: David Mathis explains how Christ’s character ought to shape our own, “Those of us who love that he is gentle and lowly need not be afraid to rehearse that his wrath is horrific. To know the sovereign power and unmatched strength of Christ—and the sheer terror of those who realize they have opposed him—will both keep us from misunderstanding his gentleness and make his remarkable gentleness all the more impressive.”

5. Growing Red Bell Pepper from Seed Time Lapse: This is satisfying to watch.

This Week's Recommendations

This Week's Recommendations

1. Changing Birthday Plans: Oh my goodness, I love this! I dare you not to smile as you read Andrea Sanborn’s reflection on her son’s birthday.

2. You Are Not That Special: David Mathis on the glory of ordinary Christianity. He says, “we often think we’re special compared to others — because of our qualities. Our gifts. Our achievements. Our abilities. Bells that ring to our own glory.”

3. Sometimes Its Best to Express Your Wisdom in Silence: Tim Challies shares the story of the great painter Apelles and the presumptuous shoemaker. He shares that “We would all do well to remember that true wisdom is not only knowing your subject well, but also knowing the limitations of your knowledge.”

4. Distracted: Susan Lafferty shares about two little-known biblical cares and how easy it is to be distracted by the cares of the world. She concludes, “Can you relate to Demas? Distracted by something the world offers? Where is your treasure today? What about Archippus? Are you distracted from the work you’ve received from the Lord? Do you need to remember His call and refocus where you are?”

5. Fake Kitchen Hacks With Millions of Views: It's not surprising these kinds of fakes are out there, but it certainly elicits an eye roll.