God Is Round

A brilliant, kaleidoscopic exploration of soccer—and the passion, hopes, rivalries, superstitions, and global solidarity it inspires—from award-winning author and Mexico’s leading sports journalist, Juan Villoro. On a planet where FIFA has more members than the United Nations and the World Cup is watched by more than three billion people, football is more than just a game. As revered author Juan Villoro argues in this passionate and compulsively readable tribute to the world’s favorite sport, football may be the most effective catalyst for panglobal unity at the time when we need it most. (Following global consensus, Villoro uses “football” rather than “soccer” in the book.) What was the greatest goal of all time? Why do the Hungarians have a more philosophical sense of defeat than the Mexicans? Do the dead play football? In essays ranging from incisive and irreverent portraits of Maradona, Messi, Ronaldo, Pelé, Zidane, and many more giants of the game to entertaining explorations of left-footedness and the number 10, Juan Villoro dissects the pleasure and pain of football fandom. God Is Round is a book for both fanatics and neophytes who long to feel the delirium of the faithful. Praise for God is Round “If you want to talk about soccer, go talk to Juan Villoro.” —Carlos Fuentes “In trying times like these, when the anguish and uncertainty can be almost too much to bear, Mexico turns to him, its philosopher-fanatic, to make sense of the seemingly nonsensical. With the nation’s hopes for the World Cup spiraling into doubt and chaos, Juan Villoro, one of Mexico’s most decorated and esteemed writers — who also happens to be a leading soccer analyst—comes charging down the metaphorical field to scold, explain and extract the lessons within.” —The New York Times “The literature of Juan Villoro…is opening up the path of the new Spanish novel of the millennium.” —Roberto Bolaño “[Villoro] has assumed the Octavio Paz mantle of Mexican public wise man of letters (though with none of Paz’s solemnity, for Villoro is as boyishly effusive, brimming with laughter and cleverness, as Paz was paternalistically dour—and, of course, Villoro, the author of the book God Is Round, may be the most fútbol-obsessed man alive)” —Francisco Goldman, The New Yorker Juan Villoro is Mexico’s most prolific, prize-winning author, playwright, journalist, and screenwriter. His books have been translated into multiple languages; he has received the Herralde Award in Spain for his novel El testigo, the Antonin Artaud award in France for Los culpables. His novel, Arrecife, was recently short-listed for the Rezzori Prize in Italy. Villoro lives in Mexico City and is a visiting lecturer at Yale and Princeton universities. Thomas Bunstead's translations from the Spanish include work by Eduardo Halfon and Yuri Herrera, Aixa de la Cruz's story “True Milk” in Best of European Fiction, and the forthcoming A Brief History of Portable Literature by Enrique Vila-Matas (a co-translation with Anne McLean). A guest editor of a Words Without Borders feature on Mexico (March 2015), Thomas has also published his own writing in the Times Literary Supplement, The Independent, the Paris Review blog, 3ammagazine, Days of Roses, readysteadybook, and >kill author.

What was the greatest goal of all time? Why do the Hungarians have a more philosophical sense of defeat than the Mexicans? Do the dead play soccer? On a planet where FIFA has more members than the United Nations, Juan Villoro's examination of soccer and its 3.5 billion-person fandom has stakes beyond those of such playful questions. Soccer is more than just a game; it is a catalyst for panglobal unity and even, Villoro suggests, the "recovery of childhood."

Her love of God and love for a man led Delia down a path of thrills, chills and unexpected changes. Raised in a small town by a poor Irish farmer and his wife she was knowledgeable of many of life's ups and downs. As the oldest of twelve children she knew what it took to keep a house running and how to care for others. Her mother, a devout Christian, raised them in church and daily referred to the Bible to explain why they should respond to life's problems. Being a Christian she knew in her heart what was Godly and what was not. Her father, a fun loving, whiskey drinking, jig dancing, hard working man, was a believer but not a practitioner. Her well endowed bosom caused her young life to be filled with ridicule from her school age pears. She longed for someone to see her as she was; a caring, God loving young woman with the desire and the ability to make a good wife and mother. Fulfillment of her dreams began to unfold the day she left home with the son of the owner of a traveling carnival. She was in for the "ride" of her life.

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This far from ordinary devotional encourages readers to develop daily spiritual disciplines in key areas of their faith, including prayer, Bible reading, worship, and more. For years, writer Tim Challies has been posting spiritual insights from influential Christian thought leaders, helping his thousands of online followers mature in their faith. Now these inspirations are yours to discover in this one-of-a-kind devotional. This curated collection of quotes, along with stunning photography and corresponding devotions from Tim, challenges you to cultivate consistent spiritual habits, including… Prayer Bible reading Worship Evangelism Fasting Silence and solitude Gratitude Stewardship If you desire to become more disciplined in your daily walk with Christ, Words from the Wise offers you small and simple opportunities to grow your faith in extraordinary ways.

Beloved columnist and bestselling author Regina Brett offers her special brand of uplifting, yet practical advice to help readers find fulfillment in their work . . . and to deal with unexpected challenges. In this inspiring collection, Brett focuses on how we relate to our work, or lack of work, and the seeking of something deeper and more meaningful in our career and life. With essays like "Every job is as magical as you make it" and "Only you can determine your worth," this book relates tales of discouragement turning into hope, and persistence paying big dividends. People with challenges in their jobs or job search will find solace and advice.