How does a family of four, from middle class suburbia, wind up sleeping in a snowbank; in the dead of winter?Like you, Homer, Wanda, and their two daughters, were frustrated with stale religion; and wanted more of Jesus. Disturbed by the immaturity of Christians, and having a heart-felt longing for intimacy with Jesus, they followed God’s lead into the unknown. Their journey led them down the ancient paths of faith. A faith journey filled with painful realizations, humbling experie...

From the author of the best-selling, Giller-nominated River Thieves comes a heartbreaking and masterful collection of short fiction.With uncommon elegance and compassion, Michael Crummey has created a community of exiles, characters estranged from their home, from their families or, just as often, from themselves. Set largely in the small Newfoundland mining town of Black Rock, but straying as far west as Vancouver and as far east as China, these stories are subtle, stark ...

From Austin Clarke, the critically acclaimed author of The Polished Hoe—winner of the Giller Prize—comes More, a powerful new novel of survival in a cold and alienating world. Certain to become a classic in contemporary world literature, More carries readers into the lonely life of an immigrant domestic—abandoned years before by a faithless husband, her life devastated by her son’s involvement in gang culture and crime—and her remarkable journey from tragedy back...

“Greg Paul tells of whores and crazies, misfits and rejects that sound as if they stepped out from the pages of the Bible.” –Eugene PetersonSam has survived physical, sexual, and substance abuse, terrible violence, and life on the streets. Wendy lives for the next high on crack, oblivious to her boyfriend’s love. Neil is dying of AIDS.These are the people of inner-city Toronto. Look into their distorted, obscure faces, their fractured lives, and catch a glimpse of ...

Want to warm your soul for the holidays? Unwrap the true meaning of gift giving with a treasure trove of festive tales.Sometimes the best gift is a great story. The stories in this anthology are sure to fill even the grouchiest Scrooge with holiday spirit.Christmas with Hot Apple Cider: Stories from the Season of Giving and Receiving is an eclectic collection of true stories, short fiction, and poetry. With 55 featured authors and poets, the anthol...

Be inspired by this dynamic collection of stories, articles and poems that illustrate that we can have hope and encouragement even in the midst of life's 'interesting' events. Thirty-seven contributors share from their hearts. Their stories have been skillfully edited to make them readable and relevant.A Discussion Guide is available to enhance your enjoyment of these pieces.

When life gets you down, these uplifting stories and experiences will remind you that even small acts of kindness can make a huge difference.In this collection of true-to-life retellings sprinkled with short fiction and poetry, sixty Canadian authors share nearly 400 pages of inspiration that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on the surprising ways our lives can be enriched.Searching for something to help with the daily hurdles? Need a moment of laughte...

A heart-warming collection of inspiring personal experience articles, short stories, and poems by 30 Canadian writers whose work is distinguished by honesty and vulnerability, combined with hope. Winner of three The Word Awards and two Awards of Merit. Winner of the Church Library Association of Ontario 2009 "One Book / One Conference." From MidWest Book Review: "A collection of short stories, poetry, and wisdom seeking to heal and mend the soul of the reader after difficult and stressful ...

In this dazzling piece, selected from the stunning collection of short fiction Emerald City, by the critically acclaimed author and winner of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Critics Circle Award, Jennifer Egan lays bare our capacity for failure.Sam Lafferty has hit bottom. Under investigation and on leave from the financial services firm that employed him, Sam has uprooted his wife and two daughters and dragged them against their will to central China...

Popular author and humorist Karen O’Connor reveals that life after 50 is great! Most people have raised their families, established careers, and chosen lifestyles they enjoy. Now they look forward to times of cozier living with less stress and more joy, simplicity, and relaxation. Drawing on real-life experiences, Karen shares stories, biblical principles, and innovative ideas for augmenting the upside to midlife, including:whittling belongings down to only items that bring s...

Few of us look forward to challenging seasons of our lives. If we had things our way, our lives would be problem free; however, God often seems to allow difficulties to arise so that we cry out to Him. In these moments, or seasons, of utter desperation, He often chooses to reveal Himself in fresh ways to us. Can this heartfelt revelation of His truth dispel confusion, bitterness, grief and guilt? Can we experience peace where once only turmoil reigned?Journey with author Karen Loui...

In The Friendships of Women, Dee Brestin encourages you to listen to your need for friendships and to find and strengthen those relationships. Relying on key biblical stories, Dee explores what the story of Ruth teaches us about "rapport talk," how Luke celebrates the power of women's intuition, and what we can learn about avoiding unhealthy dependency from one of the most significant friendships in the Old Testament.With a passion borne from an intense belief in the power...