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Book Review - Bittersweet, by Shauna Niequist

Are you looking for some reality in your walk with God? Do you want to read a book that tells it as it is rather than one that tends towards a preaching tone? In her book, Bittersweet, Shauna Niequist shares thoughts on change, grace, and learning the hard way. No preaching tone in this book!


In an easy to read style (and easy to relate to) Shauna's second book, published by Zondervan, shares a period of her life full of change. Each chapter shows another thought on life, family or God by way of a situation she is facing or a realization she is making. Shauna bears skeletons from her closet, and lets you in where even your best friends may not let you enter. Her down to earth writing style was very easy to follow, and full of wit and artful illustrations.

The reality of the situations she shares can and do happen to everyone. I was deeply touched by her story. It showed me how others can have similar doubts and questions about their lives. No matter how 'together' they seem to have it. In many ways Shauna and I are complete opposites. She enjoys cooking, entertaining, and loves spending time with people. I tend to be a homebody, enjoying the privacy of my crafts, and can only cook a couple recipes. However, even though we are completely different in those respects, we both love God and have crossed some of the same questions and issues in our very different journeys.

Shauna's chapter about finding your home, your best place, really struck a cord with me. I always seem to be trying to 'hard' at life. Never believing that where I am is good enough. (Though who it's not good enough for I couldn't tell you.) It is interesting how reading Bittersweet shed a lot of light on issues with myself that I was busy ignoring. I think this book has helped me to grow-up and get over the last remnant of childish self centeredness I was holding onto so firmly. The belief that 'someday' I will deal with this or that issue. I know that God placed this book in my path to help me, as I have been praying for help in this area for several years. Not that God wasn't giving me hints, but this is one that truly knocked me upside the head and got me to listen. That was another thing Shauna shares. That growth in our walk is in no way quick. You can't rush maturity in Christ. There is no fast food solution. You have to simmer like a sauce to perfection (hopefully a sauce that someone else is cooking, LOL).

After reading Bittersweet, I can't wait to go find a copy of Shauna's first book, Cold Tangerines. Maybe I can go grab it before my trip.  You can get to know Shauna better at http://www.shaunaniequist.com/

I received a copy of this book to review from Zondervan Publishers.  This review is 100% my own opinion.

Comments

  1. Thanks for posting, sounds like a book I want to read. Have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This sounds like a really good book, and what a great review.

    You should link up your book reviews to the Book Lover’s Blog Hop.



    Thank you for participating in last week’s Wednesday Window @ Frugality Is Free. I would like to invite you to this week’s The Wednesday Window . It is the place to feature your favorite blog post of the past week or so, for more details check out Frugality Is Free. The Wednesday Window linky will open up around 10 p.m.

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  3. Hey! Found you on Frugality is Free Book Reviews and am now following you! This book sounds like a great way to find contentment. I'll have to look into getting a copy. Thanks!

    - Lauren
    www.ladaisi.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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