Vanessa Zoltan

Appeals to readers of classic literature as well as pop culture fans: The book shows how to read any work as a spiritual text, not just acclaimed literary works.For nonreligious and religious seekers: The author is a self-described Jewish atheist, and the book discusses her favorite Jewish prayers and beloved family traditions, and the complex legacy of trauma from her grandparents, all four of whom were Holocaust survivors. The sacred reading techniques she uses come from Judeo-Christian traditions, but the book is not religious.Popular podcast with an engaged following: Zoltan is the creator and cohost of Harry Potter and the Sacred Text, which is frequently in the Top 20 iTunes list for Religion and Spirituality. The podcast has an active following on Instagram (14k), Facebook (13k), and Twitter (13.5k), and there are more than eighty active local discussion groups inspired by the podcast.

"In these soaring, open-hearted essays, Vanessa Zoltan writes with fierce brilliance about suffering, survival, and the kind of meaning in life that can withstand real scrutiny."-John Green, bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars and The Anthropocene ReviewedA deeply felt celebration of a classic novel-and a reflection on the ways our favorite books can shape and heal us.Our favorite books keep us company, give us hope, and help us find meaning in a chaotic world. In this fresh and relatable work, atheist chaplain Vanessa Zoltan blends memoir and personal growth as she grapples with the notions of family legacy and identity through the lens of her favorite novel, Jane Eyre. Informed by the reading practices of medieval monks and rabbinic scholars from her training at the Harvard Divinity School and filtered through the pages of Jane Eyre as well as Little Women, Harry Potter, and The Great Gatsby, Zoltan explores topics ranging from the trauma she has inherited as the granddaughter of four Holocaust survivors to finding hope, meaning, and even magic in our deeply fractured times. Brimming with a lifelong love of classic literature and the tenderness of self-reflection, the book also reveals simple techniques for reading any work as a sacred text-from Virginia Woolf to Anne of Green Gables to baseball scorecards.Whether you're an avowed "Eyrehead" or simply a curious reader looking for a richer connection with the written word, this deeply felt and inspiring book will light the way to a more intimate appreciation for whatever books you love to read.