Books briefly noted: Black Lit & Black lives
Outlook Book Review Editor Amy Pagliarella suggests some must-read, modern books about Black Lit & Black lives.
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Books briefly noted: COVID fiction
Outlook Book Review Editor Amy Pagliarella suggests some must-read, modern books about COVID fiction.
Podcast review: “Harry Potter and the Sacred Text”
"Reading fiction doesn't help us escape the world, it helps us live in it."
To Be Made Well: An Invitation to Wholeness, Healing, and Hope
"Becker’s experiences make her uniquely qualified to encourage fellow sufferers, offering hope, practical suggestions and compassionate words to soothe the pain inflicted by bad theology and the well-intentioned/ill-informed."
Professional Christian: Being Fully Yourself in the Spotlight of Public Ministry
"Professional Christian successfully marries an academic approach, including primary interviews with church professionals of all stripes, with a practical understanding gleaned from serving as a music leader in worship from a young age."
Humbler Faith, Bigger God: Finding a Story to Live By
By recognizing the sincerity of doubt and disbelief and accepting criticism of the church as a “gift of a critical friend,” Samuel Wells applies his head and heart to forging a way forward that is more inclusive and accessible.
The Monastic Heart: 50 Simple Practices for a Contemplative and Fulfilling Life
Amy Pagliarella reviews Joan Chittister's book.
Atlas of the Heart
Brené Brown Random House, 336 page Published November 30, 2021 Brené Brown, the researcher whose writings on shame and vulnerability have made..
Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection
Amy Pagliarella reviews a devotional by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie.
Tech watch: Venmo
For many of us, Venmo has become the “go to” app for personal payments — we’ve downloaded it to our phones and..
Christian education association APCE adopts new name, new president at 2022 annual meeting
On the second day of the APCE conference, when attendees and organizers got down to business, there was big news: members voted..
The Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators open their 2022 conference
The 2022 Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators (APCE) Annual Event opened with a bang with worship leaders crying, “Who knew it would..
Dutiful Love: Empowering Individuals and Families Affected by Mental Illness
Elizabeth L. Hinson-Hasty Fortress Press, 209 pages The church visitor who asked to speak with a pastor for advice because she kept..
Winter books 2021: Introducing BookShop
My Chicago neighborhood is known for its lively town square. The heart of the physical square is The Book Cellar, a locally-owned..
Winter books briefly noted
Reminder! You can purchase any of the books in this issue from BookShop.org! If you purchase a book through this page, Outlook gets..
Scholar and Buddhist priest Duncan Ryuken Williams wins 2022 Grawemeyer religion prize
“Is America fundamentally a White and Christian nation or is America a multi-ethnic and religiously free country?” Scholar Duncan Ryuken Williams poses..
A Surprising God and Beyond the Tinsel
The following short reviews were published in our Dec. 6, 2021 magazine.
These Precious Days
Ann Patchett HarperCollins, 336 pages While Ann Patchett is perhaps best known as a fiction writer, it is always a treat to..
Wholehearted Faith
Rachel Held Evans with Jeff Chu HarperOne, 224 pages “How can I help?” With these words, Rachel Held Evans introduced herself to..
No Cure for Being Human (And Other Truths I Need to Hear)
Kate Bowler Random House, 224 pages I never thought I would be smitten with a Duke Divinity School professor, but after reading..
A novel and a song of love
I have always been a reader – it’s how I learn, engage and make sense of the world – so it’s not..
What Is God Like?
Rachel Held Evans and Matthew Paul Turner, illustrated by Ying Hui Tan Convergent Books, 40 pages In 2019, I stood at the..