My 2021 Book List | John Reasnor
I’m terrible at tracking my reading, but this year I decided to join the crowd and write up my yearly book list. I’m also terrible at finishing books, so some of these are books I started in 2020 but finished in 2021 after putting it down for a bit.
I also know I’m forgetting some books (especially the shorter or “fluffier” books) but I think this list is close to what I finished in 2021.
finished in 2021
The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan, Wheel of Time (WoT) book 2 out of 14.
The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan, WoT book 3.
The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan, WoT book 4.
The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan, WoT book 5.
Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan, WoT book 6.
A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan, WoT book 7.
The Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan, WoT book 8: I started this series in high school but never finished it. Finally going to finish in 2022 and I’m really looking forward to Sanderson’s wrap up at the end. These books are top tier epic fantasy and stylistically bridge the gap of traditional fantasy (Tolkien) and modern fantasy (Sanderson/Rothfuss/Martin). Some books are better than others, but the greatness of the overall series is worth getting through the slower books.
The Soul of Shame by Curt Thompson: Very good book on shame. The topic of shame is, in my opinion, widely misunderstood and even abused. Will be writing on this topic before long.
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchet: Fantastical, whimsical, absurdist fantasy that still ends up being heartfelt. Fun book.
A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie: Semi-Grim Dark fantasy novel and the first of a new trilogy by Abercrombie that’s in the same world as his First Law trilogy. As usual, Abercrombie writes incredible characters who may be terrible people, but who feel very real.
Starsight by Brandon Sanderson: This is one of Sanderson’s “young adult” books but he somehow manages to make it not terrible and tedious. Great characters and a fun story. It doesn’t soar to the heights of Mistborn or the Stormlight Archive, but that’s a very high bar.
Star Wars: Lost Stars by Claudia Gray: A fun book that follows two friends who end up on opposite sides of a war. Unfortunately, most newer Star Wars books are stylistically bland, but at least this one has some heart.
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton: Chrichton at his best in my honest opinion. This is a reread for me.
Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline: A sequel to Cline’s Ready Player One. Though the first isn’t great, it was a ton of fun and had a lot of heart. This one was bad.
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron by Michael Stackpole: Very good Star Wars. Non-canonical but very worth the read. A reread for me.
Star Wars: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn: Another non-canonical Star Wars novel and also a reread. This is Star Wars at its best. A must read for fans.
Dune by Frank Herbert: My third reading of this book but my first in about a decade. Had the itch to revisit the world after seeing the excellent film. Still awesome.
Sentient by Jeff Lemire and Gabriel Walta: My favorite graphic novel of the year. Beautiful art and a captivating story. Excellent.
House of X by Jonathan Hickman: A very cool X-Men story. Really surprised by how much I loved this. If you’re not at least somewhat familiar with the large cast of Marvel characters you’ll probably be lost as it’s a part of a larger ongoing story, but it’s still worth a read even if you’re not planning on reading all of that particular enormous X-Men run.
Invincible Ultimate Collection Vol. 1 by Robert Kirkman: Kirkman, the creator of the Walking Dead graphic novels, really has a way of writing characters that sounds natural and compelling. This is a refreshing, fun, and beautiful indie comic series that I plan on reading more of.
Batman: White Knight by Sean Murphy: My favorite Batman graphic novel. Beautiful art and a very thoughtful story that serves almost as a criticism of the very nature of Batman.
Batman: Curse of the White Knight by Sean Murphy: Almost as good as the first, this sequel digs into more themes of identity and purpose. Excellent.
Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore: Honestly didn’t love this. Some great elements (especially focusing on the motivations of the Joker) but overall I was a bit disappointed by this classic.
Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund: A needed book in the current climate of the church. A must read. Not overly complex, but a needed reminder.
What Do They Hear?: Bridging the Gap Between Pulpit & Pew by Mark Allan Powell: A very interesting book about how pastors and the congregation interpret scripture and even sermons and how factors such as education, race, age, and gender can affect that.
Rejoice and Tremble by Michael Reeves: Excellent and accessible book on the relationship between fearing God and having Joy in God.
Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves: The best book I’ve read on the Trinity. It’s accessible, clear, theological, but also pastoral. A must read.
The Wonderful Works of God by Herman Bavinck: Top tier theology. Immensely readable, beautiful, challenging, and encouraging. Another must read.
Black and Tan by Douglas Wilson: This is a reread since the last time I read it was a decade ago and I wanted to revisit it for research purposes. Fake history, terrible ethics, bad theology and generally a garbage book. Read critically.
Fault Lines by Voddie Baucham: Besides the plagiarism and misquotes, this is a book that proclaims loudly to offer an unbiased take on Critical Race Theory while doing the opposite. Even putting ideological differences aside, this book is poorly edited, poorly written, unclear, and unhelpful. Reads like a book that was rushed to press in order to reach bookshelves while CRT was still a trending topic.
Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense by Paul David Tripp: A good and balanced take on when Christians suffer.
Spurgeon on Suffering: Reflections on Our Pain and God's Grace by Charles Spurgeon: This is gold. Read this.
What Is a Girl Worth? by Rachael Denhollander: A heartbreaking, courageous, and excellent book on sexual abuse, cover ups, and the Gospel-centered desire for justice. Highly recommended.
Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood by Aimee Byrd: A great book that angered all the right people. It’s not perfect, but it’s a needed and helpful addition to the important conversation regarding gender in the Church and society.
Prophets Of Protest: Reconsidering The History Of American Abolitionism by Various Authors: I read parts of this years ago when I borrowed it from a friend. I finally bought a copy for myself and finished it. Fascinating history and still very applicable for today.
Beyond Racial Gridlock: Embracing Mutual Responsibility by George Yancey: For a book published in 2006 this book reads as extraordinarily relevant as well as prophetic. Looking forward to reading Yancey’s new book this year.
Reading While Black by Esau McCaulley: This is a very good and balanced book. Interesting how the response of some to me just reading this book proved some of McCaulley’s points.
Conspiracy: A Biblical View by Gary North: This is the sort of book which you can find whatever you’re looking for. If you’re wanting to indulge in conspiracy theories, this book can make you feel good about that. But if you want to find a more balanced approach, this book also contains plenty of warnings against the epistemological extremism that has become so rampant over the last few years. North could be more clear, but it’s still helpful if you come to the book with a more critical reading.
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kunh: Started this one in 2020 but finished it early 2021. Remarkable and thought provoking book having to do with the nature of scientific knowledge. Though sometimes co-opted by those who hold regressive historical medical or scientific views, Kunh actually teaches a progressive view of science. Things will change. Our understanding will change. But the truth isn’t found in 150 year old theories that have been debunked and disproven by former revolutions. Very good.
Picture of Slavery in the United States of America by George Bourne: A historical and theological book from 1838. Bourne, an early American immediatist abolitionist and faithful Christian minister, writes on slavery in the American context and why Scripture condemns it. Excellent book and much of the arguments within are still relevant today.
Currently Reading
Agency by William Gibson: I loved Gibson’s Neuromancer so I decided to try another one by him. So far I find it very well written but it hasn’t gotten its hooks into me yet. Hoping it picks up.
Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez: This book also made all the right people mad, so I decided to give it a read. Just started it and I’m looking forward to finishing it. I’m sure I’ll disagree on some points, but adults should learn how to spit out the bones and learn from someone outside their tribe.
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang: Just started this one and really liking it so far. I’m looking forward to reading fantasy that isn’t explicitly “Western.”
Winters Heart by Robert Jordan, WoT book 9: This is one of the slow ones. About 70% done.
The Doctrine of the Christian Life by John Frame: Don’t always agree with him, but I always enjoy him. So far so good.
Survival and Resistance in Evangelical America: Christian Reconstruction in the Pacific Northwest by Crawford Gribben: So far nothing that’s surprising, which is both sad and also speaks well of the book.
Pet Sematary by Stephen King: Really loving this one but got distracted and fell off. Committed to finishing it soon.
In 2022 I’m hoping to read more historical works of theology. This is a category I’ve read in the past but haven’t done so as much recently. I’m wanting to read more outside of my theological camp, especially in regards to sociology, history, and ethics. I also want to read more on mental health and trauma and especially about how God’s Word intersects with those hard topics.
Lastly, I want to encourage Lamb’s Reign readers to read the classics (theological and otherwise), hard books that challenge your perspectives, books that people warn you about, as well as plenty of books that are just plain fun.