A bit late publishing this one, but it’s been a whirlwind of an October. Q3 was a bit of a lull for me this year reading-wise, with only 14 books finished between July 1st and September 30th. My total at the end of Q3 reached 70 for the year, which is the most I’ve recorded in a 9-month period by far. And with 16 finished in October, I’m well on my way to 100 for the year which will be the first time I hit the century mark as far as I know. But first things first – here’s what I read (or listened to) in Q3 2026.
Fiction/poetry (5) – That Distant Land by Wendell Berry (audiobook), The Martian by Andy Weir (print), Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and the first two Alcatraz books by Brandon Sanderson (audiobooks) (vs. the Evil Librarians, vs. the Scrivener’s Bone). I went to see Project Hail Mary in theaters, though I still have never seen the movie version of The Martian. So upon discovering they were both written by Andy Weir, I decided I needed to read the books. Project Hail Mary is in queue!
If you haven’t read Berry’s Port William stories, you’re missing a beautiful contribution to Americana. I’ve been collecting the print versions since he passed away. I’ve got several of his poetry books in print that I’m working my way through, but I’ve only listened to the Port William stories so far (and the Libby versions are very well done!). Next time I’ll go through the print versions (and there WILL be a next time!).
The poetry reading group I started read aloud through Rime of the Ancient Mariner of an evening. It was delightful, especially hearing some of the older members of the group sharing their memories of reading through it many years ago!
History (3): Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann, On Secret Service East of Constantinople by Peter Hopkirk, and The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. Every Hopkirk book I’ve read has been full of insights on the intricacies of British and Russian entanglements in southern Asia, and this one is no less so. I remember being surprised by how many Turkish people are living in Germany when I lived there myself (and I developed a taste for Doener Kebaps that has stayed with me) and this book helps explain the ties between Germany and Turkey that developed in the early part of the 20th century. Along with many other details of British, German, and Russian shenanigans in Turkey, Persia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Interesting read!
Devotional/edification (4): The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love by Saint Augustine; The Apostolic Church: Which Is It? by Thomas Witherow; Paul Among the People by Sarah Ruden; and Letters of Ignatius of Antioch (Saint Ignatius). All of the above were print reads. The Ruden book is fascinating and anyone who thinks Paul was misogynistic and/or homophobic should really give it an honest read.
Non-fiction/other (2): A Conflict of Visions and Economic Facts and Fallacies by Thomas Sowell (both audiobooks). Sowell is an American treasure.
I finished the Wisdom literature in Scripture and read through the Pauline epistles. I’m currently in Ezekiel and James in my ESV readthrough. I’m nearly done with Daily Doctrine by Kevin DeYoung, and we are coming to the end of the Sounding the Seasons sonnet cycle (Malcolm Guite) as the Christian New Year approaches.
At CCEF, I picked up a delightful book called Psalms by the Day by Alec Motyer. It is the author’s translation with a devotional focus but abounding in linguistic notes and each section concludes with a reflection. It also contains many insight on the arrangement of the psalter and composition of the Psalms. I probably won’t finish it in 2026 but it is a treat to read and I’ve gladly added it to my daily readings.
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