A sobering memoir about a young woman’s experience working in the oil sands, in an environment almost completely dominated by men. It’s a fairly starkA sobering memoir about a young woman’s experience working in the oil sands, in an environment almost completely dominated by men. It’s a fairly stark picture of the crippling effects of debt, in this case student loan debt, as well as a troubling look at sexual violence. But there is also warmth, catharsis, and some dry humor. The cartoons are fairly episodic— you could almost believe they were newspaper dailies— which helps convey the bruising passage of time. Not always an easy read, but very artfully done....more
Hanif always brings a beautiful balance of poetry and cultural criticism. His lengthy meditation on the sport of basketball— but also on the nature ofHanif always brings a beautiful balance of poetry and cultural criticism. His lengthy meditation on the sport of basketball— but also on the nature of loss and disappointment, and on belonging to a city with its own desires and memories— skews more toward poetry, occasionally resulting in some circularity that I find frustrating. But when he really locks into the concrete particulars of basketball— the redemptive arc of LeBron, for instance— this book sings....more
I’m always moved by immigrant stories, and this one is no exception. For one thing, a lot of the memories are closely linked with food— relatable! ForI’m always moved by immigrant stories, and this one is no exception. For one thing, a lot of the memories are closely linked with food— relatable! For another, it does a great job of capturing a child’s point of view while still making clear that the mom is the hero. Indeed! Very succinct, yet there’s a whole world of experience contained herein. Highly recommended. PS— the FAQ section at the end is a nice touch....more
I’ve been a fan of Black Thought for years. He famously steers clear of autobiography, generally taking a more abstract path through his songwriting. I’ve been a fan of Black Thought for years. He famously steers clear of autobiography, generally taking a more abstract path through his songwriting. In his long-awaited memoir, he is candid like never before, writing an unflinching and hard-boiled account of his early life in South Philly— including traumatic experiences with drugs, violence, and death. It’s a gripping account of how life experiences form and shape us, and require us to make decisions about the things we carry with us and the things we learn from, but leave behind....more
A feverish, hallucinatory memoir— one minute it’s describing the immigrant experience in stark realism, the next minute it’s awash in ancient Chinese A feverish, hallucinatory memoir— one minute it’s describing the immigrant experience in stark realism, the next minute it’s awash in ancient Chinese legends and ghost stories. The collision between myth and memoir is disorienting, and that’s the point; for me this is a helpful way to feel some of the rage and confusion that must come when you’re estranged from your ancestral land, your adopted country, and your family all at the same time....more
I am not a pastor— at least not in the full-time, vocational sense— but I am a church elder, which is to say someone who is called to shepherd the peoI am not a pastor— at least not in the full-time, vocational sense— but I am a church elder, which is to say someone who is called to shepherd the people of God. I found this to be an incredibly encouraging, clarifying book about the strange work of pastoring. It deepened my appreciation for my own pastor while brining into focus what my job really is as an elder (eg, bearing witness to the work of God in the lives of his people). I would recommend this as a guidebook on pastoral identity, to anyone pursuing ministry in any called, ordained, or set-aside capacity....more
Full disclosure: Brian is a friend. But I’d heartily recommend this collection regardless. A terrific, succinct set of autobiographical short stories,Full disclosure: Brian is a friend. But I’d heartily recommend this collection regardless. A terrific, succinct set of autobiographical short stories, written with humor, sincerity, and clean prose. Favorites: A meditation on life as an aging emo fan, and the tale of a surprising email from the future. Buy a copy for yourself, then a couple more to give out as Christmas gifts!...more
An aching, poignant memoir about what it means to be a friend— to live in the tension between knowing and being known— and to endure brutal, violent lAn aching, poignant memoir about what it means to be a friend— to live in the tension between knowing and being known— and to endure brutal, violent loss. The prose is majestic in its texture and detail, the way it draws such vivid emotions from simple acts like smoking a cigarette or making a mixtape. Deeply absorbing, sad, and strangely hopeful....more
Beautiful, theologically rich memoir from one of our best Bible scholars and teachers. Esau writes about growing up in poverty, experiencing anti-BlacBeautiful, theologically rich memoir from one of our best Bible scholars and teachers. Esau writes about growing up in poverty, experiencing anti-Black racism, and being abandoned by his father, situating all of it within the broader context of the African American experience. Critically, he also situates his story in the Christian narrative of redemption, liberation, and God’s faithful care. The epilogue recasts the entire book as a meditation on resurrection. Phenomenal....more
An utterly arresting intersection of political, cultural, and personal histories. On one level, it’s a memoir about growing up in Louisiana, then beinAn utterly arresting intersection of political, cultural, and personal histories. On one level, it’s a memoir about growing up in Louisiana, then being forced to leave; returning to New Orleans years later, only to see the city destroyed by a hurricane. It’s also a compelling chronicle of the city’s history of racial injustice; a document of the criminal negligence of the Bush administration, and the irresponsible governance of right-wing politics in general; a fascinating study of a city’s rich musical traditions, from jazz to hip hop; an immersion in parade culture; a true crime anthology; and a reflection on hating a city before coming to love it. Incredible book....more
Delightful essay on the loss of oral tradition and local memory, which morphs into a sneakily moving memoir about a life spent writing, reading, and cDelightful essay on the loss of oral tradition and local memory, which morphs into a sneakily moving memoir about a life spent writing, reading, and collecting books. For 200 pages, you just get to enjoy spending time in the company of a gracious, learned, and often funny raconteur who’s clearly thought about this stuff a lot, and whose genuine interest in things like frontier life and rare book scouting make you care, even if you wouldn’t normally....more
At first blush this seems like a pretty standard music memoir, going basically step by step and album by album through her career. (Actually, she kindAt first blush this seems like a pretty standard music memoir, going basically step by step and album by album through her career. (Actually, she kinda stops talking about the albums around 2007, which is notable.) Yet the fact that I blazed through this book in just over two days reveals how absorbing it is. Like Williams’ songs, it’s deceptively simple, emotionally direct, and cuts close to the bone. And it’s sent me deep into her back catalog, rediscovering albums I already know by heart....more
Renkl is one of my favorite writers— if you’re not hip, check Late Migrations, one of the most beautiful books in recent memory. This collection of heRenkl is one of my favorite writers— if you’re not hip, check Late Migrations, one of the most beautiful books in recent memory. This collection of her newspaper columns is a treasure, featuring wise, empathetic, and elegant insights into the cultural, religious, political, and ecological complexities of the South. My biggest complaint is that so many of these topics cry out for more extensive treatment, but these short takes are still well worth reading....more
Something I began to feel very acutely during the tail end of the Bush years, and felt with gathering frustration and intensity during the Trump era, Something I began to feel very acutely during the tail end of the Bush years, and felt with gathering frustration and intensity during the Trump era, was that my generation has effectively been robbed of praiseworthy and faithful elders. There are many individual exceptions, but as a group, the generations of American evangelicals who raised us have forsaken gospel fidelity for political idolatry and culture war expediency. If you have ever felt likewise, you will find much to connect with in this outstanding memoir, which traces an evangelical youth that aligned with the religious right’s moral and epistemological collapse. It’s a tough but fair account, written charitably and empathetically. If you don’t understand why members of my generation have been so demoralized by the witness of our elders— why, indeed, so many are deconstructing— this will be a very useful summation. And if you are like me and just want to know that you’re not alone and you’re not crazy, here is a most encouraging word of solidarity, exhorting all of us toward a more faithful Christian witness....more
I am a huge fan of Key’s first couple of books, but initially assumed I’d never read this one— it’s expose of marital infidelity sounding too tragic fI am a huge fan of Key’s first couple of books, but initially assumed I’d never read this one— it’s expose of marital infidelity sounding too tragic for me to bear. Certainly, it is harrowing. It’s also, miraculously, his funniest book. And, for its serious grappling with the mysteries of Jesus and resurrection, his most hopeful. The narrative itself is full of surprises, and a few painful echoes of my own lived experience (not just some of the marriage parts but also the church parts). I should say that it’s also— improbably, foolishly, inexplicably— pro-marriage, pro-church, pro-therapy, and completely open to miracles, ego death, and new life. Did I mention how hilarious it is? How shocking? How deep? How vulnerable? Honestly might be one of the most arresting books I’ve ever read....more
I can’t remember the last novel I read where my opinion of the book changed so much as the story progressed. The first half is a patchwork of childhooI can’t remember the last novel I read where my opinion of the book changed so much as the story progressed. The first half is a patchwork of childhood memories and anecdotes that don’t seem to add up to anything. Then is morphs into a deeply moving, harrowing, and absorbing refugee tale… complete with several amusing stories about poop. Finally it is a breathtaking parable about Christian hope. Three stars for the first half of the book, but six stars for the ending! (And it’s all true.)...more
I’ve never read any of Beth Moore’s other books or attended any of her events, but for her public witness and her integrity, I think she is one of theI’ve never read any of Beth Moore’s other books or attended any of her events, but for her public witness and her integrity, I think she is one of the great Christian heroes of our age. This memoir revealed much that I didn’t know about her life, while also providing some invaluable perspective on well-known events like her rejection of Trump and her exit from the SBC. It’s really everything you could want from a Beth Moore memoir— folksy, warm, funny, vulnerable, and steeped in the love of Jesus....more
The pleasure of this book is that is allows you to spend a long stretch of time luxuriating in a rich, deep, candid, at times uncomfortably honest conThe pleasure of this book is that is allows you to spend a long stretch of time luxuriating in a rich, deep, candid, at times uncomfortably honest conversation between two very smart and articulate people. They talk about art, faith, doubt, and vocation, but mostly they talk about the transformative effect of grief. There are at least two or three passages that left me in tears, and on the whole the book just wrecked me. I happen to love Nick Cave, but I think the book will take your breath away even if you’re not a fan....more
Deeply moving book about grief— and specifically, about losing a parent just as you finally begin to bond with them as an adult, moving past some of tDeeply moving book about grief— and specifically, about losing a parent just as you finally begin to bond with them as an adult, moving past some of the discord of adolescence. Also a beautiful, specific celebration of food: Nearly every chapter made me long to visit a goof Korean kitchen or convenience store....more
Ravishing and exquisite. One of the most beautiful books I’ve read in a long time. Renkl is a nature writer, and it’s clearly taught her much about paRavishing and exquisite. One of the most beautiful books I’ve read in a long time. Renkl is a nature writer, and it’s clearly taught her much about patient observation, attentiveness, poetry, and conjuring beauty through prose. Here she uses those gifts to unspool grief, loss, aging, and personal history, channeling it all through the lessons she’s absorbed from the bees and the butterflies. Tender, honest, surprising, funny, and spiritually rich. Can’t recommend it enough....more
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