Double the Joy no. 60: 2024 Reading Joy
January 3rd, 2024
Happy New Year! Is this two posts in a week? Yes and I am amazed too.
As promised in my newsletter on the last day of 2024, so Tuesday, I want to share my reading joys from 2024. And a couple of reading disappointments. But mostly it was a year of reading joy.
Here’s a macro view of my reading, with some details that I started keeping a year or two ago, mostly to satisfy my own curiosity:
63 books read in 2024, which includes an unpublished guide for training lay leaders for the Church. Does not include a couple of books I never finished. Receiving a Sabbatical from the congregation I serve this summer was boon to the total number of books I read.
Of those 63: 32 were Fiction and 31 were Non-Fiction (I don’t exactly aim for that balance, but it is a natural byproduct of my various interests and responsibilities).
And of those: 20 were borrowed from the Library, 27 were books that I purchased used at some point, and 15 were new books.
A few more details: Two books I listened to exclusively as audiobook (yes, I count audiobooks), three were ebooks (I greatly prefer physical books), and a couple of titles were a hybrid of reading and listening. Most notably in that latter category was my reading and listening of the ESV translation of the Bible.
Onward…to some pictures of all of the books that I read and then I will break it down to a few top 10 lists:
First, an expression of exasperation: I will never understand the production of these sorts of lists, outside of capitalistic shilling, that are presented in early December. Do people just stop reading in December? I read quite a few books this past month.
Also, not listed: The Bible. It will always stand apart from anything else.
As a reminder, I do not necessarily recommend books, unless explicitly mentioned. I would recommend any in the first list, with a few caveats. But as far as the other fiction or non-fiction books, I am simply capturing what I enjoyed and others might as well. But you also may be more sensitive to certain types of content or you may view it as wrong to consume. That is for you to determine and therefor do not receive below as explicit recommendations or encouragement.
[each list is presented in no particular order].
Top 12 Spiritual/Theology Books
Note to Self by Joe Thorn: I used this book in my devotions, which has one to two page entries as a way of “preaching the gospel to oneself”.
The Secret Place of Thunder by John Starke. Helpful antidote to the constant searching for significance, attention, and platform in this current age in which we live. Once again, the ancient truth of Scripture still speaks into hearts and circumstances today.
The J-Curve by Paul Miller. The genius of this book is in how Miller shows and tells, with honesty and hope, what the nature of the Christian life is like. It will be easy to remember the J-Curve that comes with following the Savior that he demonstrates in words and figures. Much harder will be to live it out.
The Paradise King by Blaine Eldredge. Unlike any other book I read this year, Eldredge traces the story-line of Scripture while unveiling layers and details in various connections. Some is speculative, but it is deeply researched and Eldredge shows great knowledge of Scripture. Don’t skip the footnotes!
People-Pleasing Pastors by Charles Stone . Umm, I read this for a friend.
The Lord of Psalm 23 by David Gibson. Gibson manages to do the difficult - bring fresh understanding and depth to one of the most-well known chapters in all of the Bible. Perhaps the best known?
I am not the Christ by McKay Caston. McKay has had a greater influence on my ministry and soul than just about any other person, over the past year. I recommend his book to any Pastor, as well as his ministry to Preachers.
The Politics of Ministry by Burns, Guthrie, and Chapman. This is a book I wish I had read in seminary (wasn’t published yet), but I am also not sure I would have had the experience to know how true and real those “politics” are. To be clear, where there are people, there are politics. That is not necessarily bad or wrong. But how we handle ourselves and others is often where the problems begin.
The Weary Leader’s Guide to Burnout by Sean Nemecek. This was one of the audiobooks I listened to, but I found the material to be beneficial and ended up buying a physical copy.
Two books by John Mark Comer, who I would have some substantial theological differences with, but nevertheless is seeking to help people follow Jesus.
Lead by Paul David Tripp. A book on leadership in the Church that will likely be a resource for years to come.
The Unwavering Pastor by Jonathan Dodson. In some ways, I don’t remember a lot from this book, but I do remember being encouraged. That is enough.
Top 10 Fiction
Still Life by Louise Penny. This is the first book in Penny’s Inspector Gamache series. I enjoyed the development of the characters, the backdrop of a small town in Quebec, Canada, and the mystery at the center of it all.
The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson. Another first in a series, this one being the first of the Walt Longmire series. I am familiar with this series because of the well-regarded television series based on Johnson’s Wyoming Sheriff (Longmire). I had actually started this book a couple of times, but could never sustain any momentum in it. I finally broke through and loved it. There is a great line about revenge in the end of the book and hence the title, but I won’t spoil it.
The Seventh Floor by David McCloskey. The third in a series of books written by a former CIA analyst. Spy stuff, which I am a bit of sucker for.
The Outsider by S.E. Hinton: classic school selection that I had somehow missed. During our trip to California, my 14 year old nephew devoured this book, which I believe he had already read once. My mother-in-law (hi, Mom!) also taught this book for many years. I may have seen the movie, but don’t quite remember. Better late than never for reading this one, I suppose. I am glad I did.
Stay gold, pony boy.
The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz. The second in a series in which the author writes himself as one of the main characters, where the author teams up with a cranky detective. Clever premise coupled with humor and mystery.
Old Man’s War by John Scalzi. I don’t read a lot of Sci-Fi, but this one was really enjoyable. Basic premise: in the future, it’s old people, sent off to wage inter-galactic battles. Scalzi writes with a lot of sarcastic and wry humor. This is the first in a series. I also greatly enjoyed Scalzi’s Kaiju Preservation Society.
The Shadow of Men by Abir Mukherjee - historical fiction that also shows the multitudinous layers of different cultures, against the backdrop of a mystery. This is the fifth in a series featuring the British WWI Veteran, Sam Wyndham, and his Indian partner (“Surrender-not” Banerjee). I also read Mukherjee’s stand-alone thriller, Hunted, which I also enjoyed. I do hope he will continue the Wyndham-Banerjee series.
The Searcher by Tana French. The first in a new series featuring a retired Chicago Detective living in Ireland, who would just like to keep to himself and fix up his old home. Typical of French’s style, this is a character-driven mystery, as she introduces Cal Hooper and the young Irish protagonist, Trey. I have already obtained the second installment in this series in my always searching thrift stores, used bookstores, or Unclaimed Baggage for used books.
Three books by Richard Osman (yes, I am cheating): Books two and three in the Thursday Murder Club series and the first in a new series. You will sense a theme in what I enjoy, largely, in my fiction reading, that is true of Osman’s writing. Mystery stories that are not overly graphic or tense, which include a heaping dose of humor. Osman delivers this in spades.
Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis. This has to be included, right? It’s C.S. Lewis. Plan on reading the second book in the “Space Trilogy” sometime this year.
Top 10 Non-Fiction
How Far to the Promised Land by Esau McCauley(in no particular order): provided me great insight into the life of a black man growing up in Huntsville, AL (our adopted hometown, as we have both lived in this area longer than we have lived anywhere else)
How to Stay Married by Harrison Key: both incredibly raw and incredibly funny, as Key details the near dissolution of his marriage in light of his wife’s infidelity. There were some interesting Presbyterian/PCA connections that I did not expect.
The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson: one of our greatest living narrative history writers (alongside David Grann and Candace Millard; David McCollough prior to his passing) puts his hand to a detailed and layered account of the lead up to what we are taught in Middle School was the beginning of the Civil War - the attack on Fort Sumter. Turns out there were a few more details to be told.
Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen: this book was a terrifying minute by minute imagining of what nuclear war begun by warheads from North Korea striking the United States. Combines history and the real world possibility of nuclear annihilation. Bonus: Redstone Arsenal (Huntsville, AL) show up.
We Die Alone: A World War II Epic of Escape and Endurance by David Howarth [review written earlier in year] — WWII history written in 1955 and about one particular Norwegian commando. What was particularly noteworthy about this book is that dozens of people risked their lives to save this man whose mission was doomed just as it was about to get started (alongside three other Norwegians who were hoping to assist the resistance in occupied Norway who were either killed or taken as POWs) and who could do little to serve the cause. And yet, his life was worthy. Not because of who he was or what he could do, but because life is precious.
A Quiet Mind to Suffer With: Mental Illness, Trauma, and the Death of Christ by John Andrew Bryant. [review written earlier in year] This book is a window and a salve. A window into the life of a man who ended up in a psychiatric ward due to his mental illness (OCD). I have a much better understanding of a severe case of OCD, which like many things, we can minimize or make fun of because we cannot or do not want to understand. While it was specific to Bryan’t experience - a memoir of his struggles - it is not a far step to apply to other mental health difficulties. The book was also a salve, as it showed how to apply the balm of the gospel to real wounds that sometimes never fully heal in this world. Like the best books from this genre, it is profoundly honest and hopeful at the same time. I will continue to reference this book in the future.
Endurance by Ernest Shackleton - an amazing true story of disaster during exploration and survival in the Antarctic a little over 100 years ago Shackleton is hailed for his leadership. This book provided some perspective earlier this year.
Manhunt: The Twelve Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer by James Swanson. Very detailed account of Lincoln’s assassination and the hunt for John Wilkes Booth.
In Harm’s Way by Doug Stanton - WWII history about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the survivors. A great tragedy in a multitude of ways - why it happened, that it happened, and the aftermath.
The Art Thief by Michael Finley. Fascinating story of a man who stole billions worth of art, but never sold any of it.
A few disappointments, due to the fact that they consistently showed up in various lists spotlighting good books and were just okay:
Clark and Division by Naomi Hirahara. I did appreciate the insight into the lives of Japanese-Americans during WWII in this historical fiction, but the primary plot-device (a mystery) just failed to be very compelling.
Shanghai by Jospeh Kanon. A well-regarded author, but this book set in early WWII was only mildly interesting in the characters and the plot. Felt flat.
The Ministry of Time by Kailiane Bradley - the unnecessary (in my view) sexual content of this book ruined an otherwise fascinating time-travel book. You will see this book on a lot of best of 2024 lists. I will say that the very last lines of this book delivered, redeemed in many respects, and left me with something I will continue to ponder.
Feel free to ask me about any of these books or others not mentioned. Reading helps me to connect with the world around me, experience a variety of emotions, and to learn how to be a better Pastor.
If you have made it to this point…thank you!