Discussion
The Storyteller
I did not grow up with The New Yorker. In my family, it was Ebony, National Geographic (an early favourite), various copies of Chatelaine and Maclean's Magazine (look those last two up, you non-Canadians). It simply did not register just how great a magazine it was to anyone who knew me and my family. My first exposure to it was in a television commercial selling subscriptions, with the bold assertion that it was:
By Kendall Defoe about 13 hours ago in BookClub
Ecclesiastes and the Weight of Meaninglessness
Have you ever noticed how unsettling Ecclesiastes feels compared to most of Scripture. It does not rush to reassure. It does not soften its conclusions. It returns again and again to the same observation: everything fades, everything repeats, and nothing under the sun seems capable of holding still long enough to become permanent. Wisdom fails to secure lasting satisfaction. Pleasure loses its edge. Work outlives the worker. Even moral effort appears unable to guarantee stability. For many readers, this tone feels almost dissonant, as if the book is saying out loud what faith is supposed to quiet.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast3 days ago in BookClub
Before the Crown Broke Her
Most people grow up knowing the Queen of Hearts as one thing: a villain. She storms across the pages of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, shrieking her famous command–“Off with their heads!”-while terrifying everyone around her. In the surreal chaos of Wonderland, she’s explosive, irrational, and almost cartoonishly cruel. Readers rarely question her motives because the story itself never asks them to. The Queen exists as part of the nonsense.
By Jenna Deedy6 days ago in BookClub
Seeking Justice
The arrest of three Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office employees on domestic‑violence charges within a matter of days has ignited widespread calls for justice, harsh punishment, and systemic accountability across the Tampa Bay region. To many community members and advocacy groups, the cases represent far more than isolated incidents; they are seen as a direct challenge to public trust, the integrity of law enforcement, and the moral authority of those sworn to protect victims of violence rather than become its perpetrators.
By Press Release 10 days ago in BookClub
A Visitor's Guide To Victorian England. Top Story - March 2026.
A Book Review Being interested in all things Victorian, I am constantly looking for books on the Victorian Era. In fact, I should admit that I am obsessed about ‘all things Victorian’. From the clothes worn by men and women, rich or poor, to how they lived, where they lived, what they ate and would (or would not ) drink, what kind of transport there was, who worked where, who went to school (and who didn’t), the list really is endless.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff12 days ago in BookClub
Rousseau's Last Tour. Top Story - March 2026.
This was a strange comfort to me these last few weeks. Actually, more than a few weeks. I began this book at the beginning of the year, and put it aside as I realized that I was reading not a fictional account of a life, but the very true thoughts of a writer who has put his fingerprints over much of what I know of French thought in that era.
By Kendall Defoe 15 days ago in BookClub
Eat That Frog
In today’s fast-paced world, productivity has become one of the most sought-after skills. People constantly search for practical methods to manage time effectively and achieve their goals without feeling overwhelmed. One book that continues to stand out in this domain is Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy. This concise yet impactful guide provides a clear roadmap for overcoming procrastination and maximizing efficiency.
By shaoor afridi17 days ago in BookClub
Atomic Habits Book by James Clear
The Atomic Habits book by James Clear is widely regarded as one of the most influential personal development books of recent times. In Atomic Habits, the author explains how small daily changes can lead to remarkable long-term results. Rather than focusing only on big goals, Atomic Habits by James Clear teaches readers that tiny improvements repeated consistently can transform productivity, health, relationships, and overall success.
By BooksWagon UAE19 days ago in BookClub
JOHN THE APOSTLE
By Leavie scott — Faith & History Chronicle When speaking about the earliest followers of Jesus, few figures carry the same combination of historical depth and spiritual symbolism as John the Apostle, often remembered as “the beloved disciple.” Born around 6–15 AD in Galilee, John emerged from a world marked by Jewish identity, Roman occupation, and the evolving spiritual landscape that eventually gave rise to global Christianity. According to historical sources, John was born into a Jewish fishing family in the region of Galilee, with his father Zebedee and brother James working the rich waters of the Sea of Galilee.
By Press Release 20 days ago in BookClub
