Michael Brannon, a retired Texas resident, has released a personal memoir detailing his spiritual journey from owning an unopened Bible for decades to embracing faith after life-altering experiences. The book, titled "Unread: My Journey to the Bible," documents Brannon's upbringing in a dysfunctional home where he believed in God but avoided scripture until personal crises including heartbreak and a near-death experience compelled him to engage with religious texts.
Brannon describes his approach as raw and honest, reflecting the Bible's own treatment of human struggle without sanitization. He writes with what he characterizes as humor and hope, aiming to reach skeptics and those who feel spiritually disconnected. His central message positions Jesus as essential rather than optional, arguing that biblical teachings provide a foundation worth building one's life upon.
The book has already garnered positive reader feedback across the United States according to the announcement. Brannon frames his work as both a redemption story and an invitation for readers to explore their own purpose and identity. He emphasizes that his role is not as primary author but as someone through whom a larger story is told, having been led into engagement with scripture later in life.
"Unread" is published through Lucid Books, a hybrid publisher based in the Houston area that combines elements of traditional and self-publishing models. The publisher describes its mission as helping authors inspire, inform, and enrich readers' lives through partnership publishing arrangements. This publishing approach allows for author involvement while providing professional publishing expertise.
The book's release matters because it addresses widespread spiritual seeking and biblical literacy challenges in contemporary society. With many people owning religious texts but not engaging with them deeply, Brannon's journey from avoidance to embrace offers a relatable narrative for those questioning faith or feeling disconnected from religious traditions. His emphasis on ordinary, broken people experiencing transformation reflects broader cultural conversations about authenticity and spiritual meaning beyond institutional frameworks.
For the publishing industry, the book represents the growing market for personal spiritual memoirs and the viability of hybrid publishing models like that offered by Lucid Books. For readers, it provides a case study in late-life spiritual awakening that may encourage engagement with religious texts regardless of prior experience or skepticism. The work contributes to ongoing discussions about how individuals find meaning after personal crises and the role of sacred texts in modern life.
