April 2026
April has been so busy. Summer yard mowing started early. School activities ramped up. Soccer and dance keep the kids hopping. And, since we live in Kansas, the spring weather has kept us on our toes with thunderstorms and tornado threats. It’s hard to find silence, solitude, and rest these days.
Anyway, here are the books I finished and my reviews of them:
Fiction Books
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
This book is a mix of comedy and tragedy. It has funny situations, language, and jokes. It is also heavy, critical, and morose in parts. Most of it is autobiographical. Some is poetry. Each chapter is like a themed story spanning from childhood speech therapy to French lessons as an adult. Like the title, the author translates the French spoken in the story into the exact English words, which is very cleverly done and hilarious. My favorite part was students trying to explain the Christian Easter story in elementary French. The topics are diverse and include drugs, art, language development, dogs, New York living vs Paris living, and many examples of the brokenness of our societies and cultures.
I can’t say this was my favorite book. Sometimes I can be easily offended. It was interesting to work through some of those feelings in an introspective way and ask why certain things make me uncomfortable (like drugs or the homosexual aspects). Some of the content is brilliant; some is heavy and sad; some is just weird. I’m not sure I would have ever read this book if it had not been on my 100 Book Bucket list poster. I’m glad I did.
This is for rogues, frogs, and linguists.
(Rated R, Score 8/10, audiobook read by the author, 5:51)
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Bill Furlong is a good Irish father. He works hard selling coal and firewood to the neighbors in his sleepy town. He has five daughters and a wife to keep him properly feeling the Christmas spirit, but the world is a cold, dark place, and he’s had his own struggles to wrestle. It’s 1985 in the heart of the Irish recession. Good men like Bill are the last barrier between life and freezing to death. As the story progresses, we learn about Bill’s past. He is an illegitimate son who grew up in a wealthy household. Mrs. Wilson protected Bill and his mother when others might have sent them into shame. Recognizing this blessing from his past, Bill struggles when he learns that young women are being abused in the local convent. He finds one young girl in the coal shed while making a coal delivery. She is nearly frozen, but when Bill takes her inside, the ladies running the convent blatantly hide the truth from Bill in a dark charade. Bill spends a few days wrestling with the cold, dark truth. His neighbors and wife remind him of the power the convent wields in the town and the pain they will cause if Bill were to cross them. Ultimately, his own story leads him to make the compassionate and brave choice. This line from his walk home after rescuing the girl from the coal shed was so powerful: “The worst was yet to come, he knew. Already, he could feel a world of trouble waiting for him behind the next door, but the worst that could have happened was already behind him. The thing not done, which could have been. Which he would have had to live with for the rest of his life. Whatever suffering he was now to meet was a long way from what the girl at his side had already endured and might yet surpass.” What things not done haunt you? This was Bill choosing the path of ultimate responsibility and the path of ultimate adventure.
This is for pondering, braving, and wondering.
(Rated PG-13, Score 8/10, audiobook read by Aiden Kelly, 1:57)
Humans are staring down the barrel of extinction. Finis is a giant asteroid that will collide with Earth. Samantha has always lived with the fear of the end hanging over her. This story is some snapshots of her experiences, emotions, decisions, and connections leading up to the end of human life on Earth. Samantha is studying plant specimens and loading data to the Ark (spaceship), which will take away all the remaining humans as they take to the stars, hoping to find a new home. Samantha decides to remain on Earth and face the end of the world.
I enjoyed the dialogue in this story. It captured the deep mix of emotions and tension that would accompany the heavy threats, decisions, and implications caused by an impending global disaster. Could you decide to have a child in the face of humanity’s end? Is a specific dread more impactful than the vague sense of dread that already threatens our happiness? In one scene, Samantha and her friends are deciding what to take with them on the Ark. One boy is choosing vinyl records to take. Samantha pulls out “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd. It was her Dad’s favorite. That was a heavy moment for me. It made me miss my Dad. So, play your favorite records. Hug your loved ones. We don’t really know how much time we have left.
This is for botanists, Noah, and anyone with a Prime membership.
(Rated PG, Score 7/10, ebook, 45p.)
Some books are not fun. This is one of those types of books. It’s creepy and spooky and filled with badness. It turns out that’s how horror books work. I don’t read very many horror books, so it took me a while to sort that out. I think my fond memories of Estes Park gave me a false sense of happiness about what this book should hold.
The story is about the Torrence family who moves to Colorado to take care of the Overlook Hotel during the offseason while it is snowed under. The dad, Jack Torrence, is an aspiring writer. The mom, Wendy, is a homemaker, focused on caring for Danny, their five-year-old son. Danny has a gift that the old cook (Dick Halloran) of the Overlook calls “the shine”. Danny can sense other people’s thoughts and moods, and sometimes he can see the future or find hidden things. Much of the world of adults is strange to him because he can see their thoughts, but he doesn’t have enough life experience to understand them.
The Overlook Hotel is the monster in the story. It has a long and brutal history, which the family learns about as they settle in for a long winter. The Torrence family has its own demons, which come alive as the winter progresses. Together, the hotel’s evil power and Danny’s gift make a living/dead nightmare that they cannot escape. The book explores the darkness of alcoholism, violence, divorce, and loneliness. Isolation is so dangerous. Generational violence is a terrible cycle to try to break out of.
Jack’s internal dialogue made the biggest impact on me. It’s scary when the thoughts I have go dark, cruel, and angry. I’m a terrible dad when I lose my patience. I usually rely on my wife to help me get a break to reset. I hate losing control. Part of Jack’s story is his deep regret for losing his temper enough to break Danny’s arm in a drunken rage. You can never undo those things, and the guilt can eat you. The book is not without hope, but the darkness sure is strong.
This is for the brave and those with the gift.
(Rated R, Score 7/10, audiobook read by Campbell Scott, 15:50)
The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson #3)
The Titans are gathering strength. Atlas tricked the goddess Artemis into holding the weight of the sky, trapping her, and making her bait for the demigods and the Hunters. Percy joins the Hunters, Thalia, and Grover on their quest to save Artemis. They travel across the country, facing monsters and tests, growing in strength, skill, and urgency. Their enemy, Luke, meets them in the final battle. He is desperate to prove his worth. The gods in Olympus end up voting whether or not to destroy Bessie the Ophiotaurus and Percy in the end. It was weird. The book touches on big ideas like the burden of responsibility, sacrifice, choice vs destiny, and the complexity of family. The narrative moves fast and is filled with action. It’s fun, but not very challenging or mind-stretching.
This is for young adventurers, demigods, and hunters.
(Rated PG, Score 7/10, audiobook read by Jesse Bernstein, 8:48)
The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger
I thought I checked this book out at the library because I couldn’t find it in my library apps. But I had actually checked out a set of criticisms of the book that I wanted, and not the actual book. So that was obnoxious. I’ve been trying to find this book for a while because it’s on the 100 Book Bucket list poster, but it evaded me until recently.
The book is the deep internal dialogue of Holden Caulfield (16), who is getting kicked out of his prep school. Holden is a privileged young man who speaks (and thinks) primarily in swearwords. The story follows Holden for a few days leading up to Christmas break, focusing on his pivotal transition out of Pencey Prep. Holden blasts his way out of the school in the middle of the night, wanders around New York, burns through all his cash, and decides to run away to Colorado. He is terrified of the future and what it means to grow up. He battles grief over his younger brother’s death. He drinks and smokes himself into a stupor. He’s a mess. Eventually, he ends up at the zoo with his little sister Phoebe, who threatens to move to Colorado with him. Only her little-girl ferocity breaks through Holden’s determination to leave New York.
This is one of those books that they make you read so that you can soak up all the wisdom, depth, and meaning. It’s a book about which books are written. There are layers and layers of psychology that can be debated and overanalyzed. Is it a book about the failure of the youth to transition into adulthood? Is it about grief? Is it about the death of innocence and the phoniness of adulthood? Is it an accusation of the depravity of young men? I guess it’s all of those. Mostly, it’s about a scared boy wrestling with protecting the innocence of youth and being terrified of growing up. It’s Holden trying to answer the question all young men face: “Do I have what it takes?”
This is for maturing readers with thick skin, open minds, and patient hearts.
(Rated PG-13, Score 7/10, ebook, 271p.)
This is a spinoff of the Reckoners trilogy. It is the story of the Texas Reckoners. Their mission is to battle a floating city called Lux. Lux is a “paradise" city that floats around the world raiding Earth-bound cities for resources and slaves. Four powerful epics keep Lux protected, floating, and filled with Ravens. Lifeforce is the main epic/leader/bad guy. He commands the other epics, and his healing powers make the Raven warriors an immortal army. Wingflare uses her amazing powers to hold Lux together and floating high above the surface of the Earth. Cloudbreaker controls the weather around Lux, making it warm and supplying breathable air. Languish has the power to dampen the power of any epic, so his job is to crush any epics that try to attack Lux.
Jax is the main character. He becomes a Reckoner after his brother is killed by Lovestruck. His main motivation is revenge. Zeff is the cranky old guy who trains Jax and Paige into secret, deadly assassins. Wade is the tech/hacker nerd on the team. Hershel is the seasoned warrior with a titanium leg. The Reckoner team takes to the sky, climbing rope ladders to reach the surface. They have plans to take control of the floating city using motivators, which are technologies used to harness epic powers. The plot takes twists and turns with lots of action and escapes. There’s even a sidebar that tells the Steelheart origin story. It’s a good story because it kept Jet asking, “What happens next?”
The theme that I liked most in the books is the use of epic powers through innovation. Jax and Page use their science brains to experiment and discover new ways to use epic powers through motivator tech, and the tech becomes the great equalizer. Brains and an indomitable spirit go a long way in overcoming impossible odds.
This is for X-Men, sci-fi nerds, and warriors.
(Rated PG, Score 8/10, audiobook read by MacLeod Andrews, 13:54)
Non-Fiction Books
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
Hurry is the enemy of the soul. Here are ten symptoms of hurry sickness: Irritability, hypersensitivity, restlessness, workaholism, emotional numbness, out-of-order priorities, lack of care for your body, escapist behaviors, decline of spiritual disciplines, and isolation. That’s a dangerous list. The challenge is letting go of all the hurry, hustle, and chasing more. The author explains that the solution isn’t finding more time or productivity. The solution is to follow Jesus and take up his set of teachings (yoke). To be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what he would do. The author describes four of the practices Jesus used to eliminate hurry and be present: Silence and Solitude, Sabbath, Simplicity, and Slowing.
1. Silence and solitude is the discipline of finding both internal and external silence and calm. Jesus found these in the wilderness in the quiet places where he would pray. In our noisy world, it takes a deliberate effort to find these things.
2. Sabbath is the discipline of finding rest one day a week. Sabbath means “to stop”. We don’t know how to sit with God anymore. Sabbath is a blessed, holy, rhythm which leads to rest and worship. It shows we are set apart. Sabbath is a way to be different. Slaves don’t get Sabbath rest days. Taking a Sabbath is a way to slow down everything and just be.
3. Simplicity is an anti-greed discipline. Simplicity is not architectural design, poverty, or organizing better. It’s about having less stuff. It’s anti-gospel-of-America. The drive to possess is an engine for hurry. To embrace simplicity, dabble in minimalism. Let go of the need to have all the things. Embrace simple living and frugality. The goal is to adopt a carefree unconcern for possessions which leads to contentment.“Simplicity is an inward reality that can be seen in an outward lifecycle of choosing to leverage time, money, talents, and possessions toward what matters most.” The easiest place to start is your closet.
4. Slowing is the discipline of physically slowing down. Here are 20 ideas for slowing: 1. Drive the speed limit. 2. Get in the slow lane. 3. Come to a complete stop at stop signs. 4. Don’t text and drive. 5. Show up 10 minutes early. 6. Use the longest checkout line. 7. Turn your smartphone into a dumb phone. 8. Get a flip phone or no phone. 9. Put your phone to bed early and let it sleep in. 10. Keep your phone off until after your quiet time. 11. Set time for emails. 12. Limit social media or drop it completely. 13. Kill your TV. 14. Single task. 15. Walk slower. 16. Take a regular day alone for silence and solitude. 17. Take up journaling. 18. Experiment with mindfulness and meditation. 19. If you can, take long vacations. 20. Cook your own food and eat in.
In summary, there are three simple goals: 1. Slow down. 2. Simplify life around the practices of Jesus. 3. Live from a center of abiding.
I’ve probably needed to be working on slowing down for years. COVID made us slow down. I miss that. All of these disciplines are ways of standing up against the craziness of our culture. I have been struggling with all the activities we are involved in, especially as we come to the end of the school year. I’m working on focusing on being fully present. Thanks, Jason, for recommending this book.
This is for the hustlers, burned-out workers, and shopaholics.
(Rated PG, Score 10/10, hardback, 304p.)
Currently Reading-
The Apostle’s Creed by Ben Meyers
Beautiful Outlaw by John Eldridge
Wingfeather Tales by Andrew Peterson
The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L’Engle
I track my books in a database called Goodreads. It might help manage your reading lists.
Final Thoughts-
"Action produces information. If you're unsure of what to do, just do anything, even if it's the wrong thing. This will give you information about what you should actually be doing.” -Brian Armstrong. If you are scared or stuck or lazy or confused, the best way out is to start doing something. Just start. Fail forward. Experiment. Learn. This is the mindset I’ve been using to learn how to use AI more effectively. I’m just trying stuff. I’ve learned a lot of things that AI is bad at and a few things it is really good at. I learned by doing things wrong, then adjusting (OODA Loop). It has cost me 0 dollars (cause I don’t trust AI with money). It has cost me time, energy, and some frustration, but it has also saved me time, and the better I get at using the tools, the more time it will save me and the more valuable I will be as a human.
Isolation and loneliness, loss and grief show up as heavy themes in the books I read this month. They have been the predominant themes of this year. We’ve lost some dear family and friends. As I work through these losses and emotions, I’m reminded that even in the dark, there is light and hope. I’m supposed to be learning how to feel my emotions (instead of just eating them), and I’m working on that. But I think the best way to survive these things is to do so together. My two words for this year are Calm and Together. I aspire to be a calm, supportive soul in a world of chaos. I want to help people thrive and solve problems together. Lean in. Connect. Check in with your people. Sometimes we’re not ok, but we will be if we stick together.
Thanks for adventuring with me.
Joshua