Bright Shining

Julia Baird is an Australian journalist, broadcaster, and author. She writes columns for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the Sydney Morning Herald, and the Age and cohosts the ABC’s Not Stupid podcast. She has previously been senior editor at Newsweek, a Joan Shorenstein fellow at Harvard, and an op-ed contributor for the New York Times. Her books include Media Tarts; a biography of Queen Victoria which was named one of the New York Times’ Ten Best Books of 2016; and the multi-award-winning international bestseller Phosphorescence. Julia lives near the sea with two children and an abnormally large dog.

"Julia Baird captures the very essence of grace. This is a life-giving book." — Katherine May, international bestselling author of Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times“Julia Baird's exploration of grace is a philosophical tour de force, touching the heart and challenging the mind. A wonderful book.” — Jon Meacham, author of The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels and American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House"Australian journalist and broadcaster Baird follows her acclaimed memoir, Phosphorescence (2020), with this thoughtful investigation of grace, supplementing its traditional Christian definition (God’s unmerited favor) and expanding it to our interpersonal interactions.... This beautiful work will resonate with fans of Anne Lamott and Shauna Niequist." — Booklist"Beautifully written, brilliantly reasoned, and deeply moving, BRIGHT SHINING is a book that brings us face to face with our most bitter fears and conflicts—and then shows us a luminous, gentle way out of them. Julia Baird has a razor-sharp mind and unflinching commitment to justice.… BRIGHT SHINING is truly a book for our time.” — Martha Beck, bestselling author of The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self“Grace is hiding in plain sight, writes Baird (Phosphorescence) in this effervescent outing. . . . Baird’s ability to find wonder in the everyday is especially poignant, as when she considers the donor who made a blood transfusion she received after a surgery possible: 'When I came to, I felt stronger, and I wondered whose blood it was that was now racing through my veins, injecting me with life.' Even cynics will be moved.” — Publishers Weekly“The uplift and power of Bright Shining . . . is to be found in the way Baird gives grace fresh currency by bringing this beautiful and elusive condition from the theological margins into the mainstream and showing, with passion and verve, how quietly transformative it can be.” — Sydney Morning Herald"A powerful book from one of my favorite writers on something we all need more of...and could give more of." — Ryan Holiday, bestselling author of The Obstacle is the Way and Ego Is the Enemy“Julia Baird beautifully illustrates how grace, while not always easy, is necessary. In a world of ever-increasing polarization, Baird’s Bright Shining lights a path toward seeing and honoring the humanity in each of us....Told with a deeply moving autobiographical vulnerability, Baird challenges us to be present and patient in our lives, lest we miss the wonder that grace bestows.” — Monica C. Parker, bestselling author of The Power of Wonder