Showing results by narrator "Sarah Bacaller" in All Categories

The Life of Saint Macrina is a significant work of early Christian literature written by Bishop Gregory of Nyssa. In the form of a letter to the monk Olympus, Gregory describes the life and influence of his sister Macrina. Macrina – also known as "Macrina the Younger" – had helped to establish a monastery and convent in Pontus (in modern-day Turkey) in the fourth century AD. The story centres on Gregory’s final visit to Macrina and is written as testimony to her piety, sanctity, and holy influence.

In this collection, the authors were striving for a natural and unaffected style of verse that sought to avoid the elaborate structures and artifice that they considered had characterized much of the poetry of the 18th century. Of the 23 poems, only four are by Coleridge, including "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner", which is the most famous poem in the collection. The most notable contribution by Wordsworth is the concluding poem, "Tintern Abbey".

When it was first published in 1847, Wuthering Heights was considered highly controversial for its blunt portrayal of domestic abuse, alcoholism, and the dismissal of Christian values by some of its characters. Today, this gothic novel is considered one of the greatest in English literature.

In this short work, G.K. Chesterton writes with characteristic vivacity as he explores the compelling paradoxes of the book of Job, as found in the Hebrew Scriptures. Armed with keen precision and incisive wit, Chesterton revels in the reversions of expectation found in this story, particularly regarding the character of God. Indeed Chesterton names the God of Job a blasphemer, an atheist...and identifies the loneliness of God as the central idea of the Hebrew Scriptures. Listeners will delight in the twists and turns of Chesterton's thought.

Freckles and A Girl of the Limberlost are two of Gene Stratton Porter's most famous novels. Set primarily in the Limberlost Swamp of Indiana, USA, Freckles follows the story of Freckles, a lame orphan whose innate character rises above his circumstances. A Girl of the Limberlost is the story of Elnora, blamed for her father's death by her mother, who nevertheless meets every challenge that comes her way with admirable resilience.

The Wind in the Willows, first published in 1908, is one of the most beloved of all children's classics and has been adapted on multiple occasions for presentation on stage, in film, and as an opera. The action centers on the efforts of Mole, Rat, and Badger to discipline and reform their wealthy and self-destructive friend Toad, who lives in a splendid mansion known as Toad Hall.

The four canonical gospels contain little information about the childhood of Jesus. To provide details of this period, a number of infancy gospels were composed in the second century, the text of this recording being one of the most notable. In this book, the sketchy infancy narrative of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke is embellished in great detail. The events of Jesus’ boyhood days, richly garnished with tales of miraculous feats and the occasional visitation of punishment on unfortunate delinquents, are also described.

If you’re wondering whether there’s life on the other side of deconversion, or if you’re trying desperately to understand a loved one who is losing their faith—this book is for you. Edited by philosophy of religion scholar, Sarah Bacaller, with a foreword by Bart Campolo (the first humanist chaplain at the University of Southern California), this book offers gripping insights into the deepest aspects of the deconversion journey.

Join Ariana at the Treasure Chest–a frog is on the loose in the thrift shop! When a mischievous frog appears in the Treasure Chest, it begins causing havoc. Ariana enlists the advice of her classmate, Hugo, until they find its owner. Can Ariana, her friends, and the treasures from the thrift shop help them get the lost frog home?

Stirling addresses themes including ethical relationality, religious language, biblical hermeneutics, political engagement, and Restoration Movement heritage and ethos. This engagement is fuelled by his conviction that the good news of Christian faith can and must speak deeply into the most pressing issues and concerns of human life.

Harper Wells finally gets a room of her own, away from her annoying big brother. But on the first night in her brand-new bed, she wakes up in the past and meets a young girl named Edie. Has what Harper said to her changed the course of Australia’s history? And who does her strange time-travelling bed really belong to? Harper is thrown into a world of time-travelling spies and puts her life in danger as she tries to find a missing girl before time runs out.

Between 1896 and 1922, in addition to a series of full-length novels Lucy Maud Montgomery published over 140 short stories. In general, these tales are reflective of the coming of age themes and the sylvan settings which are explored in greater detail in the novels.

Oliver Twist is the well-loved tale of an orphan, who starts life in a workhouse and finds himself embroiled in London's criminal underworld, before being saved by a kind gentleman who knows something of his surprising family history. A satire and social commentary as well as a page-turning yarn, full of grit, wit, and some of the most memorable characters in English Literature. The second published serialised novel by Charles Dickens, The British Library remarks that "it has proven to be one of the best-loved novels in the history of literature".

This collection of 18 short stories written by Lucy Maud Montgomery, famous for her Anne of Green Gables series, are part of a wider collection within a prolific portfolio. Written several years before Anne was initially published, these stories exhibit a development of significant themes and narrative styles within Montgomery’s writing. Woven with thematic threads of belonging, isolation, family, class and reputation, this audiobook will delight listeners with its rich narratives.

This collection of Japanese poetry was compiled and translated into English from an anthology known as The Collection of Myriad Leaves, and from a number of other anthologies made by imperial decree between the tenth and fifteenth centuries. This period has come to be considered the golden age of Japanese literature. These examples of Japanese poetry exhibit the most exquisite polish, allied with an avoidance of every shocking or perturbing theme; they combine the enduring luster of a precious metal with the tenuity of gold-leaf.

Freckles is the only name he has ever known. His right hand is missing at the wrist, and he is haunted by not knowing how it happened. Raised since infancy in a Chicago orphanage, he speaks with a slight Irish accent and sings with a beautiful voice. Now, exhausted after many days of walking, he applies for a job with the Grand Rapids Lumber Company, guarding timber in the Limberlost Swamp from timber thieves. His Swamp Angel declares her love for him and promises that she will find his parents and prove that Freckles comes from "a race of men that have been gentlemen for ages."

It is WWI and Canada has entered the war. Young men enthusiastically join up while mothers and sweethearts stay behind and fill the jobs that once were only for men. Rilla, the youngest of Anne and Gilbert’s children, struggles to find how she can possibly contribute. At first frustrated by being the “baby sister,” she soon is challenged by opportunities that will change her beyond her wildest imaginings. This is a coming-of-age story with all the lovable aspects of the first Anne book, yet with a compelling sense of historical immediacy.

When a tiny freckle on Lexie Collins’s cheek turns out to be a rare kind of melanoma that requires surgery, she is left with a big, ugly scar across one cheek. She had just earned a spot in the state finals for public speaking, but with the scar, her confidence has vanished. She doesn’t even recognise herself anymore.

A secret. A holiday. A summer like never before. Shae knows her parents are keeping something from her and is determined to find out what. But nothing can prepare her for what they are hiding. A coming-of-age story about 17-year-old Shae, who is learning that relationships, deception, secrets, and love can all blend together and change everything.

In Year Three, earrings are everything. Shiny gold stars, diamond studs, dangly rainbows, buzzy bees. Almost everyone’s got them. Everyone except Mavey, that is. Mavey’s twin sister Beth says it’s time to join the pierced ear club. Her best friend Woody says earrings are totally silly. And Mum? She just says it’s Mavey’s choice. But if she wants to fit in, Mavey must face the ultimate horror. A giant. Crunching. Piercing. Gun. Gulp.