Books in May (2023)
a reading life
Yeah, I read a lot of books. We get that by now. This is where I tell you what I’ve been reading, and give super-tiny-thoughts on all the books that didn’t get write-ups. Enjoy!
Side-by-Side, Edward T. Welch. Review here.
The Golden Enclaves, Naomi Novik (audio).
Third in her series, this last one took me a while to get into, but about 1/3 in it starts to click and the secrets that underpin the series get revealed and you get hooked all the way to the end.
Forgive, Timothy Keller.
I reread this in preparation for a bible study on the topic, but also because there are things in here I needed to remind myself. Convinced this book puts together very clearly, both eloquently and elegantly, (1) biblical teaching on forgiveness, (2) cultural insight, (3) theological rationale, (4) practical and pastoral steps. 6 stars from me. Thankful for Keller's legacy.
Surrender, Bono (Audio).
Firstly, this is a book that I 110% endorse as an audio book. For two reasons. (i) I love books read by their authors. (ii) there's a lot of music in this audiobook, and for the lead singer of U2, that is integral to his memoir.
Secondly, this is a fascinating and enjoyable memoir! U2, definitely one of the era defining bands, massive in success across 4, now pushing 5 decades. Bono, too, hugely involved in activism and social justice. And, in the course of the combination of these two, meeting the famous movers and shakers of the last 40 years, presidents and prime ministers and royalty and so on. But it's the personal reflection and spiritual journey that make this memoir shine. The impact of his mother dying so young, the place of his father, the shape of the relationships in his life.
My favourite U2 albums are: War, Achtung Baby, October, Boy.
The spiritual side of Bono is always intriguing. Never quite orthodox enough for churchy-folk, but I suspect our poets and artists never will be. But profoundly grace-shaped.
Critical Race Theory: an introduction, Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic.
Most Christians who comment on CRT don't know what they're talking about and are talking from ignorance. My commitment to understanding CRT led me to read an actual introductory book on CRT by CRT writers and activists. Imagine, actually reading a source text about the topic you're commenting on, instead of a dozen ill-informed think-pieces!
The Blue Parakeet, Scot McKnight. Review here.
You are what you love, James K.A. Smith. Review here.
Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, Tim Keller. Review here.
No Future without forgiveness, Desmond Tutu.
I was too young to really grasp Apartheid and the history of South Africa when it finally fell in 1994. This book is Tutu reflecting on the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which he headed, whose work was indeed to seek to uncover the truth about atrocities committed during the Apartheid years, and to bring about what measures of closure, and indeed reconciliation, could be achieved. It’s a heart-breaking read to wade through some of these stories of pure evil. It’s at the same time amazing to hear of the capacity of some to forgive, and of the great good that the Commission achieved not only for individuals, but towards the healing of a society.
A field guide to Christian Nonviolence, David Cramer and Myles Werntz.
I’ve become quite a fan of Myles Werntz and his thoughtful theological and ethical writing. This book is a careful parsing out of different types or varities of Christian nonviolence, looking at different activists, thinkers and writers, under eight different ‘streams’, and considering what makes them differ, and what unites, and helps move us beyond a monolithic idea of ‘pacificism’, or the overshadowing of one or two individual figures.
Building the Benedict Option, Leah Libresco.
I’m not at all a fan of Rod Dreher and have considerable reservations about BenOp (it’s a topic that would need a lot of engagement and writing for me to set out my thoughts); that said, this book was suggested to me by a Catholic friend (it’s quite a Catholic book, but I’m very happy to read ecumenically), in connection to the question of ‘how does one create thick community’. This book attempts to answer it, practically and reflecting upon the author’s own efforts, in building those thick community bonds that we (all?) so much want.
To Green Angel Tower 1: Siege, Tad Williams
The third in this fantasy series. Actually this was part 1 of volume 3, which was so long that the author had to split it across two books. It is fun to reread a book after 20-something years where you don’t really remember what happens.
All my knotted-up life: a memoir, Beth Moore. (Audio)
Apparently I am a person who reads memoirs these days. I doubt I really had an idea who Beth Moore was before the 2016 twitter debacle over Trump. I admire her for her stand against Trump, her voice in the wake of massive abuse and cover-up revelations in the SBC, and for her general willingness to speak out against a whole range of SBC ungodliness and injustice.
This memoir was a great listen. I appreciated the heavy Arkansas accent in the early chapters, though at times I felt like I was listening to Sookie Stackhouse. But that’s just my lack of exposure to southern accents!
There’s plenty of heartbreak and gut-wrench in here too. And the grace of God working through tragedy.
Stay for the end where Beth attends an Anglican church for the first time.
That’s a wrap. Since people keep asking, the secret to reading lots is (i) to fit it into the gaps, (ii) to choose reading over other forms of entertainment and leisure, (iii) to read things you enjoy reading.