Celebrating Others

A roundup of bookish articles for the new year

I am a big believer in creative community. Creativity is endless. Genius does not happen in isolation. Art is infinite because it is connected to the source of all being. The more we share each other’s work, the better our own work will become.

I don’t plan on making this a habit (simply because it doesn’t fit entirely with the purpose of this page), but I have encountered so many beautiful bookish posts lately that I can’t help sharing them with you all!

Give them a read and if they inspire you, consider subscribing to their pages. (I have also included an old post of mine that I re-read recently and wanted to share!)

Writing Round-up

1. The Agatha Christie Indult by

   Kelly Garrison
   - A short but beautiful piece exploring the faith life of renowned mystery author, Agatha Christie.

2. It’s Always a Good Time to Read (or re-read) the Odyssey by

   Susanna Schwartz
   - Read this post to get excited all over again about the classic epic (and Chrisopher Nolan’s newest project).

3. 100 Most Influential Fantasy Titles of All Time by

   Clifford Stumme
   - I see some tried and true classics! I can only imagine the amount of research that went into making this list. It is a treasure-trove for lovers of the fantasy genre (especially if you want some classic recs).

4. Discover the Magic of the Library by

   The Literary Assistant
   - This is a fun and creative way to utilize your local library’s resources. Plus, who doesn’t love a scavenger hunt? You could easily take this resource and modify it to help you choose your next classic read.

5. Holy Places are Dark Places by

   Maddie Dobrowski
   - My reflection on C.S. Lewis’ Till We Have Faces. This is one of my favorite books of all time, and one of the best books I (re-) read in 2024.

6. On Art and Authenticity by

   Daniel McInerny
   - A reflection on the film Wicked and what it really means to live with authenticity (I would also recommend, for those who like a more philosophical look at art, the other article he references and embeds within this post on making art that will last).

7. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by

   Jacob Allee
   - The perfect poem for Christmastide. And Tolkien’s translation? It’s amazing. This article gives you clues to the themes of the poem. A great resource!

8. Poetry Can Pull You Into the New Year by

   Ekstasis
   - I love everything that Ekstasis writes, but this one in particular is too good not to share. I love the relationship explored between poetry and the Bible. I have often been struck by the poetic glory of the Psalms.

9. Marilla of Green Gables by

   Emma
   - This piece, on the lesser-focused-on heroine of Anne of Green Gables, is as poignant as the story itself. I have always felt myself deeply moved by the story’s focus on the transformative power of love. Nobody experiences this transformation more profoundly than Marilla. Warning: there are spoilers here if you haven’t read the book.

Hopefully this list gives you something beautiful to read as the new year begins. I hope you are enjoying whatever book is currently keeping you company.

Happy New Year and Happy Reading!

Maddie