One Surprise After Another: Books I Read in 2026, Vol. VIII

 

JACK & JILL
James Patterson

"In the middle of the night, a controversial U.S. senator is found murdered in bed in his Georgetown pied-a-terre. The police turn up only one clue: a mysterious rhyme signed 'Jack and Jill' promising that this is just the beginning. Meanwhile, Washington, D.C. homicide detective Alex Cross is called to a murder scene only blocks from his house, far from the corridors of power where he spends his days. The victim: a beautiful little girl, savagely beaten  -  and deposited in front of the elementary school Cross's son attends.

"Could there be a connection between the two murders?"

My answer to this question? Well, duh. But then I read the book and  -  spoiler alert  -  the only connection is that Alex Cross worked both of them. I will say that my well-of-course response wasn't the last time my plot expectations were wrong. Patterson knows how to write a twisty tale, to be sure. I especially appreciate that the longest chapters were still only 4 or 5 pages. Even if several chapters in a row were part of the same "scene", he breaks everything down into digestible beats. Probably what made it so easy to turn the first two Alex Cross thrillers into movies. Fair Warning: There seemed to be a bit more R-rated language in this third installment, but at least it was character-driven and believable...not just for the sake of making it "grittier."

First Line: Sam Harrison swung his agile body out of the silver blue Ford Aerostar, which he had parked on Q Street in the Georgetown section of Washington.

Page 56 / Line 5: I kept seeing her brutalized face.

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: Always appear to belong, to fit in, and soon you will .

Last Line: Until next time.

Surprise Treat on the Title Page: This library find was autographed by the author!

"For Penny-- Hope this keeps you guessing, J Patterson"

Hey, Dewey, What'd You Read for Lent?: Books I Read in 2026, Vol. VII

 

HEAR THE SAVIOR: Readings for Lent and Easter Based on the Words of Jesus
Kristin Saatzer

"Famous last words are important as they draw our attention to the heart and soul of the speaker. What could be more important at Easter than being drawn into the heart of Jesus through his own words? In this devotional journey to Calvary, you will prepare your heart for Easter by examining the last words of Jesus, as well as his first recorded words in ministry, and crucial ones in between."

I bought this while attending The Well Conference for Christian Creatives last year and have been looking forward to February 18, 2026, through Easter ever since. Saatzer doesn't only focus on the final words of Jesus (i.e., the sayings spoken from the cross), but several key phrases from throughout his earthly ministry. There's a page or so of personal commentary, a quotable quote relevant to her take on what Jesus said, and a couple questions or further Scriptures to think/journal about. Not a bad way to walk through the 40 days leading to Easter at all.

I admit to having a personal shortcoming when it comes to reading plans like this. I seldom slow down and savor any of the thoughts presented. I squeeze in the day's reading so I can feel like I lived up to a commitment. That is solely MY fault, and I am a lesser man for treating this book that way.

First Line: I began the year 2020 with plans to start and finish my second book.

Page 56 / Line 5: One that required a Savior.

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: But the unpredictable Savior did not play the brutish game of bigotry.

Last Line: I thank You for the power of the Holy Spirit living in me and that You will be with me always.

 

Timely and Terrific: Books I Read in 2026, Vol. VI

 

BETTER TOGETHER: Making Church Mergers Work
Jim Tomberlin and Warren Bird

"Mergers today work best not with two struggling churches but with a vital, momentum-filled lead church partnering with a joining church. This much-needed resource provides a complete, practical, hands-on guide for leaders of both struggling and vibrant churches, so they can understand the issues, develop strategies, and execute mergers for church expansion and renewal. No matter what your motivation for merging your church with another  -  to begin a new church life cycle, reach more people for Christ, multiply your church's impact, or better serve your community  -  Better Together will give you the tools you need to create a thriving new entity."

You can put a checkmark beside each of the possible motivations for merger just mentioned and that would apply to what seems to be on the near horizon for Valley Christian Church and a new "church plant" happening in Lakeville, Anchor Community Church (pre-launch website under construction). There are still T's to be crossed and I's to be dotted, but it certainly seems like God is leading the leadership of both these churches to join forces to have an impact on Lakeville, Minnesota that neither could have on their own. And that's why I read this book. And it is so very, very good: A solid 5 stars.

First Line: 2% of congregations each year vote (or are required) to close, a number likely to increase due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but some of them could instead restart as a merger.

Page 56 / Line 5: The multisite factor was only on Healing Place's side.

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: Successful mergers are vehicles of change, not preservers of the status quo.

Last Line: Is there a church merger on your horizon?

The Audible and the Angry: Books I Read in 2026, Vol. V

 

THE SOUND AND THE FURY: The Complete, Definitive Edition
William Faulkner

"The tragedy of the Compson family features some of the most memorable characters in literature. Their lyrical voices mesh to create one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century."

My beloved Wyoming niece gifted me this book, I think, because she could barely believe I had never read a piece of classic literature that she almost loves. And I admit that having to admit I had never read ANYthing by Faulkner was, admittedly, a sad omission in my educational journey. But I've got to say, I could barely force myself past the opening section that was written in the voice of a 33-year-old person of little intellect and zero sentence structure. Yee-ikes. I spent the whole time trying to guess who was related to whom, how old they were, and what color their skin was. It was a jumble of names with precious little biographical info to put with them. The second section was only slightly more coherent, whoever's viewpoint it represented. Part three gained a bit more sentence structure, but very little actual exposition or plot. Part four was finally written from what seems to be an omniscient narrator's point of view, but by then, I was so thoroughly used to not knowing who anyone was and nothing making sense placed up next to anything else, it still just felt like someone took a newspaper, cut it up into sentences and phrases, threw it in the air and then pasted it together however the pieces landed.

And then, in 1946, Faulkner included an Appendix for any reprints, purporting to be the key to the whole book. Well, he did indeed explain who all the main characters were and their relationships to each other and spelled out some events that were merely hinted at or reacted to in the main text, but man . . . slogging through 321 pages of gobbledygook to get there? I'm sorry, literary experts, but this is most definitely NOT "one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century." But that's just my opinion.

First Line: Through the fence, between the curling flower spaces, I could see them hitting.

Page 56 / Line 5: What you want to get her started for, Dilsey said.

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: The part ran up into the bald spot, like a drained swamp in December.

Last Line: The broken flower drooped over Ben's fist and his eyes were empty and blue and serene again as cornice and facade flowed smoothly once more from left to right, post and tree, window and doorway and signboard each in its ordered place.

 

Meanwhile, Back in 1985: Books I Read in 2026, Vol. IV

 

FUTURE BOY: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum
Michael J. Fox and Nelle Fortenberry

"Fox's nightly commute from a soundstage at Paramount to the backlot at Universal Studios, from one dream job to another, would become his own space-time continuum. It was in this time portal that Alex P. Keaton handed the baton to Marty McFly while Michael J. Fox tried to catch a few minutes of sleep. Alex's bravado, Marty's flair, and Fox's comedic virtuosity all swirled together to create something truly special.

In Future Boy, Fox tells the remarkable story of playing two landmark roles at the same time  -  a slice of entertainment history that's never been told. Featuring new interviews with the cast and crew of both projects, this book is a vividly drawn and eye-opening story of creative achievement by a beloved icon."

I bought this book using a Target gift card I had been given. Sure, I could have purchased a supply of socks or underwear instead, but where's the joy in that? The Back to the Future trilogy was our first DVD purchase, and attending a 40th Anniversary screening with Curtis and Dustin was a highlight of 2025...how could I not own this book full of behind-the-scenes anecdotes? It's like a several-hour special feature in book form...just my cup of Tab.

First Line: The concept of the space-time continuum was first introduced by Albert Einstein in his theory of general relativity, which revolutionized our understanding of gravity and the nature of the universe.

Page 56 / Line 5: I had a work visa, granted because producers were able to make the case that I was special and unique in America: old enough to work the long hours of an adult, but with a look that allowed me to play a much younger character.

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: I worked harder on the "Johnny B. Goode" scene than any other portion of the movie.

Last Line: It's a reminder that some of the best parts of our future can come from the past. One more gift from the year 1985.

 

Liberty and Justice for All?

 For Renee Good & Alex Pretti

I've watched enough cop shows in my life to be familiar with what happens when there is an officer-involved shooting: The officer involved hands over their gun and badge (or shield, as the case may be) and is put on administrative duty while an investigation takes place.

Regarding the recent officer-involved shootings in the streets of Minneapolis, I'm wondering if that protocol is being followed.

I'm forced to wonder about that because all I've heard from the governmental entities overseeing the work of the involved officers are immediate statements of exoneration: Statements that are direct contradictions to the available video evidence.

In all fairness, the February 6 statement from the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is hopeful, but not exhaustive.

In no news conference have I heard an official say anything close to "The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation."

I reserve the right to be wrong about that. I mean, I admit to not seeing or hearing every statement made by every deputy director of this or that acronym. I had to turn things off for a bit. I was overwhelmed by the level of lies spewing out of the mouths of government spokespeople.

So...

I'm left wondering. What is happening with the people who pulled the triggers? Has the news cycle moved on already and now we're all upset about the Epstein files (again) and Border Patrol is breathing a sigh of relief because the spotlight is no longer on them?

American citizens have been killed. I'm wondering where the liberty and justice for all is.

Wisdom from an Empath: Books I Read in 2026, Vol. III

EGO AT THE HELM: The Hidden Cost of Narcissism in Leadership
Robert A. Damon

In [this book, the author] pulls back the curtain on an extraordinarily painful season he endured, and shares lessons learned. He paints a compelling and disturbing picture of a narcissist who wounded countless people, including his own family. Robert's description of the events will leave you a little breathless, but the story is not just about identifying the danger but also dealing with the destructive aftermath. To all who have been pushed out by a narcissist, or who are trying to outlast a narcissist, there are vital nuggets of encouragement, hope, and wisdom throughout this book. Read through these insights thoughtfully and prayerfully and integrate these principles into your life (~Dr. David Timms, from the Foreword).

I bought this book because I know the author; used to be his co-worker during my final youth ministry gig. We even shared an office. What he writes about took place in the church he went to after leaving where we were, and I confess to being grateful I didn't have to go through it with him. It sounds absolutely horrible, and yet he not only lived through it, but grew because of it and became a major pathfinder toward the church's healing.

Bob has always been an empathetic pastor, and he demonstrates both aspects of that two-word phrase throughout the pages of this book. He doesn't just recount his experiences under narcissistic leadership; he provides wise counsel and practical resources to help others in a similar boat.

First Line: Narcissism is a growing issue for organizations, especially when leadership roles require visible trust and interaction with the community to achieve mission success.

Page 56 / Line 5: Personally, I have come to realize that while there are many causes for discouragement in all this, I have several major disappointments that will require time and effort to overcome.

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: Narcissism is not the same as being self-centered or selfish; there is a fine distinction here.

Last Line: May that never be true when talking about faith-based leadership, and may our informed leadership be a benchmark for others coming behind us to face successes and challenges with humor, grace, and tact.