Colossians & Philemon

Colossians & Philemon, by Kathleen Buswell Nielson

22/60 | Started 08.10.25 • Finished 05.05.26 | 4 stars

This one was a long time coming... We did a study of Colossians and Philemon by Colleen Searcy last fall, but I never finished the chapter on Philemon in this book I was using to help me as I co-led a small group. So I finally picked it up and read the last chapter. Nielson's particular method of teaching through the book is to lead you to other passages in the Bible itself to answer questions that might arise from studying your particular passage. She doesn't provide the answers to questions like many other studies do. However, after being guided through the book of Colossians, she drops you in the deep end for Philemon, and it felt like a little too much of a switch. I would have liked to see the Philemon chapter remain a bit more guided.

The Boys in the Light

The Boys in the Light, by Nina Willner

21/60 | Started 04.13.26 • Finished 04.19.26 | 4 stars

This true story set in World War II came across my radar thanks to Tim Challies. It's the story of two sets of boys, one from the U.S. and one from the concentration camps of Nazi Germany. The U.S. boys grow up very different from one another, but are assigned to the same company of tankers. The concentration camp boys develop a deep friendship despite their immense suffering. The collision of these two sets of boys changes their life's trajectory. The book is complete with wartime and reunion photos. A great though sobering read worth devoting your time to.

The Ferryman and His Wife

The Ferryman and His Wife, by Frode Grytten

20/60 | Started 04.04.26 • Finished 04.13.26 | 4 stars

It’s a sad book, to be sure, but there is some hope involved regardless of it being about Nils Vick’s last day. He encounters those he’s loved and lost and ends up with the one he loved and lost the most. Beautiful writing and great character development for such a short space.