Here are the 10 books I read in September. This brings my 2023 total to 82 books. The high book total this month was aided by flights to and from Nicaragua. Happy reading!

(I must always clarify that I read many books with which I disagree. I learn the most by reading things that do not represent my position.)

American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer

Ok. Ok. Ok. I’m a little embarrassed by this one. This book has had a spot on my Amazon Wish List ever since it was first released. I contemplated purchasing it at least a dozen times, but I always passed. Then the blockbuster movie, Oppenheimer, was released. I saw it. I was wowed (minus two completely unnecessary sex scenes). I went to my local library and put my name on the waiting list for a copy.

I should have read it sooner. It is a fantastic biography. It will easily make an appearance on my list of favorites for the year. It is a 700 page biography that never drags. Any interest? Pick it up now. I saved this one for the day of traveling home from Nicaragua. It made a long day shorter.

How to Stay Married: The Most Insane Love Story Ever Told by Harrison Scott Key

I read this one, from start to finish, one the plane flight to Nicaragua. Due to the book title, I feared that passengers were judging me for my failed marriage. Please know: My marriage is fine. I’d even call it great!

Harrison Scott Key is a humorist and memoirist. This volume chronicles his wife’s infidelity and the restoration of their marriage. The writing and storytelling are superb but I was uncomfortable with the book. It has a story to tell, but seems more like entertainment. I could not get content with entertainment in the form of personal tragedy.

Soul Culture: Stewarding the Five Ingredients of Our Common Life by Matt Snowden and Joshua Hays

Matt and Josh are personal friends and I was thrilled to support them with this purchase! Turns out it is a great book. It is worth the sticker price solely for the reading list you will gain from it. The book uses the imagery of working a batch of dough to discuss church culture and promotes five ingredients of Christian community – beliefs, attitudes, values, goals, and practices.

Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton

This book is a mixed bag. It provides a healthy portrait of a devoted prayer life but also promotes open theism. There are many reasons to say, “I love that idea” but also many reasons to say, “What does he mean by that?” Overall, I think this is a healthy addition to books on prayer but not one I could whole-heartedly endorse.

The Ache for Meaning: How the Temptations of Christ Reveal Who We Are and What We’re Seeking by Tommy Brown

This is a volume is similar to Henry Nouwen’s “In the Name of Jesus” (a book I love!). Brown looks at the scene of Jesus’ temptations in Matthew 4 and offers a modern temptation, invitation, and practice. For example, for Jesus’ temptation to turn stone into bread, Brown writes about the temptation to strive for security, the invitation to choose to trust, and the practice of rest in the Sabbath.

The Appalachian Trail: A Biography by Philip D’Aneiri

I have a mild fascination with the Appalachian trail. No, I’ve never hiked it. But I did recently bring it up to my wife. She did not completely shut the door on the idea! This is a fun, well-written biography of the Appalachian trail. It moves from the conception of the trail to some of its most popular hikers. This one might make my list of favorites for the year as well. I loved the crisp writing and the cohesiveness across seemingly unrelated chapters.

The Major and the Missionary: The Letters of Warren Hamilton Lewis and Blanche Biggs edited by Diana Pavloc Glyer

I am a fan of letter collections. This one documents correspondence between Major Warren Lewis, the brother of CS Lewis, and Blanche Biggs, a missionary doctor to Papua New Guinea. The letter collection is complete. Dr. Biggs kept a carbon copy of her letters and the original letters received from Lewis. The correspondence began with Dr. Biggs inquiring about CS Lewis Letters edited by Warren Lewis. She wanted to know how the letters survived and also asked for advice concerning her personal hoarded letters. Lewis responded and sparked a 5-year back-and-forth. It’s charming. It might be the third book read in this month which makes my list of favorites for the year.

Suffering Wisely and Well: The Grief of Job and the Grace of God by Eric Ortlund

I guess I love books written by the Ortlund brothers. You’ve seen books appear on this list by Dane and Gavin. Eric now makes his debut on the book log.

I have a soft spot for the book of Job but often disagree with much written about it. While I have minor quibbles with this volume, I give it a hearty “amen.“ Ortlund writes with the skill of a scholar and a heart of a pastor. He does not give easy, trite responses (unlike Job’s friends). Ortlund walks you through the text and provides responses in line with the context of the book and the character of God.

Bonhoeffer Reader complied by Jeff Gravens

As a graduate of Baylor University, I have access to the American Theological Library Association (ATLA). I used ATLA to compile a list of 12 articles on Bonhoeffer and his theology. It is easily over 200 pages of articles. I’ll gladly count it as a book. These articles were beautifully bound by my world-class administrative assistant Denise Hurley.

I Am Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Material for the purpose of producing a major motion picture)

Denise Hurley gifted me this gem (the second time she appears on this log!). It appears to be a book used for the purpose of soliciting funds for a film titled “I Am Dietrich Bonhoeffer.” My feeble attempts to google more information has yet to yield much information. The book is fascinating. It is oversized and filled with a synopsis of Bonhoeffer’s life, script extracts, film locations, story boards, and more.