We are sharing our 2022 recommended book reading list for you, from our top 20 favorite books, 10 from Lianna & 10 from David. It’s awesome to attempt to start the year off right by reading more books. We will say that in order to read more books, something got to go, whether it’s TV, your phone, or more. It’s not about how many books you read in a year, but rather prioritizing quality content to read and learn from rather than mindlessly consuming large quantity of content that has little value. We realized that books have a way of changing a person’s life, if they choose to do so. Let us explain more…

The issue with many people and reading books is you have to take the time to sit down and READ it. You know how back in school, the teachers would assign books for you to read, and you just dread it. But, if you are close to being out of school or are officially out of school, you’ll realize that there is no one telling you what you are supposed to read and learn. It’s all up to you, to choose to learn, grow, and educate yourself as an individual and as a Christian.

For me (David), I was not a fan of reading until after I graduated college. I think it was partly due to being forced to read and due to not being not interested in the material. So, I would avoid reading at all costs. It was not until after college that I realized that there are not any more teachers with a red pen, ready to mark up my book reports. Nope, It was solely up to me to continue my education outside of college and that’s when I decided to pick up a book and started to love reading and learning.

For me (Lianna), I have loved reading since I was a young girl. I had a huge imagination and while I was reading, I immediately was captured from the book, hidden in the depths of my wild mind. But, as I got older, I still loved books, but not like it used to be, not with a fierce love. Even the Bible for me was quite boring. By the way, the Bible is automatically a favorite of ours even though it’s not listed; it’s a given 😉

But, I realized that God gave the gift of writing and to use their talents and their minds towards writing a book, not just to write a book, but to help and guide someone. The one person that decides to read their book. The one person that viewed the front cover and read the back cover of the summary and decided this is a good book to read. That’s a major deal – the process of going inside the library or the bookstore to pick out a book is exhilarating to me.

Now, don’t get me started with audiobooks or ebooks, although I find ebooks to be helpful if I cannot access the physical book or is only in an ebook format. I cannot stand audiobooks – I much rather digest it by holding the physical copy in my hands and writing and underlining and highlighting it. But, that’s an unpopular opinion for another time 🙂

Without further ado, here is your ultimate 2022 book reading list from our top 20 favorite books that cover categories with Christian, business, mental health, and personal growth. FYI: each book has a direct link to Amazon for you to purchase if you want it!

 

Lianna’s favorite books

1. Without Rival: Embrace Your Identity and Purpose in an Age of Confusion and Comparison – Lisa Bevere

This was the first of the many books I would read by Lisa Bevere. I loved every single part of this book – it truly opened my eyes to see how women are seen in the eyes of God! She reminded women of their true, unshaken identity that is from God alone and that we women should stick together rather than tear each other apart through rivalry and comparison.

She clearly defined who we are as women of God from the Bible and how the enemy will do anything to deter us from our destiny, to fully live out our God-given purpose with joy, peace, and contentment.

2. Killing Kryptonite: Destroy What Steals Your Strength – John Bevere

I just added this book to the list because I re-read it! This book is so needed in today’s culture, especially within the church. John Bevere lists out the problems we Christians have been dealing with, and it is something that no one, not even some pastors, are willing to talk about. He uses the Superman analogy of kryptonite, which is the only thing that weakens Superman.

John goes even further and identifies what the spiritual “kryptonite”, which is idolatry, might look like in our own lives, while following Jesus Christ. This book has been eye-opening in the ways that I and the church have fallen trap into inviting idolatry into our lives and what to do about it.

3. To Hell With The Hustle: Reclaiming Your Life in an Overworked, Overspent, and Over-connected World – Jefferson Bethke

I will never ever, EVER, recommend another book in my life if I do not bring up this book. This book is in the christian perspective on slowing down, not hurrying, and choosing to not be busy all the time. I think we get this perspective of hustling so twisted in this world because productivity is seen as a well-oiled machine that runs efficiently and conveniently. But, Bethke reminds us that we aren’t machines; we are human beings made in the image of God.

This book goes against the stream of the culture and the society that we live in that praises hustle, grind, and productivity. Instead of filling your time and schedule without room for margin, you create margin and space to breathe and for godly-divined interruptions.

He defined what Sabbath truly looks like and why it still matters to God and your family to practice Sabbath. In a world full of noise, like music, podcasts, videos, and social media, he suggests choosing silence and solitude. It’s really just a remarkable book on slowing down and choosing not to hustle, not only living life for yourself but for Jesus.

4. Come Matter Here: Your Invitation to Be Here in a Getting There World – Hannah Brencher

This book. This book, wow, this book truly spoke into my soul. Brencher shared her brutally transparent and authentic experience of dealing with change in her life, like moving to a new city, adulting, making friends, finding a church, creating community, and feeling like she belonged and more.

She shared her imperfect faith throughout this journey and how rocky her mental health became when she went through deep depression, fear, and anxiety. God and the support of her loved ones helped her through the darkest storm, and she shared the story in this book. She has such a way with words that flowed naturally, but put you dead center of the story, as if you are talking with her over coffee.

This is such a must-read for 20-something year olds and up, especially if you are dealing with a ton of change in your life and do not know how or feel like you belong or matter…this is the book for you!

5. Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? – Gary Thomas

This is a book that I read while David and I were engaged, and I learned more deeply on what marriage is in God’s eyes and was more prepared on what I was about to step into together with David. This was not a step-by-step book on how to have a happy or successful marriage or how to be happy within marriage.

No, Thomas goes straight into answering what the subtitle of the book is: “What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?” This is a true marriage book written in a Christian and biblical perspective, and some of the points he makes in this book were difficult to swallow because we are, at nature, ultimately selfish.

 

My last 5 (but not least) favorite books:

6. Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds – Jen Wilkin
7. Wait and See: Finding Peace in God’s Pauses and Plans – Wendy Pope
8. The Power of a Praying Wife – Stormie Omartian
9. Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely – Lysa TerKeurst
10. You’re Not Enough (And That’s Okay): Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love – Allie Beth Stuckey

 

David’s Favorite Books

1. No Pain, No Gaines: The Good Stuff Doesn’t Come Easy – Chip Gaines

This book is probably my most favorite out of all the books I have read so far. Why is that? This book really simply defines what it truly means to be true to yourself while building long lasting relationships that slingshot us into our journey.

This book also has some written words about him written from the point of view from his family members and Joanna, and it really fired me up because when I read the words, it’s almost as if he is in the room talking with you on what he has learned. It is not difficult to read and it’s not a long book, but it’s packed full of wisdom, knowledge and might have you laughing.

2. Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life – Henry Cloud & John Townsend

Do you ever feel like your life is spinning out of control and you can not seem to figure out why that is? Maybe it’s a lack of boundaries or maybe something else. But if you read this book it may open your eyes to the boundary world that is not really talked about much or even taught in schools.

This book sure did open my eyes to the way our life was running and the some areas that we needed to improve on. When we started to set small boundaries within our marriage, our lives improved as well as our marriage. Read this book, take some notes and apply it to your life.

3. Thirst: A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World – Scott Harrison

This book is a heart racing story of a man with a worldly passion who had some life altering moments that changed him for the better. The Lord got ahold of him and he went in head first. He saw a need for clean drinking water in third & fourth world countries after spending some time there on a mercy ship tending to those that are sick.

When he got back to the United States he was on fire for helping people have access to clean drinking water. After some setbacks and challenges, his passion rubbed off on thousands and together, they would tremendously assist and aid the people in the stricken countries that need an essential to life: water.

4. Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! – Robert T. Kiyosaki

This is the most recent book I have read since the blog post is out and all I can say is wow! This book is phenomenal when it comes to financial advice and learning how to teach and learn about money and how it can go to work for you.

Kiyosaki really opened my eyes to our financial situation and has already started to apply some of the principles it talks about. My favorite part is when he starts talking about cash flow and simple charts that explain it. He really breaks down how the poor, middle, and upper class think and just how different they are from each other.

5. The Book on Rental Property Investing: How to Create Wealth with Intelligent Buy and Hold Real Estate Investing – Brandon Turner

Before I bought my first asset, a rental property, I told myself that I would learn all there is to know about real estate before starting to look for a realtor and kick starting the process. I would highly recommend anyone who has a passion for real estate to look into this book and soak in as much as possible. The book broke down simple areas that are super easy to understand and read.

After finishing the book, I felt much more prepared to go out and get started. Most questions got answered and I was out in the market making offers until we sealed the first deal on the home we live in now after renting it out for one year. We hope to continue investing in real estate in the near future using the principles that are covered in this book.

 

My last 5 (but not least) favorite books:

6. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business – Charles Duhigg
7. Unshakeable: Your Financial Freedom Playbook – Tony Robbins
8. To Hell with the Hustle: Reclaiming Your Life in an Overworked, Overspent, and Over-Connected World – Jefferson Bethke
9. The Total Money Makeover- Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness – Dave Ramsey
10. Work Hard, Pay The Price, Make It Happen: How One Simple Lesson On Hard Work Altered My Life – David Bond (I had to add my book on here!)

 

That’s the end of our favorite book list that you can read for 2022! We hope that you end up trying out some of these books, and we know that it will enrich your life as much as the books did for both of us. Let us know what your favorite books are or if we listed out a favorite of yours!

 

Thank you for reading,

 

David & Lianna Bond