Here is my annual list of the top books I read in 2022. Most of them came out in 2022 except for one.
In no particular order:
My book, “When We Belong. Reclaiming Christianity on the Margins.” by me. Thank you to everyone who bought a copy, left a review, and told a friend. If you don’t have your copy yet don’t delay. Great read for 2023 for anybody who is trying to make sense of their faith in a modern world.
“Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This one took me a while to finish because it’s full. I loved it. It’s a mash between botany and Indigenous teachings. Must read at any time.
“Becoming Kin” by Patty Krawec. Patty is Anishinaabe and lives in the Niagra region. My chapters 5-6 are similar to her entire book. We attack the same things–white supremacy/colonization, and wonder what liberation looks like moving forward. She’s also published by a smaller American imprint which means there’s less attention in Canada for an exceptional book by a Canadian.
“My Body is not a Prayer Request” by Amy Kenny. If you’re into justice, and specifically disability justice, here is your place to start. Disabled folks are on the margins of community and this book dismantles ableist formation. Great read.
“All The White Friends I couldn’t Keep” by Andre Henry. I met Andre in Chicago just before the pandemic and he’s a cool dude. He’s doing more music stuff now but he’s a writer too (attest!). Every year there seems to be a slow iteration to center BIPOC voices on the subject of race and the church. 6 years ago only white men wrote about the subject (or rather publishers only published white men on the subject). This is changing, thankfully. And each year the authors are producing better stuff. This is a go to for white folks (and others really who grew up specifically in white evangelical contexts) trying to learn about white supremacist formation. No punches pulled.
“This Here Flesh” by Cole Arthur Riley. If I picked one book that was ‘wow’ this one is it. If our public square moving forward is filled with writers and thinkers like Riley, we’re gonna be OK. Part memoire, part liberation, This Here Flesh is another must read to add to your stacks. You’ll know Cole Riley from her IG @blackliturgies.
Enjoy and Happy New Year!