HI THERE! I'M BRIANNE TURCZYNSKI, FREELANCE WRITER, HISTORICAL RESEARCHER, & PERPETUAL SEEKER OF THE HUMAN CONDITION. WELCOME TO MY SPACE WHERE I SHARE THE BOOKS I'M READING, MY SPIRITUAL FINDINGS, FLOWERS IN MY GARDEN, AND LOST STORIES. ALL ARE WELCOME HERE.
Currently reading...Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, something I had to read in school but have forgotten much of it. I realize a city scene picture would be more appropriate but i was on the beach so... His writing is fantastic. Everything moves in chaos in the first chapter like he intended, as if the words jump … Continue reading The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
I read A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis on the car ride home from our vacation. Felt like a journey or a walk with Lewis himself. Written after the death of his wife, a Grief Observed began as his journal to work things out, but he thought it might help others cope with their … Continue reading A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis
My natural history piece was published for Planet Detroit News—The Mysterious Origin of Detroit’s Jesuit Pear. I love Michigan’s pioneer history. I could write pieces like this forever!! https://planetdetroit.org/2020/07/the-mysterious-origins-of-detroits-jesuit-pear-tree/ 📸 : Library of Congress
Needed me a little Robert Murray M’Cheyne this morning (19th century Presbyterian Minister—Edinburgh, Scotland). His pastoral letters supply a thirsty soul with living water. He knew the Bible so well and never failed to tie a small sermon into his letters. To comfort a parishioner after the death of her brother: “Are there any need … Continue reading Memoir and Remains of Robert Murray M’Cheyne
Finished it over the weekend. It was so good! I could have done without part one, but I guess it was useful to see how far he came from not giving any thought to the existence of God to becoming a Trappist monk. Wish I were still reading it. Merton is an excellent teacher, I … Continue reading Thomas Merton: The Seven Storey Mountain
I slipped a copy into the free library at our park last night for anyone needing an escape. It takes place in the Civil War. A couple people I know have decided to read my book during quarantine and told me it was the perfect story to calm their nerves. Don't need a better compliment … Continue reading Slipped a copy of my novel into free library
Another treasure I bought lately from Thriftbooks.com. I was surprised it came with a dustcover! This was another book recommended by Thomas Merton. This and the Confessions of St. Augustine were both recommended to him by a Hindu Monk, which, as I’ve mentioned before, led in part to his conversion to Catholicism. This copy translated … Continue reading The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis
We are halfway through the Bible! Since the Fall of 2019, I have been writing really brief reviews of the books of the Bible. They are my own contemplative thoughts that no one has to agree with, but I hope speak only truth and leave room for your own contemplation. The order I have been … Continue reading Halfway through the Bible. If you’re on Instagram follow this hashtag!
I had to track this down. It was recommended by Thomas Merton, and I think it led in part to his conversion. F. J. Sheed’s translation is supposed to be the best. I’ve read compared to other translations Sheed kept the words of Saint Augustine alive and breathing, rather than dead. I’m very excited to … Continue reading Confessions of Saint Augustine
The absence of God leads to a life of vanity & vexation. This is the main theme of Ecclesiastes. What are we filled with when God is absent from our souls? Ego, pride, vanity—the ‘self’. When we are consumed with ‘self’ all we produce and put into the world is filled with ‘self’ and therefore … Continue reading The book of Ecclesiastes
BRIANNE TURCZYNSKI 