book review
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Review: Zen Camera by David Ulrich
Before smartphones and Instagram filters, like many others, I didn’t dare share my photos with anyone let alone with the world, But today apps and quick lessons on YouTube can make most photos worth a second look. So given all the photography tools out there, one would think another how-to book, let alone a hardback, Read more
-
Review: I Was a Child, by Eric Kaplan
If you’re expecting a typical memoir, you’ll be disappointed. I Was a Child is more like an illustrated storybook for adults. To appreciate it you must let go of the usual expectations of a memoir to enrich you with new insights into the human psyche or inspire you to make positive changes in your life. Abandon those Read more
-
Book Review: Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber
Besides my father, several hundred are pastors in my circle of family, friends, and church activities. So I’m well acquainted with the varieties in which they come. As a teenager, my favorite kind was those with a bad-boy history (Note to self: Rewatch The Cross and the Switchblade). But NONE of the pastors I know look Read more
-
Book Review: In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, by Mark Batterson
Not all great preachers are great writers. Mark Batterson is one of the few who are. Like my favorites, Max Lucado and Charles Swindoll, Batterson has the cadence of a poet and the wisdom of a pastor. This book includes profound thoughts that are beautifully crafted. Here are a few: God is in the business of strategically positioning Read more
-
i am his, by rita j platt (navpress)
For every woman out there who has missed out on experiencing the wondrous bond that exists only between a father and a daughter, this book is especially for you. For those out there who have been disappointed in relationships, be it with spouse, sibling, parent, child or friend, this book is for you too. A Read more
SAYS FYL 