‘When Life Gives You Pears’ reads as a polished version of a long catch-up conversation with a good friend, writes Renée Darline Roden.
Books
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Review: We don’t need our saints to be perfect
Echoing Pope Francis’ exaltation of the “middle-class of holiness,” Robert Ellsberg prefers to describe saints simply as “those who walk in the paths of holiness.”
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Review: How to be holy (hint: You can’t do it on your own)
Colleen Carroll Campbell’s new book is full of insight into what motivates us to attempt to reach holiness through our own strength and how this obsession holds us back from spiritual progress.
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Review: The backlash against globalization
In his new book, Ian Bremmer predicts that soon Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, Egypt, China and many others will all have their own Marie Le Pens and Steve Bannons.
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Review: Saint Teresa of Avila’s agony and ecstasy
The Life of Saint Teresa of Ávila is termed an “autohagiography,” a self-justification of saintliness, by Carlos Eire, a professor of history and religious studies at Yale University.
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Review: When and where trauma and theology meet
Karen O’Donnell writes her own trauma theology as a “survivor’s gift that is offered as both a comfort and a challenge.”
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Review: A new novel offers a look into the lives of Dominican immigrants
“Dominicana” tells the story of 15-year-old Ana Canción.
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‘The Man Who Planted Trees’ offers hopes for our suffering planet
Published in 1953, the children’s book can act a parable for coming to grips with climate change.
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Review: Immigrant stories less often told
Americans are increasingly familiar with stories of unauthorized border crossings, but what about those who enter the United States legally—and stay longer than permitted? Grace Talusan’s new memoir, The Body Papers, explores this underrepresented immigrant story. In the Filipino diaspora, these immigrants are called T.N.T.s, short for tago ng tago, or “hiding and hiding.” T.N.T.s […]
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Review: The post-baby battleground
Megan K. Stack offers a brutally honest look at her own efforts to navigate the strange dance between her and her employees, who must perform the functions of a family without truly being part of it.