6 Books I Recommend – September 2024
“There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up the pen to write.”
– William Makepeace Thackeray
Here are 5 nonfiction books and 1 novel I recommend from my recent reads.
[See previously recommended books here]
NONFICTION
1. The Anxious Generation
How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
by Jonathan Haidt
This is a valuable read not only for those raising or teaching children, but for all of us who use smart phones on a regular basis. Exactly how dangerous is the shift from a “play-based childhood” that many of us knew, to a “phone-based childhood” that today’s kids live in? Apparently, very dangerous. Jonathan Haidt is a well-respected author and social psychologist that has gathered extensive research on the problems our children are currently facing. It’s not too late to do something about it (without having to throw away our phones).
2. The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory
American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism
by Tim Alberta
As an evangelical Christian himself, author Tim Alberta writes with candor about the fear-driven and power-seeking factions within modern Christianity. He points out reasons why many in the secular world are losing respect for certain Christian groups. If you want a clearer understanding behind the scenes of American evangelicalism, this book provides a revealing perspective.
3. A Well-Trained Wife
My Escape from Christian Patriarchy
by Tia Levings
In this gripping memoir that I highly recommend, Tia Levings recounts that she learned early in her marriage that being a godly Christian wife meant strict obedience to her husband’s demands. As her situation became increasingly dangerous, she tried harder to keep her husband placated to avoid violence in the home. Until one day she could no longer take the abuse.
[Read my review here of A Well-Trained Wife]
4. Children Under Fire
An American Crisis
by John Woodrow Cox
How is the American culture of gun violence affecting our children? This book, researched and written by the award-winning journalist John Woodrow Cox, tells the stories of 7-year-old Ava who lost her best friend in a school shooting, and 8-year-old Tyshaun, who lost his father to gun violence. Both children are left deeply traumatized. The ripple effects continue outward. This is a sobering but important book.
5. Writing for Busy Readers
Communicate More Effectively in the Real World
by Todd Rogers
Everybody writes—whether it’s emails, texts, contracts, blogs, etc. This practical book offers straightforward advice on how to improve your writing, making it easier and quicker for others to understand what you’re saying.
FICTION
6. The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers
by Samuel Burr
Clayton was abandoned at birth on the the doorstep of a community organizer, Pippa Allsbrook. When he turns 26, Clayton sets out to discover his roots through a series of clues Pippa had prepared for him. Clayton’s journey is set against a backdrop of characters who share a passion for puzzles of all kinds: crosswords, jigsaws, mechanical puzzles, etc. This is a fun novel to unravel, especially for us readers who also love puzzles.
WHAT I’M READING NOW
- The Covenant of Water
by Abraham Verghese - Good People
Stories From the Best of Humanity
by Gabriel Reilich, Lucia Knell - Stand Your Ground
A Black Feminist Reckoning with America’s Gun Problem
by Roxane Gay - The Violent Take It by Force
The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy
by Matthew D. Taylor - Why We Remember
Unlocking Memory’s Power to Hold on to What Matters
by Charan Ranganath
What good book have you read lately? Please share in the comments.
Thanks for these wonderful reviews, Lisa. Have a blessed week!
The Kingdom, The Power and The Glory, and Good Prople both have my attention.
I love Abraham Verghese’s writing. “Cutting for Stone” was my introduction to him some years ago. His own story is fascinating. I am currently reading “The Covenant of Water”, too. It a a long book but his writing is so good it carries one along.
Glad to hear you are also reading The Covenant of Water right now, Lynn! I am flipping back and forth between the real book and the audioversion. I find that I miss lots of details when I only listen though, so seeing the words is the better choice for me.
Lisa, I also have the audible book and read along as I listen, all enhanced as Verghese’s voice adds a great dimension to hear him reading his own work!
Yes, it is neat to hear how he interprets the text because he should know best! 🙂 I also like hearing how to pronounce names and foreign words I’m unfamiliar with.
I would like to read at some point the books that you have listed that have to do with our children being under attack. They sure are and I’m interested to see what these books have to say.
My most recent read was Atomic Habits and I’m thankful for your recommendation because it definitely is helping me along. 🙂 Thanks, Friend.
I’m so glad you benefited from Atomic Habits too, Dianna! I find James Clear to be, well, quite clear in his writings. 🙂 I follow him on Instagram as well; he has quite a way of getting across his message using only a few words.
Loved Alberta’s book and any Evangelical’s book whose author does not espouse the current political, combative state of Evangelicalism. Alberta’s book led me to discover a pastor/author named Brian Zahnd in St. Joseph MO. I’m in ST. Louis so that piqued my interest. His books are wonderful and he finally refused to stop being used as a political pawn as a pastor. Fabulous author too. Bummed that twice now that for some reason my library, which had ordered The Anxious Generation cancelled my hold, so yet again, i’ve been relegated to the bottom of a very long list. However, I have plenty of reading still to keep me occupied! 🙂
Love you, Lisa, and thanks, as ever!
Lynn
I believe you may have been who recommended Alberta’s book to me, Lynn. (If in doubt of who, I default to it being you. ha) It’s been awhile since I’ve read Brian Zahnd but I remember feeling like you–so delighted to discover him when I did.
You always have such great book recommendations, Lisa! Are you a part of a book club? Browse and find books of interest? Have people recommend books to you? All the above?
All of the above, Lisa. 🙂 I am a part of two book clubs: one in which we take turns recommending a book, and the other in which I am the one who chooses the books. I tend to look up books that other people mention or that I hear about on a podcast or read about in another book, etc. They all add up to a longer to-read list than I will ever have time in my lifespan to get to. 🙂
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Covenant of Water. What a gorgeous book!
And I agree with Lisa in her comment above—your reading choices are so challenging!
I love seeing what you are reading. Your lists always inspire me to read more!
As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can attest to the epidemic of mental health issues in children! The Anxious Generation has been added to my TBR. You’ve got some really interesting books here. I always try to throw in some non-fiction reads and in November, it’s all non-fiction for me! #nonfictionnovember
Oh, wow, I imagine you do see the direct effect of this in children, Wendy. You’ll likely really resonate with The Anxious Generation. And I’m glad you reminded me that #nonfictionnovember is coming up! It’s one of my favorite things about the fall. 🙂 I always add way too many books to my to-read list during November after reading others’ book recommendations.
I tried so hard to make sure my kids had a more traditional play based childhood and don’t regret if for a second! All of your non-fiction suggestions sound so powerful.
I love seeing parents who prioritize play over phones. Good for you, Joanne. We did that as well, but it was easier to do in the 90s and early 2000s when phones weren’t as prominent in society as they are today. My heart goes out to parents facing those struggles today as they raise their kids.
It’s a bit easier in the homeschooling community too since so many families can’t afford phones/handheld electronics for each of their kids (and the ones that can often just don’t want their kids to have them). There is a real “old school” feel to the parenting styles and lots of emphasis on outdoor play, imagination, etc. so my boys had zero clue they were missing out on anything since their friends were all in the same boat!
This is a great list of books! My daughter is currently reading that first book. Thanks for linking up with us!
I hope your daughter is benefiting from The Anxious Generation as much as I did. It prompted me to ask my 8th grade neighbor about phone use in our local public school since my own kids are grown. He said they’re supposed to keep their phones in their backpacks all day. Some kids do; some don’t.
I do love comparing notes with you, Lisa. The Anxious Generation is waiting on my library request list, and I do believe that Tim Alberta’s book might be in my top tier of books read this year.
I had to wait quite awhile myself to get The Anxious Generation from my library. I love Jonathan Haight’s writings; they’re always worth waiting for! I think you’ll appreciate Tim Alberta’s insights too, as disturbing as some of them are.
I don’t usually read nonfiction, but you always find such good ones! The Anxious Generation is on my TBR list + I’ll be adding A Well-Trained Wife + Writing for Busy Readers as well! Looking forward to seeing your thoughts on The Covenant of Water — I’ve heard good things but haven’t had a chance to pick it up yet!
Thank you for linking up! :]
Those three non-fiction books are definitely worth reading if you use a phone, know any women at all, and write anything at all–which includes all of us! ha. I finally got brave and started The Covenant of Water last week (it’s so long!). It was a little slow at first, but I’m enjoying it more now.
“The Fellowship of Puzzle Makers” is a an interesting title and catches my attention. I might have to check that one out. Thanks for sharing, Lisa.
I am glad that American writers are questioning the links between evangelical Christianity and gun violence. We have a big increase in anxiety in teenagers here in England even without guns. I think a lot of people partly blame it on Covid and closing schools.
I’m sorry to hear that England is also seeing an increase in teens’ anxiety, Anne. Guns definitely are a huge factor in America’s story, but obviously they’re not the only factor if other countries are also noting increased anxiety. Covid likely played a part all over the world. But according to the author of this book, we can also lay a lion’s share of the blame on our phone use. So many pros and cons with our phones!
The Fellowship of Puzzle Makers sounds interesting. Thank you for sharing your book recommendations with us at #weekendcoffeeshare.
These books sound amazing, Lisa. Before I started blogging in 2007, I read only non-fiction. Now, it is more fiction. We held off giving our children phones for such a long time because of the potential issues. Going back in time, I really wish we had homeschooled them as well. Subscribed today. Looking forward to reading more of your posts.
Interesting assortment of books. You always have intriguing nonfiction titles. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I really like the sound of A Well Trained Wife, if I come across it I will read it.