An Open Book: January 2026 Reads

I don't know how we're already into February, but here we are! I am belatedly linking up with An Open Book to share about the books that I started off the year with. I thoroughly enjoyed the books I read, and I'm excited to see what I pick up in the coming months!

Saving Sam, by Sam Goodwin

In this memoir, Goodwin relates the story of his international travels and how he wound up being kidnapped and held hostage in Syria...and how he miraculously came home to the U.S.A. This book was gripping and I could not put it down. One of the aspects that I really enjoyed was how Goodwin relates the story through the eyes and perspectives of different narrators--so you may read a chapter that focuses on Goodwin's ordeal in a Syrian prison, then read a chapter that follows how his parents were trying to navigate the bureaucracy in the federal government to bring their son home. This story was incredible and I thought it was neat to see how Goodwin's faith wove throughout the book. I'd say more, but I don't want to spoil all the twists and turns! 

The Holy Mass Explained, by Dom Prosper Gueranger

I received this book as a Christmas present and I was excited to dive in! Gueranger walks through the flow of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass and offers a lot of insights about the different elements of the liturgy, as well as prayerful reflections on the various parts of the Mass. I found his discussions insightful and beautiful, and although I do not often get to the Extraordinary Form liturgy, Gueranger's reflections have still impacted my disposition when I attend Mass at my parish. 

Incarnate, by Antony Barone Kolenc

Set in 2007, this story follows Joshua, an agnostic-ish boy who thinks that he's an ordinary high school senior. However, one day, he encounters a mysterious agent following him...and Joshua's life changes forever. No longer is he an ordinary teen; instead, a lone preacher is hunting him own, convinced that Joshua is the Beast from Revelation, and a wild cult is eager to convince Joshua that he is an incarnation of God, and that he was cloned from a stolen Eucharistic miracle. When I first heard about this book, and its wild premise, I knew I had to read it-and I'm so glad I finally did. This book is intense and fast-paced and really interesting. There were a few moments where I felt like I had to suspend my disbelief a little (though to be fair, some pretty wild religious groups have existed in America!), but I enjoyed this book quite a bit.  

The Wagers of Sin, by Emily Hanlon (Martha and Marya Series Book 3)

This mystery opens at a wedding, where the bride, an elderly woman named Helen, drops dead before stating her wedding vows. Marya, an elderly, purple-attired church lady sleuth, takes it upon herself to investigate this death--this murder?--with her friend, Martha. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. The characters were a ton of fun (Marya is simply delightful), and I liked seeing all of their interactions. I did raise my eyebrows a bit at how the wedding was allowed to take place, but since some parishes are more stringent in their marriage requirements than others, I guess it could happen. Anyways, this book was a lot of fun and I hope that the author keeps writing this series! 

The Bicycle Messenger, by Joan Elizabeth Bauer

This novel centers on Steven, a boy who is adopted by Mary Ellen and her husband, Charles. Steven's mother is still alive, but due to her schizophrenia, she is deemed unable to raise her child. As Charles and Mary Ellen settle into life with Steven, Mary Ellen struggles with her role--and the mark that Steven's mother has left on him. After centering on Steven's early years, the book moves to his adulthood, and examines Steven's life and struggles through the eyes of Megan, his girlfriend, and Margaret, his adoptive sister. Through Steven's life and relationships, the novel explores generational trauma, healing, family, and hope. This was a really beautiful novel, though I did struggle to get into it at first. Once I did become invested in the story, however, I really enjoyed it and I liked seeing how all the threads of Steven's life and his mother's story came together. I also though the ending was beautiful and bittersweet. 

Religious and Monastic Life Explained, by Dom Prosper Gueranger

This lovely book is around a hundred pages, but there is a lot to ponder in those pages! Gueranger explores monastic life, and various aspects, struggles, and gifts of that life. He dives into the importance of detachment, the essentiality of the Divine Office, and the evangelical counsels (poverty, chastity, and obedience). I filled my copy with bookmarks of pages that I need to revisit. This book was fantastic. 

Thank you so much for joining me this month! I currently am working my way through a large stack of books and writing projects, but I am always on the lookout for new-to-me titles. So, if you have any recommendations, please drop them in the comments!