In this short episode, we look at what our host, Erin, is reading now, what new books have been added to her queue, and a short review of the book How to Stop Time by Matt Haig. A wonderful novel that could have stood on its own merits of being a fun read, a love story, and a whirlwind through history.  However, it also served as a great teaching moment on how history repeats itself, how living forever has its disadvantages, and that love never dies.

In this short episode, we look at what our host, Erin, is reading now, what new books have been added to her queue, and a short review of the book What Blooms from Dust by James Markert. Follow this story of a family and community that finds prosperity in the new frontier but succumbs to the desolation of the Dust Bowl and how hope is restored through love and light.

In this short episode, we look at what our host, Erin, is reading now, what new books have been added to her queue, and a short review of the book Kindred by author Octavia Butler.  A masterful work of science fiction meets historical fiction following the life of a black woman trapped between living in the 1970s but time traveling back to the antebellum South.  It will make you think about the ways we allow ourselves to change to fit the narratives of our times.

In this short episode, we look at what our host, Erin, is reading now, what new books have been added to her queue, and a short review of the book Pigs by Johanna Stoberock.  If you loved Lord of the Flies and are wanting to further explore your feelings on our consumerism and its effects on the environment, look no further.  This book is a powerfully written tale that pushes us to rethink what we consider trash and its impact on the world.

In this short episode, we look at what our host, Erin, is reading now, what new books have been added to her queue, and a short review of the book The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall. What a tale about four people from different faith backgrounds and walks of life who find each other in marriage, friendship, ministry, and life.  Whether you are a person of faith or not, this story levels the playing field and offers a real life perspective of what finding faith means to a variety of people.

In this super short episode, we look at what our host, Erin, is reading now, what new books have been added to her queue, and a short review of the book Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela. If you haven't read much about apartheid and what happened in South Africa this is a must read.  Mandela tells a truly personal tale of his childhood, how he was reared and learned of politics and tribal life, as well as his marriages, his start in the ANC and of course he covers his years in prison and beyond.  An astonishing story of tenacity, faith, and how one man changed a nation.

In this short episode, we look at what our host, Erin, is reading now, what new books have been added to her queue, and a short review of the book The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin. Dealing with death is hard enough, do we really want to know when we will die?  The Immortalists explores this question through the eyes of a family of four children who visit with a seer at a young age. It's heart wrenching, thought provoking, and well written.

Join guest co-host of the week, Nancy Walker and Erin as they discuss the biography by Evan Thomas, First: Sandra Day O'Connor. Nancy Walker is the recently retired Pastor for Congregational Care at Columbia Baptist Church.  Both Erin and Nancy share the distinction of being the only daughter in large families full of sons.  A generation apart but both having followed Sandra Day O'Connor, they each bring a unique perspective of what it's been like being raised a girl in today's world and in the not so distant past.  Explore this theme and more with Erin and Nancy as they take on First.

In this short episode, we look at what our host, Erin, is reading now, what new books have been added to her queue, and a short review of the book Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. If you have found yourself feeling less than educated on world history, Min Jin Lee takes us through the interesting history of the Koreans and Japanese from the early 1900s through modern day by way of a beautiful and difficult multigenerational family story.

In this short episode, we look at what our host, Erin, is reading now, what new books have been added to her queue, and a short review of the book Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders.  Saunders has a beautiful way of weaving a story about the tremendous grief of Abraham Lincoln over his son Willie with stories of those passed on who are trying to help young Willie as he makes the "transition".  The dialogue and writing throw many for a loop but Erin will give you her opinion on why its worth the patience to read it!