Release of Between Worlds – Essays on Culture and Belonging

Published on by Marilyn

Between Worlds is available NOW! Order your copy by going here!

I began writing three years ago – “I want to have a voice!” I said to my oldest daughter, 26 years old at the time. And on July 1st the “voice” will be transformed into a book titled Between Worlds – Essays on Culture and Belonging. 

And I am excited. Really excited. And I am scared and I feel like a “child who thinks she’s mastered the art of tying her shoes only to realize that one loop doesn’t make a bow” (author unknown)

And yes – I will be honest: I want people to buy it! Of course I do – it would be crazy for me not to. Though my identity is wrapped up in something far greater and stronger than the temporary tissue paper of public opinion and selling books, I want people to read and be able to say “Yes! that’s me!” or “Yes! That was my experience!”

So just as you have joined me thus far in reading, commenting, and encouraging both me and each other, I hope you will join me on this new book launch. There will be a give away next week of two books so stay tuned for that! In the mean time here is what some others have said about this set of essays:

Between Worlds

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“To read this remarkable collection of essays is to journey with Marilyn Gardner between the worlds of East and West, home and not-feeling-like-home, touching with her the boundaries of culture, the inspirations of faith, and the comforts of loved ones. Her stories are compelling and unforgettable. And while her essays will instantly resonate with those, like Marilyn, who have lived between worlds, they speak volumes to those like me who have not. Every one of us has been at some point between two worlds, be they faith and loss of faith, joy and sorrow, birth and death. Between Worlds is a luminous guide for connecting – and healing – worlds.~Cathy Romeo, co-author, Ended Beginnings: Healing Childbearing Losses

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“Drawn from her honest, penetrating blog writings, Marilyn Gardner’s Between Worlds invites us into her memories with loving hospitality, connecting the various and vivid threads of her fascinating life without over-sentimentalization. She is a wise raconteur, knowing that memories are living, formative things. Her richly evocative descriptions of the places that have formed her engage every sense (and will likely leave one a bit thirsty for chai), and the book is delightfully adorned with her daughter’s pen drawings. Throughout her essays, Marilyn presses in on the questions with which every human soul wrestles, particularly our God-given desire to belong, and to live securely and coherently with oneself and others.

In a world that has grown ever more globally connected, her recollections engage us all to think through how “God uses place” — and, at times, acute feelings of displacement — to make us into the people we are. Adult third culture kids will find in Marilyn a compassionate, empathetic friend, and anyone who has lived “between worlds” will appreciate her gentle approach to the more disorienting facets of a globally nomadic lifestyle.”

– Laura Merzig Fabrycky, The Washington Institute for Faith, Vocation, and Culture

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Between Worlds: Essays on Culture and Belonging available NOW! 

Read reviews of Between Worlds here: 

Purchase here:

Readers – thank you! It really belongs to you – and I would love for you to walk with me through this whole “book launch!“

50 thoughts on “Release of Between Worlds – Essays on Culture and Belonging”

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  2. I’m an tck and I love the way I grew up, it has made me who I am today. I see everything from a different perspective I am drawn to people who are from another culture. When I meet someone who understands me it’s like jumping into a cool lake on a hot day I feels so refreshing. Thanks for writing about tck I have thought of writing my own story, maybe I will now.

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    1. Thanks so much for this lovely comment. I apologize that I didn’t see it before today. I love your description of what it feels like to have someone understand! Perfect. And I urge you to write your own story!

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  9. Congratulations, Marilyn! I’m so looking forward to reading your book and would love to write a review! I have no doubt it’s brilliant! You’re a gifted writer and as far as I can see, you’ve put your “soul” into this. Well done!!

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  11. Congratulations Marilyn, I have enjoyed the journey through your stories, the fragrances, tastes and sights along the way. I am so amazed that you began to write only 3 years ago, yet you write as one who has honed her skill over many years. This is so wonderful. I will be excited to have this in my possession to share.

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  13. Congrats, Marilyn, on your book launch. I look forward to picking up a copy and curling up to read with a cup of tea (probably herbal!) at my side. … When I return from Africa!

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  15. Dear Sophia Marie (oh oh…is it Maria?….some godmother)

    I haven’t been able to read all blog posts lately, however, I am so glad I read this one.  Congratulation that the book is coming out so soon!  I would love to be one of the first to buy a book! and have it signed!  I am looking forward to reading it.  My goodness, what a journey…from one country to another and then to the true country, our Lord, in which all our souls find rest.  Along with my enthusiasm about the book, I am still hoping to get together to talk about baptism and marriage and hear your experiences.  God knows when!  Let me know when you have time love PPaula

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    1. PPaula – thank you! I would love for you to buy it and I would be honored to sign it! And it’s true – from country to country and then the true country, reminiscent of the Last Battle in the Narnia Series – the True Country.

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    1. Thank you Monique! I don’t know if you remember this but you said to me a long time ago that you thought I could write a book. So thank you for that encouragement.

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  18. You did it! I am so very proud of you. Well done! I’ll buy a copy for sure and recommend it sincerely to all my people!

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  19. I can hardly wait! I only recently started following your blog, and have already enjoyed it immensely. In fact, I’ve shared a couple of your postings with our daughter and my best friend. Looks like I’ll be buying more than one copy! ; )
    Congratulations Marilyn!

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    1. Donna – thank you so much for being such a huge part of this process through reading, commenting, and emailing. And thank you for introducing me to Karissa :)

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    1. Do you remember the note you wrote to me last year? When I said I didn’t know what was next for me writing wise? You are so much of the inspiration behind me deciding to do it this way, gathering up much of what I had already written and retooling it and making it cohesive – so THANK YOU!

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  30. This sounds exciting! Sometimes it does take this leap of faith to release thoughts and ideas – I am sure many will be blessed by your essays! As that one review said: those that lived overseas can say “It’s me”, and those that haven’t can understand a little more about us “weirdos”. :) Looking forward to this! I hope your excitement will always be greater than your fear and doubt!

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