Book digest || Sacred places explored in book

Sacred places explored in book

Douglas R. Hoffman, former denominational architect for the United Methodist Church, explores sacredness in houses of worship in his new book, “Seeking the Sacred in Contemporary Religious Architecture.”

Illustrated with dozens of color photographs, the book is an unbiased resource on the meaning of sacred space in the 21st century and what it takes to create such specialized environments.

After laying out the definition and architectural attributes of sacred space, Hoffman examines four contemporary American examples: the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Adath Jeshurun Synagogue in Minnetonka, Minn., the Islamic Cultural Center in New York City and Riverbend Church in Austin, Texas.

Hoffman manages the Cleveland office of the architectural firm of Weber Murphy Fox and has edited several books and articles on religious art and architecture.

For more information, contact Susan Cash, marketing manager, at 330-672-8097 or scash@kent.edu.

Families provided information for book

The new book by Lynda Slater Chenoweth, author of “Philena’s Friendship Quilt,” is about families who lived in the Columbiana County area during the 19th century.

The book, “Neighbors and Friends: Quakers in Community, 19th Century Life in Columbiana County,” is based on research by the author and information provided by descendants of some of the families.

Descendants of the Quakers and their friends and local historians will find the book most interesting. It can be purchased online at www.xlibris.com or during regular hours Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings at the gift shop at Salem Historical Society. For more information, call 330-337-8514.

Book signing will be Saturday

BOARDMAN

Karen Green of Youngstown has become a published author, recently releasing her inspirational book, “Thee Welcome Wagon.” She will sign copies of her book from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the conference room in the Holiday Inn. Admission is $10 and includes refreshments.

A 20-year member of Nevels Temple Church of God in Christ, where she teaches Sunday school and is a licensed missionary, Green has created a heartwarming book based on the morals of Christianity.

Visit www.getwelcomewagon.com for more information on the book that is available for $21.50 in hardcover and $15.95 in paperback.

Christian fiction books available

NILES

Award-winning Christian fiction author Dale Cramer will be at the Lion and Lamb Christian Resources in the Eastwood Mall where he will sign copies of his newest book, “Levi’s Will,” along with his not-yet-released book, “Paradise Valley,” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“Levi’s Will” is the story of an Amish teen who is in desperate trouble and elects to run away from home and join the military. For his indiscretions, he is shunned. His strong-willed father considers shunning the youth for a lifetime a virtue rather than a sin. This exemplifies one of the central themes of the book, the sin, the power of forgiveness and the bitterness of forgiveness withheld.

Through Cramer’s thought-provoking writing, readers gain a new appreciation of the power of forgiveness, the need for reconciliation in relationships and the cost of repeating the same mistakes through generations.

His “Paradise Valley,” a historical fiction about the legal battles the Amish faced regarding home-schooling their children, is a tale of love, danger and redeeming faith.

The book signing is free and open to the public.

Author is booked at library in Warren

WARREN

The public will have an opportunity to meet author David M. Melesky in person on Dec. 11 at Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, 444 Mahoning Ave. NW.

Melesky will speak at 2 p.m. about the writing process and will read excerpts from his work in the Quiet Reading Room on the first floor of the main library .

Melesky, an attorney with New England roots, lives in western Pennsylvania. He has authored four books, including the humorous “B.G. Wumpkey” series.

His appearance will be part of the library’s Saturday Author Chat programs. The programs highlight regional authors and are free and open to the public.

For more information call 330-399-8807, ext. 128, or visit www.wtcpl.org.

Vindicator staff reports