Buzzard’s Best Books of 2022
Here you go, my 2022 list. These are the books I read in 2022 (not necessarily published in 2022) that I enjoyed/learned from the most. Click here for a link to last year’s list, which then gives you links to over a decade of annual lists.
God is Friendship, by Brian Edgar. The title says it all. For these lonely times, this is an incredible book for developing a deeper theology and practice of friendship. Brian Edgar, thank you for your writing. You came in #1 on this year’s list, and you were also #1 on last year’s list.
The Bullish Case for Bitcoin, by Vijay Boyapati. After 10 years of skepticism, this is the year I became convinced of the value of Bitcoin and began investing in it and studying it deeply. Several book were helpful to me and appear on this year’s list. The first book I always give people is The Bullish Case for Bitcoin. Start here.
A Non-Anxious Presence: How a Changing and Complex World Will Create a Remnant of Renewed Christian Leaders, by Mark Sayers. I needed this book this year. Filled with hope and help for seeing how God is always at work in, through, and after chaos.
The Body Keeps The Score, by Bessel van der Kolk. I can give this book no higher recommendation than by saying I think every adult on the planet ought to study this book. At the very least, every pastor on the planet out to study this book and incorporate its insights into their preaching and understanding of what it means to be human. The body is sorely neglected in many Christian traditions.
Bitcoin Billionaries, by Ben Mezrich. Next up in Bitcon, read this book. This gives you a narrative introduction (true story) to Bitcoin. This is good story telling. I’d love to see Mezrich (or Michael Lewis) be the one to write the book about the FTX and SBF collapse.
Where the Money Is: Value Investing in the Digital Age, by Adam Seessel. This is the best book I’ve read on investing in a decade. This is now my go-to book to give to new investors. Seessel’s approach to valuing tech companies is very important to understand.
A Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness, by Gene Edwards. This old book isn’t a book, it’s a play. This screenplay walks one through different approaches to authority and influence and brokenness through the lens of Saul, David, and Absalom.
Layered Money: From Gold and Dollars to Bitcoin and Central Bank Digital Currencies, by Nik Bhatia. Next in Bitcoin, read Layered Money to understand how all forms of money are built on layers.
Younger Next Year: Live Strong, Fit, Sexy, and Smart Until You're 80 and Beyond, by Chris Crowley & Henry S. Lodge. Full of wisdom and humor, you’ll likely come away with 3-5 takeaways that help make you healthier and younger. My mother in-law read this book after me and was so inspired she trained for a big hike in the Himalayas, which she just got back from and loved.
Barabbas by Par Lagerkvist. An old, forgotten novel that’s worth reading. I found a free copy in the free section of my seminary’s library over 20 years ago. I finally got around to reading it.
Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life, by Luke Burgis. I love studying anything that has to do with the power of desire. Instead of wading deep into Rene Girard’s philosophy of desire, you can start here with Luke Burgi’s summary and analysis of Girard…which has many parallels with what Jesus taught.
The Bitcoin Standard, by Saifedean Ammous. This is the most thorough of the Bitcoin books, it’s just not where I’d start. Eventually, make this must reading on your Bitcoin journey.
Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution, by Carl Trueman. I had all of our leaders in our church read and discuss this important book. Must-reading for understanding how we’ve arrived at such confusion and chaos.
The Price of Tomorrow: Why Deflation is the Key to an Abundant Future, by Jeff Booth. As we’re experiencing the destruction of inflation here in 2022, this book is important for better understanding what we’re living through and how things can be better.