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Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation

A Practical, Thoughtful Guide for Western Christians Author: Rod Dreher I’m still experiencing the afterglow of reading this book and a surprising energy, a desire to ACTUALLY DO something. Indeed, after Dreher’s call for readers to get off their behinds and build the strong Christian community that they want to live in, instead of wasting time and efforts seeking solutions in politics, I started looking more closely for communities near me. Coming from someone who is a self-affirmed hermit, this is a true testimony to the power of The Benedict Option, both the book by Rod Dreher and the actual lifestyle. [...]

Frances Carden2023-03-12T10:37:54-07:00March 12th, 2023|Tags: book review, Christian, nonfiction, read, reading, religious|

Second Life of Mirielle West, The

Leprosy and Second Chances Author: Amanda Skenandore Mirielle leads a dissipated life, despite the luxury of being married to a Hollywood star and living in extravagance. She drinks to forget, to forget the toddler she recently lost, to cloud the memories and silence the nagging blame. Life, as bad as it is for her, is about to get a lot worse. A routine doctor’s visit for a small, white spot on her hand changes everything. Overnight, Mirielle is locked in a Spartan hospital room, then ferried on a dirty train car to a remote part of Louisiana where Carville, America’s only [...]

Frances Carden2023-03-11T12:35:36-07:00March 11th, 2023|Tags: book review, fiction, historical fiction, leprosy, read, reading|

Runaway Jury, The

Big Tobacco Vs. the Everyman Author: John Grisham In the case of Big Tobacco vs. the everyman (set in the 90s), it’s a given that the cigarette companies, with unlimited money and loose ethics, are going to win. But this landmark trial, set in a sleepy Mississippi town, just might challenge that assumption. Despite the tobacco companies’ careful research on all prospective jurors, one unknown has made it onto the case: Nicholas Easter. He’s a young man, and it’s hard to tell if he leans toward either side. There isn’t much on Easter, so it’s a surprise when he moves up [...]

Frances Carden2023-03-06T18:02:52-07:00March 6th, 2023|Tags: book review, court room, john grisham, legal thriller, read, reading, thriller|