Summer reading with my boys (almost 6 and 8) and such a cute book with three chapters. We were all laughing at some points. This especially was hittinSummer reading with my boys (almost 6 and 8) and such a cute book with three chapters. We were all laughing at some points. This especially was hitting with my younger one who is less interested in reading, but this didn’t have to use “potty words” to keep his attention or make him laugh ...more
Upon the passionate recommendation of a friend, I snagged this. What a sweet surprise - what a beautifully written testimony within the world of griefUpon the passionate recommendation of a friend, I snagged this. What a sweet surprise - what a beautifully written testimony within the world of grief, hope, and faith. God is so clearly centered and glorified! ...more
Here’s the deal, this 3-star review is not indicative of ESJM’s talent. The world she creates (pre-covid no less: very impressive) is weighty and growHere’s the deal, this 3-star review is not indicative of ESJM’s talent. The world she creates (pre-covid no less: very impressive) is weighty and grows legs in the reader’s imagination. She is a mastermind at communicating about the depth of human resilience. Kudos upon kudos to her! My rating is merely a representative of my own inability to grab hold of all of that goodness early on. It was probably past half way before I began to really sink into the story. The flashing forward and flashing back between various characters’ POV left me fixated more on saying, “Wait! Who is the main character? Who do I need to really be paying attention to?” Again, I think this has more to do with me as a reader than the author. In the end, I picked up some of what she was putting down in terms of character resilience and I’m grateful for the perspective. This is clearly more of a “it’s me, not you,” situation I think. ...more
Kate has an insane talent for word play, there’s no doubt about that! I sincerely enjoyed a couple of chapters at the front end and one toward the endKate has an insane talent for word play, there’s no doubt about that! I sincerely enjoyed a couple of chapters at the front end and one toward the end, but I was shocked at how long the book was - and fairly disjointed at times definitely moving away from what I anticipated the book to be about: growing up in the 90s and 2000s. I also hate to hear what an awful experience she had as a youth group member in high school. She is right about a lot of the performative-based southern Christianity that is so prevalent, but I am gutted that she extrapolates her experience out to the entire faith worldwide. Her disdain for and condescension toward the Christian faith, and those who identify as Christians, flies in the face of her ending point about empowering women to like and love what you want and not feeling bad or embarrassed about it.
I kept reading as a case study into a different millennial perspective than mine. I applaud Kate’s candor and vulnerability and wish her the best on her journey toward motherhood and beyond!...more
What a delightful surprise! This collection of essays is broken down into six sections or themes: love, presence, praise, grace, hope, and purpose. SaWhat a delightful surprise! This collection of essays is broken down into six sections or themes: love, presence, praise, grace, hope, and purpose. Savannah shares openly about her life as a simple platform to bring these themes to center stage. I knew Savannah would be a good writer, but I didn’t expect the level of personal vulnerability, spiritual/theological depth, and ever-present scripture references. Though I was already sold on loving this book soon after beginning it, it was her decision to dive into the intricacies of the book of Job later on in the book that made me even more sure… More sure I would want to read it again too! She did not shy away from some hard topics! Go, girl! *High Five*
Savannah’s narration of this book is a delight. She encourages readers to read slowly and she includes 30 seconds of meditative silence between essays, which is nice!
In short, it felt like a warm hug from a spiritual sister and was also thought provoking and challenging. Would definitely recommend. ...more
Overall fun, interesting, and inspiring read (especially at the end) if you grew up with the Harry Potter books and movies. The back end of the book aOverall fun, interesting, and inspiring read (especially at the end) if you grew up with the Harry Potter books and movies. The back end of the book addresses deeper mental and emotional issues that I found just as captivating to read as the Harry Potter behind-the-scenes portions.
For those sensitive to language, just a heads up. If using an audiobook, maybe don’t listen around the kiddos ...more
Small, but thorough, scripture-based, effective, convicting, and encouraging.
“Tragically, our longing for heaven can become more about what heaven laSmall, but thorough, scripture-based, effective, convicting, and encouraging.
“Tragically, our longing for heaven can become more about what heaven lacks (that is, suffering) than who it has (that is, God). When we lose sight of who Christ is, heaven becomes to us more about the pain that is absent than the Savior who is present. We distort “heavenly mindedness” into mere escapism. But a Christ-less heaven is no heaven at all. Heaven’s central feature is God himself.” (p 48)...more
What a helpful coming-of-age YA novel! From my time working as a counselor in middle and high schools, Wren’s point-of-view, though seemingly melodramWhat a helpful coming-of-age YA novel! From my time working as a counselor in middle and high schools, Wren’s point-of-view, though seemingly melodramatic to an adult reader, is all-too-prevalent in our students today. This could easily be utilized in a literature, SEL, or other context (even at home with parents!) to help teach our youth and show them an example of a growth mindset… show them the other side of acknowledging our weakness/wrongs, confession, hard emotional work, and reconciliation! ...more
Im glad I didn’t stop reading this book. Once I understood the premise, once he got through the intro and his own testimony, it made a lot more sense.Im glad I didn’t stop reading this book. Once I understood the premise, once he got through the intro and his own testimony, it made a lot more sense. If you’re looking for a book with a single arc and one particular thesis telling the reader what and how to think, this is not the book for you. I would liken this book to a series podcast on dignity/significance - each episode (chapter) addresses dignity in a different area of life: dignity in the home, dignity in prisons, dignity in the church, dignity in school etc. Instead of presenting a one-sided argument for one player in that realm, Sproul steps into each player’s shoes and addresses their perspective and their own feelings around their dignity. For example, in the school, he talks about the teacher’s perspective, student’s perspective, and how each can threaten the others’ dignity, etc. At the end of each chapter, he asks open-ended philosophical questions pertaining to each topic - none of which leading to a particular opinion. He asks your opinion and then asks, “Why? Or why not?” I appreciate this so much. It’s an exercise in empathy we could all do a little more of.
All that to say, I enjoyed stepping into the shoes of so many people and working to understand the threats to or opportunities for dignity in each perspective. ...more
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