January Reads

Reflections on writing, technology, and children's favorites

My most dependable favorites have still been the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny, but this month I deliberately pried myself away from them to explore a few other books—partly to pace myself so I don’t finish the series too quickly.

The Fellowship: The Literary Lives of the Inklings by Philip and Carol Zaleski

I’ve been loving The Fellowship by Philip and Carol Zaleski, though it’s a demanding read because of its length and density. The book offers a carefully researched and illuminating portrait of Tolkien, Lewis, Barfield, and Williams, and I am continually amazed by the Zaleskis’ ability—writing as a married team, no less!—to weave so many lives, ideas, and literary histories into a coherent narrative. Their storytelling is remarkable, and the book deepened my appreciation for both the Inklings and the craft of Christian writing in the 20th century.

Emotion Hacks: 50 Ways to Feel Better Fast by Dr. Ryan Martin

Emotion Hacks by Dr. Ryan Martin, an anger researcher and psychologist, has been surprisingly helpful. Its simple, practical strategies for handling emotions in everyday life pair perfectly with the How We Feel app, which I’ve also been appreciating. Together, they build awareness of emotional patterns and offer tangible ways to shift your emotional state.

Scrolling Ourselves to Death: Reclaiming Life in a Digital Age edited by Brett McCracken

I’ve read dozens of books on technology and care deeply about the topic, though I lean toward tech-pessimism. Each chapter in this collection is written by a different author, all engaging with aspects of Neil Postman’s work that feel particularly relevant today. Some chapters are stronger than others, but the book is worth it for Read Mercer Schuchardt’s alone, a communications professor at Wheaton. I was growing frustrated with the half-heartedness of some contributors until Schuchardt—who actually studied with Postman at NYU—brought real depth and challenges. I also loved the shoutouts, including a whole chapter referencing our friend Eric Brende from St. Louis.

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

A friend said this was her favorite book last year, so I had to read it. It’s a gentle, heart-lifting novel about a mysterious stranger named Theo who arrives in the small southern city of Golden and, by buying and returning 92 pencil portraits to their rightful owners, quietly transforms lives through acts of generosity and the simple power of truly seeing others. While it wasn’t quite my taste and felt slow-moving with little plot momentum, I can see why many readers would be drawn to its warmth and interconnected stories. It reminded me of Marilynne Robinson (who is not my style).

A Small Book for the Hurting Heart: Meditations on Loss, Grief, and Healing by Paul Tautges

I’ve mentioned before that I love Ed Welch’s “Small Book” series on anger, anxiety, and shame, so I wanted to try the fourth in the series by a different author. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed. While it has helpful Scripture applications, it didn’t feel focused on grief and loss in the way I expected. Welch’s books provide deep understanding of specific human experiences, whereas this one felt more general—proof that general promises and truths from the Bible can fall short if they aren’t tied to the particular kind of suffering you’re experiencing.

Kid Book Shoutouts

Winter is always prime read-aloud season with the kids! I get overwhelmed trying to catalog all the books we enjoy, so here are three that stood out this month.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

At 500 pages, this was a huge read-aloud to start with my 8-year-old, but it completely captivated him. It’s perfect for kids roughly 8–16 (and probably older, too). Clever, fast-moving, and full of puzzles and brain-teasers, it follows smart, quirky kids outwitting a sinister villain while learning about friendship, loyalty, and courage. Think A Series of Unfortunate Events but with more teamwork and problem-solving. The plot can be a little confusing at times, and character development is sparse, but my son keeps asking for more!

The World Needs Beautiful Things by Leah Rachel Berkowitz, illustrated by Daniele Fabbri

I loved The World Needs Beautiful Things, a Jewish picture book about Bezalel from the Book of Exodus. Aimed at readers 4–8, it’s perfect for my 5-year-old daughter, showing the care and creativity that went into building the Ark and highlighting God’s attention to beauty.

Eric Carle’s Animals Animals compiled by Laura Whipple, illustrated by Eric Carle

Speaking of beauty, this poetry compilation is fantastic for the whole family, from our 8-year-old to our active 3-year-old. It features animal poems by Shakespeare, Lewis Carroll, Rudyard Kipling, Emily Dickinson, and more, celebrating creatures big and small. Even as someone who isn’t usually into poetry, I found the poems funny, approachable, and delightful to read aloud.