Magical Memoir Moments

Reviewing 2013 and Setting Goals for 2014: Continuing the Search for Simplicity, Legacy

On January 1 of each year, I try to reflect on the good news of the past year, forgive the pain, and gaze upon the blank slate of the new with great anticipation. As I get older, I think of each new year as an amazing gift. A friend once wished me a happy birthday,…

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The Author Responds to Critique: Thrill of the Chaste Part III

I’ve admired Valerie Weaver-Zercher’s insights and frisky, learned (not a combo you meet every day) writing style ever since I first read her work in magazines. Over the years, I found her reviews in Christian Century, her articles about practical spirituality in Sojourners (you can purchase at Amazon through the link) and her op-eds in…

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Bo Caldwell's City of Tranquil Light: A Review

If you subscribe to Christian Century magazine, you may have read my review of City of Tranquil Light in the fall books edition. If you aren’t a subscriber, you can read it below. Dora Dueck also wrote an excellent review on her blog, Borrowing Bones. I encourage you to check it out. Caldwell, Bo. City…

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The Reviewer's Role: Is A Touch of Memoir Appropriate, Honest, Intrusive, Something Else?

Reading and reviewing books side-by-side offers a way of increasing the number of perspectives and experiences one can weave together. The reading process itself is an interactive one. At a minimum it includes the author’s voice and values, reader’s values and experiences, and other texts both reader and writer have woven into their lives. Two books…

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Top 10 Memoirs: If You Show Me Yours, I'll Show You Mine!

Let me begin with an apology for slacking off on blogging this past week. I probably will continue a low profile until June 30th, after an important board meeting, and after I have finished a book review to send to Christian Century. But how lovely it would be if we together could make some progress…

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