Exploring the idea that turned into Levi’s debut novel and why he thinks the book resonates with so many people Allen Levi’s debut novel, Theo of Golden ,  currently sits at the top of the list of most popular paperbacks. Levi, an attorney, judge, singer/songwriter and author, penned the novel in his 60s and self-published it with the help of his niece at almost 70 years old.  A story about the power of generosity, Theo of Golden  is the story of a mysterious, elderly man who

Cookbook Chronicles is an on-going series at The Bookery. Over the course of the next year, we’re exploring The Pioneer Woman’s (Ree Drummond) latest cookbook, The Essential Recipes , cooking one recipe a month and sharing our thoughts.  I'm a sucker for pasta recipes, so when I saw the Million Dollar Spaghetti recipe in Ree's latest cookbook, I knew it was one I had to try. I've heard of Million Dollar Spaghetti, but most of the recipe's by that name involve a thick layer of

When was the last time you sat down and wrote a letter? Not a text or an email, a letter. Sent a card recently or jotted off a note of encouragement to a friend? If you're like me, it may be a little difficult to remember the last time you actually put pen to paper, then dropped that missive in the mail. But as I was preparing for our upcoming Bookery Book Club episode on our March book club selection, Virginia Evans' The Correspondent , I ran across a TedX Talk from Peyton C

I try a lot of recipes. Here are a few of my recent favorites.  I’m one of those weird people who likes to read cookbooks like a novel. Sometimes, right before I go to sleep, I scroll through the NYT cooking app, looking for must-try recipes.  For me, cooking is a way of life, a creative outlet and a fun, relaxing way to end a hard work day. So, I cook a lot — and here are a few of the recipes I’m making on repeat these days.  One-Pot Chicken and Rice with Carmelized Lemons I

A crowd-pleasing recipe that’s so easy you’ll love to make it! Ever found a recipe that’s a true crowd-pleaser but so simple and easy that you can barely take credit for it? This is that recipe!  Maybe that sounds overly confident, but every time I’ve taken this appetizer (or snack supper/girl dinner) to a party, I’ve only come home with crumbs. But really, there’s nothing to it! All you have to do is brown some sausage, layer the ingredients on the puff pastry, roll up, slic

Resist the urge to skim and give God's Word your full attention Truth be told, sometimes I read Scripture like I’m reading an assigned book for school — reading as quickly as I can, trying to cover as much ground as possible while trying to note important details and ideas so I can pass the test.  The problem with that? Scripture isn’t a textbook we’re reading to pass a test. It’s a story that God has unfolded through each book, revealing his character, his purpose and his pl

Meditating on Proverbs 3:1–6 This spring at The Bookery, we’re exploring a simple but searching theme: lean in . To lean in is to focus. To commit fully. To stop living half-heartedly in our faith. It’s an invitation to draw closer to Christ, to let our relationship with Him shape the whole of our lives — not just the parts that feel easy, visible or convenient. As we begin this season of leaning in, we’re starting with a familiar passage: Proverbs 3:1–6  (NLT): My child, nev

This spring, our invitation is to lean in and fully commit Ever been so totally captivated by a conversation that you find yourself leaning in, hanging on every word?  Been so captivated by the work of a ministry or nonprofit that you carved time out of your busy life to volunteer, give or help find a solution?  Been so invested in a project that you couldn’t stop until it was finished, so you lean in, focused and poured every part of yourself into the work? To lean in is to