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.

A friend recommended this book. I had never read the author before reading this. The book was very informing and helpful. It has shaped the way I see the life and message of Jesus and the Bible. I enjoyed this book and I ordered a few other books from McKnight too.

First time reading Billy Collins, actually first time reading a book of poetry too. I enjoyed the book though it was outside of my norm. This was a collection of shorter poems so I think I will try another of his books to get a fuller picture.

Interesting book about a pastor that strives to see the beauty and work of God in all things. He did a sermon series on seeing God in Metallica songs and the band heard about it. Each chapter considers different areas of life and some reflection on the practice. I enjoyed reading the book.

Short in length but so deep in content and information. I thought this was a great consideration of the history and practice of hypocrisy in the Church. It was interesting to learn more and think of historical examples. It is also encouraging to think more about the true transformation available in the glory of God and Jesus Christ.

Enjoyable book that shared the life reflection of an old pastor to his young son. A friend recommended it to me and I enjoyed reading it. It was a beautiful slow moving thoughtful story.

Short stories from the series of Joe Pickett. Wide variety of different plots and characters. Fun extra reading after reading the others in the series. Next full length book comes out at the end of this month.

Most recent in the 22 book series (another one coming out end of February) telling about Game Warden Joe Pickett. This one was (like I say every time) unique to itself and yet familiar in the way I like. I enjoy the series. Been reading them slower lately to drag it out more, but needed a couple this week for my mental health.

Another good one from CJ Box in the Joe Pickett series. I‘m used to reading them but I thought this one was a good story with familiar pieces and yet it‘s own plot. It had all the things I expect to find and a few new twists that kept it interesting. I have one more book available until I‘ll start waiting for a new one to be released next month. Then sadly all caught up in the series!

Oh man I am trying to get into this but struggling. I‘m on like page 150 of over 1,000. Hard for me to see many connections—more so feel like I‘m always trying to catch up. Thankful to be reading on Kindle so I can be reminded of who some of the characters are and also get definitions for some of the obscure words. I‘ve had this book referenced by others quite often and want to persevere!

Good short book from Henri Nouwen on some of the practices of the desert fathers and the impact of solitude and silence especially when paired with prayer. Convicting in an encouraging way. Thoughtful and helpful as it pondered deeply and still had daily applications too.

I heard this referenced in a podcast I listen to and it proved to be very interesting. It took a look at small scale and individual deep fakes all the way to the ways different countries are engaging and tampering in different ways. It included a historic look at the development of deep fake technology and a little forecasting to where we might be heading. Interesting and important topic in the world we love in today.

I enjoyed this meandering life story of Mr Crow—barber and gravedigger. It was a slow moving book, though it was on purpose. Wendell Berry writes slow reading stories on purpose. It differs from much of what‘s out there (and much of what I typically read) but the slow pace of reading was enjoyable. Sometimes I get too caught in finishing a book that I forget to enjoy it along the way.

I read about Georgi Vins in another book about Christian missions and was intrigued so I got his book. Amazing to read about life in Russia back then and being arrested for preaching about Jesus. He spent 8 years in prison for his faith before being kicked out of the country. Amazing and inspiring life of faithfulness.

Small publisher for a short book about overcoming addition to alcohol through Deciding, Documenting, and Declaring. Tough guy approach essentially saying “Man up and quit like it did”. Small parts of it could be slightly helpful. Overall dangerous concept that lacks personal application.

Well written. Interesting. Authors reflections of life and nature. To be honest it didn‘t personally resonate with me. I felt like the author was a good writer and gifted in many ways…but it just wasn‘t for me. I want to give it a good rating because it was a good book (my wife loved it) but I couldn‘t connect with the author.

Disturbing look into the origin, motivations, and activities of a violent political extremist group known as the proud boys. Book covered their beginnings well. Detailed some of their exploits over the years. Examined their role in January 6th activities. And overall painted a terrifying picture of what could happen. Disturbing but fascinating and well researched/written.

I watched the new documentary “Stutz” on Netflix by Jonah Hill and was intrigued to learn more about Phil Stutz and his tools. I enjoyed the book and thought the tools were helpful practices. I have been thinking of them and other parts of the book throughout my days. As a Christian, also in recovery, I was able to augment the tools a little with my faith (something the book suggested). Overall enjoyable content.

Powerful story of how the author grew up in Liberia. From a small rural village to the capital city of Monrovia. He grew up Muslim but converted to faith in Jesus Christ. Eventually after hardship and civil war he went to America for more schooling. The book tells his story from birth while also telling a more current story of returning to Liberia to reconnect with his mother. Great book.

Interesting story of a group of vandwellers and the movement overall. Book is five years old (and now a major motion picture) so I assume the movement is even more developed now as it is a changing culture. I enjoy learning about different ways of life and unique and interesting people.

Unique story for sure. I didn‘t really love it but it was surely interesting. I personally thought it was a little overboard in some ways but it fit with the overall story. Man lives in the forest for 7 years with his friends the Roe Deer. I started wearing out toward the end.

Good easy read that good of the authors journey through losing his hearing. He not only told about the process of getting two cochlear ear implants but also how it felt to lose his hearing. It was helpful for me to learn about his experiences and how it felt. I am thankful to learn through his book.

Finished up the series tonight. Everything wrapped up for the most part. Good series overall—lotta pages but good stories and likable characters. Guess there is another coming out next year too.

Book 4 of 5. Another good installment of the series. I felt like this one started concluding some of the major themes though the final themes obviously remain. Feels like a lot to keep going straight through but I still plan to move quickly to the last book. (Though I see the author plans another book in this series to be released fall 2023.