Spiritual Thought

10/16/2024

Friends,

In this space we have always talked about the real, the hard, the honest, the messy and the hilarious. You’ve met my truth with open arms and your love and support has truly shown me that I am not alone in my profound imperfection. I’ve found healing here, with all of you. I hope you have too.

I used to be ashamed of my flaws, and now I embrace them because I realized that the only table I ever want to sit at is the one full of other flawed human beings. I belong to the imperfectionists table and I don’t know, but I think we’re a whole lot of fun. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

I have been quietly working on my first solo book. It’s an ode to my messy break up with perfectionism. (Being a perfectionist was kind of the worst, and I’m absolutely terrible at it anyway).

It’s an invite to my messy table and my messy life. The one you are all already invited to and are sitting at, but more and better. The one where we share food and drinks and stories. The one where we laugh, cry, and marvel at the beautiful gift it is to live a flawed and broken life together.

It’s not just acceptance of our flaws, it’s a celebration. You’ve got stuff you’re bad at?? YAY! Me too.

It just hits different when you’re in it together.

I’m so excited to present to you Perfect is Boring (and it tastes like kale), now available for preorder, out February 2025.

I’m very proud of it. And I want you to know that you were all a part of making it happen. Not just by here in this space, but by championing me in my journey of out-loud-imperfectionism.

If you’ve loved any of my words, I just know you will love this book. Tell your friends, tell your aunts, your cousins, your moms and your grandmas, because the message of loving our selves as we are is universal. Let’s make this imperfectionist’s table longer. Let’s grab more mismatched plates, order more pizza, grab some coffee mugs when we run out of glasses and pull up more chairs, because this table of belonging…it’s for everyone.

We’re not the worst (like we sometimes tell ourselves) we’re actually kind of the best.

Love,
Jess

Introducing 🥹https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/742005/perfect-is-boring-and-it-tastes-like-kale-by-jess-johnston/ READY FOR PREORDER!!!

PS
To help me launch this book into the world every single like, love, comment and share helps!!! Let's do this.

12/26/2023

Happy to the paperback version of . Bestselling author Amalie Howard delivers a delightful, anti-historical Regency-era romp that’s Bridgerton meets The Count of Monte Cristo!

04/04/2023

It's Release Day for Austin Channing Brown's new book, I'm Still Here (Adapted for Young Readers). An adaptation of the powerful New York Times bestselling account of growing up Black and female in America, completely rewritten with new stories for young readers. Available wherever books are sold!

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676718/im-still-here-adapted-for-young-readers-by-austin-channing-brown/

Todays the day! The little ombré book enters the world and you can order it from your favorite bookstore. • This book starts when I am eight and goes through college, so I hope it’s good for your tweens and teens. BUT ALSO, some of us have wounds from childhood (from navigating racism) that could use some balm, and I hope this is that for you, too. • GR, I sure hope you’ll come celebrate with me at Schuler Books this evening!

03/13/2023

03/01/2023

Austin Channing Brown is inviting readers to join the launch team of her new book, I'M STILL HERE (ADAPTED FOR YOUNG READERS). Don't miss it! https://woobox.com/3orwk2

🚨THIS IS NOT A DRILL!🚨 I am so excited to announce: right this minute you can join my book launch team!

Not only does being on the launch team give you early access to the whole book, you will also get an exclusive syllabus (aka reading guide) created by yours truly with several virtual events with some incredible guests. Oh yeah and exclusive bonus passages that didn’t get included in the final book. Trust me when I say you are gonna want to be part of this 💜

Joining is easy - just preorder the book and sign up at the link in my bio. I'll send you the syllabus in March and the dates for our virtual gatherings.

What will I ask in return? When the book is released in April, you will write a review on Amazon or GoodReads or your favorite review site. And we’ll have small challenges like posting about the book on socials- things you can decide to do or not based on your own schedule. That's pretty much it!

Think of it as a book club where you know both the book AND discussion will be fantastic. All the details can be found at the link in my bio - tag a friend to join and lets get this book launched and into the hands of the little Austin’s that we can.

Thank you - and as always I'm so glad we're still here!

02/16/2023

Good morning! I’m excited to let you know I’m partnering with for a LIVE virtual signing of my new book BE AN ANGEL on Feb 23rd at 12p PT. During the broadcast I’ll be signing your books and answering any questions you submit. Order your AUTOGRAPHED copy today and learn more about the event at the link in my bio. Can’t wait to see you there. It’ll be fun to discuss angels and wings and things! 😇

02/16/2023

02/13/2023

Excellent black voices we are highlighting for Black History Month. Links to all the books below:

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/673889/all-the-white-friends-i-couldnt-keep-by-andre-henry/

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/665375/red-lip-theology-by-candice-marie-benbow-foreword-by-melissa-harris-perry/

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/673836/this-here-flesh-by-cole-arthur-riley/

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/672938/shoutin-in-the-fire-by-dante-stewart/

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/679095/marriage-be-hard-by-kevin-and-melissa-fredericks/

02/13/2023

01/24/2023

ICYMI: Austin Channing Brown is releasing a young readers' edition of !

Learn more: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676718/im-still-here-adapted-for-young-readers-by-austin-channing-brown/

01/11/2023

These free devotional guides are your invitation to bless whatever this season is actually bringing you. It includes scriptures to read, discussion questions, and a place to reflect on the journey through Lent. Whether you are practicing Lent solo or using this book with your church, in a book club,...

12/16/2022

Encourage children and the young at heart around you this holiday with the gift of love. Watch NYT bestselling author, Matthew Paul Turner, discuss the heart behind his latest picture book, I AM GOD'S DREAM, on this episode.

Learn more about the book: https://bit.ly/3HJocTR

12/15/2022

Looking for last minute self-care gifts? Make spiritual growth a priority with these devotionals: https://sites.prh.com/rh-spiritual-thought

12/09/2022

Dive into our annual gift guide of books for you and everyone you love—guaranteed to nurture and inspire all ages.

This is a community for those of us who embrace the nuances of our contemporary spiritual lives. Spiritual Thought curates new books, speakers, podcasts, and interviews that speak to the defining issues of faith and culture in the world today through a monthly newsletter and quarterly event series.

12/08/2022

Sojourners has named THIS HERE FLESH by Cole Arthur Riley as one of their best books of 2022! Check out the full list below.

Here are 12 books Sojourners’ writers and editors loved in 2022.

12/05/2022

This holiday, enter for a chance to win a specially curated collection of books from bestselling authors—including Kate Bowler, Cole Arthur Riley, Austin Channing Brown, and more—to help you find peace, comfort, and inspiration.

Spiritual Thought is a Random House and Convergent newsletter initiative that embraces the nuances of contemporary spirituality. Our monthly newsletter covers books, podcasts, interviews and things about faith and culture in our world today.

11/22/2022

“Perry’s Victorian-era holiday mysteries [are] an annual treat.”—The Wall Street Journal 🎄

Still looking for the perfect holiday gift for the readers in your life? They're bound to love A Christmas Deliverance, Anne Perry's new gripping holiday mystery! Shop here: bit.ly/3EQowhC