Here’s a rundown of the 9 books I read in May. This brings my 2024 total to 36 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.)
North: Finding My Way While Running the Appalachian Trail by Scott and Jenny Jurek
This book combines two of my interests: running and the Appalachian Trail. I run 20 miles each week. I have done so more weeks than not since I was in the eighth grade. I know running in an intimate way. I know the Appalachian Trail solely through books and the stories of others. Jurek is perhaps the greatest long distance runner of all time. This is his tale of running north through the Appalachian Trail and setting the fastest known time. My love for the AT has only increased.
Why Everything That Doesn’t Matter, Matters So Much: The Way of Love in a World of Hurt by Charlie Peacock and Andi Ashworth
A beauty of a book. This is one of those books which sings the notes I love to hear. It’s about faith, but it’s also about music, but it’s also about the creative process. I’ve been a long time Charlie Peacock fan. His podcast, “Music and Meaning,” is one of the best around. I was surprised to find that I loved Andi’s chapters (Charlie’s wife), even more.
Leonard Cohen: The Mystical Roots of Genius by Harry Freedman
I’m on a hot streak this year of reading musical biographies/autobiographies. Here’s an interesting one. I find Cohen to fit the description in the subtitle – genius. When my wife and kids hear me playing a Cohen album, they ask “What is this?” They don’t see the genius. What Cohen lacks in first hearing appeal, he makes up for in lyrical depth. This book dives in to the spiritual undertones of Cohen’s lyrics.
The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel
Due to conversations with a neighbor, I’ve developed an increased interest in the Sabbath. Heschel is a renowned Jewish scholar. I have returned to his two volumes on the prophets many, many times. I found this volume less helpful. This book definitely has a voice that needs to be heard. It is poetic, reflective, and whimsical. But it is not concrete. One looking for a foundational understanding of the Jewish view of the Sabbath (pulled from Scripture) must look elsewhere.
A Brief History of Sunday: From the New Testament to the New Creation by Justo Gonzalez
I was thrilled to see this volume while scrolling through Amazon. I read Gonzales’ volumes on church history while in seminary. I’ve picked up a few other works since those days. I know him to be a sound scholar. This relatively thin volume is definitely a work of scholarship. Gonzalez gives the facts and just the facts ma’am. He provides the history of Sunday. And nothing more. In the moments that you want opinion or further detail, he concludes the chapter. Yet, many questions about Christianity’s day of worship are answered.
Here is New York by EB White
I love books about a place. This is one of my favorites. I’ve been to New York three times. And it has always sparked a reading of this classic. A family vacation in NYC necessitated me packing this book. I hope to one day write such a volume about the places I’ve called home.
Why Johnny Can’t Preach: The Media Have Shaped the Messengers by T. David Gordon
Just prior to a family vacation to NYC, my wife and kids provided me with an early Father’s Day gift: a Kindle Paperwhite. It was extremely thoughtful. They know my anxiety regarding book selection for trips. I take books with me everywhere. Always too many books than I can read in the given time frame. This dilemma is multiplied on a vacation. They attempted to ease, my pain by allowing me to load up books in digital form.
In using the Kindle Paperwhite, I was able to access some digital books that I had on Kindle from the early days of the iPad. Included in those boos, were the next two books on preaching.
Gordon’s volume is fun. It’s a critique of modern media and how it has hindered our attention, span, grammar, vocabulary, and of course, ability to preach. It is short and punchy.
Saving Eutychus: How to Preach God’s Word and Keep People Awake by Gary Miller and Phil Campbell
Another fun volume preaching. It would likely be helpful to all those interested in the craft of preaching – and keeping people awake.
House of Light by Mary Oliver
I do love poetry. But I don’t love all poetry. I’ve heard many authors whom I respect reference a love for Mary Oliver. I used a vacation in NYC as an opportunity to dive into my first Oliver work. Let’s say the verdict is still out. I read this volume on a Kindle Paperwhite, which made it far too easy to breeze through page after page. Poetry needs to be slowly digested. I need to give this another try with an old-fashioned paper copy in my hand.
Jeff Gravens 