literature
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Review: The Story of Grace
I returned from a much-needed vacation in Arizona to the best sort of mail: book mail! The first book I dove into was The Story of Grace: An Exhibition of God’s Love by 19th-century Scottish poet and pastor Horatius Bonar. This reprint of a Christian classic provided marvelous devotional reading, particularly for the beginning of Continue reading
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Review: “Ecclesiastes: Finding Meaning When Life Feels Meaningless” by Lydia Brownback
Ecclesiastes: Finding Meaning When Life Feels Meaningless is part of Crossway’s Flourish Bible Study series. The series author, Lydia Brownback, is an accomplished writer and conference presenter. Accordingly, she writes like a speaker—with a friendly and clear tone. She distills biblical information into an understandable and applicable format, making this study on Ecclesiastes a great Continue reading
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5 Times Flannery O’Connor was an Introverted Icon
Last year, I read Brad Gooch’s marvelous biography of Flannery at a time when I felt (to be honest) very crummy about my writing. It was exactly the encouragement I needed. For instance, I found out that when someone asked O’Connor what if she collected anything, she replied, “Rejection letters.” Her bluntness was balm to Continue reading
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All My (Author) Friends Are Dead – A Reflection and Update
First of all, if you got the reference from this post’s title, let’s be friends; we clearly went to junior high in the same era. Alright, moving on. Last month, I received some long-awaited and long-prayed-for news. When I opened the fateful email, I ran screaming across the house to tell Billy. “Crsweryawfurrmuncnterct!!!” He thought Continue reading
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Social Media and Sabbaths
It’s Saturday evening, and I am filled with relief. Tomorrow, at last, is a Sabbath. Sundays are not restful for me. I rise earlier than other mornings and practice for an hour or so before my first church service, where I play the organ and direct the choir. After this, I snatch a few donut Continue reading
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Publication Update
ClayJar Review, a Christian literary journal, selected my sonnet, “Ash Wednesday 2023,” and my flash fiction story, “Protocol,” for publication. It is rare to find a Christian journal that values both authenticity and hopefulness, so I am honored to be included. My pieces, along with those by other Christian creatives, can be read here: https://clayjar.review/issues/sorrow-and-joy Continue reading
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Reading Roundup: February 2023
I read ten books in February and, as usual, my reading tastes are unpredictable. The genres I enjoyed range from speculative fiction to poetry to journalism and nonfiction to historical biblical fiction. It would be a wild ride if I weren’t, well, sitting comfortably on my couch with a cup of coffee and a blanket. Continue reading
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Make Christian Nonfiction Beautiful Again
Yesterday, several people asked me what I was reading. When I replied, “Abraham Kuyper’s The Work of the Holy Spirit” and showed them this thick treasure-trove of a tome, there were two basic responses: 1) nodding and backing away as though Reformed theology is contagious and 2) an appreciative nod accompanied by some comment that Continue reading
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Till We Have Faces – Discussion Questions
A friend and I are reading C.S. Lewis’ Till We Have Faces. This is my third trek through this masterpiece and, upon finishing it this morning, I decided to look up the HarperOne reading guide. The questions on this guide are fine, but seem a bit surface-level for such a mythical, mystical book. So, here Continue reading
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Reading Roundup – January 2023
Curious what I read this month? Check out my GoodReads! Although I read eleven books this month, not every one was a winner. However, I did read several that are now on my favorites list! Check them out below: 1. Marmee by Sarah Miller I read this right after rereading Little Women and LET ME Continue reading
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2022 Reading Roundup
I read 55 books this year. Here are a few of my favorites: 1. Historical Fiction: Andersonville by MacKinlay Kantor I’ve been wanting to read this Civil War epic since high school, but was determined to find a vintage copy in a used bookstore. Finally, my hunt was rewarded. The Book Cellar in Grand Haven, Continue reading
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Books Recommending Books
I’ve noticed a trend in books that I love: they also love each other. When I first read Anne of Green Gables, I was intrigued by the part where Anne gets caught reading Ben-Hur when she is supposed to be doing her history lessons. First of all, I share a great deal with my partial Continue reading
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