Her good friend Luci Shaw recently compiled a collection of Christian literary essays in her honor (the occasion was Madeleine’s 80th birthday party, where the book was a surprise!) with each contributor offering not only a thoughtful essay but a vignette about how they met L’Engle and her works. Cleverly entitled The Swiftly Tilting Worlds of Madeleine L’Engle we are happy to make this quality paperback available in the store and on the web. Some of the prestigious contributors include Thomas Cahill (of How the Irish Saved Civilization fame), Biblical scholars Walter Wink and Eugene Peterson, children’s writer, Katherine Paterson, novelist, Lutheran columnist and kids writer, Walter Wangerin, and many others. My, my what a great collection!

A few other titles of hers of which we are particularly fond:

The Rock That is Higher: Story as Truth This great book reminds us that truth is best carried in story.

Penguins and Golden Calves: Icons & Idols The subtitle gives it away--everything in life is either an icon (that is, pointing beyond itself to God) or we have reduced it to an idol. Great tales of her life and instruction on how to let everything be a God-revealing icon.

Bright Evening Star: Mystery of the Incarnation This attractive hardcover includes plenty to ponder. She shares her understandings of God’s love in Christ Jesus and how the whole universe is held in His divine care. Full of wonder and grace, this is fine, fine theology.

Walking on Water: Reflection on Faith and Art Just what does it mean to be a Christian artist? As a writer, she explains how she writes, why she writes, and what the creative process is for a person of faith. This may be one of the great books of its kind, useful for artists of all sorts, not just writers. Anyone who enjoys her books, though, will find this an insider’s look and will come away truly delighted.

The Crosswick’s Quartet These four sweet memoirs include a journal kept during the death of her great-grandmother, one on her "quiet place" of writing, a diary kept reflecting upon the liturgical calendar and the story of her marriage, called, The Two-Part Invention.

The Glorious Impossible Her compilation of Byzantine art with sparse Bible text makes this a lavish coffee table gift book for children or adults.

Look for a brand new Madeleine book, an advent collection, due early this fall. You can be sure we will carry it, and, perhaps will comment further about it in these pages. Most readers who follow her work know of her very special Austin family series (for young readers) and the Advent story that came out of that, The Twenty-four Days Before Christmas. This new one will be very different, entitled Miracle on 10th Street and Other Christmas Writings and will include a variety of writing styles and scenes from various works.

A very special book is one Madeleine co-authored with her friend Luci Shaw, called Friends for the Journey. What wisdom and joy can be found as two older women share their stories, their foibles and their very strong and God-given friendship. We even carry audio tapes of the two of them--laughing, speaking, reading poetry--which is treat for the true L’Engle fan.

If you are looking for quality fiction, inspiring memoir or creative theological ruminations, Madeleine L’Engle is sure to become a favorite in your book collection. Please call us or e-mail us if you have any questions about her many, many books. Or, if you enjoy her stylings, and are looking for other, similar writers, we’d love to chat. Thanks for browsing through our web site--may we invite you to order, allowing us to develop a new literary friendship?