Fall 2023: Authenticity

A Q&A with our founder, Mandy Crow, about what’s happening at The Bookery this fall

School is back in session and the days are growing shorter, so we’re turning our minds and hearts toward autumn here at The Bookery. It’s still warm here in Tennessee, but we’re focusing on the coming crisp mornings, crunchy leaves and, well, a little less humidity, if we’re being honest.

The change in seasons also means a new seasonal focus here at The Bookery. This fall, we’re focusing on the concept of authenticity. To dig a little deeper into that topic, we posed a few questions to our founder/editor-in-chief, Mandy Crow.

Authenticity can mean a lot of different things. What does this theme mean for The Bookery community?

That’s a good question. When I think about authenticity, my working definition is simple: being real. To be authentic is to be the real you. As an Enneagram 2, I have an innate desire to please people, and, sometimes, that desire can lead to me morphing into whatever version of myself I think will best please that person. So authenticity, for me at least, is about being who I really am in my relationships with others and most importantly, in my relationship with God.

Another idea I think “authenticity” represents for us here at The Bookery is being honest. Being honest with ourselves about our motives, desires and needs, but also being honest with God. Rather than praying the things we think he wants to hear, it’s coming to him with our true hurts and fears and trusting them to him, even if it’s not pretty. I think there’s something special we learn about God and his character when we are honest with him and ourselves. He already knows everything about us, so being authentic with him shouldn’t be so hard!

Why do you think this is an important topic for this season?

I’m reading John Mark Comer’s book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry right now, and I’m thinking a lot about all the activities that fill my life. Comer talks a lot about “hurry sickness” in the beginning of the book, and I was really struck with the idea of how much we numb our minds and hearts to what God wants to do because we never take the time to slow down and spend time with him. This year, I’ve become even more convinced about the importance of Sabbath, but even more than that, my need to recognized all the things I cram into my life that don’t actually push me closer toward God or get in the way of me seeing what he is doing. Being authentic and recognizing areas where I’m thriving and areas where I’m not is an important part of growth, and I don’t think I’m the only one!

What kinds of articles should we expect about authenticity this fall?

I’m actually really excited about what’s coming up this fall as we delve into what it means to be authentic. You’re definitely going to get all of the things you know and love here at The Bookery: book reviews, recipes, Cookbook Chronicles, Simple Supper ideas. But you can also expect a “living authentically” reading list, articles about real issues we face as believers such as doubt and giving yourself grace as well as interviews, breakfast recipes and articles on why the church matters. It’s going to be a good fall here at The Bookery, and I’m hoping our community joins us in the journey!