All Our Relations: The Gratitude Deck

Wahinkpe Topa, Indigenous scholar and educator, has created a genuinely useful and beautiful resource for anyone seeking to understand the Indigenous worldview. All Our Relations: The Gratitude Deck grounds gratitude practices and reflection in Indigenous ecological wisdom, centering kinship with the earth.

Each of the 52 cards features a mythic story drawn from Indigenous communities around the world, brought to life through Rachel Jung’s evocative illustrations of plant, animal, and water kin. Together, they offer an inspiring invitation to examine our debt and obligation to all beings.

Wahinkpe Topa transparently acknowledges using ChatGPT alongside his own extensive knowledge in developing the deck — a quiet irony worth noting. AI-generated content sits in tension with wisdom rooted in a living relationship with the natural world. Given growing awareness of AI’s environmental costs, this contradiction invites further critical reflection on the work.

Dedicated students of his work will find much to delight in here, and the deck is equally accessible to newcomers and all generations. The included “Eco-Thriving Game” is a particular highlight: a thoughtful, all-ages activity that embodies core Indigenous values of interconnectedness, reciprocity, and truthfulness. It is a wonderful catalyst for meaningful conversation among friends and family about cultivating the right relationship with other-than-human kin.

Editor's Note: This review was originally published in Seattle Book Review.

The Book of the Frog

The Book of the Frog by naturalist Sally Coulthard is a delightful celebration of one of nature’s most extraordinary creatures. With genuine enthusiasm, Coulthard brings the remarkable world of amphibians to life, showcasing the astonishing variety of frogs and toads found across the globe. This focus aims to spark curiosity and admiration among readers of all ages, encouraging a sense of wonder about frog diversity and biology

Readers of all ages will be captivated by the amazing creatures, as the book shares the intricacies of their life cycles and dietary habits, as well as the deep evolutionary history that has shaped them over hundreds of millions of years. Coulthard’s narrative is brought to life by whimsical, artfully rendered illustrations.

Beneath the wonder, Coulthard also shares an urgent truth. Like so many species, frogs and toads are vanishing at an alarming rate. These ancient creatures, survivors of mass extinctions, now face threats entirely of our making. I appreciate how Coulthard highlights the importance of conservation and inspires readers to care about protecting these vulnerable species. Many chapters end with an empowering and practical section called “How to Help Frogs,” which features a list of actionable ways people can contribute to frog conservation, from creating a pond in their backyard to joining citizen science projects.

Editor's Note: This review was originally published in Portland Book Review.

Dangerous Songs

What if the ancient poems tucked inside the Bible were never meant to be safe? That’s the provocative premise of Dangerous Songs: The Psalms and a Gloriously Disrupted Life, in which public theologian and independent musician Richard Bruxvoort Colligan argues that the Psalms are far more than hymns of quiet devotion. These songs are raw, unsettling cries from people living under oppression, grief, and uncertainty.

The book is organized around three themes woven throughout the Psalter: thriving, desolation, and unknowing. Rather than treating these poems as timeless abstractions, Colligan roots them firmly in their historical context: asking who the people of God actually were, what they endured, and why they sang what they sang. The result is a reading of the Psalms that feels less like a theology lecture and more like an excavation.

Colligan’s own background as a musician shapes the book in meaningful ways. He hears these texts the way a songwriter might, with attention to tone, tension, and the emotions that words alone can’t quite carry.

Dangerous Songs draws direct lines between ancient suffering and modern injustice. For example, the discussion of Psalm 140 reframes it as a prayer for those facing violence at the hands of the powerful, including the state itself. This is the kind of interpretation that may unsettle some readers while deeply resonating with others.

Editor's Note: This review was originally published in Portland Book Review.

The New Civic Path

The tenuous sociopolitical divisions in the United States are unprecedented and only bound to get worse. Polarization has caused deep rifts in the political and civic fabrics of American society. As advocates for equity, community care, and inclusivity feel weary and defeated, Richard C. Harwood offers a hopeful manifesto advocating for civic renewal in America in The New Civic Path: Restoring Our Belief in One Another and Our Nation. He emphasizes the need to rebuild trust, foster authentic hope, and address societal challenges through local community action. He identifies a crisis of belief in the nation, marked by division, mistrust, and a loss of hope. He argues that meaningful change must begin at the local level, where people can come together to address shared aspirations and take small, actionable steps.

From my vantage point as an activist and social justice educator, I know the importance of creating spaces that foster connection, shared responsibility, and belonging. Inclusive engagement is central to Harwood’s message, a reminder of the value of intentionally creating spaces for inclusion. He uses real-world examples – from Reading, Pennsylvania, to DeSoto, Florida— to illustrate how diverse communities can come together to address challenges and build trust.

What I most appreciated about The New Civic Path is the focus on shared aspirations, rather than divisive issues. By reframing discussions and resisting the pull of negativity, community leaders, educators, policymakers, faith leaders, and engaged citizens can bridge divides through productive conversations and action that lead to workable solutions. In Clark County, Kentucky, local pastors united to address youth needs by creating a basketball league. The effort crossed racial, economic, and denominational lines, fostering community transformation and addressing long-standing divides. In Flint, Michigan, residents came together to address longstanding economic issues and advocate for infrastructure improvements that prioritized health and well-being for all.

While "The New Civic Path" is particularly relevant for community leaders and organizers, Harwood's approach is refreshingly free from complex public engagement jargon. His writing is clear, engaging, and inspiring, drawing readers in through storytelling and real-life examples. This persuasive and conversational style has the potential to empower people from all backgrounds, inspiring them to strengthen their communities through action, one small step at a time.

Harwood provides a hopeful and practical roadmap for communities seeking to overcome inequity, bridge divides, and cultivate a healthier civic culture. The book is a promising reminder that we can reclaim our belief in the possibility of change and that this change is within our reach.

Editor's Note: This review was originally published in Reedsy Discovery.

Embracing the Old Witch of the Woods

Embracing the Old Witch of the Woods by Angela Herrington is a powerful read for anyone disentangling themselves from the patriarchal grip of Christianity or seeking to examine how religion has shaped and constrained women’s roles throughout history. Herrington takes a thoughtful, well-reasoned approach as she identifies harmful tropes, tracing their origins through centuries of Christian tradition and practice. She offers a sharp critique of how biblical texts have been systematically weaponized to control women’s bodies, limit their freedoms, and diminish their contributions. This critique resonates with many who have experienced or witnessed such control. Yet Herrington does more than critique: she also presents an inspiring invitation to resist this oppression, recover suppressed histories, and embrace the latent, inherent power that women carry to lead themselves and others with both integrity and resolve.

From an unapologetic feminist lens, I found Herrington’s analysis both relevant and refreshing for our moment. She builds on generations of feminist scholarship, weaving in awareness of indigeneity while offering a nuanced view of the disparate impacts of the patriarchy on women of color and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Her writing is accessible, conversational, and non-judgmental, drawing readers into deep reflection on internalized biases against powerful female archetypes long demonized and vilified. In the face of rising anti-women rhetoric, this book offers timely, practical frameworks for reclaiming feminine strength and honoring solidarity in all its forms.

Editor's Note: This review was originally published in Seattle Book Review.