This is the last day of the year. I been racing to finish my New Years’ resolution of 52 books in a year; this is my first year since college where I failed my goal though I will come close (and I hope to still finish something before midnight!). I digress…
So now here’s my best books I read in 2021. It’s not easy to narrow it down from the many books I read but overall this is the best ones. I hope to read more good books next year!
Best Bible Commentary
Iain Duguid. Living in the Gap Between Promise and Reality: The Gospel According to Abraham. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, January 16, 2015. 208 pp.
4 out of 5
Purchase: Westminster |Amazon
I really enjoyed studying through Genesis with this series, one of three volumes in Genesis, all equally good. My review is here.
Best Theology Book
James Dolezal. All that is in God. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, July 13, 2017. 176 pp.
5 out of 5
Purchase: Westminster |Amazon
This is such an important book on holding on to attributes of God that is often denied in modern Evangelical circles. My review is here.
Best Apologetics Book
Greg Bahnsen. Against All Opposition: Defending the Christian Worldview. Powder Springs, GA: American Vision, May 2020. 254 pp.
5 out of 5
Purchase: American Vision
This is a book published after the death of the author and the author is my all time favorite apologist. Here’s my review.
Best Practical Living Book
Tad Thompson. Intentional Parenting: Family Discipleship by Design. Adelphi, Maryland: Cruciform Press, January 1, 2011. 114 pp.
4 out of 5
Purchase: Westminster | Amazon
I love the title of this book. My review is here.
Best Political/Social Insight Book
Carl R. Trueman. The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, November 24th 2020. 432 pp.
5 out of 5
Purchase: Westminster |Amazon
Does it seem that too many things that is trending in our post-2020 world seems rather crazy? This is hands down my favorite book read in 2021. My review here.
Best History Book
H.W. Brands. Heirs of the Founders: The Epic Rivalry of Henry Clay, John Calhoun and Daniel Webster, the Second Generation of American Giants. New York, NY: Doubleday, November 13th 2018. 413 pp.
4 out of 5
Purchase: Amazon
Have you ever wonder happened after the American founding father faded away…and what transitioned from the founding of the US to the eve of the Civil War? I thought this puts things in context and not the simplistic narrative sometimes I hear from woke SJW types; Here’s my review.
Best Comic Book
Brian Augustyn. Batman: Gotham by Gaslight. New York, NY: DC Comics, March 12, 2013. 112 pp.
5 out of 5
Purchase: Amazon
Can you imagine Batman being a crime fighting superhero during the Victorian era of the late 1800s? This was such a cool setting! My review here.
Best Children’s Book
Simonetta Carr. Athanasius (Christian Biographies for Young Readers Series). Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, August 22, 2011. 64 pp.
5 out of 5
Purchase: Reformation Heritage Books | Westminster | Amazon
Since I first learned a little about church history and the Church leader Athanasius, I always thought his life was worth studying more in-depth for not just historical knowledge but example. I learned a lot and this is amazing for a children’s book! Kids loved it too! My review here.
The Domain for Truth 
I have slowly been going through Trueman’s book for months. I saw he’s publishing a consiste version of it sometime in 2022. Thanks for this list!!!
Wow he’s making a concise version? Come to think of it that might be helpful as the book was heavily documented and for some I can see seeing that many citations of philosophers might really be too much. Wow is it still published by Crossway? I haven’t heard of this!
I’ll send you a link. If you’re interested Jon Harris has some good videos showing how Trueman and Grove City have officially gone woke.
https://www.crossway.org/books/strange-new-world-tpb/
The book by Carl Trueman sounds interesting. I see some YouTube and Vimeo interviews related to this book as an introduction.
Thanks for letting me know about this! I saw a reference on the publisher’s site (Crossway) that there’s videos of his lectures based upon the book so I’m glad to know be informed they are on Youtube and Vimeo; always grateful from you sharing things on here Frank! I imagine it be New Years soon for you ahead of us, may it be blessed Frank!
A blessed New Year, Jim, Nancy, and kids!
Thanks for the listing! It’s enjoyable for me to read best books of the year lists. Maybe I’ll put together a list next year.
That would be cool to see your best books read for 2022! Happy New Year! How is your shift going today Tom?
Thanks, Jimmy, and Happy New Year to you! First thing after I got into work yesterday at 6AM I ran into computer and systems issues. I was on the phone with IT several times, couldn’t start actually working until 10. Very few people were at work – only 6 of the regular 15. Work orders are light but with no one to help, I’m just as busy.
How did your Saturday go?
I don’t know how you guys that read all these books do it! I used to read a lot when I was younger but the “extras” are few and far between these days. There are still a select few, but not double digit any more. Anyway, not to worry. I’m praying that our gracious Lord will richly bless you and yours this coming year, Jim. You are a blessing! Love in Christ – Bruce
I do stay up late reading and reading when I wait for people during pastoral meetings with members; you be surprised how many books I finished when you add up the minutes waiting on people as a pastor! Also for some reason I think people when they think it’s ministry or things of God it’s acceptable to be late or forget they wanted to meet up! But I redeem that time by reading. Hope that explains things! Happy New Years!
Thanks for the great list. What a blessing.
Happy new year!
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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Never heard of that commentary before
I’m planning on ‘trying’ to read more this year, but not sure if I can manage it. I’m considering the kindle app since it’s free, ebooks cost less, and I can grab my phone when I have a minute. I almost always read and study The Bible each day, but thought I might read some of the old classics to brush up on my creative writing. Figured I would start with “Treasure Island”.
Again, Than you for reading and recommending these books.
Thank you for this awesome post. My two favorite books on your list is the one on Athanasius and the Heirs of the Founders. Have a Happy New Year! 🤗
Dolezal’s book is the most important book published the last 10 years
Thanks much for this list…bookmarking it. Blessed and Happy New Year!
Thanks! Was wondering if you have seen my comments the last two weeks on your blog, I’m not sure if WordPress is censoring me when I make many comments on others’ blog and WordPress moves my comment to moderation or spam 😬
So very sorry…just behind in responding to comments in the midst of this season…playing catch up while trying to read others…thank you always for stopping in BHM!
Never heard of that commentary before
Thanks for your literary insight, Jim!
[…] towards pornography. I am grateful to Jim Lee and Mandy Sweigart-Quinn for calling my attention to Carl R. Trueman and Jerry Bridges. I am grateful to Jenna at revivedwriter for the quote from Fulton […]