What do you think?
Rate this book
Every Other Monday: Twenty Years of Life, Lunch, Faith, and Friendship
Where do you go when the water rises?
For more than twenty years, John Kasich has sought the answer to this question and many of life’s most fundamental challenges in an unlikely place: his twice-a-month lunches with an irreverent, thoughtful, and spirited circle of guys who are members of a Bible study group. Every other Monday over lunch at an Italian restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, Kasich and half a dozen friends use the stories of the Good Book as a launching pad to ask questions running the gamut from “Does God exist?” to “What do you do if faith fails you?” This group, in reaching for life’s biggest mysteries while standing firmly rooted in the everyday, has become a cornerstone of Kasich’s life, one to which he consistently turns when the waters threaten to rise.
Every Other Monday is an honest look at how to build faith and find solace, even during the most heartbreaking circumstances, and offers a template for reconsidering how we make everyday choices as well as life-changing decisions. Along with rousing personal anecdotes and poignant memories, Kasich shares some of the group’s frank discussions on the major themes found in the Bible—and in our daily lives.
For more than twenty years, John Kasich has sought the answer to this question and many of life’s most fundamental challenges in an unlikely place: his twice-a-month lunches with an irreverent, thoughtful, and spirited circle of guys who are members of a Bible study group. Every other Monday over lunch at an Italian restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, Kasich and half a dozen friends use the stories of the Good Book as a launching pad to ask questions running the gamut from “Does God exist?” to “What do you do if faith fails you?” This group, in reaching for life’s biggest mysteries while standing firmly rooted in the everyday, has become a cornerstone of Kasich’s life, one to which he consistently turns when the waters threaten to rise.
Every Other Monday is an honest look at how to build faith and find solace, even during the most heartbreaking circumstances, and offers a template for reconsidering how we make everyday choices as well as life-changing decisions. Along with rousing personal anecdotes and poignant memories, Kasich shares some of the group’s frank discussions on the major themes found in the Bible—and in our daily lives.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2010
14 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
John Kasich
13 books45 followersJohn Richard Kasich Jr. is an American politician and author who was the 69th governor of Ohio from 2011 to 2019, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 2001, and a Republican candidate for the presidential nomination in 2000 and 2016.
Kasich was born and grew up in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, and moved to Ohio in 1970 to attend college. After a single term in the Ohio Senate, he served nine terms as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio's 12th congressional district. His tenure in the House included 18 years on the House Armed Services Committee and six years as chair of the House Budget Committee. Kasich was a key figure in the passage of both 1996 welfare reform legislation and the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Kasich decided not to run for re-election in 2000 and ran for president instead. He withdrew from the race before the Republican primaries.
After leaving Congress, Kasich hosted Heartland with John Kasich on Fox News from 2001 to 2007 and served as managing director of the Lehman Brothers office in Columbus, Ohio. He ran for governor of Ohio in 2010, defeating Democratic incumbent Ted Strickland. He was re-elected in 2014, defeating Democratic challenger Ed FitzGerald by 30 percentage points. Kasich was term-limited and could not seek a third gubernatorial term in 2018; he was succeeded by fellow Republican Mike DeWine.
Kasich ran for president again in 2016, finishing in fourth place in the Republican primaries behind Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio. He won the primary in his home state of Ohio and finished second in New Hampshire. Kasich declined to support Trump as the Republican presidential nominee and did not attend the 2016 Republican National Convention, which was held in Ohio. From 2019 to 2023, Kasich was a CNN contributor. Since March 2023, he has been an analyst on NBC News. Kasich is known as one of Trump's most prominent critics within the Republican Party, and endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for president in a speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Kasich was born and grew up in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, and moved to Ohio in 1970 to attend college. After a single term in the Ohio Senate, he served nine terms as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio's 12th congressional district. His tenure in the House included 18 years on the House Armed Services Committee and six years as chair of the House Budget Committee. Kasich was a key figure in the passage of both 1996 welfare reform legislation and the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Kasich decided not to run for re-election in 2000 and ran for president instead. He withdrew from the race before the Republican primaries.
After leaving Congress, Kasich hosted Heartland with John Kasich on Fox News from 2001 to 2007 and served as managing director of the Lehman Brothers office in Columbus, Ohio. He ran for governor of Ohio in 2010, defeating Democratic incumbent Ted Strickland. He was re-elected in 2014, defeating Democratic challenger Ed FitzGerald by 30 percentage points. Kasich was term-limited and could not seek a third gubernatorial term in 2018; he was succeeded by fellow Republican Mike DeWine.
Kasich ran for president again in 2016, finishing in fourth place in the Republican primaries behind Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio. He won the primary in his home state of Ohio and finished second in New Hampshire. Kasich declined to support Trump as the Republican presidential nominee and did not attend the 2016 Republican National Convention, which was held in Ohio. From 2019 to 2023, Kasich was a CNN contributor. Since March 2023, he has been an analyst on NBC News. Kasich is known as one of Trump's most prominent critics within the Republican Party, and endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for president in a speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 11, 2010
Didnt quite understand the book at first. The trials and tribulations of trying to build a group that meets consistently. Busy schedules, different opinions, people dropping off etc etc etc...the problems you always have with a group whether Bible study or anything else. Aside from two maybe three pages that include a good discussion on faith in God and free will, about 2/3's of the book is just the mechanics and play by play of the Bible study group. It didn't do much for me. I think around page 150 things start picking up. We finally get into some interpretations of what the Bible study group has actually learned; and how that applies to real life. However, even this "deeper" part of the book left me no better than where I started.
Maybe a book that is more appropriate for Kasich's closest friends and Bible group participants. My opinion it's not worth it for a mass market publication.
Maybe a book that is more appropriate for Kasich's closest friends and Bible group participants. My opinion it's not worth it for a mass market publication.
August 23, 2017
Governor Kasich's Bible study group has met regularly for over twenty years. I didn't expect to enjoy this book so much. A lot of insights and practical tips about keeping a small group interested and interesting. Gov. Kasich didn't claim to be a "perfect" Christian, either. He wrote about his periods of doubt and tough times and demonstrated a curiosity about the Bible, a longing to dive deeper into the text.
October 19, 2015
I was fascinated by the story of a group of men who have come together for regular Bible study for twenty years. The interesting thing is that these men aren't part of a church or other organization. They come from different denominations and different churches; some knew each other and others didn't when individual members joined. They don't always agree theologically, but they have developed a strong bond through the years and they benefit from studying God's Word.
August 2, 2011
Had great potential but could've been much more applicable to others rather than just being a memoir.
September 26, 2023
I found the audio book edition at the public library when one of the books I had reserved for a car trip did not come in time. I had never heard of this book but decided to give it a listen since Kasich is now governor of Ohio, where I've lived most of my life, and since I have also been part of a men's Bible study group of the same size (call ours, "Almost Every Friday"). I was interested in how Kasich's experience compared with mine. I'm a little leery of politicians. I didn't want to read a self promoting propaganda piece. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. This is not a showcase for John Kasich's political views. It's a story of what it's like to have real group of honest friends centered around the study of Scripture. Kasich's group has lasted over twenty years. The book helped me to reflect on, and appreciate much more, my own experience with the seven guys that I've met with over the last nine years. It also gave me a better understanding and appreciation for the man, John Kasich, and his friends. I was very impressed with the depth and substance of the personal issues explored in this book in the context of the group. These men are not shallow thinkers, nor are they a group of mutually affirming sycophants. With all their differences, they genuinely care for one another.
You have to get past the first chapter, which is no gripper, to really appreciate the book. Then it gets better as it goes. Kasich talks about the influence that religion had on him in his growing up years, how he departed from his spiritual roots as a young man, and the effect that his parents' untimely death had on his return to "basics", a struggle with the "big questions" of life and how this finally led him to gather together a group of men of different backgrounds and points of view for serious and candid discussions about how the teachings of the Bible apply to life. Over the twenty years, different men joined, and left, for various reasons but their lunch time meetings became a very important part of all their lives and these very different men became very close friends. This group meeting offered them things that the typical church Sunday school meeting does not: A chance to ask challenging questions, express serious doubts and to call one another to account for the way they've been living; all within the bonds of strong friendship. The stories about how these guys supported one another through some very difficult times, including the tragic death of one or their members, are well worth the time spent with the book.
I recommend the audio edition. It's unabridged and well read by John Pruden in the conversational style in which it is written.
You have to get past the first chapter, which is no gripper, to really appreciate the book. Then it gets better as it goes. Kasich talks about the influence that religion had on him in his growing up years, how he departed from his spiritual roots as a young man, and the effect that his parents' untimely death had on his return to "basics", a struggle with the "big questions" of life and how this finally led him to gather together a group of men of different backgrounds and points of view for serious and candid discussions about how the teachings of the Bible apply to life. Over the twenty years, different men joined, and left, for various reasons but their lunch time meetings became a very important part of all their lives and these very different men became very close friends. This group meeting offered them things that the typical church Sunday school meeting does not: A chance to ask challenging questions, express serious doubts and to call one another to account for the way they've been living; all within the bonds of strong friendship. The stories about how these guys supported one another through some very difficult times, including the tragic death of one or their members, are well worth the time spent with the book.
I recommend the audio edition. It's unabridged and well read by John Pruden in the conversational style in which it is written.
March 26, 2017
This is a remarkable book from a politician who had White House ambitions. He takes us into a long-standing group of men who came together regularly over 20 years to ask questions about the Bible and their lives. The group developed a culture in which men -- all of them highly successful in their work -- could talk about a wide variety of issues that puzzle them. As Kasich tells the story, the group had a minimal formal structure and a very large set of questions. He hints at the power of such groups but pulls up short on dictating how groups should be created.
Kasich tells us how his behavior in church as a young child links to the group started many years later. Any male who was told forcefully how he would behave in church will like the early chapters. Anyone who, as an adult, is troubled by the lessons of the Bible will find some answers or a new set of questions to keep asking.
The book stores--especially the religious book stores-- probably have several books on their shelves about how to form a Bible group.
Every Other Monday is NOT such a book. Kasich tells us about the 20 + years he participated in a discussion group over lunch two times a month. The men asked real-life questions and then together looked for insights (not answers) in the Bible. The group has lasted 20+ years in part because it asked tough questions and rejected simple answers.
Kasich tells us how his behavior in church as a young child links to the group started many years later. Any male who was told forcefully how he would behave in church will like the early chapters. Anyone who, as an adult, is troubled by the lessons of the Bible will find some answers or a new set of questions to keep asking.
The book stores--especially the religious book stores-- probably have several books on their shelves about how to form a Bible group.
Every Other Monday is NOT such a book. Kasich tells us about the 20 + years he participated in a discussion group over lunch two times a month. The men asked real-life questions and then together looked for insights (not answers) in the Bible. The group has lasted 20+ years in part because it asked tough questions and rejected simple answers.
March 22, 2016
Further in our book club's reading of books by presidential candidates. He starts by describing growing up Catholic, drifting, then getting back to religious reflection when his parents were killed by a drunk driver. It was the classic question of why does God let bad things happen to people, and it led to him exploring with others what Bible stories mean, what it meant in biblical times to lead a life of faith, and what it means today.
The book is easy to read, like a folksy conversation for average people, dictated in his head, but it spends too much time (for me) discussing the logistics of forming a Bible group. However, the last half of the book really cemented this picture of a principled man, who doesn't pretend to be perfect or publicly religious, and how this group became his multi-denomination "first responders" in questions of faith. What they built and nurtured together over decades became a part of them, and who they are as people trying to live more purposefully and meaningfully. In the end, the message is faith is a choice, not theory, but how you live your life. That's such a refreshing thing to understand about the moral grounding of a public servant.
The book is easy to read, like a folksy conversation for average people, dictated in his head, but it spends too much time (for me) discussing the logistics of forming a Bible group. However, the last half of the book really cemented this picture of a principled man, who doesn't pretend to be perfect or publicly religious, and how this group became his multi-denomination "first responders" in questions of faith. What they built and nurtured together over decades became a part of them, and who they are as people trying to live more purposefully and meaningfully. In the end, the message is faith is a choice, not theory, but how you live your life. That's such a refreshing thing to understand about the moral grounding of a public servant.
March 21, 2016
This is a very personal book about a bible study group that Kasich formed more than 20 years ago. Generally I prefer political figures who have a deep set of personal values. Thus, I could accept a politician like Joe Lieberman quicker than I could many more conservative figures because although I may not support some of the programs he would I believe I understand how he would make decisions.
The story begins with the death of his parents in an auto accident (both were killed by a drunk driver) and then wends its way through the creation of the group and its continuing activities. He describes how the group was formed, what they talk about, how the group has evolved. The book also offers some insights about how faith influences Katich's public activities. It was originally written when he first ran for governor.
This book is a quick read and I would find it unlikely that any of the other candidates who announced for President in this cycle would be likely or even able to write such a book. I found it both interesting and inspirational.
The story begins with the death of his parents in an auto accident (both were killed by a drunk driver) and then wends its way through the creation of the group and its continuing activities. He describes how the group was formed, what they talk about, how the group has evolved. The book also offers some insights about how faith influences Katich's public activities. It was originally written when he first ran for governor.
This book is a quick read and I would find it unlikely that any of the other candidates who announced for President in this cycle would be likely or even able to write such a book. I found it both interesting and inspirational.
August 2, 2017
Every Other Monday was written around the time Kasich began his 2010 Ohio gubernatorial campaign. In it, he discusses his Christian faith, and especially his relationships with his bi-weekly Bible Study group and the men in it.
On the one hand, if the author was some random unknown person, I don't think the book would have been published by a major publisher. I'm sure that there are better Christian books out there, by most definitions of "better". But on the other hand, Kasich's message of his experiences in developing and maintaining a long-lasting Bible-based discussion group is something that most Christians could use. Plus, should Kasich again seek "National Office", readers could refer to this book to learn something of what makes him tick.
On the one hand, if the author was some random unknown person, I don't think the book would have been published by a major publisher. I'm sure that there are better Christian books out there, by most definitions of "better". But on the other hand, Kasich's message of his experiences in developing and maintaining a long-lasting Bible-based discussion group is something that most Christians could use. Plus, should Kasich again seek "National Office", readers could refer to this book to learn something of what makes him tick.
February 22, 2012
If you're looking for a book on how bible study groups work, this is the book for you!
I'm not sure what I was expecting out of this book. Whatever it was, I didn't get it. I read about 100 pages and it wasn't getting anymore exciting. Maybe the second half of it is better, but I'm not taking any chances by reading it.
It's not terribly written, it just wasn't very compelling. As a memoir it fell short as it focused only on his life events as they affected his bible study group. I'm rather religious but didn't really feel inspired by any of his reflections either.
Nope, wouldn't recommend it.
I'm not sure what I was expecting out of this book. Whatever it was, I didn't get it. I read about 100 pages and it wasn't getting anymore exciting. Maybe the second half of it is better, but I'm not taking any chances by reading it.
It's not terribly written, it just wasn't very compelling. As a memoir it fell short as it focused only on his life events as they affected his bible study group. I'm rather religious but didn't really feel inspired by any of his reflections either.
Nope, wouldn't recommend it.
October 17, 2010
Let me preface my comment by saying I like John Kasich and that prompted me to read the book. Every Other Monday is an account of the author's Bible Study Group. There is little to harvest here. I found the book more substantial near the end when the author grappled with human vices. Don't expect the insight of Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life or the poetic spirituality of Thomas Merton's Seven Storey Mountain. What you will find is the pilgrimage of an ordinary man to Jesus.
April 3, 2016
John and his friends meet every other Monday for lunch and a group Bible Study. they aren't fire and brimstone, just a group of guys, that have become like family trying to make sense of this crazy ride we are on called life, while searching for answers from the Bible. A lot of times more than answers, they continue to find questions. But this group has become a rock to stand on when times are hard. I would love to sit in on one of these lunches!
August 9, 2017
It is rare to read a book by a politician that is not about politics. This is one such book, and I not only enjoyed reading it, but I especially appreciate Kasich’s candid approach to expressing doubts and questions people have when discussing God, faith, the Bible, and life in general. Every Other Monday is an excellent book about a group of men that meet, you guessed it, every other Monday.
August 23, 2010
This is a wonderful book, and we will give some as gifts. John Kasich describes the genesis of his Bible study group, and the ensuing 20 years of the gatherings. Lots of food for thought, and some very helpful suggestions on how to view an issue--and to examine it from each and every side.
September 4, 2010
I kept hearing about this book and how good it was..... maybe it was all the hype but it didn't seem as fabulous to me as everyone said. It is refreshing to hear this Public Servant discuss issues of faith and how he incorporated this into his life.
June 29, 2012
God's Hand....Man's Free Will...and everything in between...Is there a GOD discussed thru FAITH, FREINDSHIP, and FELLOWSHIP...Dark Nights of the Soul was very enlightening and provides that answer when one demands "Why ME...How could God let this happen"...GOOD READ!!!!
March 9, 2013
I picked this up because I am in a women's group at church. The relationships were interesting, but too much time was spent on them and not enough information about their discussions. Some enjoyable and memorable parts, though.
June 7, 2011
A book written by the now Governor of Ohio. It is about a group of men (Kasich included) who meet every other Monday for a bible study and have done so for 20 years.
June 17, 2013
GREAT book - loved this book and good gift to give.....
August 29, 2021
A very personal book about a man and his faith and how it became deeper because of meeting with a group of other men looking to discuss their faith. Over 20 years ago, John Kasich, best known now as the former governor of Ohio and Presidential candidate, asked a friend about forming a small group of men of faith to create a place to discuss their faith. They asked a pastor they knew to help lead the group and the small church community was formed. The men were of different ages, different professions, different stages in life, different Christian denominations, but had a similar yearning to deepen their understanding of faith.
The book discusses the reasons why Kasich wanted to form the group, the formation, the recruitment, the meeting places, the topics, the process, and the discussions. It is part how to create a small church community group and part personal unveiling. The book deals with doubts, the dark nights of the soul, that inflict people of faith from time to time, and what helped them out of them. It deals with those coincidences that seem like they are not coincidences but an all powerful God moving pieces in a chess game, but the knowledge that God doesn't have time to do that ... or is God so omniscient that they can.
The group has been n=meeting every other monday for more than 20 years. They have lost members to death, to moves across country, to work schedules, and they have added members over the years but the core values of the group remain.
The book discusses the reasons why Kasich wanted to form the group, the formation, the recruitment, the meeting places, the topics, the process, and the discussions. It is part how to create a small church community group and part personal unveiling. The book deals with doubts, the dark nights of the soul, that inflict people of faith from time to time, and what helped them out of them. It deals with those coincidences that seem like they are not coincidences but an all powerful God moving pieces in a chess game, but the knowledge that God doesn't have time to do that ... or is God so omniscient that they can.
The group has been n=meeting every other monday for more than 20 years. They have lost members to death, to moves across country, to work schedules, and they have added members over the years but the core values of the group remain.
December 20, 2023
In this book, John Kasich describes how a group of men developed a deep friendship with one another through a Bible study that met for lunch every other Monday for over twenty years. Their main touch points were how passages and stories from the Bible related to their lives. Their open discussions didn’t always find total agreement but that helped them to grow in their understanding of their relationship to God and how that would play out in their everyday lives. As a pastor who has led Bible Studies for many years, I found this book to be very insightful. While the group described in the book had a pastor who was part of the group and who facilitated the discussion topics, he did not “teach” in the sense of lecturing. He merely got things going and helped them to stay on task when they were tempted to get too far off base. That was the right approach for that group. I would recommend this book to anyone who might be looking for a way to grow in their relationship to God and find meaning for their life.
February 8, 2020
I liked the book. It shows how regular social meetings can transform into individual friendships and help us through the hard times in life. We should all be so lucky to have a group of friends to meet for such a long time. I thought the book went a little too much in to the mechanics of starting the Bible study but sometimes maybe we need that kind of information so that we understand just how important this enterprise Canby to an individual. Obviously he thought it was important so he wrote the book. I liked the discussion about faith I don’t know that I have ever read or participated in one that was quite so diverse.I am happy that he stated his basic believes from the very beginning so we wouldn’t be left wondering how he felt about the Bible and faith and religion and Christ. I was happy to see that he made that a priority.
May 19, 2022
Wow! Blown away by his honesty
Excellent book! Thank you Kasich and friends for reminding me to keep it real in my Bible Study group and for encouraging me and reminding me to be authentic in my faith.
Excellent book! Thank you Kasich and friends for reminding me to keep it real in my Bible Study group and for encouraging me and reminding me to be authentic in my faith.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews