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bookishpriest's reviews
216 reviews
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A teenage camper has gone missing from her cabin in the Adirondacks. She's the daughter of the family who own the camp and this isn't the first time someone's gone missing. Fourteen years earlier, her own brother disappeared and was never found.
Liz Moore's newest novel is a tense thriller told from multiple points of view and at different points in history. There are far more secrets to unravel than we are first led to believe and I kept reading "one more chapter" to find out what the next one would be. The fictional world created in The God of the Woods is uncomfortably realistic, the complex characters by equal measures lovable and despicable, and the mysteries around Camp Emerson and the Van Laar Preserve thoroughly engrossing.
The God of the Woods is definitely worth your time to read. Especially if you've got time at a summer getaway in the woods.
Liz Moore's newest novel is a tense thriller told from multiple points of view and at different points in history. There are far more secrets to unravel than we are first led to believe and I kept reading "one more chapter" to find out what the next one would be. The fictional world created in The God of the Woods is uncomfortably realistic, the complex characters by equal measures lovable and despicable, and the mysteries around Camp Emerson and the Van Laar Preserve thoroughly engrossing.
The God of the Woods is definitely worth your time to read. Especially if you've got time at a summer getaway in the woods.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Classism
Minor: Confinement, Murder, and Pregnancy
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This short collection of stories reflects on the experiences of black, American women trying to reconcile the realities of their lives with the expectations of being "good church ladies". The human experience includes dysfunctional families, fractured relationships, extremes of charity, patience, and love as well as lust, addiction, lies, secrets, and generational trauma. The Secret Lives of Church Ladies doesn't pretend to offer answers on how to reconcile the tensions between reality and expectation, but it does give an honest, poignant reflection on what it is like to live in that space.
Starter Villain by John Scalzi
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was just so much fun. I really enjoy Scalzi's writing style. It's clever without being pretentious, funny, and moves along smoothly. I laughed out loud more than once.
The story follows Charlie who is torn out of his mundane, uncomfortable life and thrust into a world of James Bond style machinations. The danger and absurdity of that world comes at him just about as fast as he can manage.
There are great references to pop culture from various eras and a few taps on the fourth wall that land just right. There's also few critical shots fired about modern finance and economic systems and the very real absurdity they embody.
Definitely worth a read if you're looking for something entertaining, smart, and fast-moving!
The story follows Charlie who is torn out of his mundane, uncomfortable life and thrust into a world of James Bond style machinations. The danger and absurdity of that world comes at him just about as fast as he can manage.
There are great references to pop culture from various eras and a few taps on the fourth wall that land just right. There's also few critical shots fired about modern finance and economic systems and the very real absurdity they embody.
Definitely worth a read if you're looking for something entertaining, smart, and fast-moving!
Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh
Definitely worth a read!
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This novella was an absolute delight. I've had a copy almost since it was published five years ago, but hadn't made the time to read it.
The Green Man is one of my favourite folklore tropes, so I was immediately intrigued. The worldbuilding is fantastic, especially in just 112 pages. The balance of magic to real-world type history is spot on. The characters are complex and lovable. There's some love and some heartbreak and some creepy tension along the way. Besides, who doesn't love a cottage in the woods with a cozy cat?
Definitely worth a read!
Don't Burn Out, Burn Bright: How to Thrive in Ministry for the Long Haul by Jason Young, Jonathan Malm
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
Jonathan Malm and Jason Young are authors, entrepreneurs, motivational speakers, and coaches. They have combined their experience and skills to create Don't Burn Out, Burn Bright: How to Thrive in Ministry for the Long Haul, published in July 2023. This book, as the title suggests, is intended as a guide to effective, sustainable leadership in Christian ministerial settings. I realized early on in reading Don't Burn Out, Burn Bright that I am not the intended audience. Malm and Young work primarily with American Evangelical churches and their vocabulary and assumptions about church practices and structures reflect that.
Throughout the book the authors discuss several of the typical points of tension in Christian ministry. These all revolve, in one way or another, around relationships and expectations. Malm and Young lay out some good, basic ideas for how leaders in Christian settings can set and maintain appropriate boundaries, approach conflict, and develop rhythms for long-term, sustainable ministry. Each major point is accompanied by an illustrative anecdote from a Christian minister in context.
Regardless of one's tradition, there was a recurring theme throughout the book of how "we" (the authors) are able to help "you" (the reader) out of the trouble that you may be veering toward. On a couple of occasions I felt as though the book were an extended pitch for coaching services rather than a whole resource in and of itself.
The content of Don't Burn Out, Burn Bright is generally fine and, on the whole, good advice. It is good advice of the 101 variety and is definitely geared toward a particular Christian tradition. If this sounds like you or someone you know, this could be a fine addition to your library.
More details over at bookishpriest.com!
I received an ARC of this book from Baker Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Throughout the book the authors discuss several of the typical points of tension in Christian ministry. These all revolve, in one way or another, around relationships and expectations. Malm and Young lay out some good, basic ideas for how leaders in Christian settings can set and maintain appropriate boundaries, approach conflict, and develop rhythms for long-term, sustainable ministry. Each major point is accompanied by an illustrative anecdote from a Christian minister in context.
Regardless of one's tradition, there was a recurring theme throughout the book of how "we" (the authors) are able to help "you" (the reader) out of the trouble that you may be veering toward. On a couple of occasions I felt as though the book were an extended pitch for coaching services rather than a whole resource in and of itself.
The content of Don't Burn Out, Burn Bright is generally fine and, on the whole, good advice. It is good advice of the 101 variety and is definitely geared toward a particular Christian tradition. If this sounds like you or someone you know, this could be a fine addition to your library.
More details over at bookishpriest.com!
I received an ARC of this book from Baker Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Epiphany: The Season of Glory by Fleming Rutledge
Epiphany opens with some broad observations about both the feast itself on 6 January and the traditions associated with the season between that feast and Ash Wednesday. Following this general commentary, each chapter delves into one of the Sundays or major events, such as the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple (Candlemas), and offers reflections on the traditions, prayers, and scripture readings associated with them.
As the title of the book suggests, Rutledge insists that the primary focus of Epiphany ought to be the glory of God. She holds to this throughout and offers many insightful comments on other potential foci, always offering a rationale for why the glory of God is a preferential option. This was, for me, a refreshing look at some theology more popular in the past than today, and an antidote to some of the basic moralizing that is common in preaching. For example, Rutledge encourages preachers on the Last Sunday after Epiphany to focus on the glory of God revealed in Christ flanked by Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration. She acknowledges the temptation for preachers to move right to Peter wanting to build shrines for the figures and turn it into some kind of object lesson about waiting for God, but discourages this as missing the intended primary focus of the day and season.
Rutledge returns several times to the idea that God's glory is something that might be experienced, in limited ways, by humans, but that our knowledge and experience of it is not due to our own seeking. God's glory always comes from God and is to be experienced with awe and wonder as a glimpse of God's very being. This consistent reminder that God responds to our requests out of love and a desire to be with us, not because God is beholden to us, is an important and worthwhile point to make.
I was surprised that Rutledge, an Episcopal (Anglican) priest, chose to ignore the Revised Common Lectionary readings for the season in favour of an older, now disused set of readings. She acknowledges that she prefers the King James Version of scripture and quotes it regularly in the book, occasionally referencing other translations. Rutledge claims that these choices are simply matters of her personal preference and there is no reason to doubt this. I suspect they are also choices that resonate with many of InterVarsity Press's target audience. Nothing wrong with this, though worth noting for Anglicans who gravitate to Rutledge's work that they may have to do some extra homework to make full use of the references she makes here.
Epiphany is well-written and a pleasant, engaging read as expected from Rutledge. She is very fond of mixing Latin names and titles for various concepts in the book which, in my opinion, were neither helpful nor illuminating. The content is a good mix of information about the feast and season of Epiphany and aids to people planning worship or preparing to preach. The utility of the information here will vary depending on the reader's context, of course.
Overall, Epiphany is a very fine book with some refreshing observations about this important season, has much fine exegesis and theology, and is a worthy contribution to the continuing conversation about the glory of God.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Published by InterVarsity Press in late 2023, Epiphany: The Season of Glory, by Fleming Rutledge, is the latest entry in the Fullness of Time series. This series, book by book, examines the liturgical year and guides readers through the scripture, prayers, and traditions associated with each of these sacred times. The publisher's blurb about this volume says:
We have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father." This line from the prologue of the Gospel of John declares the theme of Epiphany. Christmas celebrates Christ's birth; Epiphany manifests his glory. The feast of Epiphany and its following season are not as well observed as they should be. Many of us associate Epiphany with the visit of the Magi but don't know much more about it. In this short volume, priest and theologian Fleming Rutledge expounds the primary biblical texts and narrative arc of the season, inviting us to discover anew "the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Epiphany opens with some broad observations about both the feast itself on 6 January and the traditions associated with the season between that feast and Ash Wednesday. Following this general commentary, each chapter delves into one of the Sundays or major events, such as the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple (Candlemas), and offers reflections on the traditions, prayers, and scripture readings associated with them.
As the title of the book suggests, Rutledge insists that the primary focus of Epiphany ought to be the glory of God. She holds to this throughout and offers many insightful comments on other potential foci, always offering a rationale for why the glory of God is a preferential option. This was, for me, a refreshing look at some theology more popular in the past than today, and an antidote to some of the basic moralizing that is common in preaching. For example, Rutledge encourages preachers on the Last Sunday after Epiphany to focus on the glory of God revealed in Christ flanked by Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration. She acknowledges the temptation for preachers to move right to Peter wanting to build shrines for the figures and turn it into some kind of object lesson about waiting for God, but discourages this as missing the intended primary focus of the day and season.
Rutledge returns several times to the idea that God's glory is something that might be experienced, in limited ways, by humans, but that our knowledge and experience of it is not due to our own seeking. God's glory always comes from God and is to be experienced with awe and wonder as a glimpse of God's very being. This consistent reminder that God responds to our requests out of love and a desire to be with us, not because God is beholden to us, is an important and worthwhile point to make.
I was surprised that Rutledge, an Episcopal (Anglican) priest, chose to ignore the Revised Common Lectionary readings for the season in favour of an older, now disused set of readings. She acknowledges that she prefers the King James Version of scripture and quotes it regularly in the book, occasionally referencing other translations. Rutledge claims that these choices are simply matters of her personal preference and there is no reason to doubt this. I suspect they are also choices that resonate with many of InterVarsity Press's target audience. Nothing wrong with this, though worth noting for Anglicans who gravitate to Rutledge's work that they may have to do some extra homework to make full use of the references she makes here.
Epiphany is well-written and a pleasant, engaging read as expected from Rutledge. She is very fond of mixing Latin names and titles for various concepts in the book which, in my opinion, were neither helpful nor illuminating. The content is a good mix of information about the feast and season of Epiphany and aids to people planning worship or preparing to preach. The utility of the information here will vary depending on the reader's context, of course.
Overall, Epiphany is a very fine book with some refreshing observations about this important season, has much fine exegesis and theology, and is a worthy contribution to the continuing conversation about the glory of God.
The Great Emergence: How Christianity Is Changing and Why by Phyllis Tickle
The Great Emergence is worth a look but is very much a product of its time and the front-burner ideas about Church in the early 2000s and needs to be read with those grains of salt ready to hand.
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
This book attracted a huge amount of attention when it was published in 2008. Its comments about the Church’s cycle of “great rummage sales” is still one of the most frequently quoted ideas I hear in conversations about church change. This idea appears in the very first pages of the book and seems to be an earworm of an idea for many readers. (The rummage sale idea actually came from the Rt Revd Mark Dyer, which Tickle is very clear about, but this book gets the credit more often than not.) So, for a book that dominated conversation 15 years ago, how do the ideas hold up?
Tickle does a great job of tracing, with very broad strokes, the development of the Church over the past 2,000 years. She points out the times of greatest turmoil and change, which do seem to come in roughly 500 year cycles. She offers several thoroughly modern models for thinking about this process of change and, in the last third of the book, applies these models to make some guesses at where our current period of Church change might take us.
One of the troubles when painting with broad strokes is that details sometimes get lost. There are several historical references in the book that either need more time or, in 2024, seem like glaring omissions. For example, Tickle refers to the influence of the printing press and the Reformations of the Early Modern era as the cause of the spread of Christianity around the world with unprecedented enthusiasm. No mention is offered of imperialism, colonial projects, and the role that the Church’s addiction to the power of empire played. Also curious is Tickle’s repeated observation that the Church is reshaping itself to contend with a postmodern world, but then using entirely modern forms of analysis and description to try and predict what will happen next. One must use the tools available and I have the benefit of 15 years of hindsight since the book’s publication, but this felt like an awkward approach as I was reading.
Much of the conversation about Emergent and Emerging church movements has fallen by the wayside in 2024. There are other books and articles which cover why and how that has happened. The writing in The Great Emergence is accessible and introduces historical patterns in the Church and several important theological concepts. It’s a short book (about 165 pages) with plenty of questions for thought/discussion at the end and some suggested further reading. I think it could make a good introduction to the historic patterns of change in the Church and some of the broad differences between various groups of Christians. I would definitely recommend further reading on all of the topics introduced here to fill in some of the missing details. Though, I suppose I always recommend further reading on every subject, so that’s nothing new.
The Great Emergence is worth a look but is very much a product of its time and the front-burner ideas about Church in the early 2000s and needs to be read with those grains of salt ready to hand.
A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Violence
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
adventurous
medium-paced
3.5
Similar themes and overall cozy, good-humoured feel to the well-known Legends & Lattes by the same author.
This book is cute and enjoyable but doesn't have the same degree of enchanting energy as the previous. Bookshops & Bonedust felt a bit slow in the middle and some of the relationships were obvious from the outset and a little forced, even knowing there'd be romance going in.
Worth a read, but if you've only got room for one of the duology, the first book is a better place to spend your reading hours!
This book is cute and enjoyable but doesn't have the same degree of enchanting energy as the previous. Bookshops & Bonedust felt a bit slow in the middle and some of the relationships were obvious from the outset and a little forced, even knowing there'd be romance going in.
Worth a read, but if you've only got room for one of the duology, the first book is a better place to spend your reading hours!