Anger and bitterness tend to pervade narratives by second generation Asian American daughters, despite their largely unremarkable upbringings. The author explores this apparent paradox, locating in the origins of these women's immaterial suffering not only racial hegemonies but also the structure of the immigrant family itself. She argues that the filial debt of these women both demands and defies repayment--all the better to produce the docile subjects of a model minority. Through readings of Jade Snow Wong's Fifth Chinese Daughter, Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior, Evelyn Lau's Runaway : Diary of a Street Kid, Catherine Liu's Oriental Girls Desire Romance, and other texts, she offers an explication of the subjection and psyche of the Asian American daughter. She connects common literary tropes to their theoretical underpinnings in power, profit, and subjection.
Yan-Zi has been dominated by her mother for all of her life--so Yan-Zi decides to commit suicide in order to shake off the yoke of her mother's love. In this novel she tells the story of her last days with a cool, cruel detachment that recalls Camus's The Stranger. A New York Times Book Review Notable Book of the Year 1998.
Against the pages of a kept scrapbook of newspaper clippings, Peter Sotos interlaces personal history with an incisive study of criminal and victim case reports to advance a pornographically freighted reckoning with sexual pathology, restitution, and the churn of memory. "It's so easy to think you're worse than you are."
National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist A New York Times Notable Book of the Year "Transcendently disobedient, the most existence-affirming and iconoclastic defense a writer could mount against her own extinction." --Heidi Julavits, New York Times Book Review From "one of the great anomalies of contemporary literature" (The New York Times Magazine) comes a breathtaking memoir about terminal cancer and the author's relationship with Nobel Prize winner Doris Lessing. In July 2014, Jenny Diski was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer and given "two or three years" to live. She didn't know how to react. All responses felt scripted, as if she were acting out her part. To find the response that felt wholly her own, she had to face the clichés and try to write about it. And there was another story to write, one she had not yet told: that of being taken in at age fifteen by the author Doris Lessing, and the subsequent fifty years of their complex relationship. In the pages of the London Review of Books, to which Diski contributed for the last quarter century, she unraveled her history with Lessing: the fairy-tale rescue as a teenager, the difficulties of being absorbed into an unfamiliar family, the modeling of a literary life. Swooping from one memory to the next--alighting on the hysterical battlefield of her parental home, her expulsion from school, the drug-taking twenty-something in and out of psychiatric hospitals--and telling all through the lens of living with terminal cancer, through what she knows will be her final months, Diski paints a portrait of two extraordinary writers--Lessing and herself. From a wholly original thinker comes a book like no other: a cerebral, witty, dazzlingly candid masterpiece about an uneasy relationship; about memory and writing, ingratitude and anger; about living with illness and facing death.
Do you long for something more in your relationship with God? The good news is that “something more” does not mean “doing more.” God is not waiting for you to get your spiritual life “right.” He wants to be with you right where you are. The real question is not “What does God want from you?” but “What does God want for you?” Sharon Jaynes understands what it’s like to have a “glory ache”—a longing to experience God’s presence on a daily basis. She also knows how easily working for God can get in the way of intimacy with God. And she’s discovered that we tend to make our faith journey much too hard. In A Sudden Glory, Sharon uses Scripture and story to help you erase the line between your “spiritual life” and your “daily life” as you enter the sanctuary of God’s presence even in the middle of your busy, messy day. Here you will find your eyes opened to moments of sudden glory in which the Creator assures you of His love as you live and move and have your being in Him. Here you will discover true freedom—the freedom of experiencing God in a deeper and more intimate way than ever before. Includes Bible study and discussion guide.
A scientifically groundbreaking, eloquent look at how we benefit -- psychologically, physically, and interpersonally -- when we practice gratitude. In Thanks!, Robert Emmons draws on the first major study of the subject of gratitude, of “wanting what we have,” and shows that a systematic cultivation of this underexamined emotion can measurably change people’s lives."--
The Strength of Faith - Christian Omnibus presents an unprecedented collection that spans centuries, showcasing the rich tapestry of Christian thought and its profound impact on literature. This anthology boasts a remarkable range of literary styles, from the philosophical treatises of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine to the existential musings of Friedrich Nietzsche and the poetic narratives of Dante Alighieri. Each piece, be it a seminal work or a lesser-known gem, contributes to a broad exploration of the themes of faith, morality, and the human condition, standing as a testament to the diversity and depth of Christian literary tradition. The contributing authors and editors, ranging from theologians like Pope Gregory I and mystics like St. Teresa of Ávila to philosophers such as David Hume and literary giants like Leo Tolstoy, bring an astonishing breadth of perspectives to the anthology. Their works, rooted in various historical, cultural, and literary movements, collectively navigate the complexities of faith through the ages. This compendium not only captures the essence of Christian doctrine but also offers a panorama of human thought and cultural heritage, illustrating how faith has inspired some of the greatest minds in history. This anthology is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the interplay between religion, literature, and philosophy. The Strength of Faith - Christian Omnibus invites readers to embark on a comprehensive journey through the annals of Christian writing, offering a unique opportunity to engage with the thoughts and reflections of some of history's most influential figures. It is a must-read for scholars, students, and anyone seeking to delve deeper into the enduring questions of faith, ethics, and human purpose. Through its pages, readers will find inspiration, challenge, and a rich dialogue between diverse interpretations of Christian belief and experience.
Christians are called to be thankful. What we believe about God is evident in how we exhibit thankfulness for all he has done. In this book, pastor Sam Crabtree encourages us to express glad-hearted thankfulness for God's unending provision in all circumstances. Through the daily practices of expressing gratitude—saying "thank you" to a neighbor, serving others in practical ways, or simply thanking God for his many gifts—we recognize the absolute and total lordship of God and his sovereignty over all things.
Join USA Today bestselling author Tricia Goyer and her family of eleven as they embark on a yearlong quest to eliminate grumbling from their home and discover a happier, healthier, and more grateful approach to living life. The Goyer home--with two parents, eight kids, and one eighty-eight-year-old grandmother with dementia--is never without noise, mess, activity, and, often, complaining. And it's not just the kids grumbling. After adding seven children in less than six years through adoption, the Goyer family decided to move out of survival mode and tackle the impossible: a grumble-free year. The Grumble-Free Year will give you the tools you need to: Go with the flow when life gets in the way of your plans Discover what really matters to you and your family Thrive, not just survive, as a family In The Grumble-Free Year, the Goyers invite you into their journey as they go complaint-free and discover what it looks like to develop hearts of gratitude. They share their plans, successes, failures, and all the lessons they learn along the way, offering real-life action steps based in scripture so that you can also uncover a heart that is truly thankful. Praise for The Grumble-Free Year: "The Grumble-Free Year is about becoming more than just grateful. It's about learning how to see beyond the words to uncover what is really happening in the heart of our children and, equally important, ourselves. With humility and authenticity, Tricia Goyer invites us into her home to learn how to live grumble-free and paints a beautiful picture of the transformation process that evolves through a steadfast commitment, even with a few detours along the way." --Elisa Pulliam, life coach and founder of MoretoBe.com "When Tricia talks, I listen. That's because whatever she writes about, she has intimately lived. But instead of presenting as a perfect expert, Tricia pulls up a chair beside you as another woman facing the same battles. The Grumble-Free Year is a guide that gives you practical ways to develop a practice of gratitude and to foster respect in relationships. You will feel understood, challenged, and empowered to live a grumble-free lifestyle." --Sarah Bragg, host of the podcasts Surviving Sarah and Raising Boys & Girls
