5 Books I Recommend—September 2021
“Here’s to books, the cheapest vacation you can buy.”
– Charlaine Harris
Below are 5 books I recommend from what I finished reading in September.
[See previously recommended books here]
Fiction
1. American Dirt
by Jeanine Cummins
This is a very moving story of a young Mexican mother and her 8-year-old son. Their family falls victim to horrific gang violence, leaving only the two of them to survive. They need to escape immediately from Mexico to the United States. I alternated listening to the audiobook and reading the hardback book (thank you, library) and highly recommend both.
Personally, I’ve had friends who’ve undergone a similar journey to the United States, so this book was harrowing to read in light of that. But it is powerful and written well.
Nonfiction
2. How God Works
The Science Behind the Benefits of Religion
by David DeSteno
From a scientific and sociological perspective, how do religious rituals “work”? This research is fascinating to read. Regardless of your faith beliefs, this book is respectfully written from a scientific viewpoint.
[more thoughts here on How God Works]
3. If God Is Love, Don’t Be a Jerk
Finding a Faith That Makes Us Better Humans
by John Pavlovitz
Somehow we keep moving the the bar lower and lower. Can we Christians at least stop being such jerks? Pavlovitz is brutally honest in how Christians come across to others in the world. Jesus said our one job is to love. Are we blowing even that?
[my book review here of If God Is Love, Don’t Be a Jerk]
4. The Doubters’ Club
Good-Faith Conversations with Skeptics, Atheists, and the Spiritually Wounded
by Preston Ulmer
I want a Doubters’ Club in my city. Preston Ulmer explains in this book how he sets up non-confrontational gatherings between atheists, believers, doubters, etc., for friendly conversations. No one is trying to convert another; they’re just engaging each other in friendship and understanding. Ulmer writes from a Christian perspective but he does so in a non-judgmental way toward those who don’t believe the same.
[More here from The Doubters’ Club]
5. No Cure for Being Human
And Other Truths I Need to Hear
by Kate Bowler
Kate Bowler is diagnosed with cancer at age 35. She shares her journey with us through her cancer treatment while still living life as a wife, a mother, a daughter, an employee, etc. Expect lots of profound statements from her here. It’s an excellent book.
[my book review here of No Cure for Being Human]
Reading Now
- Preventable
The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response
by Andy Slavitt - Where the Light Fell
A Memoir
by Philip Yancey - Soundtracks
The Surprising Solution to Overthinking
by Jon Acuff - Leaving the Witness
Exiting a Religion and Finding a Life
by Amber Scorah - One True Loves
by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Shoutin’ in the Fire
An American Epistle
by Danté Stewart
What good book are YOU reading this month? Please share in the comments.
My books on Goodreads
More books I recommend
- Share Four Somethings—September 2021
- On the Blog—September 2021
I always appreciate your book suggestions, Lisa. Thanks and blessings!
I listened to Kate Bowler on Emily Freeman’s podcast this morning and am SO intrigued!
Philip Yancey ‘s memoir was stunning.
I am mainly reading fiction these days, but How God Works sounds intriguing to me! I like books that dive deep into a science and sociological approach.
Thanks for giving us a wide range of books, Lisa! I will always remember my workplace in downtown Minneapolis in the late 70s. I think God planted me there in our own “Doubter’s Club.” Those friendships and conversations shaped me for the rest of my life, and began the process of shaking up my “religious” mindset. I pray you have a beautiful October!
No Cure for Bing Human sounds like something I should read. Thanks for the suggestion!
My number one book I recommend to friends is At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon. It is the first of a series, and I hope those who read it will read all the others too!
Have a blessed day!
All sound very interesting, though not what I could likely handle reading right now. I think we all need to be part of a Doubter’s Club – unofficially, at least!
Lisa, I always appreciate your book lists!
Another great month of reading! The Doubter’s Club sounds really neat.
All sound like great reads! I especially appreciate your thoughts on American Dirt. Still trying to decide if it is a good fit for me.
Have a good October!
American Dirt is on my list!
I have Kate Bowlers book on order through the library. Listened to her on Emily Freeman’s podcast – such wisdom. The Doubters Club sounds intriguing.
Lisa, hi!
I am so looking forward to sitting down with both Kate Bowler and Philip Yancey!
I love the title, “If God is love, don’t be a jerk.” Truth!
Thank you for the book suggestions, I have picked up American Dirt several times at the bookstore but always put it back down, maybe I should give it a try.
Here is the link to my reads for last week:
https://twogirlsandtheirbookishlife.blogspot.com/2021/10/its-monday-what-are-you-reading.html
I don’t know if I can get to all of your suggestions, but I definitely want to try Kate Bowler’s and Phillip Yancey’s. Thanks for sharing!
Interesting selection of books, thanks for sharing!
Lisa, thanks for sharing, all of these sound intriguing. What particularly jumped out at me is this, “Somehow we keep moving the the bar lower and lower. Can we Christians at least stop being such jerks? “