Soulful Book of Summer: Theo of Golden

AI-created image. Human-crafted writing.

By now you've heard of this book, or I hope you have. I started the summer (2026) reading "Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi, and it reminded me that while life is more than a little frightening today, the gorgeous possibilities of friendship, kindness, and generosity have the power to carry us through. Levi is such a gifted writer; amazing that this is his first novel. His plot development, scrumptious characters, natural dialogue, soulful settings, and elegant surprises sparkle like his main character's warm, soft eyes. You will see yourself in the residents of Golden, and if you're lucky, you know a "Theo." (I'm thankful to say I do, and I continue to gift this book to the "Theos" in my life.) Another bonus, art is at the center of the story. It will go on my "top shelf" of soul-touching books - once I stop loaning it out - lining up well with neighbors like "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis. "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle, "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams Bianco, "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff" by Christopher Moore, and "Same Kind of Different As Me" by Ron Hall & Denver Moore ..... You get the picture. If you love literature that challenges you but ultimately sooths your spirit, please borrow Theo from the library, or visit here to purchase "Theo of Golden" from Interabang Books in Dallas, Texas (they ship domestically). As Theo says, “…do good, bestow kindness, strive for beauty, seek and find the river that leads to life everlasting, and draw from the fountain that never runs dry.” #summerreadinglist #greatbooks #theoofgolden #soulfulreads