What Did You Read in October 2024?
I hope everyone had a good month of reading! I read several short books, a couple of scary reads for October, and a few odds and ends. In the hopes that (1) you will find something of interest in my reading list and (2) you’ll share what you read, here’s my reading life from last month:
Not pictured FICTION:
Chasing the Boogeyman (2021) Richard Chizmar
I’ve known of Richard Chizmar for years as the founder and publisher of the magazine Cemetery Dance, a publication I submitted my short stories for many years. Chizmar made the right decision by rejecting my stories (which were pretty awful) and also wrote a terrific and frightening novel that reads like a true crime thriller. Chizmar’s personal touches, taken largely from his experiences growing up in Maryland (where I also live), make Chasing the Boogeyman an amazing read. Think of it as a kind of Stand By Me story for post-adolescents but with a serial killer on the loose.
Not pictured NONFICTION:
The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi (2024) Wright Thompson
Fellow Mississippian Wright Thompson takes a part of history that is too frequently swept under the rug and proclaims it boldly in surround sound: the murder of Emmett Till in 1955. Till’s tragedy is not limited to Mississippi but instead represents larger issues having to do not only with justice and humanity but also with economics, commerce, politics, and more. This is an unforgettable book; it may be the best nonfiction work I’ve read this year.
From the photo FICTION:
Black Orchids (Nero Wolfe #9, 1942) Rex Stout (2x)
(Trust me, this photo is from an edition much nicer than the one I own.) Black orchids serve as an important plot point in the first story and a tangential one in the second. Both seem far-fetched, but I enjoyed it slightly more than I did the last time I read it over 20 years ago. Good, but not one of my favorite Nero Wolfe books.
California Bear (2024) Duane Swierczynski
A serial killer who terrorized California forty years ago has returned, but things are different this time. Also, Jack Queen has been freed from prison only to be paired with a mentor assigned to help him transition back to a crime-free life. But Jack’s mentor, ex-cop Cato Hightower, has plans for how Jack can help with a certain lucrative venture. Yet Jack knows he needs to spend as much time as he can with his daughter Matilda, who’s been hospitalized for leukemia. If this sounds dark and foreboding, it is… and sometimes isn’t. California Bear is filled with genuine dread but also hilarious comedic episodes. I don’t know how he does it, but Swierczynski achieves the perfect balance with this novel. Highly recommended.
Crypt of the Moon Spider (Lunar Gothic Trilogy #1, 2024) Nathan Ballingrud
Nathan Ballingrud’s science fiction novel The Strange was one of my favorite books from 2023, a beautiful and brutal combination of Charles Portis’s True Grit and the best works of Ray Bradbury. Crypt of the Moon Spider combines compelling science fiction (a mental health facility located on the moon in 1923) with horror. I was slightly disappointed that this is a novella and not a novel, but I eagerly await the next installment.
From the photo NONFICTION:
Films for All Seasons: Experiencing the Church Year at the Movies (2024) Abby Olcese
Reviewed here.
Noir City Annual No. 15 (2023) Eddie Muller, publisher; Vince Keenan, editor
If you haven’t read these annuals, taken from the best writing from the Noir City eMagazine during the year, you owe it to yourself to buy a copy but don’t wait around. They sell out quickly. Even if you contribute to the Film Noir Foundation and receive the digital version three times a year, these are collectible. You can find the most recent issue (which includes an article by yours truly) here.
The Elder-Led Church: How an Eldership Team Shepherds a Healthy Flock (2024) Murray Capill
Last year, I started a tradition of gifting a book to the elders (of which I am one) of my church. I decided to give them a copy of this book a couple of months early since our church is about to begin accepting nominations for new elders and deacons. The Elder-Led Church covers many things our elders are already doing but also shows ways we can shepherd better.
How Does Sanctification Work? (2017) David Powlison
I’ve been a fan of Powlison ever since I read his book of devotionals, Take Heart, last year. Although this book often seems to wander in its focus, everything is connected to the topic of sanctification in a believer’s life, filled with insights the author encountered during his journey.
Bare Knuckle: Bobby Gunn, 73-0 Undefeated. A Dad. A Dream. A Fight Like You've Never Seen (2024) Slayton Bonner
I saw this book while my wife and I were on vacation and knew I had to read it. Bare-knuckle fighting, a 73-0 record, fights with some very dangerous guys happening at a moment’s notice, this is all under-the-radar stuff. It’s exciting but brutally violent, not for the faint of heart, and incredibly difficult to put down.
One Enduring Story: A Basic Guide to Safely Navigating the Biblical Terrain (2014) Christopher M. Morgan
I’m teaching an adult Sunday school class on navigating the Bible, and this is one of the books I read for research. Morgan has a solid structure in working through the Bible, but the book includes too many sentences that could have been clearer and ideas that sometimes lack definition. The slim book reads more like a work for younger readers, which is fine. One Enduring Story is helpful, but I anticipated something more comprehensive and detailed.
Waiting Isn’t a Waste: The Surprising Comfort of Trusting God in the Uncertainties of Life (2024) Mark Vroegop
As sometimes happens, I bought copies of this book for friends who are somewhat new to the faith, since waiting is often a challenge (and not just for Christians). My purchase also gave me access to the eBook, which taught me a thing or two about waiting. Highly recommended.
Okay, now let me know what you read in October 2024.