Firstlight: The Early Inspirational Writings of Sue Monk Kidd

Before Kidd gained national attention with The Secret Life of Bees and The Mermaid Chair, she spent 12 years writing spiritually themed pieces for Guideposts and other magazines. Forbes reads this collection of early works with just enough Southern twang to make it authentic to Kidd's own Southern heritage. Her smooth and fluid reading catches the inflection and drama of Kidd's work, which is compiled not chronologically but in 13 sections (such as ""Solitude""). These stories range from the year she lived in Africa, meditations on her childhood and her grandparents, to reflections on her marriage and on ""a stream of common moments."" The unifying theme is moments that opened her heart. Listeners will savor Kidd's thoughts and words, which overflow with richness drawn from her roles as writer, mother, wife, nurse and fellow traveler on a spiritual journey.