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The Best Books I Read in 2022 by Asian American Authors (So Far)

Aaron Leeby

One of my favorite hobbies is reading. I especially love reading books by Asian American authors as they share our unique heritage and perspective. Here is a list of the best books I read in 2022 by Asian American authors (so far).

Faith in the Wilderness: Words of Exhortation from the Chinese Church

Edited by Hannah Nation and Simon Liu (Kirkdale Press), 2022

From the publisher: 

In Faith in the Wilderness, editors Hannah Nation and Simon Liu pull together the insights of the Chinese Church for the West. These sermonic letters from Chinese Christians pull back the curtain on the pastoral heart and hope behind the house church’s remarkable faithfulness, awakening readers to the reality of the gospel—the ground of our hope—in the midst of darkness. Readers will be convicted, encouraged, and edified by the testimony of these Chinese Christians.

From my review of Faith in the Wilderness:

After reading this book, I am challenged to live a life of greater faith. I am reminded to pray for my brothers and sisters in China who are facing persecution. I found myself wanting to read more of their encouraging words. Their reward is great, and we have a great God. I am encouraged by their testimonies, stirred by their stories, and hope for the day we will walk out of the wilderness of this world. We will see the calm sea of glass. Our faith will become sight.

Related: Learning About The Center for House Church Theology: An Interview with Clara Kim by Aaron Lee

Defending Shame: Its Formative Power in Paul’s Letters

Te-Li Lau (Baker Academic), April 2020

From the publisher: 

Filling a lacuna in Pauline scholarship, Defending Shame shows how Paul uses shame to admonish and to transform the minds of his readers into the mind of Christ. The author examines Paul’s use of shame for moral formation within his Jewish and Greco-Roman context, compares and contrasts Paul’s use of shame with other cultural voices, and offers a corrective understanding for today’s church. The book explores how Paul’s moral psychology of shame can guide believers to live lives that honor not only God but also their calling as children of God. It also includes a foreword from Luke Timothy Johnson.

From my review of Defending Shame: 

At over 250 pages, this book is an academic work that demands your attention. Serious students of the Bible will benefit from learning from Lau as he exegetes and explains an important theme in Paul’s writings. Pastors and preachers will be better educated and prepared to speak with sensitivity to those that come from an honor-shame culture with compassion. And as shame is seen both in the church and the world, this book will give a Biblical basis for understanding and employing it with Gospel grace.

Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age

Jay Y. Kim (InterVarsity Press), July 26, 2022

From the publisher: 

As the digital age inclines us to discontentment, fragility, and foolishness, how are followers of Jesus to respond? What is the theological basis for living in creative resistance to the forces of our day? How can Christians cultivate the contentment, resilience, and wisdom to not only survive but to thrive as we navigate the specific challenges of our age?

From my review of Analog Christian:

This book is for those who are weary from the online world. It is a call to come back to God’s Word, allowing it to shape your heart more than social media. It is a summons to spend time with Jesus more than chasing clout and influence. Pastors will find that they don’t have to feel the push and pull of trending topics. Teens don’t have to fall into the comparison trap. Working adults and parents alike don’t have to chase after achievements and approval. Unplug from the digital domain. Plant your soul near streams of living water.

Related: Our Churches Can’t Just Be Online: An Interview with Jay Y. Kim by Steve S. Chang

Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art, and Culture

Mako Fujimura (NavPress), February 15, 2009

From the publisher: 

A collection of essays, thoughts, and prayers from award-winning artist Makoto Fujimura, Refractions brings people of all backgrounds together in conversation and meditation on culture, art, and humanity.

From My Review of Refractions: 

It was a joy to read about Fujimura’s own Japanese culture, his creative process, and how he views his own art. To see his faith be such an integral part of his work is inspiring. Not only will you come away appreciating art itself, but you will come away focused and more in love with our Creator, who continues to paint his beautiful story of redemption for the world to see. 

How to Save the World: Disciplemaking Made Simple

Alice Matagora (Tyndale House Publishers), August 9, 2022

From the publisher: 

Drawing on cutting-edge research from The Navigators and Barna Group, Alice Matagora invites you to enter Jesus’ plan to save the world wherever you are. She understands your anxieties (because she’s experienced them) and helps you to break down barriers, pointing you to the joy of engaged discipleship: knowing Christ, making him known, and helping others do the same.

From my review of How to Save the World: 

What I found most helpful was how Matagora speaks on disciple making across cultures and socioeconomic groups. She calls us to first understand our own cultural lenses, biases, and privileges and then to become students of those we are discipling. Jesus is Lord of all and is sufficient to meet all of our needs.

Taste and See: All About God’s Goodness

Written by Irene Sun, Illustrated by Hannah Y. Lu (New Growth Press), June 27, 2022

From the publisher: 

Irene Sun and illustrator Hannah Y. Lu provide a bird’s eye view of the Bible, using the idea of hunger and feasting to tell the story of redemption in a fresh and memorable way for children and their parents. Children ages 4-7 will learn that everything their hearts hunger for can be found in Jesus—the one whose broken body and shed blood is pictured in the bread and wine we eat together to celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection. Each meal we share until Jesus comes is a time to remember God’s goodness and care for all his children. Families will learn how the whole Bible celebrates God’s love for his hungry people.   

From my review of Taste and See: 

Parents don’t have to be afraid of teaching theology to their children. A resource page at the back of the book will help give you confidence as you share with your kids. I was encouraged to speak on the marriage supper of the lamb in our Children’s Worship service at my home church!

On My Radar

For Further Reading

You can find my book reviews on Instagram, my blog, and in our SOLA Network TGIF newsletter. If you enjoyed this roundup, check out our SOLA Network Magazine. We feature our favorite articles from the year and make them available for you to download for free as a beautiful PDF. We have two editions: 2020 and 2021. You can also view my brief interview with editor Hannah Chao about the making of our magazine and the work we do at SOLA Network.

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Aaron Lee

Aaron Lee is our Editorial Curator. Aaron also serves as the Social Media Officer of First Chinese Baptist Church of Walnut in California’s San Gabriel Valley, home to the largest concentration of Asian American communities in the United States. Visit him online at DiveInDigDeep.com.