So how did this Michigan-based author transport herself so completely to this distant land?
OUR COVER STORY, this week, welcomes back our good friend and author Lynne Golodner—whose nonfiction work includes a book published by ReadTheSpirit about spiritual traditions related to bread. However, these days, she’s becoming better known as a novelist with a demanding book-a-year schedule. One year ago, we recommended Lynne’s first novel to our magazine’s readership (and, yes, there’s a link to learn more about that first novel at the end of this new Cover Story).
In the brand new Cave of Secrets, Lynne pulled off an astonishing feat for a novelist. She immersed herself sufficiently in Scottish life that she was able to set her suspenseful new tale in a multi-layered community that feels authentic to people who know their Scottish heritage.
First, please enjoy this Cover Story in which we asked Lynne to describe how she achieved this feat of authentic storytelling in an admittedly distant land.
And, then, ReadTheSpirit Editor David Crumm—who has deep family roots in Scotland—has posted his review of her novel on his Goodreads homepage.
So, you can learn more about how the novelist built this story—then learn why we think it’s so compelling. And, in the end, we hope you’ll order a copy of her book and tell your friends about this delightful tale.
.
.
And more from our writers—
Congratulations to the ‘Sanctuary’ team in Iowa City
LAST WEEK, the courageous church in Iowa City where folks dared to move from their evangelical roots to become a fully inclusive Christian community that welcomes everyone celebrated their 25th anniversary and the start of a pre-sale period of their memoir, titled Sanctuary: Queering a Church in the Heartland. In this week’s Front Edge Publishing column, we tell you what happened as a result of that first week of support for this inspiring effort.
.
.
Dr. David Gushee: Wrestling with American Values
‘Regarding Election 2024—Eight Things I see’
AS THE FALL 2024 ELECTION NEARS, the dozens of authors and journalists in our ReadTheSpirit community are naturally reflecting on moral issues and American values they see playing out in our deeply divided nation.
In this earlier issue of ReadTheSpirit, we featured columns from four of our writers, representing a range of perspectives about those issues. Then, last week, we published two more related columns.
This week, we are linking to a Baptist News Global column written by Christian ethicist Dr. David Gushee, which he titled, “Regarding Election 2024—Eight Things I See.” We are hoping that, like the previous columns we have highlighted, Dr. Gushee’s approach to these issues might help spark constructive conversations among friends, family and small groups in congregations.
And if Dr. Gushee’s work on inclusion over the years has inspired you, then you may also want to read the latest book review on the theme of inclusion from our friend, pastor and author Robert Cornwall, who is recommending the new book The Widening of God’s Mercy, by Christopher and Richard Hayes. Along the way, Bob also includes another strong recommendation for Dr. Gushee’s Changing Our Mind. Thanks, Bob, for all you do in covering such helpful new books!
.
.
Suzy Farbman: The Story of Timber Ridge
Sometimes, while creating a special place—we wind up creating our better selves.
IN HER GodSigns column this week, Suzy Farbman writes about “Timber Ridge”—a special farm and lake-side retreat that she and her late husband Burton created in northern Michigan. Along the way, they created memories that continue to shape their family.
.
.
Holidays & Festivals
Labor Day is about more than trips, picnics and sales
HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS columnist Stephanie Fenton writes this week about the history of the American tradition of Labor Day, and the ways that some mainline religious groups have tried to lift up moral issues concerning the treatment of workers.
..
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
.
Click on this movie poster for “Harold and the Purple Crayon” to read film critic Ed McNulty’s review.
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 film reviews and discussion guides. This resource is used nationwide 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:
- HAROLD and the PURPLE CRAYON—”Director Carlos Saldanha’s adaptation of the beloved 1955 children’s classic by Crockett Johnson gives us the adult version of the original series about a four-year old and his magical purple crayon who lives inside a book.”
- ALIEN: ROMULUS—Ed tells us this film is plenty scary in keeping with the Alien franchise.
- THE FABULOUS FOUR—Ed says we may enjoy this movie if we like typical comedies about “rambunctious senior citizens.”
- IT ENDS WITH US—“Director/star Justin Baldoni’s adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel starts as a passionately romantic tale that turns into a dark cautionary tale.”
- MY PENGUIN FRIEND—“I love interspecies films such as Fly Away, and Brazilian director David Schurmann’s film is a delightful addition to the genre.”
- SING SING—This inspiring film is based on a true story of prisoners producing an annual theatrical production at Sing Sing prison..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
