This week was a solid reading week, featuring a mix of graphic novels, poetry, and thought-provoking non-fiction. Let’s get into it!
Onion Skin by Edgar Camacho – ★★★
This Mexican graphic novel had a lot of charm, and I really wanted to love it more. The artwork is engaging, the concept is fun, and there’s clear talent behind it. However, the story’s timeline jumps around in a way that’s often unclear, making it hard to follow what’s happening when. Despite that, Camacho shows a lot of promise, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for his future work.
American Idolatry by Andrew Whitehead – ★★★★
A must-read for American Christians—especially those within conservative circles. Whitehead takes a hard look at the dangers of Christian Nationalism and the ways it has warped the Christian faith into something unrecognizable from the teachings of Jesus. If you can approach this with an open mind rather than defensiveness, there’s a lot of insight to gain. It’s uncomfortable but necessary reading.
Felon: Poems by Reginald Dwayne Betts – ★★★★
There are moments of sheer brilliance in this collection, where Betts’ talent as a poet shines through. However, some sections felt bloated, making it less impactful overall. While it didn’t resonate with me as deeply as some other poetry collections, I still found it compelling and worth the read.
Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez – ★★★★
Another book I’d categorize as a must-read, particularly for those questioning the influence of right-wing, Trump-centric Christianity (perhaps even more for those enthusiastically embracing it). Du Mez lays out a thoroughly researched history of how American evangelicalism became entangled with hyper-masculinity, militarism, and nationalism. It’s both eye-opening and deeply unsettling, but incredibly important for understanding the current religious and political landscape.
I’ve felt uncomfortable with what I perceived as toxic parts of conservative Christianity for years. I have now come to believe that the reason I feel uncomfortable with the Gospel as presented in a conservative context is that it isn’t “the Gospel”. It’s a different gospel…
Final Thoughts
This week’s reads had a strong theme of critique—whether of living the status quo (Onion Skin), the post-incarceration system in America (Felon), or the broader cultural and religious landscape (American Idolatry and Jesus and John Wayne). While none were perfect five-star reads, they all left an impression, which is ultimately what I look for in a good book.
Get your copy:
Onion Skin by Edgar Camacho
American Idolatry by Andrew Whitehead
Felon by Reginald Wayne Betts
Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez
