I really like Brant Hansen and his writing. He is easy to read and connectable. In this book he shares stories and considers the Christian call to living with joy. I found it thoughtful and encouraging. He shares a good variety of other authors and quotes. He thinks differently than the norm and that is a good thing.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it had good themes and characters. I liked the interplay between different racial groups. And the unconditional love. I struggled at first to keep up with perspective changes but quickly got drawn into the story. Thought it wrapped up nicely.

I think this book was mentioned in another I read about running. It tells about the authors journey through alcoholism and running as a means of healing. The book tells about different races he ran while also telling personal stories from his past. Enjoyable read.

A bit of a wild ride through this one. I enjoyed it. It did feel heavy for me at times—as I have experienced abused and addiction in my own life. It led me to reminiscing some and got personally dreary for a little bit. Thankful for the whole storyline and how things wrapped up in the end.

I heard this author speak on a podcast talking about mental health. I was intrigued by his story and ordered his book. Overall, I appreciated it very much and think it is a helpful resource for people who struggle (like me). The book is mainly written to Christians, but can be helpful to anyone. I may have had some differences in opinion/experience but that‘s to be expected. Overall, I enjoyed it and will share it with others.

Weird subject for sure but certainly interesting. I liked learning about different ways cadavers are used and have been used in the past. It was shocking at times but always interesting. I would like to read other books by the author now.

I had seen the movie and was a little familiar with the authors story. It was good to read this and get more of the story and more details. The Equal Justice Initiative does amazing and much needed work. Thankful for the work they are doing.

My last Haruf book—I have really enjoyed them all. I liked this one too. It was different from the others but still very good. It was a quick read. It caused me to think more about change over a lifetime and how we can make new things at any age. Live into life and hope even when it might make people talk.

Interesting book that interviews and spends time with several different types of conspiracy theorists. The book has been around over 20 years—this is a slightly updated edition. Interesting to see how things have changed and also stayed the same. Ronson finds some humorous and interesting people to listen to and he looks into their claims as best he can. I enjoyed it.

Interesting story of a family in Kabul. I was especially intrigued by the different layers of the family. It was interesting to see a more personal look into daily life in Afghanistan. The book came out in 2002 so it is fairly old now, but I doubt life has changed a whole lot there.

I thought Perry came across really shallow, self centered, and vain in this book. He writes about all the great things he did and women he slept with and drugs he did. But he never knew any sort of peace or satisfaction. Sad story in my opinion.

I thought this was interesting and easy to read. It is a little dated and there is much that has happened since it was written but the idea is the same. I think Ronson does a good job of being authentic and working through things well. I like how he shares criticisms against him and the way he processes those things.

I enjoyed this book. I liked Ronson‘s style and curious nature. It was silly in some ways but informative in others. He showed an ability to learn, apply, and self correct through the book. I bought the rest of his books in the early pages of starting this one. I look forward to reading them.

Really good book that looked into and explained some of the extremism in the historic evangelical church in America. It was difficult to read because of the uncomfortable truths that it exposed. I wish that many in the American church would read and receive this important message. I hope that I can receive it in my own heart too. Merry Christmas.

Newest in the Reacher series. Good story. It felt familiar— like one of the others in the series. But they all sort of blend together in time. I thought it was well written (for the genre) and enjoyable.

Really interesting story and perspective. There is a culture of male dominance in some areas of the church that can seem to work for some people while badly hurting others. The stories of hurt are not shared often enough so it is good to listen and learn. And there are often unhelpful voices only making things worse. I am thankful for the authors story and insight into this topic.

New addition to the Percy Jackson stories. It‘s been a while since I‘ve read one but it was easy to get back into. Quick and enjoyable read. It left some things unfinished so I wonder if there are more new ones planned.

Great memoir of the author growing up in Alabama. I learned so much from him and his story. I could relate in some places but in more I was able to listen. I am thankful for this book and would encourage others to read it.

Interesting second memoir from Burroughs. I read running with scissors years ago, but don‘t remember it very well. This one was a good. His style is easy to read and it is interesting. It chronicles his ups and downs in his recovery from alcohol and drugs. I ordered three more of his more recent books.

It‘s about changing toxic church culture toward a culture centered around Jesus. So many places are dark in the world. This book speaks about living into the light and becoming people of goodness. I enjoyed it. Haven‘t been reading as much lately as I started grad school.

Few books really feel life changing. This book is one of those for me. It teaches and reframes the Internal Family Systems therapy from more of a Christian perspective (with IFS founder Richard Schwartz‘s blessing). This book helped me make sense of so many things and has led me to growth in my life. I am thankful for the information and the going deeper exercises too.

Good short little book about living into an encouraged life of faith. It had good things to think about. It was an easy and enjoyable read.

First of several spiritual biographies from the author. I really enjoyed her story personally as I am in a bit of a shifting season. It could relate to her at times and was encouraged even in places I couldn‘t directly relate. Well written and thought out. Enjoyable. Thoughtful.

I don‘t remember where I first heard about this book but I was certainly intrigued by the title. The author is humorous and enjoyable to read. It is a very thorough book full of a lot of information. Talked about BS jobs and shared personal insights from interviews. It got a little long for me toward the end but I am glad to have pushed through. Enjoyable book.

Another good story about game warden Joe Pickett. This one was familiar and had all of the beloved characters but was lightly different from others in the series too. It tried to integrate new cultural themes into the plot. I really enjoy the character development and the series overall. Waiting until Feb ‘24 for the next one to come out.

Another vacation book finish. I liked this one. It told the story of the author and how he grew up and overcame many obstacles. He went on to crazy physical feats and ultramarathons! He is an intense and seemingly genuine person. I‘m not sure how the mind over matter tough it out mantra translates to my life but I did find it encouraging.

Vacation read while in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I think I only have one more from Haruf. I really like his writing and stories. They are slow burns a little and don‘t fit conventional writing in some ways but they are well written and enjoyable. I think I save his last written book for last—this one was his second.

This one was referenced in another book I read recently. I enjoyed it. I related to him as someone in recovery from addiction. I did not relate to his endurance racing passion! But I really did find it interesting. He is a quirky person but how could he not be to do what he does.

I enjoyed this story. It is written in a slower but well developed sort of way. The characters are interesting and personal. This is Kent Haruf‘s first book. I‘ve read three others—in the Plainsong series. I‘m not sure how many more of his books are left for me to read, but I‘m expecting that I will read them.

I thought this was great. Fresh, unique, honest, raw, and encouraging. This is the second book I‘ve read by the author. Another post said he comes off poorly—but I really liked him and his writing style. He is funny and jokes a lot. Which is great to have in a book about his wife having an affair and then staying married through the struggle.

My first by Key. Heard him in a podcast and was interested is reading his first book. I bought the two others too and plan to read them somewhat soon. Not sure I can go right into them though. I really liked this one. He is funny and self deprecating and different in a good way. He mainly focuses on his dad in this one as he shares about his childhood and adult years with a larger than life dad.

My second Daniel Pink book. I have liked the both. In this one he revisited the accepted ideas about selling and updated them for our current situations. It helped me rethink old ways of thinking and start considering new things. Creative book. Well written and engaging.

Intriguing story of a pastor that attends another pastor friends funeral after he committed suicide. The story follows a group of pastors as they deal with the aftermath and stresses of ministry. They read and discuss their dead friends diary. Story was interesting and personally insightful. Though I personally felt it was poorly written at times and rather forced. They characters “sucked their teeth” at least a dozen times.

Fun book to read about the growing field of mega data and what we can learn from it. Much of the book was based upon google search information as it reveals the secret thoughts of everyone. We Google what we don‘t know or what we‘re struggling with. I see the author has a newer book that I am interested in too.

Story of Christopher Knight who lived in the woods of Maine for 27 years. He survived by stealing food from area cabins though he was never violent. I understand the sentiment that he took peace of mind away from people that just wanted to enjoy their cabins in peace…but I feel for the guy and don‘t think he ever really meant any harm. Good story. Wish there was more to read.

Such a wonderful and powerful book. Autobiography of Paul Kalanithi as he became a neurosurgeon and then realized he had terminal cancer. This is his honest and vulnerable sharing of his experience. Sad but hopeful. Brave and a witness.

Bought this at a thrift store on a whim after reading the title. It was interesting to read and learn more about the authors life and experience. It told his whole life story, including being a POW and seeing many awful things. Hard to read about what he went through and others had it worse. Important to know more of what happened not all that long ago.

I appreciated this book and the information it contained. It offered much insight about the different reasons we are slow to quit and how to develop systems that can help us stop certain things sooner than later. It gave me much to think about—not only what I could have done differently in the past, but what I want to change in the future too.

Such an unexpected gem. This book was referenced in another book I read recently so I got it and when it came I started reading it. I didn‘t know anything about the author before reading his memoir. I found him enjoyable, personal, and deeply encouraging. He shared about his life and work as a pastor with simple honesty in a way that was refreshing. I will recommend this book to others in the ministry.

A thoughtful and helpful book that considered the common practice of enemy making. David Fitch considered some of the ways we fall into “us vs them” thinking in our modern culture and more specifically in the church. He helpfully works through these things and begins describing a different way to live like Christ. Refreshing book with much to think about.

First of a new series for me. I‘ve read quite a few from Box but not these until now. I liked this one. The main character is a troubled hero. I liked the alcoholic storyline and seeking recovery. The murder drama potion of the story is comparable to others by the author. I find them well written, enjoyable, and well developed.

I‘ve read many of of Box‘s books in one series but never a stand alone story. It was similar in many ways and yet unique too. I enjoyed the story. As I often say with these they are a bit far fetched but fun and entertaining. They are quick reads with good resolutions.

This one was quite different from the others in the trilogy. It seemed like it focused more on one main story with a few others too. It did not connect much at all to the earlier books. I enjoyed it all the same. The theme of love and grace were intertwined with the story of a dying man. Led me to think of my own mortality and living for less regret.

Second of Haruf that I have read and second in the Plainsong series. I really enjoy the stories and their connection to strength and grace. I think the writing is great and the characters are personable. Sometimes I wish there was more of a perfect ending to the stories, but that‘s not the style (and not real life either). Interested to read the third book in the series soon.

I couldn‘t get into this one. I looked into the topic because of personal interest and thought this would be a helpful resource. It just never landed for me. There were some helpful pieces but overall it felt choppy and meandering.

Someone I met recently said this was their favorite book so I picked it up and read it. The book weaves together a few different stories into one loose story in the end. There were some really beautiful parts and a couple that were confusing for me. I enjoyed it. I‘d be interested to read other books by the same author.

The book talked about toxic cultures in churches—how they form and function. It was really helpful for me to think more about toxic leadership through the many examples. The book also described how churches can form goodness cultures too. And the sort of leadership a culture of Tov will have. This is my second book by McKnight and I plan to read more.

Knew about this one but never really planned to read it—even though I‘ve read others about the Appalachian trail and Pacific Crest Trail. Mostly because it was relatively well known (IDK?) I enjoyed it and read it quickly. I couldn‘t relate to everything she shared but really appreciated her and her story. Amazing honesty throughout the book. Thankful that she shared her story.

Thoughtful and challenging book for me personally. It was a different perspective on the internal messages that speak inside ourselves. Instead of ignoring them or making them enemies—trying to be curious and listen to them. They are trying to protect and manage things somehow though it gets muddled quickly. It was hard for me to read at times as it stirred up a lot of gunk. Overall interesting and helpful.

Used this as a book to read and discuss in my church‘s adult Sunday school class. It wasn‘t something I would normally read. I didn‘t love everything it said or tried to do. But it did lead our group to interesting discussions and reactions. It is good to think outside of the box and hear from others.