The power of memoir

I mentioned last week that we are rolling out a new type of article for some of our books issues: Trending Topics. In these pieces we gather and review a handful of books, written for a popular audience, that cover the same theme. I was delighted to write a Trending Topics installment on memoirs from women who, like me, left evangelical Christianity. As daunting as it was to read and review 5 books in a short period of time, I loved these books and recommend them to anyone interested in evangelicalism, memoir, or gender in the church.

Speaking of memoir, we have an excellent new review from Colton Bernasol of Viet Thanh Nguyen’s “fractured and stirring memoir.” Plus, also from our books issue, scroll down for Ginger Monroe’s review of Monsters, Claire Dederer’s exploration of how we approach art from problematic artists. I also chatted with Ginger for our video of the week (where we discuss Kanye West, Taylor Swift, and more.)

If you’re tired of all this book-related content, we have other stuff too! Don’t miss Alejandra Oliva on ballet choreography or a new poem from Sarah Gordon about aging out of our fiery youths.

Email me: Whose story do you wish was written in a memoir?

Jon Mathieu
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Trending topics: Exvangelical women’s memoirs

For our new Trending Topics series, CC community engagement editor Jon Mathieu reviews five books from women who left evangelicalism.

A refugee’s fragmented memory

“Religion, like war, haunts Viet Thanh Nguyen’s memoir.”

VIDEO: Ginger Monroe on Monsters and problematic artists

Jon chats with Ginger Monroe about how we decide which art to take in and which artists to avoid.

Click here for Monroe’s review of Monsters by Claire Dederer.

In the Lectionary for May 5 (Easter 6B)

The Christian faith often gives friendship short shrift.

by Katherine Willis Pershey

Easter 6B archives

Movement of the soul

“Even though the ballet doesn’t have much of a narrative arc, you just know: this pas de deux is a first date, it’s a good first date, and I know it because somewhere inside of me, on the night I met my husband, was a ballerina in sneakers whirling through the air.”

by Alejandra Oliva

Jeremiad

“The old empathies, bookmarks in our expansive
dreams, fired the paths of our youth—the heady
drive through the Alps, the spirited campfire disputes . . .”

poem by Sarah Gordon