Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters
I'm about to start reading this book. I've heard it's pretty difficult and/or heartbreaking to read portions of it, but it comes pretty highly recommended so I'll tough it out. A special shoutout to D-Weav for buying me a copy! I'll report back once I'm done with it.
Husband After God: Drawing Closer To God And Your Wife by Aaron & Jennifer Smith
This is a 30-day devotional challenge, and there's also an accompanying book titled (unsurprisingly) Wife After God. My buddy Michael J. highly recommended this book, and he even purchased a copy of Wife After God for my wife and his wife; I guess he's assuming I'll just borrow his copy of Husband After God.
Why Is Syria Hell on Earth? Here’s The Ugly but True Answer…
I put this in Further Reading because I haven't finished reading it. This is a long article, but it takes a TON of history and condenses it into (theoretically) a 24-minute read. I read slowly, so let's say an hour to build in time for all the distractions and context switching you'll be doing. Give it a read, and I'll email the author about the lame title.
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat
Recommended by Stephani AND Alice Waters, wut. Stephani sent me a link to this one, and it's safe to say I'll be purchasing a copy soon. From the Amazon page:
Master the use of just four elements—Salt, which enhances flavor; Fat, which delivers flavor and generates texture; Acid, which balances flavor; and Heat, which ultimately determines the texture of food—and anything you cook will be delicious.
If you order a copy let me know and we can meet up for an in-depth discussion after I finish it.
The Motivation Manifesto by Brendon Burchard
This week's further reading submission is from Richey. The description on Amazon made me feel like it fit with the theme of today's newsletter. It seems to be all about changing the way you motivate yourself, which in turn requires a little rewiring of your brain to defeat your "internal enemy" – your doubts and fears. It's only 256 pages, so it should only take me about a year to read.
Leaper: The Misadventures of a Not-Necessarily-Super Hero by Geoffrey Wood
This is a book written by my wife's uncle and my friend/uncle-in-law (is that a thing?) and it's delightful. I am a very slow reader, but this book only took me a week to devour. It's quick-witted and funny and poignant, so grab a copy and enjoy. Drinking coffee while reading is required.
Coach Wooden and Me: Our 50-Year Friendship On and Off the Court by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
I heard Kareem talking about this book on the radio this week. I'm looking forward to reading this one, so if anyone is interested in reading it with me hit me up. Just from hearing Abdul-Jabbar talk about Wooden on the radio, I think it's safe to say they don't make coaches like that anymore.
The Supper of the Lamb: A Culinary Reflection by Robert Farrar Capon
This book was recommended to me by Ross L. I'm two chapters in and I'm super excited to keep reading. The book is written by an Episcopalian priest who wants to teach you how to cook lamb (for eight persons four times, to be exact). But in reality, he wants to talk about a lot more than his recipes. His voice is truly delightful, and the book so far is full of so much joy that I am laughing aloud as I read it.
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
I read this book several years ago but just thought about it again this week, and thought it would be a good one to share with all of you fine folks. There's a 50/50 chance that this was given to me by either my sister or Stephani, because those are the two ladies in my life that frequently buy me books.
Anyway, this book is beautifully written and really enjoyable to read. It'll seem a little random at first as McCann introduces you to several different (as the Amazon write-up puts it, "seemingly disparate") lives that his characters are living in New York in the 1970s. I'm pretty sure I almost cried at the end (and I was not expecting to). Get you a copy.
Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
I love Anthony Bourdain. Sorry not sorry. FWIW, I read this book several years ago, so I don't really know what the "updated edition" is all about. Anyway, this book is hilarious and gross and easy to read. Get it.