Podcast appearances and mentions of daniel nayeri

What Books are Healthiest for Your Tween or Teen an Interview with Betsy Farquhar and Hayley Morell (Episode 293)   *Disclaimer: Some of this content is not intended for young audiences. Please use discretion.   Proverbs 4:7 NIV “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”   *Transcription Below*   Betsy Farquhar holds Masters degrees in Children's Literature and Information and Library Science. She taught middle and high school English, homeschooled her three children, and has served on many book award committees.   Hayley Morell loves reading, writing, trying new recipes, knitting, or chatting with her parrot. Hayley loves traveling and lived abroad in Europe and Asia. She and her husband and infant live in Wisconsin in an old house overflowing with books and are active in their local community.   Their Website, Book, and Social Media Handles: Instagram @redeemed_reader and Facebook: @redeemedreader   Thank you to our sponsor: Sam Leman Eureka   Questions and Topics We Cover: What are some benefits of reading and why is it worthwhile to devote our time to curating a healthy diet of books? Can you elaborate on why the Young Adult or YA category is the most controversial? What is on your radar for genres or books that will require even more discernment in the future?   Other Savvy Sauce Episode Mentioned: 21. Promoting a Family Culture of Reading with Megan Kaeb 22. Inspiring Your Children to Become Readers, Part Two with Megan Kaeb 253. Low Tech Parenting with Erin Loechner 273. Wise Living: Why to Get Outside, and Travel, and Read Aloud with Amber O'Neal Johnston   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*‍   Music: (0:00 – 0:11)   Laura Dugger: (0:12 - 1:46) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   The principles of honesty and integrity that Sam Leman founded his business on continue today over 55 years later at Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka.   Owned and operated by the Bertschi family, Sam Leman and Eureka appreciates the support they've received from their customers all over Central Illinois and beyond. Visit them today at lemangm.com.   My guests for today are Betsy Farquhar and Haley Morrill, two of the four authors of this book, The Redeemed Reader, which is also the name of the website that they run together where they have thousands of book reviews for children and tweens and teens.   We all know that books are so powerful, so it's vitally important that we're discerning both for what we're intaking and the filters that we use to allow our children to engage with books in our home. We're going to sprinkle book recommendations throughout this episode, and you're also going to learn some surprising things, such as more details about the YA or young adult category. Here's our chat. Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Betsy and Haley.   Betsy Farquhar: (1:48 - 1:49) Thanks. It's good to be here.   Laura Dugger: (1:50 - 1:57) I would love to just start out hearing the way that the two of you found your way into the work that you get to do today.   Betsy Farquhar: (1:58 - 2:42) Mine started way back in the 1900s when I was in college. I did my senior thesis on children's literature, George MacDonald, and that led to a children's literature class my last semester, which led me to grad school with one of my now co-workers, but at the time fellow students and friends, and we got our master's in children's literature. And then rabbit trail, lots of detours, children, marriage. She and I started a blog back when those were cool and hip, and it was reviewing children's books and that was just for fun. And then we connected with Janie and Emily from Redeemed Reader. Through that blog venue, we were commenting on each other's blogs, and they brought us on board. And so here we are 15 years later.   Hayley Morell: (2:43 - 3:38) And for me, I was a high schooler. I was homeschooled. I loved reading.   So, I started my own blog back in the teenage years and I was always looking for book recommendations and came upon Redeemed Reader in the early days. I turned out they were looking for an intern. I started interning and at the end of my internship, Emily Witten, who was our founder, asked if I'd like to stay on.   And that was 14 or 15 years ago now. So, I was younger. And so, I had a period at college.   I studied at Boyce College. I worked in children's ministry and worked as a private tutor. So, a lot of interactions with children.   I was known as the babysitter with the book bag for a number of years. And now I've got my own little, and so I'm in the land of board books and happily working at Redeemed Reader.   Laura Dugger: (3:39 - 3:49) I love hearing that. And if people are watching this through video, can you both just say your name, so we know who's Betsy and who's Haley? I'm Haley.   Betsy Farquhar: (3:50 - 3:51) I'm Betsy.   Laura Dugger: (3:52 - 4:07) Okay, wonderful. Thank you for that. And at Redeemed Reader, I'm assuming you have so many book recommendations to try and read and review.   So, how do you even determine which books you are going to review?   Hayley Morell: (4:08 - 7:49) So, right now we are wrapping up one of the things we love doing, which is providing award coverage. In January is when the American Library Association announces their awards, and they like to recognize the best middle grade with the Newberry, the best picture books with the Caldecott, and then a number of other awards. We know that those books are going to be going into lots of libraries and schools.   And so, we like to provide coverage of that and review those books that we know parents are going to be seeing on shelves and wondering, is this a good book? Should we be reading this? What do we want to check out?   We also like to watch what is popular. What is causing discussion? So, several years ago, that was The Hunger Games.   And there was a lot of questions about dystopia. Should we be reading this? Is this helpful?   Do I want my teen reading The Hunger Games? More recently, some popular middle grade series like Keeper of the Lost Cities have had a lot of parents asking, what is this series? Is there anything I should know about?   And so, we try to have a balanced review. We review books that you're going to find at the library. We also like to review books that maybe you wouldn't know about.   So, a smaller Christian imprint, for example, we like to review that type of book to encourage readers to read widely, to read Christian authors, to read secular authors. We like books. And so, we each bring our own specialty to the team and experience.   Janie, who's our senior editor, is a children's author. She loves history. And so, as the community relations manager, I tend to handle review requests.   So, when somebody asks us, can you review this book? It's popular. Or I'm an author.   I wrote a book. Can you review it? I'll look at the book.   I'll look at how hard is it to get? We do try to review books that are easy to find, that you might find in your local library. But then I'll look at our team.   So, for Janie, if it is going to be a nonfiction history, let's say for a 10 to 12-year-old, I know that's going to be up her alley. Meanwhile, Betsy loves poetry. She loves nature, nonfiction.   Betsy is a very, I'd say you're one of our Renaissance people. And so, I know Betsy is going to be inclined towards maybe a novel and verse. And she also likes dealing with high school books.   You've got that teacher education background, where if it is an epic poem, Betsy is going to be our reviewer. Megan is our amazing picture book author. She's super creative, loves picture books.   Megan is who I turn to when I find a picture book. Meanwhile, I used to handle as I was the team member of the team and then turned into my 20s. So, I gravitated toward YA, and I still love a good YA fantasy.   But I am now in board book land and picture books. So, I have been expanding my reach. I do serve on our middle grade fiction, so I can help out with middle grades.   But each of us will flex in, flex out. Megan has a large family of boys. And so, if it's a boy book, she is a great person.   We love to send those to her to see if her boys like them. And that's, I could keep going because we love books, but that's a big snapshot.   Laura Dugger: (7:50 - 8:09) That's so helpful because you cover such a wide variety of books throughout your team. And as curators of book reviews, what questions are you most commonly receiving, both from young people and maybe their parents as well?   Hayley Morell: (8:12 - 9:22) I think we often get questions like, is this book clean? Is this book safe? And we like to kind of change that question.   And we like to say, why is the content in this book? Because that can be different, you know, depending on something that is in a picture book, which wouldn't be appropriate for an age, could be very appropriate for a YA book and a great discussion starter. So, it definitely depends on the content and what audience and what age of the audience we're dealing with.   So, we try to, as people ask us, well, is this safe or is this clean? Should I read this? We want to build discernment and encourage parents to interact, parents and educators to interact with our reviews.   And they know their reader. They know how their reader is going to receive a book. And what questions might come up.   And so, we like to help interact with that conversation. And then there's another kind of question we often get, which I'm going to let Betsy answer.   Betsy Farquhar: (9:23 - 10:10) The other question is, my kid likes blank kind of book or is blank kind of reader. What do I get for him or her? And so that, of course, can vary widely.   But people love to know what book is right for my family or my classroom or my child. And so, we try to write our reviews with that question in mind, not to make a blanket statement, you should all read this book, or nobody should read this book, but to give parents and educators enough information to make that decision for themselves. And then we started doing these reels on Instagram, where we're pretending we're answering a customer service phone call with questions we've been asked, right?   My son only likes video games, or my daughter doesn't want fantasy, but she reads these kinds of books. And so, we try to help people think that through.   Laura Dugger: (10:10 - 10:14) So, that's really how we continue.   Hayley Morell: (10:15 - 11:09) Sorry. And one more question that we often get because we are book reviewers is, will you review my book? And so, at that point, we do have a process.   We encourage people to submit a request. And it could be maybe a book they're curious about and would just like a review from us, or they're an author or a publisher. And so, in that case, we direct them to our review submission form.   And like I said before, we are definitely looking for books that are easy to find. That will encourage us to review a book, because while we love books that are like smaller imprints, et cetera, and we do try to provide coverage for that, we also are aware that a lot of our audience only has their library or their school library. And so, we are trying to do books that are easy to find and accessible for our readers.   Laura Dugger: (11:10 - 11:40) Okay, that's really helpful to hear what people are writing in and asking you about. And so, hearing the sweet spot from each team member, and then Betsy, how you mentioned people love to know what's right for my family. So, no, this won't fit every situation. But can you give examples of maybe books that the four of you find yourselves recommending quite a bit because they are ones that fit a wide range of people?   Betsy Farquhar: (11:41 - 13:39) Of course, we put a ton of recommendations in our book that came out in the fall. And those are sort of our most common recommendations. We have a place on our website called Starred Reviews.   And those are the best of the best in our mind of their genre. So, if you're looking for graphic novels, and you see a star on a graphic novel, it's because we think this is an amazing graphic novel. So, that's just a helpful framework, because of course, people are all over the map, right?   We're in the midst of whittling down our Book of the Year for this year. And we also have our Reader's Choice Book of the Year. And those books are ones we tend to recommend all the time.   So, I'm going to give you just some samples of what are on our Reader's Choice list, because that is a public list. And I can't reveal the 2025 releases we're considering for the other one. But for our Book of the Year for the Reader's Choice this year, we have The Found Boys by S. D. Smith.   We've got, I've got them all right here, Olivetti by Allie Millington. There's The Hiding Place: A Graphic Novel and the Watership Down: The Graphic Novel that are both really fun. People have really enjoyed them.   We've got the first book in The Dream Keeper Saga by Kathryn L. Butler. That's a Christian fantasy series. We've got Enemies in the Orchard, which is the novel in verse about World War II.   One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome, which is another novel in verse about some Black pioneers going west on a wagon train. And that might be, oh, The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo. Kate DiCamillo is a super prolific author, and we do recommend her books often.   Her book, Ferris, was our Book of the Year last year. So, there's just a quick sampling of some middle grades' books. And middle grades, for people who don't know, that's the broad fourth through eighth grade age range.   You think of like ages 8 to 12. And they tend to be the broadest in audience. You can usually read those aloud to a younger audience, or even teenagers might find them enjoyable.   So, that's a good start.   Hayley Morell: (13:40 - 14:29) I do think one of the beauties of our team is that we've worked together for a long time. And we trust our team. And so, I will happily recommend a book that I haven't seen, but I know Betsy loved and reviewed.   And it's so fun reading the same books. So, like right now, since we're on award committees, we are seeing a lot of the same books and getting to talk about them. But I think it's one of our strengths that we each bring something to the table.   And I would say if someone really likes history, I'm going to look at what Janie has loved recently, because I know she is looking for those good new history books. And its so fun recommending books and getting to play to our strengths.   Laura Dugger: (14:31 - 16:16) And that comes out in book recommendations. When you're passionate about what you're reading, it's naturally contagious, I think. And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka has been owned and operated by the Bertschi family for over 25 years. A lot has changed in the car business since Sam and Stephen's grandfather, Sam Leman, opened his first Chevrolet dealership over 55 years ago.   If you visit their dealership today, though, you'll find that not everything has changed. They still operate their dealership like their grandfather did, with honesty and integrity. Sam and Stephen understand that you have many different choices in where you buy or service your vehicle.   This is why they do everything they can to make the car buying process as easy and hassle-free as possible. They are thankful for the many lasting friendships that began with a simple welcome to Sam Leman's. Their customers keep coming back because they experience something different.   I've known Sam and Stephen and their wives my entire life, and I can vouch for their character and integrity, which makes it easy to highly recommend you check them out today. Your car buying process doesn't have to be something you dread, so come see for yourself at Sam Leman Chevrolet in Eureka. Sam and Stephen would love to see you, and they appreciate your business.   Learn more at their website, LemanEureka.com or visit them on Facebook by searching for Sam Leman Eureka. You can also call them on 309-467-2351. Thanks for your sponsorship.   I'm curious, over the years, what character qualities have you noticed in people who are now adults, but they originally fell in love with reading in childhood?   Betsy Farquhar: (16:17 - 17:39) So, that's a pretty broad question. I would think, I'm just going to paint this with broad strokes. People who read typically are people who think, and especially in a day and age where we're bombarded with screens and soundbites all the time, if somebody can actually read an analog book from start to finish, then typically they're going to be able to think about ideas in a different way than people who are just existing on soundbites.   So, the ability to think is pretty critical. There's been a lot of studies that show that people who read also have better empathy. It's just a way we can sort of step into somebody else's shoes, especially if we're reading a story about somebody who perhaps lived in a different time period, or they're from a different ethnic background, or even if there's just a different socioeconomic level, it helps us understand the people on the other side a little bit better.   So, that kind of, this twin characteristics of empathy and thoughtfulness, I think are pretty common. We all go through seasons where we don't read as much, whether we're stressed or perhaps, my kids are in college and they were avid readers in high school, and they're not doing a lot of reading for fun right now, but they know how to read and they enjoy it. So, they'll probably come back to that in the future.   So, I think that's a helpful thing to remember, just because your eight-year-old loves reading, when he or she is 18, they may not be reading as much, and that's okay. They'll probably come back to it.   Hayley Morell: (17:40 - 17:53) And I've definitely seen that with younger siblings too, burning out and then all of a sudden back, asking for book recommendations. And it's fun to know that reading habits stick around.   Laura Dugger: (17:55 - 18:38) That's well said. And yet, even if they lie dormant for a while, they may be reawakened in adulthood. But I think I find it's less common for someone to fall in love with reading for their first time as an adult.   So, I think it's very beneficial as parents to cultivate or instill this love of reading in our children. And you two are the experts. So, I'd love to hear your take on this.   What are some of the benefits of reading? And why is it worthwhile to devote our time to curating a healthy diet of books, both for ourselves, but especially for our children?   Hayley Morell: (18:39 - 20:06) Betsy, I think you might've said this once, but I think it came up as we were talking about writing our book. As I have a small child who's just starting to notice pages and we're reading board books and he's trying to reach for it. I remember someone once said that reading to a very young child, they're not registering the story yet.   They might be registering the pictures. But the time that we're taking reading, when I read to him or when my husband gets home from work and they read one board book together, he's not really looking at the book as much as he's looking at our face and hearing our voice. And books are becoming something that we do together and that we do as a family.   And it's a way that we're building relationships. And I think that's a great encouragement to me to keep reading. And I have nieces and nephews who loved books.   And then that's something that we enjoy the story together and we'll laugh over silly stories and we'll read. But I think that it's something that as we want to like curate our collections but also think about how are we encouraging children to love reading. It's if they see us reading too and see us enjoying books and still picking up a book ourselves.   I'm not sure, Betsy, if you have anything that you would add to that.   Betsy Farquhar: (20:07 - 20:41) Well, I just think the better we read anything, the better equipped we are to read the story in the Bible because God revealed himself to us in a written book. And so, we're sort of flexing those muscles when we read. And the more we can engage with what we read, even if it's a picture book with a five-year-old, we're beginning that practice of developing discernment.   And that's part of discipling our children. So, I do think it's all part of the same picture. It's not going to look the same for every family but just working on developing those muscles of discernment and reading intelligently, that's going to go a long way.   Laura Dugger: (20:43 - 22:07) I love how you bring in the Bible that is so important. And I found myself even just this week at bedtime praying over our daughters that they would have a love for the written word because that is what God has gifted to us. And I love how the word became flesh and dwelt among us, but he is the original storyteller and has instilled that in each of us.   And I think just a very practical way at any age to help our children cultivate this love is by reading aloud. And we recently were on a family vacation and had a rental vehicle and we had a long drive-in front of us and listened to the radio for a while. But we also like this tradition of reading one book aloud on a vacation.   So, we remember our time in Florida from one year was a place to hang the moon and it was a different book this year, but I get car sick while we're driving. So, I couldn't read it aloud. So, our oldest daughter read it aloud for all of us.   And I realized how much attention and focus is required and imagination to paint these pictures of the characters in your mind. And I just thought, wow, there's so much learning that's going on even as the one listening to the book, not reading the actual words.   Betsy Farquhar: (22:09 - 22:15) And a place to hang the moon was our reader's choice favorite last year. So, lots of our readers have read that one.   Laura Dugger: (22:16 - 22:36) It's such a good one. And as wonderful as books are, they're also powerful and influential. So, as you've reiterated, discernment is required.   And I'd love for you to elaborate on why the young adult, or the YA category can be the most controversial.   Hayley Morell: (22:38 - 25:12) Young adult protagonists are often upper teenage years. And so, we like to say, as we mentioned in our book, no topic is out of bounds. And this means that there can be a lot going on and a lot of messiness.   We like to use that word as we're talking about that. And sometimes the messiness can be thought provoking. Sometimes it can be provocative.   And we have noticed often YA deals with questions of identity. Who am I? How do I relate to the world?   And that can look like lots of different things. It can include sexual identity, which can lead to a lot of conversations. But something that we like to lean into as we look at the YA genre is that in a world where everything is constantly shifting, as you have a teen and they're encountering conversations at school, conversations with peers, or using social media, having an ever-changing feed that I can look at my Instagram feed and it's going to look nothing like a teenager's Instagram feed.   Even if you're looking at the same account, the way that reels are coming, they're getting bombarded with messages. The messiest of books is static. And you both can look at that and read the cover, read what's going on, and talk about it.   And you both have the same place to have a conversation. And so, we like to lean into that when we're looking at YA books and realize they are powerful, but they're powerful conversation starters. And books like, Betsy recently read a book, and it's called Bright Red Fruit.   And it's a cautionary tale about a teenage girl who has a relationship with an older man that's predator. And he is taking advantage, trying to separate her that is an excellent conversation starter. It's not an easy book to read.   You're reading it, getting worried for this girl, but it's a great way to say, let's read this book and let's talk about what a healthy relationship looks like, because this is not healthy. So, we love YA books that can provoke conversations. And sometimes it might be you both looking at a book and going, you know, this doesn't seem helpful.   We don't need to finish this book. It's okay to stop reading a book and return it to the library.   Laura Dugger: (25:12 - 26:11) I completely agree. And even with that YA section, one of our daughters was just saying, when I go through that section of the library, it seems like every single book is about death. And it did provoke a good conversation from that.   But I think it was Sarah McKenzie who was the first person that I heard explain the difference between a middle grade novel or YA because from my understanding, middle grade isn't just for those grades. You even said younger ages can enjoy that and older. I have friends that only read middle grade novel now as adults.   So, it's not just your reading level, but YA has different rules on it where I think you said anything goes, any topic is allowed. So, it doesn't mean that YA is necessarily what you have to graduate to once you enter high school. Is that right?   Hayley Morell: (26:11 - 27:06) But yes, it's typically and the funny thing that you kind of leaned into it, some middle grade books definitely deal with coming of age or might even have a teenage protagonist, but it's written in a way that a 12 year old could read it and enjoy it. When you get into like the higher YA, it is more like young adults, people starting their own lives, having adventures, leaving home, going on quests. And like you said, bringing in some heavier topics.   Now we have seen since like in the last five years, a lot of books dealing with death and grieving that are hitting that middle grade genre too, which can be helpful. But at the same time, if you're just reading sad books, you might want to change your diet and find a fun, happy book too.   Laura Dugger: (27:07 - 27:31) Again, in a conversation like this, it has to be more general of a recommendation, but there's such a difference, I'm sure in YA for your 13-year-old versus your 18-year-old. So, for someone who does want to dip their toe into some YA books, do you have anyones that you find yourselves recommending again for that age group?   Betsy Farquhar: (27:32 - 28:42) I'll jump in here. We've got a couple of book lists on our site that are, have actual number ages attached to them. Thirteen books for 13-year-old boys is a great one for that younger teen audience.   But those tend to be, they're grappling with some coming-of-age issues, but they tend to be more adventure based in a sense and more fun. I think of the Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan. There's a little bit of language.   There's a little bit of romance, but it's very teen, young teen friendly. And its actually kind of a good picture of men being heroes and women are heroes in very, like the men are men, they're very masculine. And the women, even if they're part of the army, so to speak, they're still doing it in a feminine way.   So, it's just kind of a nice sort of entry into some of those conversations. But then if you fast forward, by the time teens are in their upper teens, they should be able to read adult books too. And so, you might find yourself reading something like Peace Like a River by Leif Enger, which is very much written for an adult market, but very accessible to teens if they're willing to grapple with some of those ideas.   But that book's going to be a lot heavier than a book for a 13-year-old.   Laura Dugger: (28:44 - 29:05) That's helpful just to have examples. And I think it's also helpful to put this into context by reflecting back through time. So, just in America, what have you learned about the trends and the changes in libraries, specifically over the past 75 years?   Betsy Farquhar: (29:06 - 31:30) So, I have a library degree too, so I love talking about libraries. In library science, we have a rule, it's called Ranganathan's Law, and it simply says every book is reader, which means that for every book out there, there's a reader out there. And libraries take that very seriously.   No book is off the table for a public library. We had an entire class on serving our community. So, the goal behind a public library has always been to serve the community in which it's placed.   Now that's changed a lot as our society has changed a lot. So, before World War II, most libraries were funded very locally, local taxes, they may have even been subscription-based, but after we have all these army vets coming back after World War II, they're going back to school later. We have this explosion of information access for people who can't get it.   So, the Library Services Act was the first one. We've had lots of iterations since then. Now it includes technology.   It started with giving federal dollars to rural libraries, and it's continued even to big cities now, but the focus is still on services for people who can't access them as easily. So, free Wi-Fi was a really big one before Wi-Fi was as broad spread. There are services for the blind and for other communities that might not be able to read as easily.   So, it's still sort of an information hub, but I think that makes us uncomfortable sometimes as Christians because our society has changed so much that we go into a library now and we're like, I would never read this book to my kid. Well, but your neighbor might, and the public library is not the parent of your child. The public library is serving the whole community.   So, go ahead and request them to stock some Christian books. A lot of them will buy the Christian books that you request because they want to serve you. You're part of their community.   So, I think we just have to remember that their goal is broader. My goal as a parent is far more niche than my public librarian's goal to serve her community. She's not my enemy.   Even if she's picking things for story time that I would never read to my children, it doesn't mean I have to ignore the library. I can love that those are image bearers. I can respectfully bring up my concerns, and I can suggest books and I can build a relationship with this fellow image bearer in my community.   It can be a great mission field. So, yes, libraries are continually evolving. That's why they now offer you can even check out sports equipment.   They're still trying to provide information and resources for the community.   Hayley Morell: (31:32 - 32:01) I just recommended or requested two books that were Christian picture books that aren't in our system. And one of our librarians helped me fill out the form explaining why I wanted them. And I just got a notification yesterday. Both are on hold for me and have been added to our library. So, it's exciting. If you don't ask, you don't know if you're going to get it. I honestly was surprised. I was like, oh, they actually got the books I wanted.   Laura Dugger: (32:02 - 32:56) It is so exciting when they do that. I love our local library, and the staff is just wonderful to work with. So, that's great encouragement for us to get to know them by name and have a relationship with them.   And just to zero in on that one piece after World War II, I think that's tied to what so many people call is it the golden age of children's literature where some people will say we only read books before a certain year, like mid-1900s. But I love that you guys review even modern books because it's not that it was all better back then. But I do think there's a piece of truth in it that libraries had to be so discerning back then with less funding.   And so maybe they had the best of the best available and then funds came in and we can have a wider range.   Betsy Farquhar: (32:56 - 33:40) There's so many factors here historically because we could really nerd out, but I won't. But what's also being reflected is simply printmaking technology because the ability to print paperbacks, paperbacks as like a thing weren't a thing until the 20th century. So, books were incredibly expensive.   You've got all those factors playing in too. So, not only are they getting different funding, but there is an explosion in printmaking technology that allows publishers to produce inexpensive books. And that allows families and libraries to buy more books.   It's not dissimilar to the way we have digital media now that's got its own sort of technology behind the distribution of the digital books. So, there's a lot of factors involved in that.   Laura Dugger: (33:41 - 34:03) That is fascinating. I'm glad you brought that up. And like I said, so helpful to look back.   But now if we're also looking forward, I'd really appreciate your perspective on where we're headed. So, what's on your radar for genres or books that may require even more discernment in the future?   Hayley Morell: (34:04 - 37:18) So, right now, romanticy is having a moment and that's a genre that is getting a lot of attention. There's a lot of marketing using that language. And I think it's really helpful to realize this is a marketing term.   So, Fourth Wing became very popular. That is a book that is for adults. It has a lot of explicit sex.   But it used the term romanticy and it sold very well. And so suddenly all books that are fantasy and have some romance are being called romanticy. And that could mean a lot of different things.   So, what we're seeing is this term that if it's used in the YA genre, we don't know what it means going into a book. It might mean a lot of focus on romance and some unhelpful sex. It also could mean a really fun fantasy that happens to have a romantic angle.   So, I recently gave a starred review to A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim. That's a Chinese fairy tale, beauty and the beast type story. And it is excellent.   One of the marketing terms that used was romanticy. And it just is a wonderful fantasy story that has this thread of romance perfectly appropriate for teen readers. But that is a term that we're currently aware of.   And this is a genre that we want to notice and take with a grain of salt. It's kind of a contrast on the other side. It's differentiating between romanticy has romance and then there's cozy fantasy, which is more cottage core, comfortable feeling.   It also could have sex. So, there's, as we run into this fantasy genre, there's a lot of things going on, but it's definitely having a moment. And it's just nice to know what's going on and what cozy fantasy is going to be focused on character development, like very like a shopkeeper who inherits a cottage with a garden and grows mushrooms.   That's cozy fantasy. Romanticy is a chosen one motif who's at some dramatic school. Dark academia is also having a moment where it's a lot of angst, a lot of little bit of horror.   And some of it can be done really well because it's popular. There's a lot of it out there. And so, some discernment is required as you're figuring out, is this a book for adults or is this a book for teens?   I think I would be cautious with books that are being marketed for adults as romanticy because you could run into some things that are meant for an adult audience and might not be helpful for that teenage reader of yours.   Betsy Farquhar: (37:18 - 38:06) The only other thing I'll add, and this is sort of a different approach, but we're seeing a lot of genre blending. It's getting harder to say this is a mystery or this is a fantasy, even this is a historical fiction story. So, I think genre fiction in general is kind of having a moment.   And when we say genre fiction, we really mean things like mystery, science fiction, romanticy, these sort of sub genres that are underneath the broader terms of realistic fiction or speculative fiction is an umbrella term that includes fantasy, dystopia, science fiction, magical realism, all the little niche downstream sort of sub genres. But we're seeing some really interesting things. It's going to be harder to automatically decide I like that genre, or I don't because they're just mixing and matching elements from all over the place.   Laura Dugger: (38:08 - 39:15) Mm-hmm. That is helpful. I had never heard of some of those things that you just mentioned, but also I'd love for you to respond after I shared this story.   I had a previous guest, Megan Cabe, who used to run a blog. It was called Young Book Love and she would review, I think, middle grade novels, maybe a little bit of YA, but she would say most topics are beneficial to read, even if they're difficult, what you all refer to as messy books. But she did provide extra caution and just said she strongly advised against explicit sexual content because those mental images have a way of sticking with us.   And I agree with her. I would also add sometimes what's not appropriate for our children is not appropriate for us either. And just a funny way to remember this, I had a loved one recently who just said, “You can't sugarcoat a turd. I'd love your take on all of that.”   Hayley Morell: (39:17 - 41:54) So, we like to use the term beyond ever after when we're dealing with this idea of what romance is helpful, what is not helpful. And like you said, the age of the reader comes into play because something that might be a good conversation point with your teen, let's say dealing with a first kiss, that is something that is good to be thinking about and be talking about having healthy conversations about what is God's design for sexuality. And as you are starting to notice the opposite sex and have feelings, what do we do with those?   And again and again, it's been shown that it is helpful to have these conversations because if we're not having a conversation about what is God's view and what does God want us to do with this, our young people are going to turn to the world, which is very happy to give them a lot of talk about sexuality, but some very different perspectives and answers that are focused on yourself, let's you do you versus no, what has God given us and how are we going to steward this?   So, one of the things that I like to, that we like to be aware of as we're reviewing at Redeemed Reader is, is this a 12-year-old reading this book? And if a 12-year-old is reading a book and in the book, a 12-year-old is having a crush and it's kissing, we don't want our 12-year-olds kissing. That's not that helpful yet.   I mean, that's, that's quite young and yes, in some cultures you might, but not yet. However, if this is a book about an 18-year-old on a high school trip, like Becky Dean has some really fun YA romances that are appropriate for teens, then dealing with what is it like dating? What is it like dealing with these emotions and chemistry that can be really well done for an 18-year-old?   But like you said, we want to be aware of our imaginations. We want to be aware of what we're able to handle. And for someone, maybe reading those romances is fun and helpful.   For another, it might be unhelpful. And I think that comes down to as a reader growing discernment and knowing what you are able to read that will still be edifying.   Betsy Farquhar: (41:56 - 42:55) I'm going to piggyback a little bit. I, I agree that there, we look to scripture for what the standards are, and the Bible is not describing sexual activity in sordid detail. So, it's probably a good idea for us not to be wallowing in the same sorts of things.   And I think the same thing is true for language. In fact, it's easier to ignore profanity in a book you're reading versus listening to it. I mean, if we immerse ourselves in audio books that have, that are littered with profanity, it's going to stick in our head differently than if we're just reading it on the page.   And I think sexual activity; there are some similar dynamics at play. Obviously, a visual scene is going to be probably stick with us even more than a written scene. But either way, you know, that's part of discernment is what is my imagination doing with this?   And the overall picture of my reading diet. Is this all I'm reading? Is this what my thoughts are going towards?   Are they pointing me back to Christ? Are they promoting some helpful conversation? Or is it just sort of my guilty pleasure? Well, that should be maybe a sign.   Laura Dugger: (43:21 - 43:45) Some love stories are described as squeaky clean. But when it comes to the world of Christian romance, what are some helpful questions that we can be asking our tween or teen? And what are some healthy considerations for filtering books that we're going to allow to be consumed in our home?   Hayley Morell: (43:47 - 47:15) So, it's interesting. I think each genre of romance can have its own pitfalls. And I know I really appreciate the authors who are writing clean, squeaky-clean stories.   And as I've read them and consumed them, one of the things I've noticed is that it is clean. There's no question of something being clean. But at the same time, if the only thing we're reading, going back to having a balanced book diet, is a squeaky-clean story, I don't think that's helpful because it doesn't show an accurate view of the world.   And we want to be preparing our tweens and teens for a world where, yes, there is a happily ever after. Yes, we have the fairy tale wedding, or we have an imagination that is sparked by boy meets girl. But then what happens next?   And we live in a fallen world. And so, we have to work on relationships. We have to work on communicating.   And sometimes squeaky clean can lean so far into being safe that it doesn't actually show what it is like to have a relationship with the opposite sex. I think of one story I read and it's very superficial, playful. Snarky is often something I've noticed in the squeaky clean because we don't, we have to have some form of banter.   And so, it's perpetual sarcasm and no physical touch. But then suddenly our protagonists marry and now they're still being snarky and not touching. And as an adult, I look at that and go, that is not an accurate portrayal of what it looks like to have a romance and to have marriage.   And so, we love to ask, what are the relationships like in this book? And if that's in a middle grade novel, one of the things we love seeing is are they showing a healthy family? Are they showing parents that like being together?   Because that's at a middle grade level is you're sparking that imagination. What is our protagonist seeing as the adults around them are having relationships? Do the adults like to be together?   I just was reading a really sweet, Betsy, I think you read it. But Will's Race for Home is a story about this boy and westward expansion. And so, it's when the Oklahoma, Oklahoma land rush opens up.   And there's the sweetest time where he talks about how he knows his father loves his mother because his father will look at his mother and she will blush. And it's the sweetest age-appropriate picture of what romance looks like when you're a 12-year-old looking at your parents. And I think that type of thing can be a really healthy way of having these conversations versus having a diet that is just squeaky clean and yet might actually be showing an inaccurate portrayal of what it's like to have relationships in a fallen world.   Laura Dugger: (47:16 - 47:30) Well, let's get specific on another type of book as well. How do you advise parents to think critically on what age is appropriate to consume what you mentioned earlier, the Hunger Games or a book like that?   Betsy Farquhar: (47:31 - 49:44) Ooh, pick me. I love these kind of books. I'll read anything.   And I tend to get tasked with books that are difficult sometimes. Although many of us on our team read them and we do talk about these behind the scenes. So, when you're thinking about the age your child is and when they're ready for any book, but especially a popular one, I think part of that is our job as parents is always to be watching our children, to be students of our children.   How are they consuming media in general? What kind of video games? What kind of movies?   Are they on social media? What is their media diet like? And how are they handling that?   And if they're showing discernment in general, and they're kind of grappling with issues and ideas, then they're going to be ready for a book like the Hunger Games sooner than a child who's just blindly taking it all in. There's no magic age where you say, ooh, you're 12, you can read the Hunger Games. A lot depends on what that child's already displayed.   And I think dystopia are the books where there's some apocalyptic future and there's usually an autocratic governor or government system or it's futuresque. But they're really great books about bringing up big questions about how society works and the nature of authority and even the nature of anarchy. And they're just such great discussion starters.   But if your child isn't able to have those kinds of conversations yet, they're going to miss the forest for the trees and it's going to be all shock value. But I'm going to add a big caveat. If it's really popular and you think your child is maybe ready, maybe not quite, I would probably go ahead and read it with him or her if all of the peers are reading it.   Because I would rather my child have that conversation with me than with their friend. Or at least have it with me first before they read it with their friends. Even if we skip parts, maybe it's a book that you feel like we can't read chapter 12 for whatever reason.   Be honest with your child and say, you know what? This book has a scene I'm really uncomfortable with. Maybe give a brief summary.   We're going to keep going. But engage with your children over what is popular. I think that is the number one takeaway because they're going to find answers somewhere.   We want it to be from us.   Laura Dugger: (49:46 - 50:52) That is good. And that's why I appreciate the redeemed reader because you're putting in all this work for us because we can't pre-read everything. But when we're faced with a situation like that, it is helpful that we can choose to read some with them.   And another angle, I just love a few of your quotes in the book. First, on page 76, you write, If Genesis were made into a true-to-the-book movie, the Redeemed Reader team would not allow our children to watch it. We might abstain as well.   And then you go on for page 111 and you say, the best tool we can give our growing readers is God's word. The more they know and understand the Bible, the better equipped they will be to think discerningly, to recognize error, and to know how the Bible handles the same issues. So, will you just elaborate on this wisdom and advise us on how and why to encourage our children to read the Bible, even though it is messy?   Betsy Farquhar: (50:53 - 52:58) Well, it is a messy book, but thankfully, it's not only a messy book. I mean, if it were a movie, we have nudity very quickly. Then we have rebellion against God, and then we have murder.   And before you know it, six chapters in, the world is so bad that God is sending a flood to destroy it. So, it must have been really bad. But the Bible isn't giving us all those details.   And I think that is a big piece of the picture when it comes to discernment in literature. The Bible is not shy about telling us that people sinned. I mean, our heroes, David, infidelity, murder, you know, most of the famous people in the Bible did something egregiously wrong and sinful.   And yet the whole story of the Bible is God redeeming his people. We're all sinners. And there is hope because of Christ.   None of us can make it without Christ. And so, in the Bible, you're seeing both the mess and the hope. You're seeing God's answer to this problem.   And so, as we read scripture with our kids, one of the things that is helpful is we know what sin is. It's rebellion against God. It includes everything from sexual activity outside of marriage to gossip and pride and sort of the easy sins, right?   They're all sin. So, I think that's one thing that comes across when we're studying God's word. We also see Christ.   And when we then turn to a book, just a regular fiction book or even a nonfiction book, is the book also labeling sin as sin or at least a mistake? Or is it glorifying it? How is it handling it compared to how we know scripture handles it?   Is there any hope in the book? And where is that hope found? Are they just praying to the universe?   We're seeing universe capitalized all over the place now as sort of this amorphous deity. Well, that's not hopeful. I don't want to pray to Jupiter.   You know, we have a God who cares about us. And so just getting your kids to sort of reckon with the differences between how a book is portraying hope and judgment versus how scripture portrays it, that's going to take them a long way.   Laura Dugger: (53:01 - 53:23) That's fantastic. And your book lists at the end of each chapter are reason enough to purchase the book. But I'm sure that you've encountered additional titles since your publication date that you also enjoy.   So, will you share a handful of book recommendations, maybe some from each of those sweet spots again from your team?   Hayley Morell: (53:24 - 54:03) For young adults, we've actually mentioned both of the ones that I would add. They both have received starred reviews. A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim.   Excellent fantasy for young adults. And then Bright Red Fruit by Sophia O'Heo. And that one is a discussion starter.   It is a messy book, but it's an excellent book for its audience. Those would be two young adult fantasies. We see a lot of young adult fantasies.   So, but I would have loved to include those in the book. We just read them later.   Betsy Farquhar: (54:03 - 55:03) So, quick correction, Bright Red Fruit's not a fantasy, but it is it is. Oh, I apologize. That's fine.   It's a discussion starter. And that usually means that there's something in there you need to know about before you read it. As a parent, I would recommend doing your homework on that book.   It's a really good book to read with your daughters, but you might want to pre-read it first. Middle grade, that's our biggest bucket. Because it's the most it's got the widest audience reach and it's just so fun.   So, some of the ones that we've really liked, The Teacher of Nomadland by Daniel Nayeri. He is a Christian author. He won the National Book Award for this book for young people's literature and a Newbery Honor.   It's fantastic. It's a story about World War II. Benny on the Case by Wesley King is a really lovely mystery that features the protagonist has mosaic down syndrome, and it's just not very common to read books with different disabilities represented.   So, that's just a really sweet story. Lots of fun.   Hayley Morell: (55:04 - 55:05) It's a great audio book too.   Betsy Farquhar: (55:06 - 56:40) Yes. Song of the Stone Tiger, another Christian author, Glenn McCarty. It's a kind of a mix of realistic fiction and fantasy.   So, it's fun. A new one that we like. And then I'll leave you with one more.   I actually have it right here. So, for those who are watching this, they can see it. It's called Radiant by Vonda Michaud-Nelson.   And it's a novel in verse, but a beautiful picture of what it means to love your neighbor. So, The Sword by Marty Murkowski from New Growth Press. It's kind of a family devotional resource.   It was the World Magazine Book of the Year. We gave it a starred review as well. The Amazing Generation is a book for kids by the same author as The Anxious Generation.   So, that book is like a super bestseller for adults. This is kind of taking that idea and helping kids know how not to be the anxious generation, right? How they can be the amazing generation.   The World Entire is a nonfiction, maybe technically a picture book, but it's really long. And it's for this audience. And it's a true story about World War II, about a rescue.   I think it was set in Portugal. And then a graphic novel that's nonfiction. I'm trying to cover all your different genres here.   This is How to Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel Meadez. It's about his father and how he emigrated or escaped from Cuba. But it's a graphic novel.   So, there's a lot of visual interest. So, that's a really interesting background for kids who are hearing a lot of headlines about places like Cuba. And they're like, what's really going on?   A book like that can help them understand just some of the nuance behind the headlines.   Hayley Morell: (56:41 - 58:51) One of the things about middle grades as we talk about books is that middle grade is the age where readers are just exploding. And while you might have been able to keep up with your reader, then they hit 10 or 12 years old, and you give them a stack of books and they're reading them and asking for more. So, we definitely have a lot of middle grade reviews.   Picture books, though, are another place that we just love. And there's been some recent ones that we looked at and got, oh, this would be so good for the book. Something like Tuesday's Bear by Alexander Davis.   It's this beautiful story based on a true historical event. Unclaimed luggage is where, you know, if a suitcase gets lost, what happens to the contents? Well, one family had an idea, and Alexandra tells it through the story of this little bear who gets lost and then is found.   It's the most beautiful story. As a Christian, you can see a lot of very true themes running through it. And it's a delight to read aloud.   Wild Honey from the Moon by Kenneth Craigel. It's a story about a mother shrew whose little boy is sick, and she is going to do anything, even if it means traveling all the way to the moon to get some wild honey. It's a very imaginative story.   Beautiful pictures. A couple sneak peek that are going to just, these reviews are just going up. Iguanodon's Horn by Sean Rubin.   We've loved Bolivar, it was a graphic novel he did about a dinosaur. You can tell he likes dinosaurs. This is an amazing nonfiction picture book.   And for our Christian readers, this is a book about dinosaurs that doesn't have evolution. And I think you're going to love it. One more. His Grace is Enough. This is like Dr. Zeus type rhyming. Melissa Kruger wrote it.   It's a Christian book and it's a wonderful reminder for children. When you are dealing with sin, God's grace is enough. And I think you'll find if you read this, you'll be repeating the stanzas to yourself and encouraged as you read.   Laura Dugger: (58:54 - 59:41) I love having book lists. And if any other listeners are like me, we'll finish this episode and go ahead and put a bunch of books on hold at the library, which is always so convenient. And I'm sure a lot of people aren't able to take notes right now.   Maybe they're driving or working out as they're listening to this. But I love that every episode on The Savvy Sauce now has a transcript available. So, if anybody wants these book lists, you can go to the show notes page, either on our website or click on your podcast app and the transcript is available there.   So, thank you for all those wonderful recommendations. And do you have any other helpful tips to give us as parents if we're trying to navigate this well?   Betsy Farquhar: (59:42 - 1:00:26) Yes, start at birth and start not just reading with your kids, but asking them questions. They don't, it doesn't have to be a lengthy discussion. Is Piglet a good friend to poo?   You know, if you're reading Winnie the Pooh or if you're an Elephant and Piggy fan, like my kids were. Do you think Gerald should share his ice cream with Piggy? You can just pause in the middle of the story and just get them thinking, right?   So then when you get to the Hunger Games, you can say, what did you think of the ending? Would you have liked it to end differently? Those are great open-ended questions that get people talking and engaging and that you're often running.   If you can just think, I need to engage with my kids over what we're reading, then almost any book can be a discussion starter.   Laura Dugger: (1:00:27 - 1:00:33) Well, where can we go after this conversation to find more of your book recommendations?   Betsy Farquhar: (1:00:35 - 1:01:29) I'll do this one. Redeemedreader, alloneword.com is our website. And then we're super creative.   Our Facebook is exactly the same. Redeemedreader, alloneword. Our Instagram is redeemed underscore reader.   That's kind of a long story. But if you Google Redeemed Reader, you'll find us. And then the best way, oh yes, of course our book, which is also called The Redeemed Reader.   We're so original. But the best way to experience Redeemed Reader, other than the book, is through our weekly newsletter, which Haley curates and she does a fantastic job. But there's where you'll get the latest reviews.   We put in links for other places around the web that you might find interesting, different bookish news. Haley does a really fun book trivia with picture books. So, we like to think that it's going to make your inbox a happy place.   It's not a marketing email.   Laura Dugger: (1:01:30 - 1:01:50) I love that. We will provide links to all of that in the show notes for today's episode. And you two are already familiar.   We are called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for both of you today, what is your savvy sauce?   Betsy Farquhar: (1:01:52 - 1:03:03) So, as a business owner and a mom and a wife, it's probably not a surprise that I love my planner, but I've been through a lot of planners in my day, and I have very specific requirements. It needs to be bound, not coil bound. There's a certain size.   I mean, I have issues. I should say I have high standards for my planner. The single best feature in my current planner is that it forces me to break down my to do list between my life to do and my work to do.   And that was a game changer for me because I am wearing a lot of hats as most women are these days. And so, I limit myself to the number of bullet points that I'm given in the planner so that my work doesn't overtake my family life. It tends to be that way, sadly, more than the other way around.   Usually, my family life is not overtaking the work life, but it just it just gives me a chance to articulate each week. You know, I've got a birthday coming up that I need to plan for or I need to make sure my I mean, I graduated my youngest last year from high school, but the senior year in high school has a lot of deadlines. And so, it just helped me prioritize those milestones for my family and not let work get in the way.   Love that.   Laura Dugger: (1:03:03 - 1:03:04) What's the name of your planner?   Betsy Farquhar: (1:03:04 - 1:03:17) It's called the commit 30. I know there are other planners that do the same sort of thing, but I love having a weekly spread and I just love breaking it out between life to do and work to do.   Laura Dugger: (1:03:18 - 1:03:20) Absolutely. That sounds amazing. I love it.   Hayley Morell: (1:03:21 - 1:05:10) And my savvy sauce, I was going to say, Betsy is the planner and Betsy, I know you wouldn't appreciate this is spiral bound. So, I echo having a planner is a great way for me to just sort through all my thoughts, put them down and organize what needs to get done. But my savvy sauce is related to tech habits.   And as we were getting ready for our first, my husband and I were talking about how could we be mindful with our phone usage? And I have to thank Betsy for recommending Andy Crouch's, The Tech-Wise Family. Love that book.   And one of the things that we decided to do was to create a charging station downstairs in our house. And when I am not working where I need my phone for authentication or sending a voice message or being on the phone, if I'm not actively working, my phone lives on its charger. And that's been a struggle for me.   I have to admit the moment I had a child, anxiety kicked in. And for the first month, the phone was on me because that's what I needed to have a little security blanket. But I've been learning to leave my phone behind.   And then I'm not tempted to pick it up and scroll. And I feel like a child again because I get to the middle of the afternoon. And since I haven't been distracting myself, I've been getting things done. And all of a sudden I'm like; it's two o'clock and it's not dinner time yet. I have all of this time because I've created some more time by using the phone as a tool. But not having it right present and honestly, just distracting myself with it.   Laura Dugger: (1:05:12 - 1:05:48) That is a good, savvy tip. I love both of those. And you two have such warm and engaging personalities.   And I love those benefits that you were talking about for people who are readers. I experienced all of that through both of you today. And you're so wise and discerning yourselves.   And I am just beyond grateful that the Lord gifted you with your intellect, but also this passion for reviewing these resources. You're benefiting so many parents and children alike.   So, thank you for the work that you do. And thank you for being my guests.   Betsy Farquhar: (1:05:49 - 1:05:57) Thank you for having us. It is all from the Lord. Anything we have that's wise and worth taking away.   The credit should go to him, of course.   Hayley Morell: (1:05:58 - 1:06:00) Ame

Episode 110 Well guys, get ready to hear me gush in today's episode! I fangirled big time over this interview, because I got to talk to Daniel Nayeri, an incredible, multi award winning author, and writer of one of my most favorite books of all time. If you've been around at all since last fall, you will recall hearing me talk about the book, Everything Sad is Untrue. This book was so incredibly good that the minute I finished reading it, I downloaded it on audio so I could listen to it in the author's voice. I needed to experience it again. And then, wonder of wonders, I got to hear Daniel speak in person when he came to visit the nearby college where my son's girlfriend goes. That's when I decided to take the plunge and ask Daniel to be on my podcast. It felt like a great big ask. I was nervous. But he said yes and it was such an absolute joy to talk to him!  This episode is fun and I admitted a lot. Like how I didn't read the book right away when it was published even though I saw lots of people talking about it. And how I didn't realize it was a biography until I was well into the book. Yes, these things are true. Daniel took it all in stride. I also talked with him about poop. Yes poop. There are a lot of poop stories in this book and I wanted to know why and how his editor reacted. Daniel shared all and it's a good part of our conversation. I promise. It was so fun to talk with him! I am certain you will love this episode like I did. Check out the show notes for links to his stuff. He's written a lot of books. I have read 4 now and want to read more. You should too!  *Don't forget you can get more info about my upcoming Women's Walking Retreat in the Cotswold's right here. This retreat is perfect for any women who is looking for an opportunity to rest, celebrate, reflect, heal, or simply spend a week chasing beauty, adventure, and friendship. Spots are filling up so make sure you get info and reach out soon if you are interested.  *And if a family trip is what you're looking for right now, then consider joining me and my family in Italy this Christmas! We'll be hosting a trip to Rome and surrounding areas the week after Christmas with Select Tours International. The trip will be all planned out for you so you can absolutely rest and focus on time with your family! But we have also built in plenty of time to explore and adventure on your own. It's the best of both worlds and we can't wait to spend a week with you learning history, appreciating art, eating the most delicious food and creating lasting connection through adventure! Find out all the details here!  Find the resources from today's episode here: Find Daniel's website here Find Daniel on Instagram here Find all of Daniel's books here Find info about Greta's Walking Retreat in the Cotswolds here Find info about joining Greta's family in Italy here And pick up your copy of Greta's newest book, It's Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn right here Sign up for Morning MinuteThe Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Leitura Bíblica Do Dia:  EFÉSIOS 2:11-22 Plano De Leitura Anual: Números 7–8; Marcos 4:21-41  Já fez seu devocional hoje? Aproveite e marque um amigo para fazer junto com você! Confira:  Em seu livro Tudo que é triste é falso (tradução livre), Daniel Nayeri descreve sua fuga angustiante com sua mãe e irmã da perseguição, passando por um campo de refugiados até alcançar segurança nos Estados Unidos. Um casal idoso concordou em apadrinhá-los, embora não os conhecessem. Anos depois, Daniel ainda não superara isso, e escreveu: “Você acredita nisso? Acolheram-nos, sem saber nada de nós, sem sequer nos conhecer. Se fôssemos vilões, eles pagariam um alto preço. O que fizeram por nós é o ato mais corajoso, gentil e imprudente que posso imaginar”. No entanto, Deus deseja que tenhamos esse mesmo nível de preocupação pelos outros. Ele disse a Israel para ser gentil com os estrangeiros: “amem-nos como a si mesmos. Lembrem-se de que vocês eram estrangeiros [no] Egito” (LEVÍTICO 19:34). Ele também lembrou aos cristãos gentios, muitos de nós, que também eles antes “viviam afastados de Cristo” (EFÉSIOS 2:12). Assim, Ele ordena a todos nós, ex-estrangeiros, tanto judeus quanto gentios: “Não se esqueçam de demonstrar hospitalidade” (HEBREUS 13:2). Agora adulto e tendo a sua própria família, Daniel elogia Jim e Jean Dawson, “que eram tão cristãos que deixaram uma família de refugiados morar com eles até que encontrassem um lar”. Deus acolhe o estrangeiro e nos exorta a acolhê-lo também.  Por: MIKE WITTMER 

Weekly Comic Reviews: DC DC K.O. 3 by Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson, Javier Fernandez, Xermanico, Alejandro Sanchez Wonder Woman: Black and Gold 2026 Special by Tom King, Mitch Gerads Alyssa Wong, Karen Darboe Steve Orlando, Rossi Gifford Jordie Bellaire, Paulina Ganucheau, Kendall Good Marvel Dungeons of Doom 1 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Benjamin Percy, Justin Mason, Robert Gill, Carlos Magno, Georges Jeanty, Karl Story, Guru eFX Knull 1 by Al Ewing, Tom Waltz, Juanan Ramirez, Erick Arciniega Logan: Black, White, and Blood 1 by Tom Waltz, Alex Lins Saladin Admed, Adam Kubert, Arthur Hesli Larry Hama, Dave Wachter Luna Snow: World Tour 1 by Greg Pak, Takeshi Miyazawa, Arif Anindito, Yen Nitro Sai: Dimensional Rivals 1 by Peach Momoko, Iban Coello, Stan Sakai, Emi Fuji Marvel Unlimited Infinity Comics: Strange Tales 5 by Preeti Chhibber Ahoy Babs: The Black Road South 1 by Garth Ennis, Jacen Burrows, Andy Troy Boom Alice Forever After 1 by Dan Panosian, Giorgio Spalletta, Francesco Segala Dark Horse Cyberpunk 2077: Chrome 1 by Doug Wagner, Tommaso Bennato, Rico Renzi Tomb Raider: Sacred Artifacts 1 by Casey Gilly, Antonio Di Caprio, Eren Angiolini Mad Cave Where Does the Rainbow End 1 by Francesca Perillo, Stefano Cardoselli, Lorenzo Scaramella Valiant Valiant Beyond: X-O Manowar 5 (God Hunt 1) by Steve Orlando, Diego Giribaldi, Tomas Aira, Lautaro Ftulli, Ludwig Olimba OGN Countdown Bizarre Bizarre Vol 2: Down Dark Path by Daniel Nayeri, LesLey Vamos Wallflower by Iasmin Omar Ata When Monsters Wake Book 1: Children of the Night by Victoria Setian, Savanna Ganucheau Red and the Wolves by Cherry Zong Gumshoe by Brenna Thummler Pig Wife by Abbey Luck Additional Reviews: Starfleet Academy episodes 1 and 2 Dying is Easy King Sorrow Rook: Exodus News: Omninews, Spider-Man/Superman crossover creative teams, My Adventures with Superman s3 coming this year, Kratos cast in God of War show, Lemire writing Firestorm, Campbell returning to Zatanna, Cate Blanchett reprising HTTYD role, Godzilla's Monsterpiece Theatre returns as an anthology, Kevin Smith Bizarro comic, Exquisite Corpses movie in development, Trailers: Avengers Doomsday teaser #4, How to Get to Heaven From Belfast Comics Countdown (14 Jan 2026) DIE: Loaded 3 by Kieron Gillen, Stephanie Hans Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring 5 by Patrick Horvath DC K.O. 3 by Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson, Xermanico, Javier Fernandez, Alejandro Sanchez Geiger 20 by Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, Brad Anderson Action Comics 1094 by Mark Waid, Patricio Delpeche Supergirl 9 by Sophie Campbell, Joe Quinones Our Soot Stained Heart 2 by Joni Hagg, Stipan Morian, Ropemann Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 14 by Gene Luen Yang, Freddie E. Williams II, Andrew Dalhouse Minor Arcana 13 by Jeff Lemire, Patricio Delpeche Space Ghost 7 by David Pepose, Jonathan Lau, Andrew Dalhouse

 Episode 100 10 Favorite (current) Worship Songs 1. My Testimony by Elevation Worship 2. Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me by City Alight 3. Scars by I Am They 4. I Thank God by Maverick City Music 5. Goodness of God by CeCe Winans 6. Sing Wherever I Go by We the Kingdom 7. Thank You Jesus for the Blood by Charity Gayle 8. What an Awesome God by Phil Wickham 9. Bless God by Brooke Ligertwood 10. Jesus Lifted Me by Cain  10 Favorite Bible Verses 1. “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 2. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” II Corinthians 1:3-4 3. “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Genesis 5:20 4. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 5. “I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart. I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9: 1-2 6. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Act 4:12 7. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 8. “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,” Joel 2:25 9. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6-7 10. “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” Ephesians 6:19 10 Favorite Treats 1. Milka chocolate bars 2. Iced lattes 3. Manzanilla green olives from Trader Joe's (yes, specifically these) 4. Homemade popcorn 5. Coffee ice cream 6. Roasted and salted macadamia nuts  7. Kettle cooked potato chips 8. Kouign-amann pastries 9. Chips and salsa 10. Italian Confetti Almonds from Trader Joe's (yes, specifically these) 10 Favorite Books 1. How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn 2. Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri 3. The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings 4. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom 5. The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder 6. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 7. Persuasion Jane Austen 8. The Chronicles of Narnia (the whole series) C. S. Lewis 9. Rainbow Valley by Lucy Maud Montgomery 10. God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew 10 Favorite Movies 1. It's a Wonderful Life 2. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty 3. Napoleon Dynamite + Nacho Libre (cannot pick one and they are a pair to me) 4. My Fair Lady 5. Sleepless In Seattle 6. Little Women (1994 version) 7. Sense and Sensibility 8. That Thing You Do 9. To Kill a Mockingbird 10. Up  10 Favorite Places I've Visited 1. Cinque Terre, Italy 2. The Cotswolds, England 3. Big Sur, CA 4. Murren, Switzerland 5. Meteora, Greece 6. Olympic National Park, WA 7. Annecy, France 8. Hyderabad and Secunderabad, India 9. Reykjavik, Iceland 10. Glacier National Park, MT  10 Favorite Coffee Shops  1. Scout Coffee, San Luis Obispo, CA 2. Honest Coffee, Franklin, Tenn 3. Orange Inn, Laguna Beach, CA 4. Certified Kitchen and Bakery, Boise, ID 5. Merchant, Long Beach, CA 6. Giovanni Cova & C, Milan, Italy 7. Jo's Coffee, Austin, TX 8. Barista Parlor, Nashville, TN 9. Hooray Coffee, Redlands, CA 10. Sant' Eustachio Il Caffee', Rome, Italy  10 Favorite Things That Were Also Really Hard 1. Natural childbirth 2. Writing books 3. Being a public high school teacher 4. Becoming a speaker 5. Sharing the most vulnerable parts of our marriage story publicly 6. Running a half marathon 7. Fighting porn 8. Parenting teens and young adults 9. Home schooling 10. Becoming a podcaster  10 Favorite Things from Nature 1. Giant Sequoia trees 2. Cardinals 3. Sea otters 4. California Poppies 5. Coast Live Oak trees 6. Moss 7. Tidepools 8. Red Tailed Hawks 9. Wild Mustard 10. Dolphins  10 Favorite Adventures 1. My Christian walk 2. Being married to Aaron 3. Becoming a mom 4. Spending 2 summers in my teens in India with my dad 5. Summering in Scotland with 25 teens + Aaron when we were newlyweds 6. Becoming an author 7. Family road trip from California to Minnesota 8. Home schooling our kids 9. Backpacking through Europe as a young married couple 10. Family trip to Italy  10 Misc Favorite Things: 1. The color yellow 2. My Blundstone boots 3. My Nugget ice maker 4. Wearing brand new socks 5. Watching travel shows with Aaron (especially Stanley Tucci, Rick Steves and Travel Man) 6. Colorful bags from Orla Keily 7. My collection of Yearly bangles that Aaron started for me 8. Red shoes 9. Stickers – especially travel and encouraging words 10. My collection of Ronnie Kappos jewelry that Aaron started for meThe Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Episode 97 Well this episode was far more emotional than I intended it to be. Get ready to hear me cry quite a bit as I process a little bit of 2025 with you. And then hear me cry even more as I talk about my hopes for the year ahead. I guess I had some things to process, and you get to come along for the ride. You're welcome! But I am glad you're here with me. Really truly glad you are a part of this little podcast community we have here. Thank you! Links for all the things I talk about in this episode down below for you.  Happy, happy new year my friends! See you in 2026!  Resources mentioned in this episode:  *Get my new book, help protect your family and read Aaron and I's story here *Join me walking through the Cotswolds in 2026! Find info here *See the “Footprints in the Sand” poem here *Hebrews 13:5: “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” *Jesus Lifted Me by Brooke Ligertwood and CAIN (listen to it today!) *Ephesians 6:19: “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.”  *Find Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri here (if somehow you have not read this book, read it first in 2026! *Find Theo of Golden by Allen Levi here. (if somehow you have not read this book yet, read it next in 2026! And join my January book club where we'll talk about it. Get updates on that in my newsletter here and on Substack here)  The Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Daniel Nayeri’s latest novel—The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story—recently received the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. In this episode Daniel speaks with Jonathan Rogers about talk about Iran’s role in World War II, food writing, fathers, providence, the wisdom of children, and incompetent spies. This episode is sponsored by The Habit Writer Development Cohorts, a six-week small-group intensive starting January 12. The Habit Writer Development Cohorts provide practical tools, insights, and encouragement that writers of all experience levels need to write memoir and creative nonfiction that contributes something meaningful to the larger conversation. Support the show: https://therabbitroom.givingfuel.com/memberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony Soto interviews author and illustrator Steph Littlebird, exploring her contributions to children's literature and Indigenous art. Steph discusses her new children's book 'You Are the Land,' highlighting the importance of cultural representation in children's and YA literature. She shares insights into her Indigenous background, her journey as an artist, and how digital art shapes Indigenous futurism. This episode delves into the impact of literature and art on young readers, emphasizing community connection and the creative process, including collaboration and feedback. Listen in for an insightful conversation about the power of literature and art in shaping youth perspectives. New Releases: The Christmas Sweater by Jan Brett A Knot Is Not a Tangle by Daniel Nayeri, illus. by Vesper Stamper The Snow Theater Ryoji Arai, translated from the Japanese by David Boyd Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:31 You Are the Land: A Universal Message 05:16 Cultural Roots and Indigenous Identity 09:49 The Journey into Digital Illustration 14:29 The Power of Community and Representation 17:09 Final Thoughts and Artistic Responsibility 20:07 New Releases 24:46 Lawsuit against ILMS and DOGE 27:20 Book Ban News 33:50 School Board Elections News

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony Soto interviews author and illustrator Steph Littlebird, exploring her contributions to children's literature and Indigenous art. Steph discusses her new children's book 'You Are the Land,' highlighting the importance of cultural representation in children's and YA literature. She shares insights into her Indigenous background, her journey as an artist, and how digital art shapes Indigenous futurism. This episode delves into the impact of literature and art on young readers, emphasizing community connection and the creative process, including collaboration and feedback. Listen in for an insightful conversation about the power of literature and art in shaping youth perspectives. New Releases: The Christmas Sweater by Jan Brett A Knot Is Not a Tangle by Daniel Nayeri, illus. by Vesper Stamper The Snow Theater Ryoji Arai, translated from the Japanese by David Boyd Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:31 You Are the Land: A Universal Message 05:16 Cultural Roots and Indigenous Identity 09:49 The Journey into Digital Illustration 14:29 The Power of Community and Representation 17:09 Final Thoughts and Artistic Responsibility 20:07 New Releases 24:46 Lawsuit against ILMS and DOGE 27:20 Book Ban News 33:50 School Board Elections News

Send us a textThe Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel NayeriWhen the boy was running for his life from the Monks he had been living with, because they were trying to stone him to death, it was Samir who stopped them and it was how the boy because known as the Monkey and began to serve Samir on the silk road with other merchants traveling. However, once Monkey learns just how much of a trickster Samir is, he has other ideas about how to get away from him. But when it seems the whole world is out to get Samir, how will Monkey get away?Recommended for grades 7 and up. Support the show

Stories shape the way we see the world, connect with others, and find hope in the midst of hardship. In this episode, I had the privilege to interview one of my favorite living authors Daniel Nayeri, whose books Everything Sad is Untrue and The Many Assassinations of Samir the Seller of Dreams have captivated readers with their honesty, humor, and heart. From his childhood in Iran and experiences as a refugee to his reflections on truth, memory, and hospitality in storytelling, Daniel shares how stories help us love our neighbors, cultivate empathy, and face suffering with hope.Find show notes and full transcript here: https://www.humilityanddoxology.com/daniel-nayeri-truth-story-hospitality-hope/Thank you to Podcast Season Sponsor Berean Builders. Click here for homeschool science your kids will love: ⁠https://bereanbuilders.com/ecomm/While you're here, would you take a minute to leave a rating and review in your podcast app? Send me a screenshot of your review and I'll send you a $15 gift certificate to my shop! Just email me your review screenshot at Amy@HumilityandDoxology.comJoin Made2Homeschool for exclusive content and community: HumilityandDoxology.com/M2H ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.made2homeschool.com/a/2147529243/KNcPGL3t⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Getting Started With Shakespeare Guide: https://www.humilityanddoxology.com/exploring-shakespeare-children/FREE Homeschool Planner Calendar: https://www.humilityanddoxology.com/free-homeschool-planner-calendar/FREE Homeschool Planning Guide: https://www.humilityanddoxology.com/homeschool-planning-guide/Year of Memory Work: https://humilityanddoxology.com/year-of-memory-workFollow Humility and Doxology Online:Blog ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.humilityanddoxology.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/HumilityAndDoxology⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://instagram.com/humilityanddoxology⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/humilityanddoxology⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amy's Favorites: ⁠⁠⁠https://humilityanddoxology.com/favorites⁠⁠⁠This podcast and description contains affiliate links.

Weekly Comic Reviews: DC Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justice 1 by Andy Diggle, Leandro Fernandez, Matt Hollingsworth Superman Treasury 2025: Hero for All 1 by Dan Jurgens, Bruno Redondo, Caio Filipe, Adriano Lucas, Brett Breeding Marvel Fantastic Four 1 by Ryan North, Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba, Edgar Delgado Fantastic Four: First Steps 1 by Matt Fraction, Mark Buckingham, Alex Sinclair It's Jeff: Infinity Paws 1 by Jason Loo, Nao Fuji Marvel Swimsuit Special: Friends and Foes and Rivals 1 by Tim Seeley, Tony Fleecs, Nick Bradshaw, Rachelle Rosenberg Predator: Black, White, and Blood 1 by Joe Kelly, Alvaro Lopez; Eliot Rahal, Brian Level, Lee Loughridge Marvel Unlimited HERBIE 6 by Nathan Stockman Ahoy Toxic Avenger Comics 1 by Matt Bors, Fred Harper, Lee Loughridge Archie Archie Meets Jay and Silent Bob 1 by Kevin Smith, Fernando Ruiz, Rich Koslowski, Matt Herms ComiXology 20XX: Transport by Jonathan Luna IDW Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring 1 by Patrick Horvath Image Unchosen 1 by David Marquez, Marissa Louise Mad Cave Wild Animals 1 by Ed Brisson, Andy Kuhn, Dee Cunniffe Titan Return to Skull Island 1 by Simon Furman, Chris Jones, Charlie Kirchoff OGN Countdown: Spider-Man: Kizuna Vol 1 by Setta Kobayashi, Hachi Mizuno Ultraman: Along Came a Spider-Man by Shigenobu Matsumoto, Tomo Hirokawa Transformers: Worst Bot Ever – Meet Ballpoint! by Brian “Smitty” Smith, Marz Jr. Bizarre Bazaar Vol 1: Mirror Town by Daniel Nayeri, Liz Enright Flight Vol 1 and 2 I Am Not Okay by David DeGrand Into the Bewilderness by Gus Gordon Madi: Once Upon a Time in the Future by Alex de Campi, Duncan Jones, Various Muted Vol 1 by Miranda Mundt Meat Eaters by Meredith McClaren Additional Reviews: Superman Squid Games s3 Fishflies News: Garfield 2 confirmed, new X-Men event (Age of Revolution), Planet Hulk 20th Anniversary one-shot, Tim Seeley GI Joe spin-off, Scrubs returning, Omninews, Spurrier to end Flash run with #25 Trailers: Wonder Man, Long Story Short, Wednesday s2, Red Sonja, King of the Hill, Odyssey Comics Countdown (09 Jul 2025): Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring 1 by Patrick Horvath Absolute Superman 9 by Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Fico Ossio, Ulises Arreola Supergirl 3 by Sophie Campbell, Tamra Bonvillain Radiant Black 35 by Kyle Higgins, Joe Clark, Eduardo Ferigato, Marcelo Costa, Rod Fernandes Action 1088 by Mark Waid, Skylar Patridge, Ivan Plascencia Trinity: Daughter of Wonder Woman 2 by Tom King, Belen Ortega, Alejandro Sanchez Fantastic Four 1 by Ryan North, Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba, Edgar Delgado Superman Treasury 2025 by Dan Jurgens, Bruno Redondo, Caio Filipe, Adriano Lucas, Brett Breeding I Hate Fairyland 42 by Skottie Young, Derek Laufman, Jean-Francois Beaulieu Uncanny X-Men 17 by Gail Simone, Luciano Vecchio, Rachelle Rosenberg

This week on From the Front Porch, it's another episode From the Archives! In this series, we're sharing some of our favorite past episodes of the show while Annie is on maternity leave. Enjoy today's episode from 2022 all about audiobooks with beloved guest and Annie's husband, Jordan Jones, just in time for road trip season. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 538) or download and shop on The Bookshelf's official app: Annie's picks: Anna K by Jenny Lee, narrated by Jenna Ushkowitz (Libro.fm link) Falling by TJ Newman, narrated by Steven Weber (Libro.fm link) Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman, narrated by Kristen Sieh (Libro.fm link) Going There by Katie Couric, narrated by Katie Couric (Libro.fm link) How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz, narrated by Kimberly Wetherell and Rossmery Almonte (Libro.fm link) Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett, narrated by Katie Schorr (Libro.fm link) River of the Gods by Candice Millard, narrated by Paul Michael (Libro.fm link) Taste by Stanley Tucci, narrated by Stanley Tucci (Libro.fm link) Upgrade by Blake Crouch, narrated by Henry Leyva (Libro.fm link) The Wreckage of My Presence by Casey Wilson, narrated by Casey Wilson (Libro.fm link) You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar, narrated by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar (Libro.fm link) Jordan's picks: Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders, narrated by a full cast (Libro.fm link) The Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien, narrated by Rob Inglis (Libro.fm link) The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, narrated by a full cast (Libro.fm link) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon, narrated by Jeff Woodman (Libro.fm link) Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough, narrated by a full cast (Libro.fm link) Defending Jacob by William Landay, narrated by Grover Gardner (Libro.fm link) When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, with multiple narrators (Libro.fm link) Furious Hours by Casey Cep, narrated by Hillary Huber (Libro.fm link) Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri, narrated by Daniel Nayeri (Libro.fm link) Death Is But a Dream by Christopher Kerr, narrated by Fred Sanders (Libro.fm link) The Fourth Turning by William Strauss and Neil Howe, narrated by Tom Parks (Libro.fm link) From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf's daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today's episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today's episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  This week, Annie is listening to The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner, narrated by Dakota Fanning (Libro.fm link). If you liked what you heard in today's episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We're so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Beth, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, Jammie Treadwell, and Amanda Whigham.

This week's reading was A Thousand and One Nights, also known as The Arabian Nights. The backstory (very, very briefly) was that a king, upon finding his queen to be unfaithful, executed her, and declared himself done with women, sort of. Every night, a new woman was brought to be his queen. Every morning he had his vizier execute the poor unfortunate girl. One day the vizier's own daughter Scheherazade asked to be married to the king. After many days of begging, the vizier finally gave in to the girl's request.Once in the king's bedchamber, her sister (it's kind of complicated) asked for a story. Scheherazade spun a tale but ended it at a cliffhanger. The king, wanting to hear the end of the story, decided to let her live and bring her back for a second night. With stories that included Sinbad, Ali Baba and Aladdin, Scheherazade lived a thousand and one (and more) nights.The actual stories are collected from around the 8th century until the 13th, from Persia and India predominantly. They were translated into English around the 17th century. I'd imagine that the exotic stories captivated European audiences!For me, the experience of reading the stories was similar to reading Grimm's Fairy Tales. The stories are fun, and very interesting—I loved some of them, especially the seven voyages of Sinbad. But when I say they didn't leave a mark, I just don't think I'll take a lot from this week's reading. I didn't find any of them to demonstrate particular lessons, to teach virtues or make some kind of grand statement about the human condition. They were really fun, and I will definitely keep this book around because it is terrific bedtime reading. That's not a terrible thing to say about a book.A year ago I read the wonderful Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri, about a little Iranian boy who emigrates to Oklahoma with his mom and brother. There are vignettes in which the author directly references these stories, related as a way for him to hold onto his Persian heritage. I do think I'll go back and reread that one, just because I really loved it and would like to be able to know it a little better. Now that I've read Arabian Nights, that should be easy.LINKDaniel Nayeri, author of Everything Sad is UntrueTed Gioia/The Honest Broker's 12-Month Immersive Humanities Course (paywalled!)My Amazon Book List (NOT an affiliate link)CONNECTTo read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews author Tiffany D. Jackson about her latest book, 'Blood in the Water.' They discuss the themes of class dynamics, the challenges of writing for middle grade audiences, and the importance of representation in literature. Tiffany shares her journey as a writer, her inspirations, and her vision for the future of children's literature, particularly in the thriller genre.New Releases:An Encantadora's Guide to Monstros and Magic by Sarah J. MendoncaMirror Town (The Bizarre Bazaar #1) by Daniel Nayeri, illus. by Liz EnrightInto the Bewilderness by Gus GordonChapters00:00 Introduction to Tiffany D. Jackson and Her Work00:46 Exploring 'Blood in the Water'02:45 Kalani's Journey and the Metaphor of Sharks04:53 Contrasting Backgrounds: Kalani and London07:05 Writing for Middle Grade vs. Young Adult08:47 Kalani's Perspective on Martha's Vineyard11:15 The Inspiration Behind Kalani's Character12:12 The Thrill of Writing in the Thriller Genre13:52 The Evolution of Tiffany's Writing Journey16:04 The Challenges of Writing Middle Grade Thrillers19:27 Setting a Precedent in Middle Grade Literature20:27 Tiffany's Vision for Future Generations of Readers22:36 New Releases28:01 News

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews author Tiffany D. Jackson about her latest book, 'Blood in the Water.' They discuss the themes of class dynamics, the challenges of writing for middle grade audiences, and the importance of representation in literature. Tiffany shares her journey as a writer, her inspirations, and her vision for the future of children's literature, particularly in the thriller genre.New Releases:An Encantadora's Guide to Monstros and Magic by Sarah J. MendoncaMirror Town (The Bizarre Bazaar #1) by Daniel Nayeri, illus. by Liz EnrightInto the Bewilderness by Gus GordonChapters00:00 Introduction to Tiffany D. Jackson and Her Work00:46 Exploring 'Blood in the Water'02:45 Kalani's Journey and the Metaphor of Sharks04:53 Contrasting Backgrounds: Kalani and London07:05 Writing for Middle Grade vs. Young Adult08:47 Kalani's Perspective on Martha's Vineyard11:15 The Inspiration Behind Kalani's Character12:12 The Thrill of Writing in the Thriller Genre13:52 The Evolution of Tiffany's Writing Journey16:04 The Challenges of Writing Middle Grade Thrillers19:27 Setting a Precedent in Middle Grade Literature20:27 Tiffany's Vision for Future Generations of Readers22:36 New Releases28:01 News

On this episode of Currently Reading, Meredith and Kaytee are discussing: Bookish Moments: book sets and learning new things Current Reads: all the great, interesting, and/or terrible stuff we've been reading lately Deep Dive: things we find tragic in our reading lives that may not actually be tragedies The Fountain: we visit our perfect fountain to make wishes about our reading lives Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site) .  .  .  .  1:18 - Our Bookish Moments Of The Week 1:33 - Ember in the Ashes complete set (purchase at your own risk!)  5:38 - A Year of Living Curiously by Elizabeth Foley 7:39 - Mug Warmer 7:39 - Our Current Reads 8:28 - Earth by John Boyne (Kaytee, Blackwell's link) 8:35 - Water by John Boyne (Blackwell's link) 8:37 - CR Season 7: Episode 2 13:02 - Ask for Andrea by Noelle W. Ihli (Meredith) 15:16 - The Collective by Alison Gaylin 15:22 - The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf 16:45 - Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage (Kaytee) 17:28 - Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas 21:19 - Wild and Wrangled by Lyla Sage (pre-order releases April 15) 22:13 - The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory by Tim Alberta (Meredith) 22:56 - The Popcast 26:08 - The Many Assassinations of Samir by Daniel Nayeri (Kaytee) 26:16 - Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri 29:20 - A Winter's Promise by Christelle Dabos (Meredith) 31:11 - Book, Talk, Etc 35:32 - Non-Tragic Bookish Tragedies 37:10 - A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas 37:47 - Still Life by Louise Penny (special edition w/sprayed edges, releases Sep. 30, 2025) 49:12 - Meet Us At The Fountain 49:22 - I wish to always speak to indie bookstore owners. (Kaytee) 52:08 - Sarah's Bookshelves Live 52:14 - I wish to know if it seems like we are getting more reissued pretty versions of books from publishers today. (Meredith) 53:07 - Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 53:35 - The Hunger Games box set by Suzanne Collins (Special edition) 53:37 - 37:47 - Still Life by Louise Penny (special edition w/sprayed edges, releases Sep. 30, 2025) 53:50 - Wicked by Gregory Maguire (special edition) 54:03 - Bel Canto by Ann Patchett (special annotated edition) Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend | Grab Some Merch Shop Bookshop dot org | Shop Amazon Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. February's IPL comes to you from Fables and Fairy Tales in Marinsville, Indiana! Love and Chili Peppers with Kaytee and Rebekah - romance lovers get their due with this special episode focused entirely on the best selling genre fiction in the business.  All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the behind-the-scenes insights of an independent bookseller From the Editor's Desk with Kaytee and Bunmi Ishola - a quarterly peek behind the curtain at the publishing industry The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | Website | Email | Threads The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | Kaytee | Mary | Roxanna Production and Editing: Megan Phouthavong Evans Affiliate Disclosure: All affiliate links go to Bookshop unless otherwise noted. Shopping here helps keep the lights on and benefits indie bookstores. Thanks for your support!

It's official. Two years in a row makes it a tradition. The Reading Culture Yearbook is here. It's the year end celebratory episode where we look back and highlight some of our favorite moments in the form of awarding superlatives. Or, as we dubbed them last year and seemingly forgot, “The Readies”.This year's edition features awards such as “Best [Not] Meet Cute”, the “Owning It Award”, the “Merriam-Webster Award” (alternatively titled “most likely to know more words than Merriam-Webster”), and “The Teen Whisperer Award”.And just like last year, we promise to make you laugh, and potentially cry depending on how quickly you reach for the tissues.***Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. Show ChaptersChapter 1 - Best Alter EgoChapter 2 - The Teen Whisperer AwardChapter 3 - Full Circle Moment Chapter 4 - Best [Not] Meet CuteChapter 5 - Citizen of the World AwardChapter 6 - Odd Couple AwardChapter 7 - The All In AwardChapter 8 - Most Moving Dream Chapter 9 - Best Life Lesson From LiteratureChapter 10 - Owning It Award Chapter 11 - Most Likely to Rewrite the Stars Chapter 12 - Merriam-Webster AwardChapter 13 - Best Dinner Party GameLinksThe Reading CultureThe Reading Culture Newsletter SignupFollow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)Beanstack resources to build your community's reading cultureJordan Lloyd BookeyHost: Jordan Lloyd BookeyProducer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street MediaScript Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

“Reading is the act of listening and speaking at the same time, with someone you've never met, but love…” Join Kate and Sheila as they embark on Daniel Nayeri's tale of an unbelievable but true journey, in Everything Sad is Untrue. The story describes how Daniel's mother and her children had to flee Iran after  converting to Christianity. The miraculous and harrowing road to freedom is beautifully told through the eyes of a young Daniel.  “The Legend of my mother is that she does not stop. And if you don't stop, you're unstoppable.” Everything Sad is Untrue is written in a traditional Eastern way of Storytelling where “the stories aren't the thing. The thing is the story of the story. The spending of the time. The falling in love.” It allows us to see each other as our true selves. Daniel tells us about the God who Listens and the God who speaks and the importance of a God that does both. May we implement this in our lives as we practice listening better and speaking kindness often.  “Love is empty without justice. Justice is cruel without love.”  “But what you believe about the future will change how you live in the present.”  What do you believe about the future? Meet Daniel and his unstoppable mom in this short video. Why this author and his mother fled Iran in the 80's

This year's Heartland International Film Festival is in full swing and I'm back with a special interview episode from the festival. In this episode, I sat down with director Brendan Choisnet and screenwriter Daniel Nayeri whose film ReEntry (a sci-fi romantic drama starring Emily Deschanel and Sam Trammell) had its world premiere at HIFF33.   Timestamps   Show Start - 00:28   Interview - 11:22   Closing the Ep - 55:15 Patreon Clip - 57:29   Related Links   Start Your Podcast with Libsyn Using Promo Code OBSESS Video Version of the Interview Brendan Choisnet on Instagram Daniel Nayeri on Instagram Heartland International Film Festival Matt's Appearance on Kim C's Patreon   My 2024 Podcast and Writing Archive One Year of Criterion Channel - Dec 24, 2023 - Dec 23, 2024 Movies I Own But Haven't Watched/Rated Yet   Follow Us on Social Media My Letterboxd | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter/X Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | TikTok | Tiny's Letterboxd   Subscribe to the Podcast Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Audible   Support Us on Patreon for Exclusive Content Official OV Merch  Obsessive Viewer Obsessive Viewer Presents: Anthology Obsessive Viewer Presents: Tower Junkies As Good As It Gets - Linktree   Mic Info   RØDE Wireless ME Processing: AutoGain on Auto Setting Recorded in Hotel Conference Room   Episode Homepage: ObsessiveViewer.com/OV443   Next Time on the Podcast TBD

How could your lack of a strong father figure affect your parenting journey? Daniel Nayeri left his father in Iran when he, his mother, and sister fled from religious persecution. Now a dad himself, he reflects on the impact of the relationship of father and son. Show Notes and Resources Help make YOUR mark: Your donation supports crucial resources for families and includes a special FamilyLife Pen and Brant Hansen's book, "Unoffendable"—join us today! Connect with Daniel at danielnayeri.com, or find him on social media @danielnayeri. Pick up a copy of his book, Everything Sad is Untrue: (a true story), at our shop! Dig deeper into topics of faith and family at familylife.com. Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com. See resources from our past podcasts. Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife's app! Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network

How could your lack of a strong father figure affect your parenting journey? Daniel Nayeri left his father in Iran when he, his mother, and sister fled from religious persecution. Now a dad himself, he reflects on the impact of the relationship of father and son. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

How could your lack of a strong father figure affect your parenting journey? Daniel Nayeri left his father in Iran when he, his mother, and sister fled from religious persecution. Now a dad himself, he reflects on the impact of the relationship of father and son. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

What's life like as a refugee? Author Daniel Nayeri fled Iran due to persecution when his mom became a Christian. You won't want to miss his story of faith, resilience, and the kindness of others. Show Notes and Resources Help make YOUR mark: Your donation supports crucial resources for families and includes a special FamilyLife Pen and Brant Hansen's book, "Unoffendable"—join us today! Connect with Daniel at danielnayeri.com, or find him on social media @danielnayeri. Pick up a copy of his book, Everything Sad is Untrue: (a true story), at our shop! Dig deeper into topics of faith and family at familylife.com. Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com. See resources from our past podcasts. Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife's app! Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network

What's life like as a refugee? Author Daniel Nayeri fled Iran due to persecution when his mom became a Christian. You won't want to miss his story of faith, resilience, and the kindness of others. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

What's life like as a refugee? Author Daniel Nayeri fled Iran due to persecution when his mom became a Christian. You won't want to miss his story of faith, resilience, and the kindness of others. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Daniel Nayeri, author of Everything Sad is Untrue, tells his (true life) tale of fleeing Iran as a boy when his mother converted to Christianity. Show Notes and Resources Help make YOUR mark: Your donation supports crucial resources for families and includes a special FamilyLife Pen and Brant Hansen's book, "Unoffendable"—join us today! Connect with Daniel at danielnayeri.com, or find him on social media @danielnayeri. Pick up a copy of his book, Everything Sad is Untrue: (a true story), at our shop! Dig deeper into topics of faith and family at familylife.com. Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com. See resources from our past podcasts. Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife's app! Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network

Daniel Nayeri, author of Everything Sad is Untrue, tells his (true life) tale of fleeing Iran as a boy when his mother converted to Christianity. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Daniel Nayeri, author of Everything Sad is Untrue, tells his (true life) tale of fleeing Iran as a boy when his mother converted to Christianity. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers podcast, Margot Sage-EL interviews Arthur Levine about his prolific career in children's publishing.Arthur A. Levine is the founder of the independent publisher Levine Querido. His determination to bring a diverse selection of "The Best of the World's Literature for Young People" to American readers introduced great writers such as J. K. Rowling, Markus Zusak, Luis Sepúlveda, and Jaclyn Moriarty. LQ's publication of Newbery honorees Daniel Nayeri, Darcie Little Badger, and Donna Barba Higuera, author Cat Min, and Printz, Stonewall and Sydney Taylor award winner Sacha Lamb continues the tradition. Margot Sage-EL, owner emeritus of Watchung Booksellers, has decades of bookselling and publishing experience and works to cultivate the bookstore as a welcoming home to everyone.Resources:BluestoneUrsula NordstormEditor George Nicholson Patty GauchSuzanne MurphyPhyllis FogelmanAtha TehonLeo and Diane DillionVerna AardemaBooks:A full list of the books and authors mentioned in this episode is available here. Register for Upcoming Events.The Watchung Booksellers Podcast is produced by Kathryn Counsell and Marni Jessup and is recorded at Silver Stream Studio in Montclair, NJ. The show is edited by Kathryn Counsell and Bree Testa. Special thanks to Timmy Kellenyi and Derek Mattheiss. Original music is composed and performed by Violet Mujica. Art & design and social media by Evelyn Moulton. Research and show notes by Caroline Shurtleff. Thanks to all the staff at Watchung Booksellers and The Kids' Room! If you liked our episode please like, follow, and share! Stay in touch!Email: wbpodcast@watchungbooksellers.comSocial: @watchungbooksellersSign up for our newsletter to get the latest on our shows, events, and book recommendations!

Part two of a special LIVE episode featuring the 2024 Newbery Honor winners: Erin Bow, M.T. Anderson, Daniel Nayeri, Pedro Martín, and Nasuġraq Rainy Hopson. Rapid-fire SPEED ROUND questions!

Part one of a special LIVE episode featuring the 2024 Newbery Honor winners: Erin Bow, M.T. Anderson, Daniel Nayeri, Pedro Martín, and Nasuġraq Rainy Hopson.

Description Returning guest Rachel Armstrong joins Joe to discuss Daniel Nayeri’s autobiographical book Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story). This novel tells the story of Daniel, his mother, and his sister leaving Iran and arriving in Oklahoma as refugees. … Continue reading →

Kathleen, Kat, and James travel down the Silk Road and encounter con artists, storytellers, and danger around every corner in Daniel Nayeri's book The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams. Join our hosts as they discuss unreliable narrators, historical jokes, and the joy of finding a book that works for all ages.To place a hold on any of the titles mentioned in this episode, check out our Booked Solid reading list on the New Canaan Library website.

In Everything Sad Is Untrue, Daniel Nayeri describes his harrowing flight with his mother and sister from persecution through a refugee camp to safety in the United States. An elderly couple agreed to sponsor them, though they didn’t know them. Years later, Daniel still can’t get over it. He writes, “Can you believe that? Totally blind, they did that. They’d never even met us. And if we turned out to be villains, they’d have to pay for it. That’s almost as brave, kind, and reckless as I can think of anybody being.” Yet God desires us to have that level of concern for others. He told Israel to be kind to foreigners. “Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt” (Leviticus 19:34). He reminds gentile believers in Jesus—that’s many of us—that once we “were separate from Christ . . . and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). So He commands all of us former foreigners, both Jew and gentile, “to show hospitality to strangers” (Hebrews 13:2). Now grown-up with a family of his own, Daniel praises Jim and Jean Dawson, “who were so Christian that they let a family of refugees come live with them until they could find a home.” God welcomes the stranger and urges us to welcome them too.

In the Season 4 premiere episode of the Behold Podcast, our hosts Beth Whitney and Craig Hardinger discuss the most impactful books they've read in 2023. Sit back and enjoy the dialogue between Beth and Craig as they share the stories that inspire and challenge them. Beth's Reading List: 1. "Everything Sad is Untrue" - Daniel Nayeri https://amzn.to/49gUhNB 2. "Telling the Truth: the Gospel as Comedy, Tragedy, and Fairytale" -Frederick Buechner https://amzn.to/3wi1QFv 3."Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts" - Jennie Allen https://amzn.to/4bEl6wT 4. "The Invisible Library" -Genevieve Cogman https://amzn.to/3uArB3a 5. "7 Family Ministry Essentials" - Michelle Anthony & Megan Marshman https://amzn.to/49DIkBF   Craig's Reading List: 1. "After Doubt" - A.J. Swoboda https://amzn.to/3SY5ywB 2. "John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace" - Jonathan Aitken https://amzn.to/3UHpLrU 3. "The Lies We Are Told, The Truth We Must Hold" - Sharon James https://amzn.to/3wkDbzZ 4. "Bullies and Saints" -John Dickson https://amzn.to/49fUEbc 5. "How The Nations Rage" - Jonathan Leeman https://amzn.to/3wijrgkIf you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or feedback about this podcast. Please send our team an e-mail at behold@arcadechurch.com Follow us on Social Media Instagram: @arcadechurch YouTube: Arcade.Church Facebook: Arcade Church

Guest Daniel Nayeri joins Jessica to talk about their shared love for Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes. In the discussion, a theory is posited that as we move towards a more and more visual culture (i.e., graphic novels, prestige television, and YouTube), Calvin & Hobbes marks the ascendancy of that visual medium and the decline of the traditional novel. The Theology of Calvin and Hobbes by Richard Beck The Complete Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson Information on the Host:  Jessica Hooten Wilson is a Senior Fellow at Trinity Forum, the inaugural Visiting Scholar of Liberal Arts at Pepperdine University, and the author of several books, including The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination in the Company of Literary Saints, Learning the Good Life: From the Great Hearts and Minds that Came Before, and Giving the Devil his Due: Flannery O'Connor and The Brothers Karamazov.  Learn more about Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson. Information on Daniel Nayeri Daniel was born in Iran and spent some years as a refugee before immigrating to Oklahoma at age eight with his family. He is the author of several books for young readers, including Everything Sad is Untrue (A True Story), winner of the Michael L. Printz Award, the Christopher Medal, and the Middle Eastern Book Award. He lives in the US with his wife and son. Learn more about Daniel Nayeri Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Guest Daniel Nayeri joins Jessica to talk about their shared love for Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes. In the discussion, a theory is posited that as we move towards a more and more visual culture (i.e., graphic novels, prestige television, and YouTube), Calvin & Hobbes marks the ascendancy of that visual medium and the decline of the traditional novel. The Theology of Calvin and Hobbes by Richard Beck The Complete Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson Information on the Host:  Jessica Hooten Wilson is a Senior Fellow at Trinity Forum, the inaugural Visiting Scholar of Liberal Arts at Pepperdine University, and the author of several books, including The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination in the Company of Literary Saints, Learning the Good Life: From the Great Hearts and Minds that Came Before, and Giving the Devil his Due: Flannery O'Connor and The Brothers Karamazov.  Learn more about Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson. Information on Daniel Nayeri Daniel was born in Iran and spent some years as a refugee before immigrating to Oklahoma at age eight with his family. He is the author of several books for young readers, including Everything Sad is Untrue (A True Story), winner of the Michael L. Printz Award, the Christopher Medal, and the Middle Eastern Book Award. He lives in the US with his wife and son. Learn more about Daniel Nayeri Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Good Guest: Daniel Nayeri on the Obligations of a StorytellerOn Today's Show "Don't follow your dreams if that's the only thing you're doing. Ask yourself, what will make you most useful? What will make you most, in terms of a purpose, help you do meaningful work?” - Daniel Nayeri You want Daniel Nayeri at your dinner party. Always with a story or an insightful question, it turns out he is also the person you want on your podcast! The Iranian-American author of the Printz Award-winning “Everything Sad is Untrue,” and the more recent “The Many Assassinations of Samir, Seller of Dreams,” offered up fresh conversation and a good deal of humor. As a writer, Daniel Nayeri is deeply aware of the impact his writing has on readers. As he noted in our conversation, there is perhaps no more intimate power than becoming the dialogue in one's head. And Daniel feels strongly about using that power to have a positive impact on those who read his words. Part of his purpose, or obligation, he believes, is to “remystify the world.” Just wait until we talk about why cherries grow in pairs! In this episode, Daniel explains what he means by remystifying the world, talks about the roadside storyteller that initiated his storytelling journey, and shares his views on purpose (why he takes his so seriously). From his life-changing experience with the Junior Great Books program in elementary school to his current film and book projects, Daniel delves deep into his role as storyteller. ***Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. ***In Daniel's reading challenge, "Wise Shorts" he keeps our work and life load in mind offering a curated selection of short stories, reminding us that even the smallest things can have a major impact.You can find his list and all past reading challenges at thereadingculturepod.com.Today's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Nikki Hayter, Library Manager at Franklin Avenue Library in Des Moines, Iowa. Nikki tells us about a program that highlights the deep impact libraries have on communities.ContentsChapter 1 - The Ferris Wheel and The Storyteller (2:15)Chapter 2 - A Retired Conan the Barbarian (6:43)Chapter 3 - Alberic The Wise (11:30)Chapter 4 - Remystifying the world (7:18)Chapter 5 - You get a memoir! And you get a memoir! And… (25:25)Chapter 6 - How to be interesting (28:20)Chapter 7 - Wise Shorts (33:31)Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (34:32)Links The Reading Culture Daniel Nayeri Alberic the Wise by Norton Juster | Goodreads The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Beanstack resources to build your community's reading culture Host: Jordan Lloyd BookeyProducer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street MediaScript Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

PATREON PARTY PLEASER: This movie was selected by our Patreon Supporters over at the Cinematic Doctrine Patreon. Support as little as $3 a month and have your voice heard!Ant Coughlin, a pastor, joins Melvin in summarizing The VelociPastor. Because, of course! The two goof and gaff about this off-beat love-letter to 80's schlock grindhouse horror, and appreciate it's comedically dense yet economically handled runtime! Topics:(PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 1-hour discussing Dan Foster's "The Seven Pointless Things that Christian's Fight About" blog post, and how some of the things he proposes are actually deeply important theological ideas that Christian's would do well to discuss and affirm. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)The VelociPastor starts immediately with some very clever humor, the kind that benefits the learnt in terms of film and film culture.Part of what makes the movie so enjoyable is it's borrowing of the superhero origin-story format to explore it's narrative. It's silly, but it works really well.If you've ever been curious what The VelociPastor is, it's basically a Daredevil clone but with a strong comedic angle.During the film a character waits outside of a church and we can plainly see very real church signage of a real-life location. Melvin curiously Google searches this church and reads aloud some funny reviews. (And, for the sake of the church, does NOT read-aloud their name)By the end of the movie it's very clear that The VelociPastor works not just on name alone but because it's a well made comedy film.Recommendations:Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri (2020) (Book)The Grudge 3 (2009) (Movie) Support the showSupport on Patreon for Unique Perks! Early access to uncut episodes Vote on a movie/show we review One-time reward of two Cinematic Doctrine Stickers Social Links: Threads Website Instagram Facebook Group

Award-winning children’s author Daniel Nayeri shares the true story of a young boy who had to leave everyone and everything he knew because his mother risked her life to follow Jesus.  Their story has profound lessons not only for children but for all of us!

It's time to answer listener questions about Everything Sad Is Untrue and we have the great honor of doing that alongside the man himself, Daniel Nayeri. So press play and listen as we chat about Daniel's mom, the way the story evolved, his journey in writing it, deckled edges from the author's perspectives, and much more! Happy listening! Close Reads is a community-supported publication and we need your support to keep on producing the content you love. Please consider subscribing to Close Reads HQ to ensure the future and to received some great bonus content, too! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscribe

And so we come to the end. Join David, Heidi, and Sean as they dig into Daniel Nayeri's novel as a whole (but especially the final passages, of course), the way book pays homage to the narrator's mother, the complexity of his father's visit, and much more. Happy listening!Close Reads is a community-supported publication and we need your support to keep on producing the content you love. Please consider subscribing to Close Reads HQ to ensure the future and to received some great bonus content, too! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri, book 28 for his 2023 reading list. Show Notes Author: Daniel Nayeri Everything Sad is Untrue Review The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien (Story vs Happening Truth) The Great Books Reading List 2023 Reading List Reading Resources Books of... The post Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri appeared first on Books of Titans.

This section of Daniel Nayeri's novel included a lot of . . . well . . . poop. So on this week's episode David, Heidi, and Sean discuss how Nayeri manages to make that topic funny and sad and profound all at once. Plus: the book's great respect for the narrator's mother. As always, happy listening! Close Reads HQ is a community-supported endeavor. Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscribe

Are you ready for an adventure of an 11th century lifetime!?  What will you do when every village you encounter sends an assassin after your guardian? This is the premise of the story "The many assassinations of Samir, the seller of dreams". Our guest today, Daniel Nayeri, talks to us about how he came to write this story, why the magic of the silk road fascinates him, and what he hopes everyone gets out of the book. Enjoy! About Daniel Nayeri Daniel Nayeri was born in Iran and spent some years as a refugee before immigrating to Oklahoma at age eight with his family. He is the author of several books for young readers, including Everything Sad is Untrue (A True Story), winner of the Michael L. Printz Award, the Christopher Medal, and the Middle Eastern Book Award. He lives in the US with his wife and son. About 'The Many Assassinations of Samir, The Seller of Dreams' A new all-ages adventure tale from Printz Medal Winner, Daniel Nayeri This is the tale of an exciting journey along the Silk Road with a young Monk and his newfound guardian, Samir, a larger than life character and the so-called “Seller of Dreams”. The man is a scammer; his biggest skill being the ability to talk his way into getting what he wants. While that talking did save Monkey's life, it has left a lot of people furious with Samir— furious enough to hire assassins. Monkey decides to try and save Samir from the attempts on his life—as a way to pay off his debt! If he can save Samir six times, he'll be a free man...but will they all survive that long? For fans of The Little Prince and Salman Rushdie's Haroun and the Sea of Stories. Make sure to check out the NEW Dtalkspodcast.com website! Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload.   With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale)   Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life!    At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care.    Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at www.selfunbound.com   The DTALKS Podcast has also been ranked #9 in the "Top 40 Detox Podcast You Must Follow in 2020" according to Feedspot.com for our work in the Cultural Detox space. Thank you so much to the Feedspot team!  https://blog.feedspot.com/detox_podcasts/

This isn't Daniel Nayeri's first time on the Withywindle podcast, but it's a fresh experience every time you get to chat with someone as fun and insightful as he is, so we're very excited to have him back on to discuss his new book (and fooooood, of course). Plus, we've got more lazy words, silly jokes, snacks, stories, riddles, and all the rest of the nonsense! Thanks for tuning in yet again! If you want to pre-order a copy of the King Arthur book we discussed on the show today you can do so here.And here is Out of the Shadow World.And here is where you can sign up for the newsletter and/or leave a comment! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit withywindle.substack.com

In this book club episode we we discuss Daniel Nayeri's profound and funny middle grade novel, Everything Sad Is Untrue. We all adored this book, and this lively discussion includes themes of parenting, cultural differences, hospitality, 90's nostalgia, food, and redemption. We can't wait to hear what you think about this one! Search Book Fare Podcast and join our private Facebook group to join the fun!

In this week's episode, Marissa chats with Daniel Nayeri about his new book, THE MANY ASSASSINATIONS OF SAMIR THE SELLER OF DREAMS and his twisty road to becoming a published author that included working in publishing, considering being a spy, skydiving, and actually becoming a pastry chef. Topics also discussed: explaining unfamiliar terms to the reader without breaking character, bringing setting to life using the five senses, giving characters something to do in a scene and how it naturally creates worldbuilding, how tiny details (as basic as pockets!) can elude your research, publishing the thing you'll forever be proud of, and so much more.Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyerFind out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

Besides being an author, Daniel Nayeri is a publisher, a pastry chef, and a raconteur. His book Everything Sad Is Untrue (a True Story), won many awards, and with good reason. His new book is The Many Assassinations of Samir, The Seller of Dreams. The Habit Podcast is sponsored by The Habit Membership. Find out more at TheHabit.co.Support the show: https://therabbitroom.givingfuel.com/memberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18,20 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:14Christians have been characterized by despair, defeat, and retreat. For too long, Christians have heeded the false doctrine which teaches that we are doomed to failure, that Christians cannot win—the notion that until Jesus returns, Christians will steadily lose ground to the enemy. The teaching of the Bible is very different. David ChiltonNothing has more paralyzed the progress of the Kingdom of God on earth than a false faith about what the future will look like; that victory takes place only in the ‘last chapter' of the Bible; the false belief that in time, in history, on earth, the Christians will lose. But the Bible says otherwise. And it matters!What you believe about the future will change how you live in the present. Daniel NayeriWe hope you can be with us this weekend for Pastor Ray's encouraging message to have, "Faith for the Future".....Join us for a new message each week with Ray McCollum, recorded live from Celebration Church in Nashville, USA.Share the link and invite a friend to join this service.Subscribe to receive our latest content: https://tr.ee/2b6XuDKlaS️To support the ministry of Celebration Church and invest in the lives of others through giving click here: https://app.sharefaith.com/app/giving...FOLLOW US►► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwmccollum/►► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rwmccollum/►► Twitter: https://twitter.com/rwmccollum#celebrationchurchnashville #online #jesus #celebrationchurch #church #onlinechurch #sermon #nashville

In this episode, meet Hatch consultancy founder Monica C. Parker, author of The Power of Wonder, Printz Medal winner Daniel Nayeri, author of The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams, and award-winning poet Brenda Shaughnessy, author of Tanya. Tune in to hear about the curiosities that inspired their work, from unlikely mentors, to imagining what it was like to be a merchant on The Silk Road, to why maintaining a sense of wonder leads to more resiliency. Enjoy! The Power of Wonder by Monica C. Parker https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/679114/the-power-of-wonder/ The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/729597/the-many-assassinations-of-samir-the-seller-of-dreams/ Tanya by Brenda Shaughnessy https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/715680/tanya/

Book club is here!! This months bookclub pick is Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri. Sarah and Jayme talk about what they liked, what they didn't like and what they learned. Share with us what you thought. 

Episode 106 January 5, 2023 On the Needles 4:27 ALL KNITTING LINKS GO TO RAVELRY UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.  Please visit our Instagram page @craftcookreadrepeat for non-Rav photos and info     20,638 yards in 39 projects in 2022   Tii Pullover by Joji Locatelli, Machete Shoppe Dirty DK in Eucalyptus– DONE!!   Le Snap by tincanknits, Knit Style Yarns Merino Nylon Fingering 75/25 in A Sweet Christmas– DONE!!   Gnome Made Gifts by Sarah Schira, DIC Smooshy in Rudolph's Favorites– DONE!!   Christmas Adventure Gnome by Sarah Schira, KnitPicks Stroll Tweed in Dalmatian, Barn Door and Sequoia– DONE!!   Advent Scarf 2021 by Tricia Weatherston, Forbidden Fiber Fortitude in Tinsel, FF Gluttony in Classic Christmas Collection – DONE!!   Wintertide Socks MKAL by Sivia Harding, Must Stash Yarn Everyday DK in Homecoming and Amy   Cozy Classic Raglan by Jessie Maed Designs, NFC Loft in Victorian Village, Royal Bee Yarn fingering in G7       On the Easel 17:58 Had plans for a curriculum…instead, painted several landscapes, 2 pieces for gallery shows, MANY birds, lots of commissions, plus a 2023 calendar that sold out!   Carter's birds: cedar waxwing, Steller's jay, pine grosbeak Sketchbook work, & background research On the Table 24:06 Xmas eve lasagna   Dinner in One by Melissa Clark Spiced Brussel Sprouts with paneer and lime vinaigrette Red wine mushroom risotto   Cortney's recap: I cooked. The end.   Lasagne Dinner Party (it's much faster with a helper!) Christmas hosting + anxiety Turkey Chili and awesome cornbread Hungarian Goulash inspired by Auntie Rita Cooking from America's Test Kitchen the New Family Cookbook   On the Nightstand 40:31 We are now a Bookshop.org affiliate!  You can visit our shop to find books we've talked about or click on the links below.  The books are supplied by local independent bookstores and a percentage goes to us at no cost to you!   184 books read!   The Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke (audio)  Murder in the First Edition by Lauren Elliott (audio)  Christmas is Murder by C.S. Challinor  A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams  Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle  So Pretty a Problem by Francis Duncan (audio) Murder at Black Oaks by Phillip Margolin (audio)  Paris Daillencourt is ready to crumble by Alexis Hall Into the Riverlands by Nghi Vo Book of Night by Holly Black  Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, trans by Geoffrey Trousselot  (audio) The Last Crown by Elżbieta Cherezińska, trans by Maya Zakrzewska-Pim Blue Skinned Gods by S.J. Sindu The Forty Elephants by Erin Bledsoe  Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri (audio) Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin   Cortney's recap: Read less in service of painting practice = 68 books!   Now Is Not The Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson Blue Lightning by Ann Cleeves (book 4 with the BIRDS!)   On the Horizon 1:00:21 Knitting,  3 sweaters with yarn from pre-2022 stash Charity– hats and knitted knockers Quarterly knit from deep stash KitsCross stitch Bracelet Xmas- figures or 12 days   Storygraph challenges  WSIRN episode with founder West Portal Books Irish Book Subscription  New ingredients: preserved lemon? What else? Make homemade gnocchi   Cortney's Ideas:   TRY to finish my westknits shawl before Stitches West.   Easel: less white space, more daily work (sketchbooks, etc).   Table: cook less often; batch cooking AND make better lunches for myself (temple food).   Nightstand: listen to more author, artist interviews. California Book Club    Bonus Book Talk! 1:22:58

A book talk about Everything Sad is Untrue

We take a look back at 2022 and discuss our favourite books, shows, albums, and movies of the year like; Everything sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri, It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover, RRR, Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, Midnights by Taylor Swift, El Bueno Y El Malo by Hermanos Gutierrez, Nathan Fielder's The Rehearsal, The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window, beading, The Miami Dolphins, and a few more surprises! Stop murder, everyone. I Love This You Should Too is hosted by Samantha & Indy Randhawa. We are Members of the Alberta Podcast Network Everything sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri: https://www.danielnayeri.com/everythingsadisuntrue It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover: https://www.colleenhoover.com/portfolio/it-starts-with-us/   RRR is a 2022 Indian Telugu-language epic action drama film directed by S. S. Rajamouli, who co-wrote the film with V. Vijayendra Prasad. It was produced by D. V. V. Danayya of DVV Entertainment. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan, Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt, Shriya Saran, Samuthirakani, Ray Stevenson, Alison Doody, and Olivia Morris. It centers around two real-life Indian revolutionaries, Alluri Sitarama Raju (Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Rama Rao), their fictional friendship and their fight against the British Raj. Set in the 1920s, the plot explores the undocumented period in their lives when both the revolutionaries chose to go into obscurity before they began the fight for their country. Everything Everywhere All at Once is a 2022 American absurdist comedy-drama film written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (collectively known as "Daniels"), who produced it with Anthony and Joe Russo. The plot centers on a Chinese-American immigrant (played by Michelle Yeoh) who, while being audited by the IRS, discovers that she must connect with parallel universe versions of herself to prevent a powerful being from destroying the multiverse. Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jenny Slate, Harry Shum Jr., James Hong, and Jamie Lee Curtis appear in supporting roles. The New York Times called the film a "swirl of genre anarchy" with elements of black comedy, science fiction, fantasy, martial arts films, and animation.   Midnights is the tenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on October 21, 2022, via Republic Records. Announced at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, the album marks Swift's first body of new work since her 2020 alternative folk albums, Folklore and Evermore. Midnights is a concept album about nocturnal ruminations, written and produced by Swift with longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff.    El Bueno Y El Malo by Hermanos Gutierrez: https://www.hermanosgutierrez.ch/   The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window (originally titled The Woman in the House) is an American dark comedy streaming television miniseries created by Rachel Ramras, Hugh Davidson, and Larry Dorf for Netflix. Actors Kristen Bell, Michael Ealy, Tom Riley, Mary Holland, Cameron Britton, Shelley Hennig, and Samsara Yett star in the series, which has elements of thrillers, but is primarily a parody of mystery psychological thrillers, as well as Scream. The eight-episode series runs less than four hours and was released on January 28, 2022, on Netflix. It received mixed reviews from critics, while Bell's performance was praised. The Rehearsal is an American docu-comedy television series created, written, and directed by and starring Nathan Fielder. It premiered on HBO on July 15, 2022, to critical acclaim. The Rehearsal features Nathan Fielder helping ordinary people rehearse difficult conversations or life events through the use of sets and actors hired to recreate real situations. The situations can be trivial, like confessing to a lie about educational history, or more complex, like raising a child. Fielder commissions extravagant sets with every detail recreated. He hires actors to inhabit these sets and practice different dialogue trees with his clients dozens of times. Information used to train the actors and build the sets is often collected without the subjects' knowledge.

Resources mentioned in this episode:Spiritual Life"A Model of Christian Maturity" by D.A. Carson (https://amazon.com/dp/0801093953)"Keeping Place" by Jen Pollock Michel (https://amazon.com/dp/B0722P5FR9)Biography and History"Dominion" by Tom Holland (https://amazon.com/dp/B07NCY9RG9)"Out of our Past" by Carl N. Degler (https://amazon.com/dp/0061319856)"Martin Luther, Vol 2" by Martin Brecht (https://amazon.com/dp/0800628144)"Martin Luther's Basic Theological Writings" by William. R. Russell (https://amazon.com/dp/0800698835)"River of the Gods" by Candice Millard (https://amazon.com/dp/B09BTJNJCX)Theology and Bible"The Desire of the Nations" by Oliver O'Donovan (https://amazon.com/dp/0521665167)"Christian Mission in the Modern World" by John Stott (https://amazon.com/dp/0830844392)""Fundamentalism" and the Word of God" by J.I. Packer (https://amazon.com/dp/0802811477)General Interest"A Time to Build" by Yuval Levin (https://amazon.com/dp/1541699270)"Art of the Commonplace" by Wendell Berry (https://amazon.com/dp/1593760078)"Surrender" by Bono (https://amazon.com/dp/B09ZHK2N71)Fiction and Literature "The Legend of the Poinsettia" by Tomie dePaola (https://amazon.com/dp/0698115678)"The Ambassadors" by Henry James (https://amazon.com/dpB00JDN27Q0)"Everything Sad is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri (https://amazon.com/dp/B08BR2HFWJ)"The Prisoner" by Marcel Proust (https://amazon.com/dp/0143133594)"The Fugitive" by Marcel Proust (https://amazon.com/dp/0143133705)

In this special edition episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen is joined by Melissa Kruger as they look back on the big stories and trends of 2022, discuss how God has moved in and through their ministries, and share books that have stuck with them. They also take some time to thank you, their listeners, for encouraging them in the work of Gospelbound and Let's Talk.We discuss:Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation by Collin Hansen, and the idea of self-forgetfulness (5:36)His Grace Is Enough by Melissa Kruger, written for kids and young adults alike (10:05)The internet revolution and exposing abuse in the church (15:40)How we can love the church unabashedly and with awareness (19:02)Gospel advancement in the midst of world conflict (20:11)2022, the year that history began again (21:55)The state of the church in Russia and Ukraine (23:26)The state of the church in China (24:20)How culture tries to answer the reason for hopelessness and lostness (31:27)How the church can positively affect kids and teens (36:33)How do parents discuss biblical sexual ethics with their teens? (40:00)The overturning of Roe v. Wade (48:19)The most memorable Gospelbound interviews of 2022 (54:52)Upcoming Gospelbound interviews for 2023 (1:01:00)Why this episode of Let's Talk was the most downloaded (1:02:36)Books that have stuck with us (1:06:49)How the internet can help you grow your ministry (1:23:40)Favorite things (1:28:55)Mentioned in this episode:"My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2022" by Collin Hansen (article)Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation by Collin HansenHis Grace Is Enough by Melissa KrugerSocial Sanity in an Insta World by Sarah Eekhoff ZylstraBully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church by Michael J. Kruger"Transformation of a Transgender Teen" by Sarah Zylstra (article)"Defiant Faith in the Face of Suffering" with Bill and Will Kynes (podcast)"Does My Son Know You?" with Jonathan Tjarks (podcast)"Everything Sad Is Untrue" with Daniel Nayeri (podcast)"Let's Talk: When Others Fall Away" (podcast episode) 

In this episode, we sat down with writer Daniel Nayeri to talk about his memoir Everything Sad is Untrue—a fascinating and beautiful journey of a story that explores faith and family through the eyes of young Daniel, an Iranian immigrant now living in rural Oklahoma.   Buy the book   Become a Patron: https://patron.podbean.com/culturematters   Follow us on social: instagram.com/culture_matters_pod twitter.com/culturemattersp culturematterspodcast.podbean.com/

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie's husband Jordan joins her to talk all about audiobooks! The books mentioned in this episode can be purchased from The Bookshelf's Libro.fm playlist (or as physical books from The Bookshelf): Annie's picks: Anna K: A Love Story by Jenny Lee Falling by TJ Newman Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman Going There by Katie Couric How Not To Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett River of the Gods by Candice Millard Taste by Stanley Tucci Upgrade by Blake Crouch The Wreckage of My Presence by Casey Wilson You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar Jordan's Picks: Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders The Fellowship of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkein The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkein The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night by Mark Haddon Behind her Eyes by Sara Pinborough Defending Jacob by William Landay When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi Furious Hours by Casey Cep Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri Death is but a Dream by Christopher Kerr The Fourth Turning by William Strauss and Neil Howe Mutual Listens: The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green Directed by James Burrows by James Burrows Calypso by David Sedaris Survive the Night by Riley Sager From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf's daily happenings on Instagram at @bookshelftville, and all the books from today's episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today's episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  This week Annie is reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Jordan is reading Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri and The Fourth Turning by William Strauss and Neil Howe. If you liked what you heard in today's episode, tell us by leaving a review on iTunes. Or, if you're so inclined, support us on Patreon, where you can hear our staff's weekly New Release Tuesday conversations, read full book reviews in our monthly Shelf Life newsletter and follow along as Hunter and I conquer a classic. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We're so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are... Donna Hetchler, Angie Erickson, Cammy Tidwell, Chantalle C, Nicole Marsee, Wendi Jenkins, Laurie Johnson, and Kate Johnston Tucker. Libro.FM: Libro.fm lets you purchase audiobooks directly from your favorite local bookstore (like The Bookshelf). You can pick from more than 215,000 audiobooks, and you'll get the same audiobooks at the same price as the largest audiobook company out there (you know the name). But you'll be part of a different story -- one that supports community. All you need is a smart phone and the free Libro.fm app. You can shop The Bookshelf's Libro.fm playlist here.

In his book, Everything Sad Is Untrue, Daniel Nayeri offers readers a refugee's inside look at religion and geo-politics through his personal tale of a boy separated from his father and the only world he knew and loved. A world that he's not even sure he can remember.But it's Daniel's mother who is the hero of this book, which released in 2020 and was named a book of the year by The New York Times, NPR, and The Wall Street Journal. Her conversion was a death sentence in Iran, so the family fled—without her baffled husband.Daniel Nayeri joins Collin Hansen on Gospelbound to discuss love, justice, eschatology, and the widespread acclaim for his work.

This week on From the Front Porch, The Bookshelf's Online Sales Manager Erin joins Annie and Olivia for another New Release Rundown. They're sharing the September releases they're excited about to help you build your TBR list. Don't forget, if you purchase or preorder any of the books they talk about, you can enter the code NEWRELEASEPLEASE at checkout for 10 percent off your order. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, visit our website: Annie's list: On the Rooftop by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton The Most Likely Club by Elyssa Friedland The Net Beneath Us by Carol Dunbar All That's Left Unsaid by Tracey Lien The Book of Goose by Yiyun Li Less is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer Olivia's list: Learning to Fall by Sally Engelfried Enigma of Room 622 by Joel Dicker Billion Dollar Girl by Megan Shull Odder by Katherine Applegate The Vanquishers by Kalynn Bayron The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander Erin's list: The Attic Child by Lola Jaye Ithaca by Claire North Back to the Garden by Laurie R. King If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoferry How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf's daily happenings on Instagram at @bookshelftville, and all the books from today's episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today's episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  This week Annie is reading Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri. Olivia is reading The Vanquishers by Kalynn Bayron. Erin is reading We Should Not Be Afraid of the Sky by Emma Hooper. If you liked what you heard in today's episode, tell us by leaving a review on iTunes. Or, if you're so inclined, support us on Patreon, where you can hear our staff's weekly New Release Tuesday conversations, read full book reviews in our monthly Shelf Life newsletter and follow along as Hunter and I conquer a classic. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We're so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are... Donna Hetchler, Angie Erickson, Cammy Tidwell, Chantalle C, Nicole Marsee, Wendi Jenkins, Laurie Johnson, and Kate Johnston Tucker.

We've been inundated with more emails so we took another trip down to the email corridor to read all of them and respond. We also finalized our guidelines and stipulations for the upcoming Shades Midweek Taco Tour. JM's Album of the Week: EB Cole - On Earth (The Lord's Prayer) Bradford's Book Club (Grant Premo's Pick): Everything Sad Is Untrue: (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri

In today's episode, Jeff and Susan get to spend time with Daniel Nayeri, who is a writer, editor, and publisher in the United States. His novel that they discuss is called Everything Sad Is Untrue (a true story), which is a telling of his own family having to flee persecution in Iran and becoming refugees when he was a small child. Enjoy the episode!

We can so quickly judge and reject people we don't understand. This week, Jamie completed her homework assignment (well, mostly), so Jamie and Heather talk about the book Everything Sad is Untrue. The book opened their eyes to consider how many times we overlook people and revealed a universal truth: We all just want to be seen and heard. Plus, Jamie gives us a big update on her journey with depression.   Join us for a discussion on mental health red flags, Snap Chat predators, and building genuine connection with others. Let's survive summer together in the sixth and final episode of our mini-series Surviving Summer.   Show Notes: In this episode, the book Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri is discussed.

When a school year ends there is always transition, and with transition there is always some loss. So how do we make space for feelings of loss and sadness while teaching our kids to embrace life open-handedly? In this episode, Jamie and Heather talk about learning to walk their kids through change, but they come to realization that maybe they still have a long way to go in learning how to deal with it themselves. Join us for a discussion on parenting through difficulty, the power of community, and a homework assignment from Heather. Let's survive summer together in the fifth episode of our mini-series called Surviving Summer. Show Notes: In this episode, Heather mentions the book Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri. You can purchase the book here: https://rb.gy/3igfu1

Raising teens can sometimes feel like a battle of wills. In this episode, Jamie seeks parenting advice from Heather after a blowup with her son over dirty dishes. For our kids, summer doesn't have a strict schedule, resulting in a lot of aimless time. Left to their own devices, they would probably watch TV and eat candy all day. Since they don't understand the full perspective, we often have to make our kids do things they don't want to do. It's okay to empathize, but how do we draw a line in the sand? Join us for a deep dive into parenting, family yoga gone wrong, and a book recommendation! Let's survive summer together in the fourth episode of our mini-series called Surviving Summer.       Show Notes: In this episode, Heather mentions the book Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri. You can purchase the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Sad-Untrue-true-story/dp/1646140001

Danielle's Fall Story Groups:  https://wayfindingtherapy.com/groupsEmail or Call for more information (danielle@wayfindingtherapy.com)Spiritual Abuse Story Group (with Kali Jensen)Women of Color CoHort (With Abby Wong-Heffter/Jen Oyama Murphy)Race and Story (with Kali Jensen)The Art of Living Narrative Training.https://artoflivingcounseling.com///trauma-focused-narrative-group-therapy/Participants will have an opportunity to further their skills and develop their unique artistry in engaging stories of trauma. Participant will be taught how to structure and run story groups in the context of therapy offices, church settings or small groups.To give towards the scholarship fund, contact Cyndi Mesmer at artofliving2@me.com . The Allender CenterOur professional trainings include conferences that grow your capacity to help clients pursue trauma recovery, consultation weekends to receive insight regarding your work with clients, or our full certificate program, which is designed to provide foundational teaching and training in The Allender Theory and experiential personal story work.To find out more, click here . Impact MovementThe Impact Movement equips Black students to become disciples of Jesus Christ who integrate their faith into every aspect of their life.Maggie's Fall Story Group: https://www.storiedlifecoaching.com/story-groupshttps://www.storiedlifecoaching.comMental Health Resources:Mental health crisis linesWashington Recovery Help Line: 1-866-789-1511 (24/7)https://www.hca.wa.gov/health-care-services-supports/behavioral-health-recovery/mental-health-crisis-linesNAMI HelpLinehttps://www.nami.org/helpMaggie is reading: Everything Sad is Untrue (A True Story) by Daniel Nayeri. CORRECTION: He lived in Oklahoma, not Kansas.Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman. The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Maggie is listening to: Brené Brown's Audio book of Atlas of the Heart. Silence when possible.Maggie is inspired by: Flowers, especially peonies and roses grown locally.  Danielle is reading: What My Bones Know by Stephanie FooDanielle is listening to: Early 90's Rap, Silence and an occasional podcastDanielle is inspired by:  her kids  

In this episode, the first page of three YA books will be read:1. Gold Diggers by Sanjena Sathian2. The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga3. Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri

Daniel Nayeri is the author of Everything Sad is Untrue, which is great and all (and it is great), but he also worked as a chocolatier once upon a time, which means he made chocolate, which also means he fits in perfectly on Withywindle. We do like our snacks and we learned so much about chocolate on this episode! And all kinds of other stuff, too. Plus, as usual we told jokes, talked about lazy words, discussed The Phantom Tollbooth, and shared another riddle. So pull up a chair or plop into a beanbag or settle into your spot in your car (or whatever) and hit that play button and get ready for a good time on this week's episode of Withywindle! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, I review the five books that I read for the month of February - SPOILERS! The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson, The Thursday Murder Club and The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman, Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri, and Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia A special thanks to AD for recommending The Thursday Murder Club and to cousin JP for recommending Mexican Gothic!! 2022 Book count so far: 10 books, 3,386 pages

Jill reads the last chapter of Daniel Nayeri's Everything Sad is Untrue.Contact Us: connections@hamnerlibrary.orgFeatured Resource: Rosetta Stone

Lisa and her guest Kristin Schumacher have a compelling discussion about Wonder written by R.J. Palacio. Wonder is a middle-grade book about Auggie, a boy with a facial difference that he refers to as mandibulofacial dysostosis. This condition is more commonly knowns as Treacher Collins syndrome, which is a genetic disorder that impacts the face including the jaw and cheekbone.  This is a beloved children's book but Lisa and her guest talk a lot about how the book depicts people with disabilities.  Here are some links to articles that Lisa and her guest discussed:  Wonder author R.J. Palacio discusses an ice cream incident happened to her family in real life that inspired her to write the book.  Inspiration porn is an informal term dubbed by the late Australian disability activist Stella Young for a loose genre of media depictions of disabled people. Young has a 2014 TED Talk, titled, “I am not your inspiration, thank you very much.”  Acts of kindness should be celebrated, says Psychology Today. One in four Americans has a disability, cited from the CDC. Everyone Hated It But Me books:  ·      Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri·      Code Name Verity by Elizabeth E. Wein·      Life After Life by Kate AtkinsonFor more information, find Lisa on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and her website. *The book titles mentioned include affiliate links. You can support the podcast by purchasing a book with the links because the podcast receives a small commission. 

This week we're talking about the first book in our Season 5 Book Club: Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri. This incredible memoir, that reads more like an epic, is unbelievable, and we think everyone should read it. 

It has been a while, but we're back!  I have missed the book club and can't wait to dig into the book for this month: Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri. Join Elizabeth and me as we preview this entertaining book!

Pastor Clayton Keenon interviews Inspiring Stories guest Daniel Nayeri, author of 2020's Everything Sad is Untrue (A True Story). For weekend service times, see ccclife.org/locations.

Enjoy our presentation of Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri, published by Levine Querido. At the front of a middle school classroom in Oklahoma, a boy named Khosrou (whom everyone calls "Daniel") stands, trying to tell a story. His story. But, no one believes a word he says. To them he is a dark-skinned, hairy-armed boy with a big butt whose lunch smells funny; who makes things up and talks about poop too much. But Khosrou's stories, stretching back years, and decades, and centuries, are beautiful, and terrifying. Like Scheherazade of One Thousand and One Nights in a hostile classroom, Daniel spins a tale to save his own life: to stake his claim to the truth.Everything Sad is Untrue has won numerous awards, including being named a 2020 Book of the Year by Amazon, NPR, The New York Times and several other publications.This title is recommended for readers age 11 and up for some depictions of violence. Please see Common Sense Media for more information and reviews. https://bit.ly/EverythingSad_ReviewsEverything Sad is Untrue is available as an eBook on Hoopla and Libby by Overdrive.Libby eBook - https://bit.ly/EverythingSad_LibbyeBookHoopla eBook - https://bit.ly/EverythingSad_HooplaeBookPlease visit www.calvertlibrary.info for more information.Music: Dub the Uke (excerpt) by Kara Square (c) copyright 2016. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/mindmapthat/53340

@AKDobbin on TwitterThe Hero Next Door: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/42790794Totally Middle School: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38398196-totally-middle-schoolLinda Sue Park, https://lindasuepark.com/Conscious Style Guide: https://consciousstyleguide.com/Karen Yin: https://karenyin.com/ or @KarenYin on TwitterNaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45916267-everything-sad-is-untrueYear of the Reaper by Makiia Lucier: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55959425-year-of-the-reaperBetsy Cornwell's Old Knitting Factory project: http://www.betsycornwell.com/the-old-knitting-factory/We Need Diverse Books: https://diversebooks.org/

On this week's episode: Dan and Jamilah are joined by Slate's Allison Benedikt. They debate if a letter writer's bickering parents need to knock it off or if it's okay to squabble in front of the grandkids.Then, they sit down with Dr. Tova Walsh, professor of social work at the University of Wisconsin, to discuss her new research about how moms who gave birth in March 2020 are coping with a very strange first year of parenting. In Slate Plus: What to do about kids' expensive—but oh so delicious—berry habits. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to listen and support our work.Recommendations:Jamilah recommends Gonanas Banana Bread Mix from Nordstrom Rack. Allison recommends Everything Sad Is Untrue: (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri. Dan recommends I Was Told There Would Be Mom Friends by Lauren BansJoin us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today's show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.  Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode: Dan and Jamilah are joined by Slate's Allison Benedikt. They debate if a letter writer's bickering parents need to knock it off or if it's okay to squabble in front of the grandkids.Then, they sit down with Dr. Tova Walsh, professor of social work at the University of Wisconsin, to discuss her new research about how moms who gave birth in March 2020 are coping with a very strange first year of parenting. In Slate Plus: What to do about kids' expensive—but oh so delicious—berry habits. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to listen and support our work.Recommendations:Jamilah recommends Gonanas Banana Bread Mix from Nordstrom Rack. Allison recommends Everything Sad Is Untrue: (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri. Dan recommends I Was Told There Would Be Mom Friends by Lauren BansJoin us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today's show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.  Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode: Dan and Jamilah are joined by Slate’s Allison Benedikt. They debate if a letter writer’s bickering parents need to knock it off or if it’s okay to squabble in front of the grandkids. Then, they sit down with Dr. Tova Walsh, professor of social work at the University of Wisconsin, to discuss her new research about how moms who gave birth in March 2020 are coping with a very strange first year of parenting.  In Slate Plus: What to do about kids' expensive—but oh so delicious—berry habits. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Jamilah recommends Gonanas Banana Bread Mix from Nordstrom Rack.  Allison recommends Everything Sad Is Untrue: (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri.  Dan recommends I Was Told There Would Be Mom Friends by Lauren Bans Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.    Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode: Dan and Jamilah are joined by Slate’s Allison Benedikt. They debate if a letter writer’s bickering parents need to knock it off or if it’s okay to squabble in front of the grandkids. Then, they sit down with Dr. Tova Walsh, professor of social work at the University of Wisconsin, to discuss her new research about how moms who gave birth in March 2020 are coping with a very strange first year of parenting.  In Slate Plus: What to do about kids' expensive—but oh so delicious—berry habits. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to listen and support our work. Recommendations: Jamilah recommends Gonanas Banana Bread Mix from Nordstrom Rack.  Allison recommends Everything Sad Is Untrue: (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri.  Dan recommends I Was Told There Would Be Mom Friends by Lauren Bans Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.    Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel Nayeri intrigues listeners from start to finish with his powerful autobiographical novel for children, a finalist for both the Audie Award and the National Book Award. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Nayeri’s patchwork of compelling stories woven from Persian history and myth, and stories from his own childhood. Listeners go back and forth in time, hearing of his early childhood in Iran, their escape, his time as a refugee in Italy, and starting over with his mother and sister in Oklahoma. Nayeri’s story was made to be listened to. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Listening Library. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com AudioFile is hosting a webinar at 12 ET on May 6th featuring children’s and teen audiobooks to inspire conversations around immigration in schools and at home. Join to hear live readings and discussions with narrators Priya Ayyar, Marisa Blake, and Anthony Rey Perez, and Kirsten Cappy of I’m Your Neighbor Books. Sponsored by Dreamscape Audio. Register here. Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Show notes can be found at claysteves.com/podcast.  The first 12 years of Daniel's life is one of the most remarkable stories I have ever encountered and he recently shared this journey in the autobiography titled, Everything Sad is Untrue (A True Story). Daniel was born in Iran in a wealthy and prominent Muslim family. His mother's unexpected conversion to Christianity disrupted their comfortable life. What ensued was death threats from the secret police, his mother's unstoppable courage and unwavering belief in life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, his mother sacrificing everything to follow Jesus, fleeing the country under the cover of darkness, leaving his father behind, spending years as a refugee seeking asylum before immigrating to Oklahoma at age eight with his mother and sister. In this convo, we explore his perspective on being a refugee and how that framed his perspective of the United States of America. We talk about what are the “truest things about you,” and I promise the answer his 12-year-old self provides is not what you would expect! After you listen to this convo, I strongly encourage you to grab a copy of his book and give it a read. It will only illuminate and add to the value of this convo. If you, like me, often pursue the comfort of this world instead of the calling of following Jesus, his story will challenge you to your core. Enjoy!   Daniel: Facebook, Instagram, Website 

Corene, Fiona, Liz, Sadie, and Virginia talk about fiction and non-fiction that help us build empathy and learn more about the immigrant and refugee experience. Books mentioned in this episode: Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri, American Street by Ibi Zoboi, Displacement by Kiku Hughes, We Have Always Been Here by Samra Habib, and The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/keepitfictional/message

This week's winner is the recent recipient of the Printz Award, given to the best work of young adult fiction each year. Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri is a semi-autobiographical novel is about a boy named Khosrou (whom everyone calls "Daniel") who stands, trying to tell a story. His story. But no one believes a word he says. To them, he is a dark-skinned, hairy-armed boy with a big butt whose lunch smells funny; who makes things up and talks about poop too much. But Khosrou's stories, stretching back years, and decades, and centuries, are beautiful, and terrifying, from the moment his family fled Iran in the middle of the night with the secret police moments behind them, back to the sad, cement refugee camps of Italy. and further back to the fields near the river Aras, where rain-soaked flowers bled red like the yolk of sunset burst over everything, and further back still to the Jasmine-scented city of Isfahan. Place your hold on Everything Sad is Untrue today!

Every Fall NPR asks our critics and staff to pick their favorite books from the past year. Those nominations - there's hundreds of them - are then sorted down to a semi-manageable number. This year is our largest list yet with 383 titles. Click here to visit NPR's Book Concierge for 2020. The hosts of Consider This all submitted their picks to the list. Here are some of their favorites:Ari Shapiro recommends Susanna Clarke's novel Piranesi. A mythic story about a man who is disoriented and trapped in a mysterious sort of house. Mary Louise Kelly has a suggestion great for a book club. Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet explores the connection between what was arguably William Shakespeare's greatest play, Hamlet, and the death of his only son four years before. Ailsa Chang's pick is a good read for ages 10 and up. Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri takes you on a journey through myth, youth and cultural clash as a young boy and his family flee Iran and end up in Oklahoma. Audie Cornish chose to share Just Us by poet Claudia Rankine. It's a collection of essays, photos, poems and conversations that Rankine has been having with friends and strangers about race. In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment that will help you make sense of what's going on in your community.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

Shop Early! Shop Local! Our booksellers have several holiday recommendations for you! https://www.gibsonsbookstore.com/2020-holiday-recommendations Click the link to purchase the book from our store, or click the "Libro.fm" link to get the Audiobook on Libro.fm. Thanks for shopping local! Books Mentioned During This Episode Hillary, https://www.gibsonsbookstore.com/staff/hillary Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth (libro.fm) Ryan, https://www.gibsonsbookstore.com/staff/ryan-elizabeth-clark Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers Kelso, https://www.gibsonsbookstore.com/staff/kelso Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir Holiday Recommendations  https://www.gibsonsbookstore.com/2020-holiday-recommendations Stacey:  The Search for WondLa by Tony Diterlizzi (libro.fm)  Cheri: Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland (libro.fm) A Wild Winter Swan: A Novel by Gregory Maguire (libro.fm) Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim (libro.fm) Unadoptables by Hana Tooke (libro.fm)  Sandy:  The Lost Spells by Robert MacFarlane  A Promised Land by Barack Obama (libro.fm)For a limited time, pre-order A Promised Land by Barack Obama through Gibson's Bookstore, and you'll receive a free audiobook from @librofm! Learn more here blog.libro.fm/a-promised-land and pre-order the book here  Kelso: Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline (libro.fm) Shit, Actually by Lindy West (libro.fm) Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson (libro.fm) Golden Thread: The Cold War and the Mysterious Death of Dag Hammarskjöld by Ravi Somaiya (libro.fm)   Michael: The Cold Millions by Jess Walter (libro.fm)   Jim: And In The End by Ken McNab (libro.fm) Call The Nurse by Mary MacLeod  Nurse Come You Here by Mary MacLeod  The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (libro.fm)   Emily: Cuyahoga by Pete Beatty (libro.fm) History of the World in 1000 Objects by DK   Fal:  The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang (libro.fm) The Name of the Wind (10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) by Patrick Rothfuss (libro.fm) The Writer's Map by Huw Lewis-Jones Elisabeth: Consider the Fork by Bee Wilson (libro.fm) Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall (libro.fm) Joy at Work by Marie Kondo (libro.fm)   Heather: Cinders & Sparrows by Stefan Bachman (libro.fm) Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (libro.fm) Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri (libro.fm) Lightfall by Tim Probert   Ryan: Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots (libro.fm) Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (libro.fm) The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (libro.fm) The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson (libro.fm) The Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow (libro.fm) The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab (libro.fm) The City We Became by NK Jemisin (libro.fm) Piranesi by Susanna Clarke Action Park by Andy Mulvihill (libro.fm) The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad (libro.fm) Antiracist Baby by Ibram X Kendi (libro.fm) Cozy by Jan Brett (libro.fm)   Hillary: Nose Dive by Harold McGee The Art and Science of Foodpairing by Peter Coucquyt Nom Wah Cookbook by Wilson Tang Parwana by Durkhanai Ayubi East by Meera Sodha Dessert Person by Claire Saffitz Flavor by Yotam Ottolenghi Other Links Gibson's Bookstore Website Purchase Gift Certificates!  Shop by Appointment! Browse our website by Category! Order some curated bundles! Donate to the bookstore! Check out our Events Calendar! Gibson's Instagram The Laydown Instagram Facebook Twitter Libro.fm (Our Audiobook Platform) Use the code “LAYDOWN” for 3 audiobooks for the price of 1!  Gift a membership! Email us at thelaydownpodcast@gmail.com

Don't let the young adult (YA) fiction marketing fool you, this autobiographical story is unforgettable (and much appreciated!) by those with some life experience. Daniel, the author and narrator, flees from Iran as a small child, detours through a refugee camp in Italy, then winds up in middle school in Oklahoma, where he puts on his best impression of legendary storyteller Scheherazade in the tradition of One Thousand and One Nights, attempting to convince his classmates of his true identity, even as he is trying to make sense of his patchwork memories and redefine himself. “When I was a kid in Isfahan, I would tell my mother that someday, I would build her a castle at the top of Mount Sofeh. I could see it from my window. A castle in the sky. I didn't know that life would make a liar out of me. I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't forget. I just never managed it. I wrote you a book instead. I know it isn't even close” – Daniel Nayeri, Everything Sad Is Untrue (A True Story) Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45916267-everything-sad-is-untrue (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45916267-everything-sad-is-untrue) YouTube: https://youtu.be/lLWOndGwXDc (https://youtu.be/lLWOndGwXDc) Audio production by Graham Stephenson Episode music: Caprese by https://www.sessions.blue/ (Blue Dot Sessions) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Anchor, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, and Spotify