• Novels

    So Brave, Young, and Handsome

    Not to disappoint you, but my troubles are nothing — not for an author, at least. Common blots aside, I have none of the usual Big Artillery: I am not penniless, brilliant, or…

  • Biography,  Christianity

    Art Lesson

    I’m really enjoying Madeleine L’Engle’s The Irrational Season, and trying not to read it too quickly. Today I read her commentary on some works of art. L’Engle writes, “Christian graphic art has often…

  • Biography,  History

    Hiroshima

    This is a must-read. It was given to me about 20 years ago by a friend cleaning out his bookshelves. I’ve put off reading it, sensing that it would rock my world —…

  • Picture Books

    Whitefoot

    Whitefoot: A Story from the Center of the World is Wendell Berry’s first foray into children’s books. Davis TeSelle’s wonderfully delicate and detailed illustrations in black and white enhance the tale. Judging from…

  • Essays

    Stray thoughts on war and pacifism

    I wanted to gather a few comments from thinkers I respect, and see what comparisons emerge. First, Wendell Berry. Here’s a brief excerpt from “The Failure of War“: What could be more absurd,…

  • Novels

    The Man who was Thursday

    I get cranky with books that are heavily allegorical. Something in me says irritably, “If you have a message this specific, just say it. Why try to hide it in a story?” J.R.R.…

  • Chapter Books

    The Giver

    I read this one a few months ago, but I’ve been familiarizing myself with it again for book club this month. Spoilers follow… Here are the things that jump out at me: 1.…