When her pet rabbit's newborn babies die, her doctor tells her that she may have scoliosis, and her aunt is diagnosed with cancer, ten-year-old Laurel feels constantly reminded of the mortality of all living things.
Hiroku Hayashi is just coming into his own when he meets Seth Barrett on the basketball courts in the suburbs of Austin. With his shredded jeans, tousled hair and risky behavior, Seth more than lives up to his bad boy reputation.Seth sees in Hiroku something Hiroku doesn't see in himself--potential. With a hero-like worship, Hiroku embarks on a complicated and intense relationship with the older teen, who not only fascinates Hiroku as a lover but persuades him to take their experimentation to extremes. Hiroku reasons that if it feels good, then it must be okay.But as Seth's demands increase, Hiroku must ask himself, at what point is the sacrifice too much?Told in parallel timelines of then and now, seventeen-year-old Hiroku weaves a story about emotional manipulation, abuse and addiction while struggling to understand the core of their relationship, who is to blame, and his own compulsion to choose Seth over everything else.When fear is the heart of love, does it make your feelings any less real?
Berlin is hiding his sexuality to get a football scholarship, and Hiroku is recovering from addiction and abuse. An act of violence could tear them apart when they need each other most.
Western civilization has no more eloquent defender than Anthony Esolen. he has taken up its mantle and been persecuted for doing so. More than most, Esolen knows the vital importance that its foundational principles still hold today. If we hope to regain today's culture, we must be reminded of the truths that too many have forgotten. Following on his compelling prior volume Defending Marriage, Esolen returns, this time in defense of boys and an experience of boyhood that is on the wane, if not extinguished, in many quarters of the modern world. He masterfully illuminates the threats our precious sons face from the purveyors and promoters of political correctness, too often hiding in plain sight. And he tackles head-on the misguided and ultimately doomed--though not before it has done much mischief--project of blurring the distinctions between boys and girls. Drawing on his own in many ways all-American boyhood, Esolen, at times wistfully, at times playfully, and at times prophetically--in the literal sense of employing the thunder of an Old Testament prophet--details what a good boyhood once was and what it can be again.
What is a retrograde? In the words of Shakespeare, a retrograde is one of God's spies. The retrograde has the unique capacity for understanding the stark chasm between the degenerate, socialist-infiltrated world of decay on one side and the well-meaning, good-hearted, but clueless Christian world on the other.
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK • A timely and important book that challenges everything we think we know about cultivating true belonging in our communities, organizations, and culture, from the #1 bestselling author of Rising Strong, Daring Greatly, and The Gifts of Imperfection Don’t miss the five-part Max docuseries Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart! “True belonging doesn’t require us to change who we are. It requires us to be who we are.” Social scientist Brené Brown, PhD, MSW, has sparked a global conversation about the experiences that bring meaning to our lives—experiences of courage, vulnerability, love, belonging, shame, and empathy. In Braving the Wilderness, Brown redefines what it means to truly belong in an age of increased polarization. With her trademark mix of research, storytelling, and honesty, Brown will again change the cultural conversation while mapping a clear path to true belonging. Brown argues that we’re experiencing a spiritual crisis of disconnection, and introduces four practices of true belonging that challenge everything we believe about ourselves and each other. She writes, “True belonging requires us to believe in and belong to ourselves so fully that we can find sacredness both in being a part of something and in standing alone when necessary. But in a culture that’s rife with perfectionism and pleasing, and with the erosion of civility, it’s easy to stay quiet, hide in our ideological bunkers, or fit in rather than show up as our true selves and brave the wilderness of uncertainty and criticism. But true belonging is not something we negotiate or accomplish with others; it’s a daily practice that demands integrity and authenticity. It’s a personal commitment that we carry in our hearts.” Brown offers us the clarity and courage we need to find our way back to ourselves and to each other. And that path cuts right through the wilderness. Brown writes, “The wilderness is an untamed, unpredictable place of solitude and searching. It is a place as dangerous as it is breathtaking, a place as sought after as it is feared. But it turns out to be the place of true belonging, and it’s the bravest and most sacred place you will ever stand.”
How often does fear hold you back from living your life to the fullest? Join New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and speaker Annie F. Downs as she shares a call to embrace the God-given courage living inside you. Annie is the first to admit that she's not exactly the bravest woman in the world. Even now, she still cries sometimes when she leaves her parents' home in Georgia, she's never jumped out of a plane, and she only rides roller coasters to impress guys. But Annie knows that courage resides inside each one of us, and she's on a mission to conquer her own fears while encouraging you to do the same. Let's All Be Brave is more than a book; it's a battle cry. Annie uses honest and often humorous illustrations from her own life, contemporary real-life examples from the lives of others, and fascinating biblical stories to challenge you to: Discover God's surprising answers to overcoming fear, uncertainty, and anxiety Let go of the things that hold you back--relationships, comfort zones, expectations, and more Say yes to both small and big things Live boldly and sacrificially for God and others Hold on to hope, trust God, and be brave no matter your circumstances This book is your call to step into those places that require courage, giving you the help you need to take the next step forward—even when it's scary. Praise for Let's All Be Brave: "There are certain types of people who are capable of nudging us toward courage without making us feel small or insignificant, and Annie is at the front of the line. She has done that with Let's All Be Brave, and before you even mean to, you are putting your YES on the table." --Jen Hatmaker, New York Times bestselling author of For the Love and Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire
Since it was first published in 1967, Anthony Wilhelm’s Christ Among Us has become America’s most popular guide to modern Catholicism. This classic text presents a clear and accessible picture of Catholicism and its development in a post-Vatican II world. Perfect for both new Catholics and those returning to the faith, Christ Among Us provides a thorough, up-to-date discussion of Catholic theology, traditions, and practices and examines Church teachings since the time of Vatican II. Including excerpts from the new Catechism of the Catholic Church, discussion questions, and suggestions for personal reflection, Christ Among Us is the ideal handbook for anyone interested in the practice of Catholicism today. Anthony Wilhelm, a religious educator, has taught theology and directed religious education programs for adults across America. “The nation’s most widely used introduction to Catholicism.” - New York Times
The common missing element in leaders and leadership is bravery. Small Brave Moves: Learn Why Little Acts of Bravery Are the Key to Life-Changing Leadership explores the intersection of bravery and leadership. Readers will discover how small brave moves made often will compound over time creating a competitive advantage, both in life and in business. With this foundation of bravery, leaders can then intentionally craft a thriving culture of bravery for themselves and others. Inside this book you will read: What daily bravery looks and sounds like. How you can make small brave moves in life and in business. Steps to take if you are in a culture or environment where bravery isn't rewarded. About the brave moments of many CEOs, business owners and leaders. The book illustrates how to be brave in your professional and personal life. Small Brave Moves speaks to emerging, first-time and experienced leaders who want to lead in a new way. You will be inspired to transform one small brave move at a time.
Write in this magical fill-in book about Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with an amazing squishy Harry on the cover! When Harry is eleven years old, he's sorted into Gryffindor house, where the brave and bold learn and hone their magic. Throughout the films, Harry proves that he's brave-like when he defeats Lord Voldemort in the quest for the Sorcerer's Stone, all the way through the epic cinematic Battle of Hogwarts. And Harry's a good friend, too! Fill in prompts, activities, and more in this fun-filled bravery-themed book. Learn how to draw Godric Gryffindor, the founder of Gryffindor house; write about the bravest thing you've ever done; and discover what you'd pull out of the Sorting Hat if you were in peril. This guided book also includes an adorably squishy Harry on the front cover!