Downs
takes us through many of her life experiences. She is a different
person today, she writes, because of suffering and the transformation
that followed. She explains how she found beauty in the mundane,
collecting moments that matter. She encourages us to do the same.
For
this senior citizen, this is a book that did not grab me. Downs
rambles through her life, writing about many of her experiences. We
read about her being overweight as a child, about the TV programs she
liked to watch, about her seeing a breath-taking sunrise, about the
experience and feel of the Ryman in Nashville, her adult onset
allergy to dairy, wandering through a farmers' market, tears cried
over being single, taking friends honky-tonk hopping in Nashville
until 2 A.M., the sports she likes, doing her nails, eating sushi,
getting a tattoo, and much more.
I
almost felt like I was reading a stranger's journal. I might liken
reading this book to having a stranger go through a photo album,
explaining each of the photos, reliving their meaningful events.
Downs does draw some spiritual insights from sharing her experiences
but that did not seem the major focus of the book. Downs writes,
“...this book itself, in some crazy way, is a collection of what
God has shown to be lovely.” (174)
As
a senior citizen, this book did not inspire me. I was raised in an
era when such intimate stories were not shared with strangers. This
book may be meaningful for younger people, those more used to being
moved by honest and revealing stories from strangers, such as through
digital media.
I
would recommend this book to young people, perhaps young single
women. Downs notes that she is still a work in progress and is not
finished by any means. Younger readers might well identify with her.
Food
for thought: “If you aren't experiencing pain, you aren't
experiencing beauty.” (76)
You
can listen to podcasts by Downs and watch a video here.
My
rating: 3/5 stars.
Annie F. Downs is an author, speaker, and blogger based in Nashville, Tn. Read
more at www.anniedowns.com
and follow her on Twitter @anniefdowns.
B &
H Publishing, 195 pages.
I
received a complimentary copy of this book through Icon Media for the
purpose of an independent and honest review.
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