Writer. Contributing Editor at The Discarded Image. Digital Content Strategist. Here's where I publicly explore the books I'm reading, the projects I'm working on, and other current interests. Clippings 8: i.e., random acts of blogging
Well, I am slowly getting my blogging act together again after quite a number of recent distractions. Here are a few random (and not so random!) points of potential interest:
Brandon and I are still celebrating the launch of Hearts and Hands, which officially released in the US this month (although it hit stores in mid-December). So we’re again offering a free autographed bookplate to readers who post a review of any of the History Lives books at Amazon, Barnes&Noble, our publisher’s store, or any other online retailer that invites reader reviews. Help us celebrate! View complete details of the bookplate offer at our History Lives site.
Related, several of the women whose stories we tell in Hearts and Hands are also discussed in Brandon’s recent article for the Winter issue of Mutuality, a quarterly magazine published by Christians for Biblical Equality. “A forum of sensible voices: Nineteenth century forerunners of evangelical egalitarianism” is available to download in PDF (see the first entry under “Features”).
Brandon also has a thought-provoking review of Speaking of Faith, the book by Krista Tippett, host of Public Radio’s broadcast of the same name.
Book club leaders may be interested to note that Evite has several new designs for book club hosts and leaders. Just create an address book with your members’ info, then pick one of these invitations every month and fill in the details. I don’t know why they didn’t include a specific field for the book title, but if you remember to put that in the “message” field, it will serve your purpose.
Syd Hoff’s niece emailed me to say the website about her uncle’s art and children’s books is now up and running; Danny and the Dinosaur fans, stop in for a look.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first publication of Anne of Green Gables. If the report I heard is true, not one of the eight books in that series have ever gone out of print. L.M. Montgomery’s heirs have authorized a prequel by Canadian writer Budge Wilson. Before Green Gables is scheduled to release late February.
I’ve added Geraldine Brooks’ new novel, People of the Book, to The List, based on the positive discussions I’ve read so far. As a writer of church history, I love the idea of a novel that follows the provenance of a theological manuscript for 500 years! Lauren Winner reviews it for Books & Culture; for another take, see Harvey Freedenberg at Bookreporter.com.
Another item from the current Books & Culture is a lovely remembrance by Luci Shaw of her friend Madeleine L’Engle. On the nature of deep, abiding friendships, Luci says: “When there’s enough that is the same and enough that is different in such a relationship, there is a fruitful middle ground to be explored.” A beautiful and mature perspective.
So, finally, let me say thank you to my friends for your innumerable contributions to my joy and spiritual growth. Today is my birthday; I’m 33. I have a few gray hairs and I’m not going to pluck or color them. But the other day I was talking to my baby sister about blogging and social networking sites, and she said, “I never would have guessed you’d be so tech-savvy.” I take it as a good sign that I’m hip enough (in that area at least!) to impress a “kid.” Perhaps my husband is right that the thirties are the new twenties. Among my goals for this new year are to complete the History Lives series, complete my novel, settle into a more permanent home, and spend more time just being. For today, I am enjoying an afternoon of quiet work and looking forward to dinner with family.
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