Favorite Reads from 2021

I read quite a few books this year. Some of the books I read were rereads. Many of them were new to me. Here are my favorites from this year.

The Library Book by Susan Orlean
This book explores the history of libraries as well as the place that modern day libraries hold in our communities. Libraries have been a part of my life for so long, this felt like I was reading about one of my friends.

Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
This book focuses on some of the key players in Northern Ireland during The Troubles. While I was vaguely aware of some of the history before I read this book, I really didn’t know much about this time in recent history. What an absolutely fascinating read!

The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum
Another non-fiction book that I really enjoyed this year. If you want to learn more about the rise of modern forensics, prohibition, the FDA, and medical examiners, I highly recommend this book.

The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner
Set against the backdrop of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, this novel explores the meaning of family and home.

A Church Called Tov by Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer
What does a healthy church look like? What does healthy leadership in a church look like? This book tries to answer those questions.

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
I convinced my book club to read this book this year. I really enjoyed the reread (as well as the discussion of Bilbo’s adventures). I was reminded again of how much I love Tolkien’s writing.


Any books you read in 2021 that you recommend? I'd love to hear your recommendations.

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The Wexford Carol

Good people all, this Christmas time,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done,
In sending His belovèd Son.
With Mary holy we should pray
To God with love this Christmas Day;
In Bethlehem upon the morn
There was a blest Messiah born.

The night before that happy tide
The noble virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town.
But mark how all things came to pass:
From every door repelled, alas!
As long foretold, their refuge all
Was but a humble oxen stall.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;
To whom God’s angels did appear
Which put the shepherds in great fear.
Prepare and go, the angels said,
To Bethlehem, be not afraid;
For there you’ll find, this happy morn,
A princely babe, sweet Jesus born.

With thankful heart and joyful mind,
The shepherds went the babe to find,
And as God’s angel has foretold,
They did our Savior Christ behold.
Within a manger He was laid,
And by His side the virgin maid
Attending to the Lord of Life,
Who came on earth to end all strife.

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Joy Has Dawned

Joy has dawned upon the world,
Promised from creation:
God’s salvation now unfurled,
Hope for every nation.
Not with fanfares from above,
Not with scenes of glory.
But a humble gift of love:
Jesus born of Mary.

Sounds of wonder fill the sky
With the songs of angels,
As the mighty Prince of Life
Shelters in a stable.
Hands that set each star in place,
Shaped the earth in darkness,
Cling now to a mother’s breast,
Vulnerable and helpless.

Shepherds bow before the Lamb,
Gazing at the glory;
Gifts of men from distant lands
Prophesy the story.
Gold, a King is born today,
Incense, God is with us,
Myrrh, His death will make a way,
And by His blood He’ll win us.

Son of Adam, Son of heaven,
Given as a ransom,
Reconciling God and man,
Christ our mighty Champion.
What a Saviour, what a Friend,
What a glorious mystery:
Once a babe in Bethlehem,
Now the Lord of history.

- by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty

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God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen

God rest you merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
For Jesus Christ, our Saviour
Was born upon this day,
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

From God our heavenly Father
A blessed angel came,
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same,
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name:
The shepherds at those tidings
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm, and wind,
And went to Bethlehem straightway,
This blessed Babe to find:
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

But when to Bethlehem they came,
Whereat this Infant lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling,
Unto the Lord did pray:
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And in true love and fellowship
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
Is filled with heav'nly grace.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.


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30-Day Giving Challenge 2021 - Week 5

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others."
- Marcus Tullius Cicero

Here are some of the ways I was able to give to others this past week.

Tuesday - donated to Book Aid International’s effort to help rebuild the library in Mosul
Wednesday - donated to RIP Medical Debt
Thursday - donated to Doctors without Borders
Friday - donated to Girls Love Mail
Saturday - donated to the Salvation Army
Sunday - donated airline miles to Make-a-Wish
Monday - donated to Girls Write Now
Tuesday - tucked notes of encouragement into library books

I've enjoyed taking extra time during November to focus on others. I'm thankful for the opportunities I've had to hopefully make someone's day just a little brighter. As we move into December may you know the joy that this season brings.

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