Here are the 5 books I read in October. I know … a low count. This brings my 2023 total to 87 books. 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.)

Hiking Through: One Man’s Journey to Peace and Freedom on the Appalachian Trail by Paul Stutzman

Last month I read “The Appalachian Trail: A Biography” by Philip D’Aneiri. This was a fantastic follow up. Hiking Through was recommended to me by two friends who have hiked a large chunk of the trail. They spend a large portion of each summer hiking a segment of the route. I ordered the book before they finished the recommendation.

Stutzman hiked the trail after his wife died of breast cancer. He retired from a career in the restaurant business and headed to Georgia. Stutzamn relieves much of the 2,176 with great detail and insight. You are able to picture the landscape and sense the peace attained on the hike.

Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age by Rosaria Butterfield

I purchased this one after listening to Butterfield discuss the premise on a podcast. My immediate thought after the podcast – “she’s right” and “she’s feisty.” The book pulls no punches and it resides in a different hemisphere from political correctness. Butterfield does not care about what you’ve been told and she’s not sensitive to your feelings.

The five lies presented by Butterfield:

1. Homosexuality is normal.

2. Being a spiritual person is kinder than being a biblical Christian.

3. Feminism is good for the world and the church.

4. Transgenderism is normal.

5. Modesty is an outdated burden that serves male dominance and holds women back.

Butterfield attacks these lies with insights from her own story. She spent a decade of her life as a lesbian feminist professor until she was confronted with the gospel. Yet, it is less of a memoir and more of a precise argument against the lies.

The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl

I have a fascination with biographies of musicians. This volume was heralded by critics upon release, but I did find not many reasons to love it. But I kind of love it any way. The reason? Sentimentality. Dave Grohl entered into my child as the drummer of Nirvana. He traveled with me through high school and college as the front man of the Foo Fighters. I liked the book because I wanted to like it. Sometimes that’s enough.

I really wanted Grohl to devote much time revealing insights into his relationship with Nirvana lead singer, Curt Cobain, who tragically committed suicide on April 5, 1994. Grohl does not spent much time in that space, but he spends enough time there.

Massive criticism of the book and the reason this book does not receive a pastoral endorsement: Grohl never tires of using the F-word.

The Mosaic of Christian Belief: Twenty Centuries of Unity and Diversity by Roger Olson

I had two classes with Dr. Olson during my seminary education. He also served as my “professor of record” during my mentoring semester. I sat under his teaching once again during my doctoral work. He made many impressions upon me as a theologian but perhaps his greatest impact is his writing ministry.

While I’ve read this book a handful of times, this is my first time reading the second edition. I’m using it as I meet weekly with a pastoral intern. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for an introduction to theology.

Elisabeth Elliot: A Life by Lucy Asten

I’ve previously read “Becoming Elisabeth Elliot” by Ellen Vaughn. I learned two things in trying to find “Becoming Elisabeth Elliot” on my book log: 1) It appears that I never logged the book. My 2020 year total is short at least one book! and 2) The second volume “Being Elisabeth Elliot” was released in September. Stay tuned if I manage to look it once read!

Vaughn’s biography is fantastic but is typical of an authorized biography. Elliot, who I love, is painted as a saint. This Austen volume makes no such attempt. She seems to go out of her way to find reasons to critique Elliot. Yet, I always find the criticism to be rather petty. The book only elevates Elliot’s status for me.