09/01/2014
Osteen (Your Best Life Now) has his cultural and theological critics even as millions of followers enjoy his television broadcasts and buy his books. The pastor of the 45,000-member Lakewood Community Church in Houston acts as cheerleader and encourager, as pastors ought to do. The newest iteration of his simple belief system offers eight maxims to help a person understand and imitate the qualities of a successful individual: commit to excellence, serve others, etc. Osteen's eight undeniable winner qualities include the quintessentially American injunction to "think positive," and the book reads as much as business advice or self-help as it does pastoral counsel. It's clearly intended to speak beyond a small Christian audience; references to biblical sources and stories are general and lack detail. The question thoughtful people of faith ought to consider in thinking about Osteen's fast-food theology is, why are people eating it up? The question for booksellers is how many copies to stock. Agents: Shannon Marven and Jan Miller Rich, Dupree Miller & Associates. (Oct.)
As the holidays approach, we’re thankful for the great books that show us how to live, give us a new way to the look at the world, or provide a welcome escape from the business of daily life. These new releases feature an FBI agent, a small-town preacher, and a hypnotic vampire; they’re narrated by a […]
In a season full of fantastic reads, the books on this list stand out as especially noteworthy—and especially giftable. They’re the books that will make your recipients say, “How did you know? This is JUST what I wanted!”
Thanksgiving is over, and December has arrived! If you’re looking for presents your family and friends will love, may we suggest books? They’re beautiful objects that will be treasured and reread for years to come. These new releases feature an FBI agent, a small-town preacher, and a hypnotic vampire; they’re narrated by a former president, a beloved comedian, […]
When the wrapping paper’s been tossed, the candles burned down, and everyone’s settling in for a long winter’s nap, books are the gifts we reach for—to be entertained, to jump into new worlds, to imagine other ways our lives might be lived. These wonderful reads will keep your giftees company through chilly nights, and during the stretch between opening presents […]
Ina Garten is the queen of delicious, accessible cooking, and the preferred kitchen companion to millions of home chefs. John Grisham is the master of the page-turning thriller, the kind you find yourself reading at traffic lights. Michael Connelly is a virtuoso of crime fiction that will have you double-checking your locks at night. And this […]