Heart Essays

Provocative, thoughtful, beautiful, these essays have a directness and humanity that connects with our era.

In the car she’d had since high school—with the boyfriend she’d had just as long riding shotgun—Minda Honey made the cross-country drive to sunny Southern California. By the end of 2008, Obama would be president, she’d be single, and change would be upon us all.

What if the shortest book in the Old Testament held the loudest warning for our modern hearts? Enemies of the Heart brings the ancient words of the prophet Obadiah into urgent focus for today’s world. In just 21 verses, Obadiah unmasks the deadly effects of pride, silence, misplaced trust, and gloating over others’ pain. But he also reveals a stunning hope: God sees everything, and justice is not delayed forever.

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin delivers an intimate and personal look at the woman behind the public servant. In her #1 New York Times bestselling memoir Going Rogue—the bestselling nonfiction book of 2009—Palin gave readers a look at her upbringing, her dynamic career, and her candidacy...

This accessible guide for time-pressed families provides brief essays on various aspects of mindful parenting, along with simple, five-minute exercises. Embrace mindfulness to truly connect with the ones you love. If you are looking for a more enriching and empathetic way to raise your children...

A Place in My Heart is a many-splendored thing. It is a listicle. It is a celebration of the power of storytelling. It is also an account of a life lived in the Bollywood trenches. National Award-winning author, journalist and film critic Anupama Chopra writes about fifty films, artistes and...

“I wrestled with whether a God that I couldn’t see or touch would be willing to single me out from the millions of other people who wanted love, attention and help.” To women all over the country, from all walks of life, this uncomfortable uncertainty is all too familiar. Now—for...

The ethos of East Texas is especially embodied in the story of Jeff Traylor, former head coach of the Gilmer Buckeyes, and his long-time coaching staff. A native son, Traylor and his band of brothers transformed the Buckeyes into champions, and in doing so help tell the story of the entire region's obsession with high school football, and undeniable influence on all levels of the sport. This is the story of the coach, the team, and the region.

James Allen. Selected Works brings together two of the most influential and enduring classics of personal development: As a Man Thinketh and Out from the Heart. These short, thoughtful essays explore the power of thought, the formation of character, the nature of habit, and the quiet strength of self-mastery. First published over a century ago, these works continue to resonate with readers seeking clarity, purpose, and peace of mind. Allen's style is calm, concise, and deeply reflective—free from hype, but rich in insight. There are no quick fixes here. No twelve-step programs.

This essay comes from the NPR series This I Believe, which features brief personal reflections from both famous and unknown Americans. The pieces that make up the series compel listeners to rethink not only what and how they have arrived at their beliefs, but also the extent to which they share them with others.