Seeking Authentic Voice

I have been on a book reading binge lately. My primary genre, a relatively new one for me, murder mysteries. I've read Julia Spencer-Flemming, all but the first two in the series - and now anxiously await her next book, which I heard is due this spring? I've also read the "Girl Who" trilogy - just awesome! And, a couple of Elizabeth George. I've also read most of the Jennifer Weiner books, I have one left "Goodnight Nobody" which I will start today. Other than fiction I've been reading Karen Armstrong, most recently "Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life." And, poetry - Mary Oliver and Denise Levertov, mostly. So, tell me, what are you reading?

(photo by Jan) Jan over at RevGals is thinking about books today and offers this Friday Five Meme: 1. What books have you recently read? Tell us your opinion of them. I've read several books by Julia Spencer-Flemming. I started with the third book in her series and moved on to the fourth. I find the books compelling even though they are filled with, in my opinion, significant errors about the Episcopal Church. For example I have NEVER heard of a deacon, even an Archdeacon on Diocesan staff, being called "Father." Deacons are called Deacons, by title, so it would be Deacon N.N. We do the same thing with Bishops, Bishop N.N. And, some think we should do the same with priests....but so far we tend to call priests, "Father." I've had people call me, a woman priest, "Father." Father in this regard becomes less about gender and more about role....although of course it is still about gender for some. I also think the lead character, a female Episc...

I just finished reading, People of the Book, by Geraldine Brooks. It's a novel about an ancient Haggadah, a beautifully illustrated manuscript telling the Passover and Exodus story. The story was based in Sarajevo but travelled back and forth between present time and various centuries over the last 500 years. It is loosely based on a real ancient Sarajevo haggadah. Or rather it was inspired by that haggadah. The journey through time tells of the creation and survival of this haggadah through Nazi invasions and the Inquisition. It's a story about war and violence, hope and survival. It's a story about the presence of God in Christianity, Judaism, and Islamic faiths, and about what binds these faiths together - people, Christians, Jews, and Muslims, living their faith and helping one another. It's a story of the woman conservator who is brought in to repair the book and her quest to learn more about the history of the book. It's also a story about her journey to know ...