A message we need now more than ever:

Howard Brown shows how paying it forward strengthens generations

IT’S A MESSAGE WE ALL NEED TO HEAR: “We’re not given life to see how much we can get—we’re given life to see how much we can give.” That’s one of the central messages that runs throughout Howard Brown’s new book, Shining Brightly, and it’s a message he delivers in TV and radio broadcasts, podcasts and public appearances nationwide. His book won’t be officially released until the Jewish High Holiday of Rosh Hashanah under the theme: New Year; New Hopes! But already Howard is crisscrossing the nation with his inspiring message and you can preorder his book from Amazon right now.

We’re devoting three weeks of ReadTheSpirit magazine to the three central themes of Shining Brightly: resiliency in the face of cancer was last week, interfaith peacemaking will come next week. This week, we’re focusing on Howard’s lifelong passion for mentorship, which he sometimes performs in a style he calls “whispering” and is a key to the entrepreneurial successes in his own life.

What do we mean by “successes”? Consider Howard’s brother Ian. These days, Ian is virtually Howard’s real brother, but their relationship began when Howard was a budding Silicon Valley entrepreneur who devoted spare time to helping a kid from a troubled family find a hopeful pathway in life. That’s little Ian, in the photo above, when Howard first became his Jewish Big Brother.

Please, read our Cover Story this week and share it with friends. Word of Warning: If you buy a copy of Shining Brightly and enjoy Howard’s stories—you’ll likely find yourself wanting to become a mentor, too (if you’re not already doing that). This is a potent book that you should consider giving as a gift to a friend or loved one who could use such a dose of resiliency, hope and strength! If you care to help in spreading this good news into the world, please start right now by visiting Amazon and pre-ordering your copy of Shining Brightly.

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And Speaking of Inspiration—

Bill Tammeus celebrates the songs of Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

AWARD-WINNING RELIGION JOURNALIST BILL TAMMEUS, author of Love Loss and Endurance, has asked his nationwide audience to help celebrate a major milestone for Christian songwriter Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. In his column, Bill writes: “One of the important sources of new Christian hymns these days is the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, a Presbyterian pastor who, with her husband, helps lead a small church in upstate New York. She has just published a new collection of her hymns in a book called I Sing to My Savior: New Hymns from the Stories in the Gospel of Luke.” For anyone who has ever sung a hymn by Gillette, this is terrific news you’ll want to share. Plus—Bill’s column includes links to Gillette’s personal website, where she has posted many of her hymns that are free for congregations to use right away.

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And we all celebrate Dr. Gushee’s milestone with Changing Our Mind

SUSAN STITT writes about the 300-review threshold on Amazon that Dr. David Gushee is likely crossing this week with his inspiring and helpful book, Changing Our Mind. Why is this so important? More than numbers and stars, it’s the ever-growing number of lives that have been changed by this message.

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Holidays & Festivals

Rosh Hashanah is coming!

THIS YEAR, WE’VE GOT TWO WONDERFUL COLUMNS: First, Rabbi Lenore Bohm, author of Torah Tutor, shares a series of inspiring thoughts that you’ll want to enjoy—whatever your faith may be. Her column is a perfect preparation for the Jewish New Year but it also ends with reflective questions that all of us can benefit from asking.

Then, regular Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton fills in more details about the holiday, especially geared to our non-Jewish readers. And regular readers know that the gems in Stephanie’s columns are her links to other resources—in this case to some delicious recipes.

 

And, the Equinox is coming

STEPHANIE ALSO WRITES, this week, about the change-of-season milestone coming later in September.

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• TREES OF PEACE—“Director-writer Alanna Brown’s harrowing film centers on four women who hide from the rampaging Hutus during the Rwandan genocide.”
• MEDIEVAL—“Czech director-writer Petr Jákl’s film focuses upon the early career of his nation’s hero Jan Žižka, regarded by many to be as great a military genius as any of the more famous generals.”
• EXTRAORDINARY ATTORNEY WOO—”27-year-old attorney Woo Young Woo is indeed extraordinary in that she is Korea’s first lawyer with autism spectrum disorder.”
• A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN—Ed asks, “How do you dare remake a film like A League of Their Own that is considered a classic by millions of fans?” In his review, he points out a list of enjoyments this series provides.
• BREAKING—”Director Abi Damaris Corbin’s tragic, heart-rending film is based upon a true story about a tragedy in Marietta, Georgia that unfolded on July 7, 2017.”
• HALLELUJAH—LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG—”Daniel Geller and Dayna Goldfine’s documentary approaches the life of the Canadian poet/songwriter through one song, a mystical one that has captured the hearts of millions of people, some of whom believe in some form of God, as well as many who do not.”
• MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS—”The story of a lowly British cleaning woman fulfilling her dream of owning a Christian Dior dress is a wonderful Cinderella story that will leave you feeling very good about the world and (most) of its inhabitants, even if a cynic might write it off as PR for the House of Dior.”.

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‘I met death.’

Howard Brown beat Stage IV cancer twice and now shares keys to resiliency to help others

WHY SHOULD YOU ORDER YOUR COPY OF ‘SHINING BRIGHTLY’ TODAY? This week and over the next two weeks, we are sharing with our readers the three major themes of this book, which is now available for pre-order.

The first theme is resilience in our struggles with cancer. Howard Brown is nationally known as a rare survivor of advanced Stage IV cancer—not just once, but twice! Regularly, he speaks to groups about the principles of resiliency. On a daily basis, he is a “cancer whisperer” for families facing this traumatic struggle. This is why Dr. Anna D. Barker, co-founder of the American Association for Cancer Research’s special Scientist Survivor Program, is endorsing this book for everyone touched by cancer: “As a mentor in our program, Howard motivates everyone to build mutually beneficial relationships that educate, inspire and ultimately heal. Shining Brightly offers a compelling landscape of possibilities for cancer patients, survivors and indeed anyone who wants to become their best self!”

So, this week, here are some of the resources you can share with friends and loved ones about the resiliency that can help us to survive cancer:

What are the ‘Keys to Resiliency when Confronting Cancer?‘ Howard is freely sharing this part of the Discussion Guide for his new book, which lists 18 keys to resiliency that have proven valuable in his life and in the lives of people he has mentored through cancer. The list ends with two open slots for you and your friends to fill in during your discussion of the book, based on your own experiences. Howard also invites discussion groups to get in touch with him to share your ideas and experiences.

Then, timeless questions arise at each New Year: ‘Who shall live and who shall die?’ In this inspiring column, Howard shares how this question asked by families facing cancer is addressed directly with timeless spiritual wisdom during the Jewish high holidays. We have chosen to launch Howard’s book at Rosh Hashanah this year under the theme: New Year; New Hope. Please read and share this moving column with friends.

If you care to help in spreading this good news into the world, please start right now by visiting Amazon and pre-ordering your copy of Shining Brightly.

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Remembering—

Queen Elizabeth II

CANADIAN-AMERICAN AUTHOR LUCILLE SIDER writes about why she, and millions of others around the world, cried when the news broke that Queen Elizabeth II had died.

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Dr. Ronald J. Sider

THIS WEEK, LUCILLE SIDER also shares with us a personal remembrance of her brother—Dr. Ronald J. Sider, founder of Evangelicals for Social Action and for half a century an international voice for progressive Christianity. Ron died late this summer.

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Shahina Begg

ALL OF US ARE MOURNING THE PASSING OF SHAHINA BEGG, the wife of author and peace activist Victor Begg and a pioneering community leader in her own right. Among Shahina’s many accomplishments was the co-founding of the WISDOM women’s organization based in Michigan, which promotes friendships across religious lines. In this tribute to her life, we celebrate Sharhina’s daring life of crossing boundaries.

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Holidays & Festivals

 

The Equinox is coming (and for some Mabon)

STEPHANIE ALSO WRITES, this week, about the change-of-season milestone coming later in September.

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF LONGING–”George Miller, who helmed one of my favorite fantasy fables, BABE: Pig in the City, again enters the realm of fantasy in this tale that seems tailor-made for Tilda Swinton. Filled with CGI special effects, the film sweeps us through the three millennia of history, as indicated in its title.”
• EXTRAORDINARY ATTORNEY WOO—”27-year-old attorney Woo Young Woo is indeed extraordinary in that she is Korea’s first lawyer with autism spectrum disorder.”
• A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN—Ed asks, “How do you dare remake a film like A League of Their Own that is considered a classic by millions of fans?” In his review, he points out a list of enjoyments this series provides.
• BREAKING—”Director Abi Damaris Corbin’s tragic, heart-rending film is based upon a true story about a tragedy in Marietta, Georgia that unfolded on July 7, 2017.”
• HALLELUJAH—LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG—”Daniel Geller and Dayna Goldfine’s documentary approaches the life of the Canadian poet/songwriter through one song, a mystical one that has captured the hearts of millions of people, some of whom believe in some form of God, as well as many who do not.”
• A LOVE SONG—”Actress Dale Dickey shines in this Western romance written and directed by first-timer Max Walker-Silverman.”
• PEACE BY CHOCOLATE—”First-time feature writer/director Jonathan Keijser’s refugee story is as sweet as its title indicates.”
• EMILY THE CRIMINAL—”Writer/director John Patton Ford’s debut film combines the crime thriller genre with a scathing social commentary on the exploitive nature of our corporate dominated society.”
• MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS—”The story of a lowly British cleaning woman fulfilling her dream of owning a Christian Dior dress is a wonderful Cinderella story that will leave you feeling very good about the world and (most) of its inhabitants, even if a cynic might write it off as PR for the House of Dior.”.

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Postcards from the Road by Benjamin Pratt …

Healing our divisions through jazz and Zen

ONE OF THE JOYS OF FALL, since the first days of school in our childhoods, has been the question: “What did you do this summer?” Well, this summer, the answers from our community of writers have been quite inspiring! So, this week, we are featuring what we might describe as colorful postcards and notes sent to us by Benjamin Pratt as he and his wife Judith traveled in the hills of Tuscany through a unique pilgrimage program called JazZen. Please, if you enjoy this story, share it with friends—and consider sending us your own inspiring letter from the road.

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Holidays & Festivals

 

Labor Day

STEPHANIE FENTON writes about some of the religious history connected with this major American holiday.

The Equinox is coming (and for some Mabon)

STEPHANIE ALSO WRITES, this week, about the change-of-season milestone coming later in September.

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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From Suzy Farbman

Sarah discovers that 12 Steps are part of a life-long journey

IN HER GOD SIGNS COLUMNS, Suzy Farbman introduces us to remarkable people who face challenges in trying to make our world a better place. Our readers learn that spending a few minutes with one of Suzy’s stories makes their day a little better, as well. That’s certainly true this week as Suzy shares the story of a lifelong friend, Sarah, who wound up turning to two 12-Step programs in her long journey toward wellbeing.

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From Howard Brown

Want be part of Shining Brightly?

Watch the movie version.
(It’s less than 2 minutes!)

WE’RE EAGERLY SHARING THE GOOD NEWS about the upcoming launch of Howard Brown’s Shining Brightly—and, this week, we’re adding the book trailer. Don’t worry. It’s less than 2 minutes long!

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From Susan Stitt

What is a hybrid publisher?
We are joining with colleagues in strengthening our commitments.

SINCE THE FOUNDING OF A NATIONAL PLEDGE of “best practices” among hybrid publishers, the Independent Book Publishers Association has been monitoring our segment of the industry. Now, the IBPA and co-signers of the pledge are strengthening our commitment to helping authors produce timely, professional and successful books. Please read Susan Stitt’s new column about the latest list of principles we share with other top publishing houses across the nation.

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• EXTRAORDINARY ATTORNEY WOO—”27-year-old attorney Woo Young Woo is indeed extraordinary in that she is Korea’s first lawyer with autism spectrum disorder.”
• A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN—Ed asks, “How do you dare remake a film like A League of Their Own that is considered a classic by millions of fans?” In his review, he points out a list of enjoyments this series provides.
• BREAKING—”Director Abi Damaris Corbin’s tragic, heart-rending film is based upon a true story about a tragedy in Marietta, Georgia that unfolded on July 7, 2017.”
• HALLELUJAH—LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG—”Daniel Geller and Dayna Goldfine’s documentary approaches the life of the Canadian poet/songwriter through one song, a mystical one that has captured the hearts of millions of people, some of whom believe in some form of God, as well as many who do not.”
• A LOVE SONG—”Actress Dale Dickey shines in this Western romance written and directed by first-timer Max Walker-Silverman.”
• PEACE BY CHOCOLATE—”First-time feature writer/director Jonathan Keijser’s refugee story is as sweet as its title indicates.”
• EMILY THE CRIMINAL—”Writer/director John Patton Ford’s debut film combines the crime thriller genre with a scathing social commentary on the exploitive nature of our corporate dominated society.”
• MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS—”The story of a lowly British cleaning woman fulfilling her dream of owning a Christian Dior dress is a wonderful Cinderella story that will leave you feeling very good about the world and (most) of its inhabitants, even if a cynic might write it off as PR for the House of Dior.”.

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‘Learn anew about the American Dream’

Please, welcome and support the debut of this inspiring memoir

THE TWO QUOTATIONS IN OUR HEADLINES, this week—”enchanting stories” and “learn anew about the American Dream”—come from the Foreword to Shining Brightly, a new memoir by Howard Brown that celebrates the resilient power of hope, friendship and family. The book’s Foreword was written by best-selling author and psychologist Dr. Robert J. Wicks, an internationally sought-after expert on building resilience as we try to cope with life’s traumas.

Right now, we already are promoting this book that will be released officially at Rosh Hashanah this year in late September. That’s perfect timing because this is an uplifting vision of new hope that is perfect for a new year. So, this week, we are encouraging all of our readers to visit Amazon and order your copy either in paperback or hardcover. If you pre-order now, your book should be on your doorstep on September 27.

In the weeks leading up to that launch, we also are going to take readers inside our publishing house for glimpses of the many ways we share such good news with the world. So, over in our Front Edge Publishing website this week, we are sharing a sample email we encourage authors to send to their readers to build excitement about a new book.

This is a perfect moment to become one of Howard’s growing global circle of friends by ordering your copy of his book.

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Bill Tammeus on …

Timely News from Rabbi James Rudin

FOR MANY DECADES, journalists who specialize in covering religious diversity have known Rabbi James Rudin as a wise and helpful interpreter of global news events. In this review of Rabbi Rudin’s new book, The People in the Room, author and journalist Bill Tammeus writes about the urgency of Rudin’s concern about the current rise in hatred. “How Christian-Jewish relations play out on Main Street America is now more decisive and important than ever,” Rudin writes. At age 87, Rabbi Rudin still is an important voice guiding community leaders and peacemakers.

And another tip for the peacemakers in our community of readers: This is a timely moment to order your own copy of Bill Tammeus’s own memoir—and his approach to “unplugging extremism.” It’s available from Amazon, titled: Love, Loss and Endurance: A 9/11 Story of Resilience and Hope in an Age of Anxiety. This week, we just learned that Bill’s memoir was nominated for the prestigious Thorpe Menn Literary Excellence Award. We won’t know if Bill won the prize until October 1, but the nomination is a significant honor.
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Holidays & Festivals

Paryushan

HOLIDAYS COLUMNIST STEPHANIE FENTON, this week, brings us the story of Paryushan, the most important festival in the Jain religious calendar.

Labor Day

STEPHANIE FENTON also writes, this week, about some of the religious history connected with this major American holiday.

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• HALLELUJAH—LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG—”Daniel Geller and Dayna Goldfine’s documentary approaches the life of the Canadian poet/songwriter through one song, a mystical one that has captured the hearts of millions of people, some of whom believe in some form of God, as well as many who do not.”
• A LOVE SONG—”Actress Dale Dickey shines in this Western romance written and directed by first-timer Max Walker-Silverman. Shot in glorious color that captures the beauty of wildflowers and golden aspen in the daytime and then at night-time the glowing sunsets and star-studded night skies of Colorado, this slow-paced film will appeal to nature lovers as well romantics.”
• PEACE BY CHOCOLATE—”First-time feature writer/director Jonathan Keijser’s refugee story is as sweet as its title indicates.”
• EMILY THE CRIMINAL—”Writer/director John Patton Ford’s debut film combines the crime thriller genre with a scathing social commentary on the exploitive nature of our corporate dominated society. He presents us with a protagonist whom we come to root for despite the immoral choices she makes.”
• MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS—”The story of a lowly British cleaning woman fulfilling her dream of owning a Christian Dior dress is a wonderful Cinderella story that will leave you feeling very good about the world and (most) of its inhabitants, even if a cynic might write it off as PR for the House of Dior.”
• WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING—”For those who have not read the novel, this highly romanticized Southern gothic tale is part murder mystery, part courtroom drama, and part coming of age.”
• BENEDICTION—”Five years after his film about Emily Dickson, A Quiet Passion, writer-director Terence Davies focuses upon another poet, one from his native England, Siegfried Sassoon.”

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Elul reveals not what we want but what we need: spiritual grounding.

RABBI LENORE BOHM wrote our Cover Story this week, reflecting on an annual milestone that most of our readers overlook—Elul, the final month of the Jewish year. Rabbi Bohm’s thoughtful column reaches out across religious boundaries. All of us can learn lessons from Elul, which “is about widening our horizons and releasing our dis-eases and our mis-takes.” As summer draws toward its close and a busy autumn looms on the horizon, please enjoy this column and share it with friends via social media or email.

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Dr. David Gushee—

Four opportunities to join Dr. Gushee online

THIS WEEK, Dr. David Gushee is inviting all of our readers to join him at upcoming events. The author of the best-selling call for the inclusion of LGBTQ Christians, Changing Our Mind, writes: “The following are events where you might enjoy finding a new network of people, organizations you want to support, and insights and information that will bring light to your life.”

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Suzy Farbman—

A love born in sharing spiritual adventures

IN HER GOD SIGNS COLUMN, this week, Suzy Farbman introduces us to Ross Quigley, a former monk, and the love of his life, Suzanne Duca, whose relationship now includes bringing the best of Americana music to intimate crowds.

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• HALLELUJAH—LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG—”Daniel Geller and Dayna Goldfine’s documentary approaches the life of the Canadian poet/songwriter through one song, a mystical one that has captured the hearts of millions of people, some of whom believe in some form of God, as well as many who do not.”
• EMILY THE CRIMINAL—”Writer/director John Patton Ford’s debut film combines the crime thriller genre with a scathing social commentary on the exploitive nature of our corporate dominated society. He presents us with a protagonist whom we come to root for despite the immoral choices she makes.”
• MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS—”The story of a lowly British cleaning woman fulfilling her dream of owning a Christian Dior dress is a wonderful Cinderella story that will leave you feeling very good about the world and (most) of its inhabitants, even if a cynic might write it off as PR for the House of Dior.”
• WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING—”For those who have not read the novel, this highly romanticized Southern gothic tale is part murder mystery, part courtroom drama, and part coming of age.”
• APPLES—”Christos Nikou’s film about a man suffering from loss of memory left me puzzled but intrigued. Thus I can’t join in the universal praise it has elicited.”
• RESURRECTION—”Writer/director Andrew Semans surely knows that one doesn’t have to bring in the supernatural or outer space monsters to create suspense and horror.”
• BULLET TRAIN—”There should be enough action with blood and gore, laced with considerable humor, to keep the attention of the almost ardent action fan.
• BENEDICTION—”Five years after his film about Emily Dickson, A Quiet Passion, writer-director Terence Davies focuses upon another poet, one from his native England, Siegfried Sassoon.”

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From Ukraine and Scotland to India and Detroit, Michigan—

Enjoy this multimedia reminder of our global connections!

Sharon Buttry and Ukraine—’The Myriad Roles of Women’

SHARON and her husband DAN BUTTRY are longtime friends of our publishing house. Check out Dan Buttry’s Amazon Author Page to learn more about their shared efforts on global peacemaking. This week, Sharon has completed an inspiring painting and online column about solidarity with the women of Ukraine. Please visit the Buttrys’ Global Peace Warrior website to see Sharon’s remarkable work.

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Rodney Curtis and Scotland—a union and a reunion

RODNEY CURTIS is one of our most popular authors, columnists and photographers over the past decade. Check out Rodney’s Amazon Author Page to learn more about his books. This week, he’s telling us—and showing us—about highlights of his family’s recent sojourn in Scotland for a union of families in a Scottish castle. Please enjoy this column—and gorgeous photos—at Rodney’s website.

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MSU Bias Busters and India—Let’s help stop anti-Sikh treatment in the U.S.

THIS WEEK, Michigan State University School of Journalism Bias Busters founder Joe Grimm writes about the timely need for all of us to help stop anti-Sikh bigotry that is cropping up in the U.S. this summer. This award-winning Bias Busters team of journalism students just recently published their 19th guidebook, 100 Questions and Answers about Sikh Americans. Please, read Joe Grimm’s column about recent troubling cases involving the treatment of Sikhs in the U.S.

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MSU Bias Busters and Detroit—How can our world move from ‘I’ to ‘We’?

YOU’LL DEFINITELY ENJOY this short video from Michigan State University School of Journalism’s Joe Grimm that shows the Rev. Robert Jones demonstrating the roots of the famous protest song We Shall Overcome. Jones leaves us with the question: How can our world move from “I” to “We”? This is a video you’ll want to share with friends this week.

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Suzy Farbman and Detroit—The Arts of the Cass Corridor

THE JEWISH NEWS has just published a profile of our columnist and author Suzy Farbman, focusing on her new book Detroit’s Cass Corridor and Beyond. “This is the story of the art world I knew,” Suzy tells journalist Suzanne Chessler. And, please, we also invite you to check out Suzy’s newest book on Amazon.

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Holidays & Festivals

Krishna Janmashtami

AND ON AUGUST 18—Across India and in Hindu communities worldwide, celebrations of Lord Krishna are planned—including, in some cities, those amazing human pyramids that are unique to this holiday.

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Book Birthdays

PUBLISHERS and AUTHORS CELEBRATE “BOOK BIRTHDAYS,” the anniversaries of our books’ debuts. Among our August book birthdays are several that continue to be popular with readers.

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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august visual parables

Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS—”The story of a lowly British cleaning woman fulfilling her dream of owning a Christian Dior dress is a wonderful Cinderella story that will leave you feeling very good about the world and (most) of its inhabitants, even if a cynic might write it off as PR for the House of Dior.”
• WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING—”For those who have not read the novel, this highly romanticized Southern gothic tale is part murder mystery, part courtroom drama, and part coming of age.”
• APPLES—”Christos Nikou’s film about a man suffering from loss of memory left me puzzled but intrigued. Thus I can’t join in the universal praise it has elicited.”
• RESURRECTION—”Writer/director Andrew Semans surely knows that one doesn’t have to bring in the supernatural or outer space monsters to create suspense and horror.”
• BULLET TRAIN—”There should be enough action with blood and gore, laced with considerable humor, to keep the attention of the almost ardent action fan.”
• VENGEANCE—Ed writes, “B.J. Novak’s film turned out very differently from what I had expected. Instead of one of those intense get-even movies that turn up so often on Tubi, this is a dark comedy/mystery that deals with relationships and the process of growing beyond our preconceived notions that lead us to look down on others.”
• EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE—”This unusual film combines the sci-fi multi-universe theme, popularized by Marvel films and the Matrix franchise, as well as embracing the genres of Kung Fu, Mother-Daughter, Husband-Wife estrangement.”
• BENEDICTION—”Five years after his film about Emily Dickson, A Quiet Passion, writer-director Terence Davies focuses upon another poet, one from his native England, Siegfried Sassoon.”

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What’s behind the Penguin Random House purchase of Simon & Schuster?

As Book Sales Rise, Could Authors’ Access Shrink?

COVER STORY—When we founded our publishing house in 2007, we were determined to rank among the hundreds of mid-sized “independent publishers” in the U.S.—because our staff and our authors wanted the freedom to publish books that might never climb over the hurdles set up by the Big Five publishers. Now, in 2022, a landmark court case will determine whether the Big Five can increase their power by becoming the Big Four. In our Cover Story, Editor David Crumm outlines the essential issues at stake and provides links to further reading about this milestone in book publishing. Please, read this story and share it with friends via social media and email.

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From our writers—

Martin Davis

Remembering Vin Scully

MARTIN DAVIS, author of 30 Days with America’s High School Coaches, is an expert journalist at covering all aspects of sports. He also writes for the Editorial page of The Free-Lance Star in Virginia. Last week, he published a moving remembrance of the veteran sportscaster Vin Scully. As Martin puts it, Scully “plumbed the human experience and nurtured our hearts, imaginations, and emotions from places most people who listened would never visit.”

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Victor Begg

Faiths vary on start of life

THANKS TO OUR LONG-TIME COLUMNIST—and the author of Our Muslim Neighbors—Victor Begg, the IslamiCity online magazine has published his overview of basic concepts of “the start of life” from a number of religious traditions. The current political upheavals in the U.S. about abortion are largely based on various Christian assumptions. Victor provides a broader perspective. Please, read his column and share it with friends.

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Holidays & Festivals

Raksha Bandhan

AND ON AUGUST 11—Across India and in Hindu communities worldwide, the sacred bonds between brothers and sisters are honored on Raksha Bandhan.

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Book Birthdays

PUBLISHERS and AUTHORS CELEBRATE “BOOK BIRTHDAYS,” the anniversaries of our books’ debuts. Among our August book birthdays are several that continue to be popular with readers—and this is a great opportunity for us to remind everyone of these valuable volumes:

With the MSU School of Journalism Bias Busters’ team, in August 2018, we published 100 Questions and Answers About Police Officers. This guide has sections on training and  certification, special assignments, police culture, use of force, community policing, police jargon and police funeral etiquette. All the guides in this series are designed to help improve relationships across communities.

Earlier, in 2016, with the Bias Busters and their professor Joe Grimm, we published To My Professor. Teaching college is difficult and this book has some potential solutions. More than 50 chapters cover situations including expectations, communication, technology, race, gender and religion, mental and physical health. This is a perfect gift for the young person in your life who is heading off to college this fall.

Then, in August 2017, we published a book that has helped readers around the world learn more about American History Made Easy. This overview of American history was developed by veteran English as a Second Language instructor Kathleen Gripman to help men and women attain this crucial educational milestone. What began as a book primarily for ESL students also has become a popular choice for anyone who quickly wants to learn about the broad sweep of American history.

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• GABBY GIFFORDS WON’T BACK DOWN—Ed writes, “No matter where you stand on the heated gun control war, you will come to admire the courage of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords who fought hard to recover from her brain injuries when she was shot outside a Tucson area grocery store on January 8, 2011.”
• VENGEANCE—Ed writes, “B.J. Novak’s film turned out very differently from what I had expected. Instead of one of those intense get-even movies that turn up so often on Tubi, this is a dark comedy/mystery that deals with relationships and the process of growing beyond our preconceived notions that lead us to look down on others.”
• EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE—”This unusual film combines the sci-fi multi-universe theme, popularized by Marvel films and the Matrix franchise, as well as embracing the genres of Kung Fu, Mother-Daughter, Husband-Wife estrangement.”
• BRIAN AND CHARLES—”Starting out as a faux documentary about a Welsh village eccentric, this evolves into a buddy movie, with one of the members of the duo being a home-made robot, and then it becomes a threesome when the pair are joined by a supportive woman. A real hoot of a little film!”
• BENEDICTION—”Five years after his film about Emily Dickson, A Quiet Passion, writer-director Terence Davies focuses upon another poet, one from his native England, Siegfried Sassoon.”
• DON’T MAKE ME GO—”Hannah Marks (director) and Vera Herbert’s (writer) film is a road trip film—not a buddy one but a father and daughter tale.”
• ELVIS—”When I first learned that Baz Luhrmann would be directing the Elvis Presley biopic, I knew the film would be flamboyant—look what he did with Romeo and Juliette and Moulin Rouge.”
• THE FIRST LADY—”The ten-part series The First Ladies takes full advantage of the opportunity that a TV series offers to explore details of history not possible in a two-hour movie. Created by Aaron Cooley and executive-produced by Viola Davis.”
• EIFFEL—”French director Martin Bourboulon seems to have gone Hollywood in his period film about Gustave Eiffel and the building of the iconic Parisian landmark.”

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