Books Read in January
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Some months every single thing you read is fantastic. This was one of those months so I had to share.
Van Gogh has a Broken Heart: What Art Teaches us about the Wonder and Struggle of Being Alive by Russ Ramsey
My first book read for 2025. Russ Ramsey shares stories of his favorite artists and paintings.
These stories--and many more--shaped the work these artists left behind. In their art are lessons common to the human experience about the wonder and struggle of being alive: dreams lost, perspectives changed, and humility derived through suffering.
An easy and nourishing read. Could read 5 more books like this. So good.
The Word Made Fresh: An Invitation to Poetry for the Church by Abram Van Engen
Poetry has the power to enliven, challenge, change, and enrich our lives. But it can also feel intimidating, confusing, or simply “not for us.” In these joyful and wise reflections, Abram Van Engen shows readers how poetry is for everyone—and how it can reinvigorate our Christian faith.
This is an excellent poetry primer. If you’ve ever felt like you wanted to learn how to read poetry this book is extremely accessible.
Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age by Ron Dreher
The West has become "disenchanted"--closed to the idea that the universe contains the supernatural, the metaphysical, or the non-material. Christianity is in crisis. People today are leaving the Church because faith has become dry and lifeless. But people aren't leaving faith for atheism. They are still searching for the divine, and it might just be right under their noses.
Living in Wonder will be a new friend. I have underlined so much of this book. It clarified things I’ve been noticing and thinking about and made me look at the world in a new light. I will reread.
Lastly this collection of Best American Essays was better than usual. 2019 was completely political and exhausting. 2020 included several thoughtful essays that I got lost inside. My favorites were an essay on cave art, struggling with not appearing to be the race you are and photographing strangers.