Best Books of 2021

In his excellent book, “Win the Day,” Mark Batterson revealed, “If I was going to be a writer, I knew I had to become a reader. So I read three thousand books before I wrote one.”

He continued, “When I felt called to write, I started reading about two hundred books a year. Many people find that hard to believe, but I was pastoring nineteen people our first year! I had some time on my hands. But I didn’t just find time; I made time. We didn’t have smartphones or social media. That alone adds hours back into the day! What inspired me? I heard that the average author puts about two years of life experience into a book. At twenty-five, life experience is what I was lacking! I did the math. If I read two hundred books in a year, I’d gain four hundred years of life experience. When people ask me how old I am, I often answer in book years. I’m at least seven thousand years old.”

I’m not sure you want to be a writer, but reading rewards all of us!

I hit my reading goals in 2021.  I set goals for reading a certain number of books all the way through.  And I also set a goal to read a quantity of books from the Blinkist and “Thinkr” apps.

How was your reading in 2021?  And what is the best book you read this year?

HERE ARE MY TOP FIVE BOOKS FOR 2021:

1. “Win the Day:  Seven Daily Habits to Help You Stress Less and Accomplish More” by Mark Batterson

My granddaughter, Hannah and I worked through this book together.  That’s why it is my number one!

2. “Let Us Prey:  The Plague of Narcissist Pastors and What We Can Do about It” by Darrell Puls

This is a scary and sobering work on how narcissists are drawn to ministry positions.  Yikes!

3. “How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big” by Scott Adams

Scott Adams is the creator of Dilbert.  He describes his failures, but also his lessons in one of the top selling self-help books of the past decade.

4. “Christianity and Wokeness” by Owen Strachan

This is an insightful look at what is happening in our culture and our churches.

5. “Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets:  5 Questions to Help You Determine Your Next Move” by Andy Stanley 

Hannah and I also worked through this book.  Really helpful questions and perspective!

That’s my list.  What’s yours?  

Feel free to send me your list of top books of 2020 at JDPearring@gmail.com.   We will add your ideas and try to keep the article updated.

Happy Reading!

JD 

Here are some of the “Best Books” sent in by contributors.  Hopefully we can add a few of these to our 2021 reading list.  Feel free to send in your top books of 2020 and we’ll keep updating this article.:

Kasey White, Crossridge Church and Expand Financial, Sherwood, Oregon

Kasey might get the award for most books read this year.  Last we heard, she had worked through 102!  

Kasey’s Top Ten Books of 2021:

“Unveiling Grace:  The Story Of How We Found Our Way Out Of The Mormon Church” by Lynn K. Wilder

“The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn

“The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah 

“Their Backs Against the Sea” by Bill Sloan

“The Richest Man in Babylon” by George S. Clason 

“Shackleton’s Way” by Margot Morrell, Stephanie Capparell

“The Immortal Life of Henreitta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot

“No Greater Love” by A.W. Tozer, edited by James L Snyder 

“Unoffendable” by Brant Hanson

“Coach The Person, Not the Problem” by Marcia Reynolds

Alan Adler, Church Planting Administrator Transformation Ministries and Excel Network

“Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen” by Donald Miller

Sogol Pulley. Excel’s Executive Operations Specialist

“You Are the Girl for the Job: Daring to Believe the God Who Calls You” by Jess Connolly

David Bennett, Expand Financial Group, Burleson, TX

“The Art of the Impossible” by Steven Kotler 

Great research, tips and techniques for achieving unrealistic goals.

“The Go Giver” by  Bob Berg

Great philosophy of business and ministry.

“Winning the War of Your Mind” by Craig Groeschel

Great illustrations and how to change thinking to change your life

Geoff Wells, Excel Board Member, Elk Grove, CA

“Enemies and Allies” by Joseph C. Rosenberg 

Rosenberg interviewed ALL the principals in the Middle East and established the goals of Evangelical  Christians in obtaining peace.

Joe Shutts, Lead Pastor, New Freedom Church, Lebanon, Ohia

“Live No Lies” by John Mark Comer

3 enemies he talks about are: the world, the flesh and the devil.  All areas that modern man assumes he has easily overcome and is way too sophisticated and smart to be tripped up by them. Ha…Nope!

Tricia Chen, Missionary

“Survival Guide for the Soul” by Ken Shigematsu

“The Very Good Gospel” by Lisa Sharon Harper

“Wisdom from Babylon” by Gordon Smith

Waison Chen, Missionary

”Unsettling the Word: Biblical Experiments in Decolonization” by Rose Marie Berger, Jonathan Dyck, Steve Heinrichs

2) “Healing” by  Francis MacNutt

Scott Pearring, Seek First Financial

“Who Not How” by Dan Sullivan

“Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz

Joe Guynes, Lead Pastor, The Redeemer’s Place, South Florida

“Preaching to be Heard” by Lucas O’ Neill

“Character Still Counts” by James Merritt

“Leadership Courage” by Kirk Kaitlin

Tim Pearring, Lead Pastor, Journey Church Elk Grove, CA

“Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Lleadership in Uncharted Territory” by Todd Bolsinger

Ben Finney, Teaching Team, Journey Church Elk Grove CA

“Humble Pi” by Matt Parker 

Mostly a book for math nerds.

“You’re Doing Great” by Tom Papa

Scott Lackey, Lead Pastor, New Story Church, Buffalo, NY

“Based on a True Story: Not a Memoir” by Norm Macdonald

Joel White, Lead Pastor, Crossridge Church, Sherwood, OR

“The Storyteller” by Dave Grohl

Peyton Jones, San Diego Church Planting Guru

“The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I was late to that party…

Brian Burman, Excel’s Coaching Coordinator

“Effortless: Make It Easier To Do What Matters Most” by Greg McKeown

Chris Hall, Lead Pastor, Catalyst

“Sweet Valley Spy: Espionage Is Too Much Cardio” by Sierra Hall

Kark Roth, Lead Pastor, Flipside Church, Madera, CA

“Rumor of War” by Philip Caputo

Ray Schaser, Lead Pastor, One Church, Linz, Austria

“Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory” by Todd Bolsinger

Eric Gamero, Lead Pastor, The Local Church, Davie, FL

“Emotionally Healthy Spiritually: Unleash a Revolution in Your Life” by Peter Scazerro

Raymond Rojas, Church Planter, Chula Vista, CA

“Help! I Work with People” by Chad Veach

“Love Has A Name:  Learning to Love the Different, the Difficult, and Everyone Else” by Adam Weber