This year, I’m participating in the Unread Shelf Challenge 2020 with a goal to read 75 books that I already own. Each month, I’ll read one fiction, one nonfiction/memoir, one law/business/politics, and one devotional/spiritual book. Quarterly, I’ll be reading one book of classic literature. I’ll be listing where each book came from, whether from my existing collection, I borrowed the book, or purchased the book new this year. This is my September 2020 Reading List, which includes the books that I’ve finished, the books in progress and ongoing, and the books that I’ve abandoned.

Books Finished:

Finding Tess: A Mother’s Search for Answers in a Dopesick America by Beth Macy

Already owned Audible. Substituted for September legal/business/politics pick from 2020 Reading List.

This audible original is a powerful look at opioid addiction in the United States, and the really terrible system of treatment that is available to addicts. The difficulty in getting people into treatment programs, and the often poor results from treatment programs is something that I’ve seen firsthand in my own legal practice working with criminal defendants and parents and youth in juvenile cases. This is such a difficult topic, and I appreciated the straightforward and open look at one young woman, her family, and how things went wrong.

Daughter of Destiny by Benazir Bhutto

Already owned physical book. September nonfiction/memoir pick from 2020 Reading List.

This book is incredible. The writing is excellent, and it’s about a woman and a subject matter (Pakistan) that I didn’t know much about before reading it. But it’s a tough read. Be aware that the book largely deals with a dictator being in power, so there are themes of torture and oppression. And the United States’ conduct in propping up a military dictator like Zia is simply abominable. Benazir Bhutto is a fascinating woman, although certainly not perfect. I don’t agree with all of her policy positions, but her stance on freedom and democracy is one that everyone should be able to stand behind. I’m really glad that I read this book.

The Space Race by Colin Brake, Patrick Chapman, Richard Hollingham, Richard Kurti, Sue Nelson, Helen Quigley, and Andrew Mark Sewell

Audible Original book, so new but free.

There were components of this book that I really liked, and components that just set my teeth on edge. I love books and audiobooks about space, and the history of the space race, particularly the audio clips and the history of the Russian space program were fantastic. But I really hated the fictional future space theatrical story, and I disliked the audio components that were theatrical recreations of what occurred during previous space missions. If these elements won’t bother you, than this will be great for you. If they will, then like me, you may have a mixed opinion of this audiobook.

Unspoken by Luke Daniels

Audible Original book, so new but free.

This book made me laugh so hard while driving that I had to pause the audiobook and catch my breath. It also made me cry. This is a memoir from celebrated audiobook narrator, Luke Daniels. If his name seems familiar, it may be because he narrated the Iron Druid Chronicles, which I adored. He has the best array of voices, and talks about how he became a narrator and voice actor. But the main thrust of the book is about the illness and death of his little boy. This book is so fantastic, and I recommend it to everyone. Just be prepared for hilarity and sadness in equal measure.

The Secret of Lost Things by Sheridan Hay

Already owned physical book. September fiction pick from 2020 Reading List.

The book jacket description makes it sound as if this novel is predominantly about a mystery about a missing Melville novel. Although that subject plays a part in the story, it is much more about an 18 year old girl living on her own in New York after her mother’s death growing up and learning about the world and those around her. The characters were all strange, and I didn’t quite understand their motivations. And I felt like the mystery element was underutilized, and there were threads of plot that weren’t tied into the story. This was an okay read, but not my very favorite.

Veronica Mars: Mr. Kiss and Tell by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham

Purchased Kindle e-book this year.

I heart Veronica Mars! I watched the entire original series, plus the movie, and the new Hulu season this year, and couldn’t get enough. So having previously read Veronica Mars: The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line and loving it, I had to read this book too. You know, being a completist. This book takes place after the movie, and before the new season on Hulu. It’s really good too. And now I’m a little sad that I don’t have any more Veronica Mars to look forward to.

Ink & Sigil by Kevin Hearne

Purchased on Audible this year.

Ink & Sigil is a spin-off from the Iron Druid Chronicles. The protagonist is a Scottish Sigil Agent who also runs a print shop. He and the supporting cast of characters are all as zany as I’ve come to expect from Kevin Hearne, and the story is wonderful. And on Audible, narrated by Luke Daniels, it’s simply masterful. I hope that there will be more!

The Bookman’s Tale by Charlie Lovett

Already owned physical book.

My book club read this book this month. I think most of the group enjoyed it. Some people struggled a little bit with the number of different characters, and the different timelines, but this wasn’t something that bothered me. This is a literary mystery, so there’s a component that takes place in the 1990s solving that mystery. Those same characters’ backstories are also told, and that is set in the 1980s. Then the story of the book is told from the 1600s all the way up to present day. I recommend Lovett’s mysteries (this one and First Impressions) for book lovers.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

If you read The Hunger Games trilogy, then you HAVE to read this. This book is a prequel and told from the perspective of President Snow as a teenager. I found myself rooting for Snow, and then feeling really guilty about it, knowing where the story leads. I loved the elements that tie in with the rest of the trilogy. This book was so good!

The House at Sea’s End by Elly Griffiths

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

This is book number three in the Ruth Galloway Mysteries series. My book club won the first book, and I enjoyed it enough to add the remainder of the series into my Libby wish list. Periodically, I want something a little different and will download another one. They are short and enjoyable and true to the genre.

A Map of Heaven by Suzanne Elizabeth Anderson

Already owned Kindle e-book. September devotional/spiritual pick from 2020 Reading List.

This is a novel which is infused heavily (but well done) with Scripture. It is a book about second chances, living a life that you can be proud of, and allowing love into our lives. It was lovely and enjoyable, and a quite easy read. I recommended it to my mom, as it seemed like a book that she might enjoy. I can think of many others who might like this as well.

Who Is Jesus? by R.C. Sproul

Purchased Kindle e-book this year.

This short little book looks at how Jesus is described in the Bible, the different terms used to describe him, and who he is. As with everything else by R.C. Sproul, it was informative and well written.

What Can I Do with My Guilt? by R.C. Sproul

Purchased Kindle e-book this year.

I really love how R.C. Sproul explains things in a new way that make so much sense that you wonder how you’d never thought of things that way before. Do you have guilty feelings? I think we all probably do about some topic or another. This booklet is about guilt and guilty feelings, and examines whether they come from above, or are a manmade invention, and what the purpose might be.

Does Prayer Change Things? by R.C. Sproul

Purchased Kindle e-book this year.

This Crucial Questions booklet is on the topic of prayer–does it matter, why do we pray, how do we pray–basically just answering a whole host of questions about prayer. I thought it was a solid read.

Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana by Anne Rice

Purchased physical book this year.

I picked this up while packing books for our local Friends of the Library virtual book sale. I don’t recall having ever read anything by Anne Rice before, although I’ve obviously heard of her. This is a fictionalized take on Jesus during his adulthood, just before taking to the road and beginning his ministry. I really enjoyed imagining what Jesus’s life and family would have been like. The book was well-written, and clearly from the perspective of a believer. I believe there to be one other book in the series, and will likely read it at some point too.

Books Ongoing through 2020:

Unshakeable: 365 Devotions for Finding Unwavering Strength in God’s Word by Christine Caine (Already owned physical book.) This is a daily devotional that I’ll be reading all year.

Year of Wonder: Classical Music to Enjoy Day by Day by Clemency Burton-Hill (Already owned physical book.) This book has daily readings about classical music generally, various sub-genres of classical, and a daily piece of music to find and listen to. I’ll be working through it all year.

Books in Progress:

The St. Nicholas Anthology edited by Henry Steele Commager (Already owned physical book.)

Taste for Truth: A 30 Day Weight Loss Bible Study by Barb Ravelin (Purchased Kindle e-book this year.) My bible study is working through this book.

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury (Purchased on Audible this year.)

The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt (Purchased physical book this year.)

Books Abandoned:

None.