Today's post is the first of a new monthly series on my blog. At the end of each month, I will write a short review of the books I read during the month. I read a wide array of fiction and nonfiction and I'm sure you'll find a new book recommendation through the series. I also hope you will interact with the monthly book review posts by leaving comments on what you have read recently, both the good and bad books. It's a simple way for us to connect each month!
In September, I read 7 books which is a high number for a month of reading. But the high number is due to the number of shorter works I read this month. Before I tell you about the books, I recommend you check out Goodreads. I use Goodreads to track my reading, find new books, and review books. It's a wonderful site and I've discovered many new authors through its recommendations.
1. Uprising by Erwin McManus - McManus is the lead pastor of Mosaic Church in Los Angeles. He has written many books and I've read many of them. I picked this one up off my husband's bookshelf in his office at church. This book wasn't my favorite McManus book, but it's a solid read on building your character with Jesus as a model.
2. Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich - This is the 16th book in the very popular Stephanie Plum series. I've read all fifteen earlier novels over the past several years. I enjoy reading the Plum books as a break from some of the heavier reading I do whether it's literary fiction or nonfiction books. If you are looking for a funny, enjoyable and quick read, I recommend starting from the beginning with One for the Money.
3 & 4. A Study in Scarlet & The Sign of the Four by Arthur Conan Doyle - Brian and I discovered the BBC series Sherlock on Netflix a few weeks ago and we were hooked. It's a great series and lots of fun to watch so it inspired me to read the Sherlock Holmes series. I read the first two short novels in the series. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed, but I hear the next book in the series, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, which is a collection of short stories, is better. I'll tell you my thoughts next month!
5. Missional Youth Ministry by Brian Kirk - Brian and his friend Jacob run the popular blog, Rethinking Youth Ministry. This book was released awhile ago, but I finally picked it up. For my youth ministry friends, it's a great book on doing youth ministry differently than the traditional model of programs, games, and pizza. It's a combination of blog posts and new material so even as a blog follower, there was fresh material. For my friends in ministry, pick it up. For my friends who go to church, pick up a copy for your youth pastor!
6. Where the Truth Lies by Jessica Warman - I'm writing a young adult novel, so I'm intentionally reading more young adult literature, especially contemporary young adult. I found this book through my Goodreads recommendations. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I especially liked the mystery aspect of the novel which the protagonist's nightmares. Overall, it's a solid contemporary young adult novel and I'm looking to read more by Warman in the future.
7. Living with Less: An Unexpected Key to Happiness by Joshua Becker - Living with Less is an easy, but great read. It's geared for students, and as a youth pastor, it's a great book to read in a small group setting. I love the message of living with less and it's a message that needs to be taught in our consumer society. Highly recommended for teachers, youth pastors, students, parents, and all others who work with teens.
That's what I read this month, but I want to know what you have read lately. So start talking (or commenting)!!