dogs can't read
but their owners can!
This is a humans-only post. Yes, I’m diverging from the whole premise of this newsletter. I promise I’m gearing up for something good and I’m saving the puppy pictures for that.
Those who subscribe to this newsletter know me in one way or another. Maybe you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, maybe you know me in real life. You know that I struggle.
One of the main ways I’ve coped with my struggles has been reading A LOT. Don’t get me wrong, I also watch a lot of tv. But reading does something special for me: it’s a different kind of escape, it shapes my writing, and it makes me feel smart while I’m simultaneously going crazy.
So, here is what I’ve been reading recently. And don’t forget to become a paid subscriber in order to join next week’s book club, which will be on Friday February 4th at 8pm EST on Zoom. Reading the book is recommended, but not required :)
The Eucharist by Dr. Larry Feingold has me falling in love with Jesus again. Dr. Feingold was one of my professors when I was in the convent and although his book is long, it is so incredibly worthwhile even for the footnotes alone.
We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange was an enjoyable read about an Irish-American family. What I will remember most about it is that one of the main characters’ names was Kale.
Girl One by Sara Flannery Murphy is a fictional book that explores the ethics of certain reproductive technologies. That makes it sound technical and boring, but really it’s about a girl whose mother goes missing after they both escape a cult.
Big Black: Stand at Attica by Frank “Big Black” Smith is a graphic novel about the events at Attica. This is decidedly NOT for children, but if you don’t know about the 1971 Attica Prison riot, you need to read this book. And then watch Orange is the New Black season 5.
What Teens Want You to Know by Roy Petifils was the single best ministry-related book I’ve ever read. This will shape how I do ministry with young people forever.
Alright, that’s it for now. In the meantime, pick up The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley, turn off the tv, and get reading in time for next week’s book club.
Oh, and don’t forget to become a paid subscriber here. It allows me to spend time on this newsletter instead of on other projects.