Books and Ideas… right to your inbox.

Love Reading?

So do we.

If you’re like us, you’d read everything, given enough time.

Classics, new and popular stuff, poetry, niche fiction, Bible commentary and lesser known indie lit—whatever falls into your hands or across your screen. Like my mom’s beige and cream-colored havanese (may he rest in peace), who once tore into a package of bread and crammed so much down his gullet that he couldn’t bark or even close his mouth… I would probably read until my corneas burst.

Here at Shelf of Crocodiles, expect full and thoughtful essays (not just consumer reviews) about what we’ve read, what we want to read, and occasionally what we’re watching in the news or on our phones.

While our taste ranges from eclectic to ambitious, it reflects a deep love of western classics, drama, novels, nonfiction, and the robust tradition of the Christian faith.

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Buttons and Spoilers

We’ve got my feet planted firmly on the ground—as G.K. Chesterton put it—not dangling up in the air with the latest trends. That’s a whimsical way of saying my commentary and general thrust goes against the woke, strident, touchy-feely zeitgeist that has too many slogans, stances, and corporate memes sounding like the Borg.

When it comes to categories with the ‘don’t push that button sign,’ we usually push the button. On that note, if giving a plot spoiler helps make a larger point, we usually go for it. We’ve read, written, and in some cases taught our way through so many stories that spoilers don’t bother us… in the storytelling or story critiquing biz, there’s not much room for being precious.

To the extent that reading Shelf of Crocodiles (along with newsletters like Notes From he Fray) will make you a more thoughtful, informed, and curious reader, we don’t think spoilers will be more than a minor annoyance.

Skip them if you like, but you could very well be missing out.

With any luck, these unvarnished ramblings will nudge you to read something on your own bookshelf you’ve been meaning to get to.


Feeding the Crocodiles

Shelf of Crocodiles is a free publication…but we’ve recently added a Tip Jar.

While, and if, you’re at it, please support us financially through buying us a coffee, or by setting up a small, monthly contribution on Ko-fi.com.

We’d love to get a few regular patrons and get some perks in the pipeline.

When you see this button:

Feed the crocodiles

That’s a link to the tip jar.

Of course a like, a comment, an email forward, or a shout on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook also goes a long way. If you’re digging what you read, consider passing it on to a friend.

Right to Your Inbox

You can read browse this like a blog, but when you subscribe to Shelf of Crocodiles, you’ll got the monthly essay sent right to your inbox. Each essay springboards off a different work of fiction, drama, nonfiction, or classic literature.

So hit subscribe and have a read.

The crocodiles will be sooooo pleased.

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A monthly essay on books and ideas.

People

Columnist, creative, new Dad. I write about books, culture, and ideas for a contrarian, largely Christian audience.
Christian. Anglican. Husband. Father. Writer. Teacher. Counselor.
Disciple of Christ, husband, father, writer, and aspiring classical Christian educator who lives with his wife and three children in East Tennessee. He holds a B.S. in English and Writing and writes Notes from the Fray on Substack.