Here’s the 6 books I read in April. My reading has slowed as I’ve spent my Fridays the last two months working on an upcoming teaching commentary on the Gospel of John for GC2 Press. That work is almost complete. This brings my 2026 total to 30 books. I’ve provided Amazon affiliate links for each book. 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.)

In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership by Henri Nouwen

I’ve read this one a dozen times. I read it again as I’m considering it for The Belfry, my staff book club. The book is a lecture on Christian leadership in the 21st century.  The lecture came after Nouwen’s academic career at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard. When he delivered this leadership manifesto, he was in his second year serving as a priest at Daybreak in Toronto, a L’Arche community for mentally handicapped people. He brought Bill with him. He presents three common temptations to those in leadership: the temptation to be relevant, the temptation to be spectacular, and the temptation to be powerful.  He combats each temptation with a spiritual discipline: the discipline of contemplative prayer, the discipline of confession and forgiveness, and the discipline of theological reflection. It’s a go-to book.

The Final Days of Jesus: The Most Important Week of the Most Important Person Who Ever Lived by Andreas Kostenberger and Justin Taylor

This is a fantastic resource. I used it in my personal preparation for Easter. It recounts Jesus’ journey to the cross by pairing the Scriptural text with insightful commentary. It chronologically tells the story by continuously presenting all of the biblical text on Jesus’ final week in the order the events occurred in history. You can read it from start to finish or pick it up for particular passages. It does a masterful job of helping frame the story.

Wounded Prophet: A Portrait of Henri J.M. Nouwen by Michael Ford

Henri Nouwen, a Dutch Roman Catholic priest, was one of the most beloved spiritual writers of the twentieth century. He is often mention alongside C.S. Lewis and Thomas Merton.Since his death in 1996, Nouwen’s stature has only increased. His books continue to sell. The Wounded Healer is required reading in seminaries. The Return of the Prodigal Son is a classic. Ford gives an honest and well-balanced account of Nouwen. He covers his childhood, his family,, and his life as a priest and member of the L’Arche Daybreak community in Toronto. He also explores Nouwen’s sexuality. Nouwen experienced deep, lifelong struggles with his sexuality and longing for intimacy, yet remained committed to his vows of celibacy. 

Watership Down: The Graphic Novel written by Richard Adams adapted and illustrated by James Sturm and Joe Sutphin

Watership Down is a classic tale of survival, courage, and friendship. But don’t be fooled. It really is a story about rabbits. Yes, rabbits. It’s been a best seller for 50 years. The novel has been adapted by award-winning author James Sturm and illustrated by bestselling artist Joe Sutphin. It’s gorgeous and a blast to read. If you love Watership Down – this will be a fun one. If you’ve never read Watership Down – I recommend you start with the graphic novel. It will whet the appetite.

Accidental Magic: The Wizard’s Techniques for Writing Words Worth 1,000 Pictures by Roy Williams

When I was an undergraduate marketing major at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, I sat in a half dozen classes taught by the eccentric “Dr. E.” He walked into each class carrying a moving box filled with his materials and wearing a clip on tie and thick framed glasses. He began each class reading a Proverb and a chapter from The Wizard of Ads, an allegedly anonymous work written by a marketing wizard but actually written by the Roy H. Williams. I loved Dr E and the Wizard of Ads.

Reflecting on my college days recently sent me on the search for more work from Williams. Accidental Magic is a photo essay book of striking black-and-white snapshots taken by amateur photographers and interpreted into words by graduates of Wizard Academy. It also contains some of the most potent writing and communication techniques taught by Roy H. Williams at the Wizard Academy.

Collection of ATLA Articles on John 3 and “Born Again”

As a graduate of George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University, I have access to ATLA Religion Database. I mention that as a sincere “thank you” to those who make it possible. Please don’t ever take it away! It provides me access to countless theological journals. I put it to good use on a regular basis. In preparation for a three week series on John 3 and the concept of “Born Again,” I downloaded a large collection of articles and asked my administrative assistant bind them together. I spent two weeks reading through a dozen articles totaling well over 200 pages. I’ll count it as a book.