Courtesy | Kelly Franklin

Favorite Book Series: Oxford Time Travel Series by Connie Willis

These are incredible sci-fi novels that I just discovered a couple years ago. I have laughed out loud, cried so hard, and generally been obsessed with these books. Willis has a profound love of history, and she deeply grieves for the things that have been irretrievably lost or destroyed in the past. And she gradually unfolds a Christian vision of divine providence that is completely stunning. Drop everything you are currently reading (unless you are a student in my classes), and pick up this series. 

Favorite Movie: “Interstellar,” directed by Christopher Nolan

It’s a perfect movie, because the cosmic space travel drama is so visually gorgeous and creative, but the actual tension of the film is the heartbreaking love of a father for his daughter. And the film floats the possibility that love is a force in the universe as real and as powerful — and as reliable — as gravity. 

Favorite song: John Coltrane’s “My Favorite Things”

I’ve always loved the piano solo in that long track: there’s a repetitive quality coupled with the sweet-sad jazz chords.