I Want to Show You More by Jamie Quatro, Grove Press, NY, 2013. (Short story collection) Quatro writes short stories like a post-modern Flannery…

I have a love/hate relationship with hospitality. That may seem a strange thing to say about a practice that’s necessary and good, highly valued…

[Note: “This article originally appeared on June 19, 2009 in Comment, a publication of CARDUS: www.cardus.ca.”] The first meal I prepared for the man…

When I grew up and moved away I rarely saw them. But in December of every year I especially remember my grandparents. Each December…

One of the dangers of a comfortable life is that comfort becomes our norm. So, we notice when events dip below that standard, but…

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett I’m not certain this book will satisfy everyone. But the characters will not leave my head. The sign…

On a morning late in April I woke and couldn’t remember where I was. There had been too many beds that month. When I…

Reclaiming toothpaste “Dude!! You need to chill!” I don’t ordinarily talk like this, calling someone “Dude.” It’s pretentious for a woman my age. But…

Stone by Design by Lew French, Gibbs Smith, 2005. (non-fiction) Stone by Design must be the best book yet on building and landscaping with…

Out of My Bone: The Letters of Joy Davidman Editor, Don W. King, Eerdmans, 2009 "All I really care about is having a bit…