The Scandal of Reading 8 | Haley Stewart on Sigrid Undset’s Kristin Lavransdatter

Jessica and Haley Stewart discuss Sigrid Undset’s Kristin Lavransdatter and how its view of sin contrasts with our modern view.

The Scandal of Reading 7 | Karen Swallow Prior on Flannery O’Connor’s The Violent Bear It Away

Jessica and guest Karen Swallow Prior discuss Flannery O’Connor’s final novel, “The Violent Bear It Away” and its commentary on suffering.

The Scandal of Reading 6 | Chris Smith on Georges Bernanos’ Diary of a Country Priest

Chris Smith joins to discuss Bernanos’ Diary of a Country Priest and the novel’s take on the literary history of historic individualism.

The Scandal of Reading 5 | Dr. Jack Heller on Ernest Gaines’ A Lesson Before Dying

Dr. Jack Heller joins to discuss Ernest Gaines’ A Lesson Before Dying. exploring preparing ourselves for our own deaths and personal worth

The Scandal of Reading 4 | Claude Atcho on Hurston’s Moses, Man of the Mountain

Jessica Wilson is joined by Claude Atcho to discuss Zora Neale Hurston’s 1938 novel, Moses, Man of the Mountain.

“Mark the Music” and the Dance: A Meditation on Cosmic Joy

Creation was made to love, and through love one lives his or her life, dancing in harmony with God and nature.

The Scandal of Reading 3 | Joy Clarkson on Vodolazkin’s Laurus

Jessica Hooten Wilson and Joy Clarkson to discuss Eugene Vodolazkin’s novel, Laurus discussing themes of trauma and imitation of Christ.

The Pains and Joys of Creation: Thoughts from Anne Bradstreet and J.R.R. Tolkien

Why do we continue creating when we are met with the heartbreak of our own imperfections?

The Scandal of Reading 2 | Andrew Peterson on The Book of the Dun Cow

Andrew Peterson joins to talk about the themes of creation care in Walter Wangerin, Jr.’s The Book of the Dun Cow.

The Scandal of Reading 1 | An Introduction

Professor Jessica Hooten Wilson is joined by Claude Atcho and Austin Carty to discuss reading and thinking about great fiction.

Amish Christian Romance and Unread Books

When we tried to force a change and remove the Amish romance novels, everyone lost.

Knocking on Heaven’s Door: Finding Eden within Time

True joy that brings contentment resides here with us, right now, in this very moment.

The Holy Foolishness of Frederick Buechner

Though we just lost Frederick Buechner at the age of 96, I suspect that part of his legacy will consist in his bold reminder that preachers are poets.

Beyond Our Own Worlds: Wild Things and Castles in the Sky

This helpful collection of essays is a welcome guide to finding new books for young readers.

Revisiting Hatchet: The Idolization of Self-Sufficiency and the Truth of the Gospel

Hatchet shows the downside of extreme self-reliance, and teaches us to value the companionship and help of others.

“It’s an Old Song, and We’re Gonna Sing It Again”: Hadestown, Sir Orfeo, and Music for the End of Time

There is indeed an affinity to the classical pagan tale in Hadestown, one that tells us much about our own day—especially when compared to the medieval poem Sir Orfeo.