In the beginning
My latest conversation with Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, this time about her new book on Genesis.
Author: DJB
Fall 2026
The musical performances of our son, the tenor Andrew Bearden Brown, set for this fall.
A Saturday grab bag: The 2026 Autumnal Equinox edition
Links to stories and music from a few writers and musicians I follow who have important things to say.
An eternal struggle
Every advance in equality must contend with forces of reaction. America is an eternal struggle.
The singularity of consciousness
A dreamy, haunting, and evocative novella about a young girl’s year in the Austrian countryside.
From the bookshelf: August 2026
Five books. Every month. A variety of topics from different genres. Here is the list from August 2026.
A remarkable debut
The debut novel by a talented and daring Iranian-American poet and author broadened my worldview.
Exploring DC’s independent bookshops: A Labor Day update
An update on my visits to all 30 independent bookshops in the Washington, DC region.
Listen with more than your ears and see with more than your eyes
Touchstone phrases can be practical. Mystical. Poetic. Old-fashioned yet current and contemporary.
Six beverages and the shaping of human destiny
Beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and Coca-Cola tell the story of humanity.
