Reviews
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Finding Humanity
Barack Obama’s A Promised Land feels like a series of coffee-shop conversations—about memory, hope, and the dignity we owe one another. It leaves you quietly convinced that solidarity begins small. Read more
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Lessons from the Trail
Cheryl Strayed’s Wild chronicles her 1,100-mile hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. I first read it during the pandemic and—after a long delay—finally share how it reminded me of kindness, grit, and the choice not to fall into the trap of wallowing. Read more
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A Journey of Resilience
A review of The Salt Path by Raynor Winn, a powerful memoir where long-distance walking becomes a metaphor for resilience in the face of grief, loss, and uncertainty. This reflection highlights themes of strength, endurance, and hope—reminders that even in hardship, each step forward can be an act of courage. Read more
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The Fox Tower Murder
Paul French’s Midnight in Peking uncovers the 1937 Fox Tower murder with chilling detail. A fascinating weave of true crime, history, and fiction that brings Beijing to life. Read more
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The Power of Storytelling
Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko tells the multigenerational story of a Korean family in Japan, held together by strong women. Simple, powerful storytelling you can’t put down. Read more
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A Guide to Growing Up Well
A practical, encouraging guide for twentysomethings—covering vocation, faith, work, family, and community. A valuable resource for young adults and those who mentor them. Read more
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Review: Exit West, by Mohsin Hamid (Penguin Books)
From start to finish, the book reads like the rehearsed voice of a news reporter. It’s as if the author is telling you the story in real-time with little backstory or context. You do your best to weave the story together with the pieces you have, with what’s happening right now, but without details of Read more
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Review: On the Block, by Doug Logan (Moody Publishers)
The subtitle of this book is strung along the bottom of the cover, like an afterthought, almost as if the author doesn’t want to scare off the reader :) So first take a good look at the cover: Visualize your home and church in that urban grid. Read the title (and subtitle) and think on it. Read more
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Review: Whisper by Mark Batterson
Often claiming to hear the voice of God is to admit you’re bat crazy. So even when we have such an experience, we often keep it to ourselves rather than make a public announcement. Whisper unfortunately does not deny that looking crazy is one of the outcomes of a lifestyle in communion with God: Faith is Read more
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Review: The Berkeley Bowl Cookbook by Laura McLively
This is a chronicle of author Laura McLively’s adventures with her local grocery store, Berkeley Bowl Marketplace which is known for its over a thousand varieties of fruits and vegetables. The Berkeley Bowl reminds me of Lotté, my local favorite where I don’t recognize most of the produce. So I shop there Google image search in land, looking for Read more
SAYS FYL 