Lightposts for Living: The Art of Choosing a Joyful Life

Like the beloved artist Norman Rockwell, painter Thomas Kinkade emphasizes what is good and kind in America. His paintings of old-fashioned homes and ideal landscapes may not ever be considered high art--but they can certainly capture the heart and soothe the eye, and for many of his devout fans, that's plenty.

Now Kinkade sets his sights on writing about the core values that his paintings have illuminated for years--home, tradition, family, nature, and above all else, living in the light. By sharing personal stories and numerous analogies to his painter's process, Kinkade has developed a comfortable, fireside-chat manner. He offers advice and inspirational suggestions on chapter topics such as, "The Abundance of Enough, Living in the Light of Simplicity;" "Saying Grace, Living in the Light of Thankfulness;" and "A Radiant Sunrise, Living in a Romantic Light." Mostly, Kinkade seems to want readers to create a more beautiful, serene, and joyful life, as if they could be transported into the idyllic world of his paintings. While this may seem like a naive agenda, it is a soothing notion, and one that many fans would certainly enjoy imagining. --Gail Hudson