January 2026
Welcome to 2026. January is typically cold. Disrespectfully cold. This year has not disappointed. We celebrated Millie’s 10th birthday. We got some snow. It’s a blessing to be able to shovel snow on two good legs, cause I got yelled at for trying to shovel it when I was on my crutches.
Anyway, here are the books I finished in January and my reviews of them:
Fiction Books
Preservation by Seth Ring (Battle Mage Farmer #6)
This whole series of books is about a warrior who just wants to retire peacefully to his farm. John, the farmer, is an incredibly powerful mage with a supreme physique. In this book, he learns a lot about philosophy and growth through hardship. John works through a beast invasion, marries Ellie, and takes her on a weird inter-dimensional honeymoon. John finds himself in several weird situations as powerful people try to figure him out and, in some cases, try to kill him or Ellie. The newlyweds visit Soaring Cloud Tower to learn more about how to stabilize their world. They attend an auction, hoping to buy a world shard, but the auction is interrupted by Uray Lothric, a supreme mage who is hunting John after they battled in an earlier book. John also gains a new family of enemies when the Gustav clan kidnaps and tries to kill Ellie. To defeat these enemies, he learns to master his domain (fire). He becomes enlightened. Interestingly, this journey is described using the same language as the journey into Aslan’s country- further up and further in. John learns to control his fire to both destroy and protect, to heal and attack. I liked this book better than the last one, but it still feels like the author cheats by inventing new wrinkles in his magic system to solve plot holes as the stories go on.
This is for protectors and heroes.
(Rated PG, Score 6/10, ebook, 406p.)
The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Narnia series begins with this fantastic creation story. Digory meets Polly, and the two children find themselves in the middle of a magic experiment. Digory’s uncle Andrew is a minor magician meddling with powers he doesn’t fully understand. Uncle Andrew tricks Polly into trying on a magic ring, which takes her to the wood between the worlds. Then he sends Digory to bring her back. Digory and Polly visit a dying world named Charn as the experiment progresses. There, Digory awakens a powerful and evil enchantress named Jadis. Jadis forces the children to take her to the magician who sent them, then she tries to take over our world. Digory and Polly use their magic rings to take the witch Jadis back to the wood between the worlds, and then into a brand new world called Narnia. In Narnia, they watch the great lion Aslan sing the world into existence. Jadis panics, attacks Aslan, and then runs away. Unfazed, Aslan continues his creation, and then he sends Digory on a mission. Because Digory brought the evil witch into Narnia, he is tasked with retrieving a fruit from the far-off tree of life, which he must plant in Narnia to protect the land from the witch. Digory and Polly travel by flying horse to the mountains, where Digory finds the tree of life and the witch who tempts him to take the fruit for his own. Digory almost caves, until the witch goes too far and suggests they leave Polly behind. The cruelty of that thought snaps Digory back to himself, and he understands the evil of the witch. He and Polly return to Aslan, and Digory plants the tree that will protect Narnia from the witch. Digory thinks that by following Aslan’s command, he has sacrificed his chance to heal his sick mother, but Aslan knows his heart and allows Digory to take a fruit from the new tree. Aslan sends Digory and Polly back to London, where the fruit heals and restores Digory’s mother. The children plant the core of the fruit with the magic rings, and the resulting tree eventually becomes a wardrobe- the wardrobe in the second book. There were two truths that this book illustrates that resonated powerfully with me: first, that Aslan knew the mother’s pain and suffering, and understood Digory’s grief. He does not waste our tears. Second, that fruit gotten at the wrong time, or in the wrong way, will cause you to despise it. I think this means that context matters more than we understand, and having the discipline to enjoy pleasures at the right time received in the right way, is important.
This is for readers of all ages, especially adventurers.
(Rated G, Score 10/10, audiobook read by Kenneth Branch, 3:56)
The Strength of the Few by James Islington (Heirarchy #2)
There are three connected worlds to keep track of in this sequel. Res is the world described in The Will of the Many. Obiteum is a desert world filled with death, pain, and acid waters. Lyceum is an older world with ancient traditions. When Vis completes the labyrinth at the end of book one, he gets copied into the other two worlds, becoming synchronous. Only a synchronous human can prevent the cataclysm. In each world, Vis must learn how will works, and survive dangers at every turn. In Res, Vis tries to protect his friends as war breaks out between the ruling factions of Military, Religion, and Governance. In Obiteum, Vis is trained by Caeror, who ran the labyrinth also, but did not survive in Res. Caeror trains Vis to survive and prepares him to try to stop the cataclysm. In Lyceum, Vis trains as a farmer, then as a warrior. He learns to be calm and still, and remember the wisdom of the past. This is a complex book that develops each version of Vis in parallel. The book ends with three cliff-hangers, of course. It looks like book three won't come out till sometime in 2027. I enjoyed the character development, the complexity, and the different paths. I would also like a pet alupi (giant wolf) like Diogo.
This is for fantasy readers, protectors, and fighters. (Read The Will of the Many first.)
(Rated R, Score 10/10, audiobook read by Evan Morton, 30:08)
Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy by Martha Wells (Murderbot 2.5)
Perihelion (Peri) is a Machine Intelligence (MI) on a research transport that is recovering from its interaction with Murderbot in book 2. Peri has a snarky way of interacting with its crew, preferring the younger people to the older ones. In this short story, Peri is accompanying the crew on a mission and using some new tricks it learned from Murderbot, like network hacking and surveillance. I’m pretty sure Iris is Peri’s favorite crew member. Iris coaxes the truth out of Peri, and their dialogue reveals that Murderbot and Peri developed some amount of rapport during book 2, expanding Peri’s emotional range and skill set. I think the author is wondering if MIs will need friends, too, and if they do, what will those relationships look and feel like? I suppose the entire Murderbot series explores the relationships between MIs and humans.
This is for Murderbot fans.
(Rated PG, Score 8/10, ebook, 34p.)
The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
The four Pevensie children get shipped out of London to their uncle’s house in the rural countryside to keep them safe during the war. They discover the wardrobe, which is a portal from our world to Narnia. Narnia is many centuries older than in book 1, and the White Witch has made it always winter and never Christmas. The arrival of the children and Aslan marks a change in the balance of power. But one of the children, Edmond, turns traitor and tries to sell his siblings to the witch for power and tasty food. Aslan orchestrates Edmund’s rescue just before the White Witch can execute him. Enraged, she gathers her army and arranges a meeting with Aslan, where she claims the traitor’s blood as her right, citing the deep magic written on the Stone Table at the dawn of time. Aslan negotiates with the witch, then moves his camp and helps his leaders prepare for battle. That night, Aslan offers himself as an innocent sacrifice for Edmond, and the evil army kills him on the Stone Table. You are missing out if you haven’t read this book or seen the movie. I won’t give away the ending here. This story holds many truths and powerful moments. The theme of redemption is especially powerful. I enjoy this book each time I revisit it.
This is for adventurers, traitors, and beavers.
(Rated PG, Score 8/10, audiobook read by Michael York, 4:21)
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate
Red is a wishtree. She is 216 rings old. Every year, the people of the community come and tie their wishes to her branches for good luck. Red protects families in her hollows- raccoons, opossums, and a crow named Bongo. Millie and I listened to this fun little story. My favorite part was learning how all the different animals name their babies. Crows take on the name of their favorite loud sound, skunks are named after good smells, and possums are named after the things that scare them. Red protects two houses. Samar is a young muslim girl who lives in one. Stephen is a young boy who lives in the other. Someone in the neighborhood carves a hateful word into Red- leave. The police get involved. The adults get sketchy. The tree’s owner starts talking about cutting Red down. So Red, faced with the end of her time, breaks the rules and talks to the kids. And the kids listen. The animals, the kids, and Red come together to everyone’s benefit.
This is for baby animals and young humans who love trees.
(Rated PG, Score 8/10, audiobook read by Nancy Linari, 2:33)
Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis
Have you ever accused the gods? Have you ever felt hard done by, used, tricked, or abused by the gods or fate? This book is a story like that. It is a retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche, told from the perspective of Psyche’s older sister, Orual. Orual writes the story as an accusation against the gods. She accuses them of taking Psyche from her and destroying their happiness. The kingdom sacrifices Psyche to the gods to save itself from a famine. They chain her to a tree at the top of a mountain and leave her there for the god of the mountain. But Orual finds that Psyche has not been eaten by beasts, but instead claims to be the bride of the god of the mountain. Orual cannot see the god’s palace and believes that Psyche is being manipulated by a rogue or criminal. Orual manipulates Psyche into disobeying the god. The god becomes enraged and sends Psyche away from him forever. The rest of the story is about Orual’s development as queen and her lessons in love, loss, grief, and the journey to self-realization.
This is for princesses, demigods, and readers of Greek myths.
(Rated PG, Score 8/10, audiobook read by Wanda McCaddon, 8:06)
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson
The Igiby children- Janner, Tink, and Leeli live in the Glipwood township, which is occupied by the Fangs of Dang. The evil Fangs oppress the citizens. On Dragon Day, the Igibys end up in a scuffle with the Fangs, which escalates over the course of the book. Their mother Nia bails the Igiby children out of Fang jail. They try to keep to themselves, but a showdown is inevitable. The Igiby children’s grandfather, Podo, leads the clan to Anklejelly Manor, where they take shelter in a secret weapon stash while the Fangs battle the deadly creatures from Glipwood Forest. In the morning after the battle, all the Fangs are dead, which buys the Igibys some time to prepare for their journey to the cold north and discover old secrets of who they really are - the Jewels of Anniera. Being a fantastic work of fiction, in a totally made-up world, this little book is so fun and creative. The characters are colorful and memorable, and there are many lessons woven into the narrative.
This is for small adventurers and bigger adventurers who can tag along.
(Rated PG, Score 8/10, Audiobook read by the author, 8:19, hardback, 304p.)
Non-Fiction Books
I started several non-fiction books, but didn’t finish any this month. I’ve been distractible.
Preview/Currently Reading-
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
Separation by Seth Ring (Battle Mage Farmer #7)
The Apostle’s Creed by Ben Meyers
I track my books in a database called Goodreads. It might help manage your reading lists.
Final Thoughts-
Aubrey’s Grandpa Buzz passed away on the 17th. He was 100 years old. We honored him last weekend. Words fail to express the emotions we’ve been wrestling with. It’s been tough.
Pastor Robert crafted this poem and read it for Grandpa Buzz. It honors him well.
A Poem of Honor
A hundred years of morning light,
From Hoisington to distant shore,
He stood within the thick of fight,
Then brought the peace of home once more.
The whistle blew, the game was played,
With steady hand and honest eye,
In every bond and friendship made,
He let his light reflect the sky.
With Betty’s hand held fast in his,
A polka beat, a silvered floor,
They knew what true devotion is -
A love that lasts forevermore.
The Purple Heart, the Mason’s square,
The quiet work, the silver hair,
A century of grace and prayer,
Is gathered in the Master’s care.
So rest now, Buzz, the race is run,
The dance is through, the prize is won.
A century’s work is grandly done,
Beneath the light of God’s own Son.
A hundred years is a long time to live. I pray that I will run my race well.
Thanks for adventuring with me.
Joshua
PS. I’m looking to grow and improve this little experiment. If you have benefited from it and would like to support my ability to buy better books or run with some other ideas I have been working on, here is your opportunity. You could think of it as an investment or buying me a coffee.