A Tale of Two Teen Lit Series: Flowers in the Attic and Sweet Valley High

Considering the books I consumed in my preteen/teen years, I guess I should be glad I made it out as well as I did. First it was all light and airy with the Sweet Valley High books. Then it turned dark and twisted with the Flowers in the Attic book and its sequels. The reading fare alone confirms that I do not have any desire to relive those years.

Lifetime has released a TV special of Flowers in the Attic—from the clips I’ve seen, it’s better than the 1987 version. But I don’t think I’ll be tracking it down for a viewing. Just seeing the clips brought back a flood of memories about growing up and reading and needing a better story than either of these two series could dish out. I wrote all about it over at Christ and Pop Culture if you want to hear more. Here’s to reading with an eye set on the true story.

Give It up for #GivingTuesday

Did you know this was a thing? Well, it is, and it’s TODAY. Giving Tuesday is a call to give something more to charities and nonprofits that rely on donations to serve others. How great is that?!

I write all about #GivingTuesday in my latest for Christ and Pop Culture; check it out here. Give it a read, then share in the article comments how you are participating in Giving Tuesday 2013.

And if you are looking for some recommendations for organizations worthy of your gifts today, I offer these from my article:

I can give a family for life and a bright future to girls in India who were at great risk of being trafficked by giving to As Our Own.

I can help spread the hope and joy of most beautiful story—the Gospel—to others by supporting the work of Spread Truth.

I can provide food to families in need in my region and beyond by giving to Midwest Food Bank.

I can help women recover from the trauma of sexual exploitation here in the States by giving to Wellspring Living.

I can support the clean water access programs for the people of Africa by partnering with Blood:Water Mission.

Happy #GivingTuesday!

Get your heart melted by a 4YO Kenyan boy. My CAPC latest.

Calling My Fellow Candy Crushers

Are you one of the 6 million (plus!) daily users of Candy Crush Saga? Odds are at least some of you must be. I’ve played on-and-off . . . and when I’m in the groove, I find I’m grateful for the 24-hour waiting period between sessions. Otherwise, I could lost in Minty Meadow or Lemonade Lake and forget I have real-world stuff to do.

I wrote all about Candy Crush at Christ and Pop Culture today in an article titled “The Candy Crush Saga Addiction.” Click over to check it out, join the discussion, and share it with your fellow Crushers.

And remember to always Crush responsibly.

Saying yes to every request leads to some serious ‘yes-icide.’ My latest at CAPC.

My latest at CAPC: Make sure the help you give others is actually helping.

All-new CAPC Mixed Signals covering the PR crazy at Amy’s Bakery Company

Introducing the Christ and Pop Culture Magazine

It’s here! It’s here! It’s here! Right in my newsstand.

It’s the all-new Christ and Pop Culture magazine available for iPad and iPhone. Take a look at issue one for free and then get your subscription for phenomenal, exclusive content in future issues. Individual issues are $2.99, annual subscriptions are $29.99.

You can read all about it over at CAPC. And check out the first issue—it’s good stuff. And free. Like a gift. And who doesn’t like gifts?!

Honored to cover the human trafficking crisis at Christ and Pop Culture today. (With awesome custom art!)

This is what it’s like when cliches takeover. Brace yourselves!