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juliasilge's review
4.0
Such a great reflection on the value of relationship, authenticity, and listening in the context of a Christian life. I read this with my book club and it was really interesting to hear how we responded to the ideas about what it would really look like to value the stories of the people around us in our everyday lives and in faraway places in the world, or what it would look like for me to really value my own story.
josie_blakeney's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a wonderful, quick read. After finishing it, I even went back to re-read sections, it was that good, compelling and convicting . It wasn't the book I was expecting to read at all, if that makes sense, but it is the exact one I needed to hear and glean from. Weiseth does an excellent job of painting a picture and bringing other storytellers in to highlight that picture through honest and vulnerable narrative. I found that I was convicted by more than one story in this book to listen better before I assert my "right" opinion, take time to hear the stories of others, and to be bold and kind when sharing my own story.
heddsomewhere's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed the overall message about the value of our stories. I was challenged to listen to other's stories without bias and share my story. While I appreciate the author's heart for social justice, I didn't like the political undertones of the book. At times she seemed to have a political agenda (I don't know if it was intended or not).
andrea_rebekah42's review against another edition
3.0
I've always believed in the power of stories. This book serves as a good reminder to be vulnerable and live with intention so that our stories can reach those who need to hear them.
lmbartelt's review
5.0
For those who doubt their life or story matters, this is a collection of stories to convince you otherwise.
Speak: How Your Story Can Change the World is a sometimes-gentle, sometimes not, kick in the pants for everyone, not just writers or storytellers or speakers, to tell our stories. And it is equal parts inspiring and convicting. (Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from Zondervan through the Booklook Bloggers program.)
The author, Nish Weiseth, is the founder of one of my favorite blog spaces, A Deeper Story, and though I haven't read a lot of her work, in particular, I love the mission of the site and the stories shared there. So, I'm pleased to discover I love Weiseth's writing as well.
And her message--that stories are more powerful than all the labeling and stereotyping and arguing policy that goes on--is timely. Over the two days that I read the book, I watched online arguments erupt and devolve into hatred among strangers over stories about a group of Muslims using a community room at a local rec center for a religious observation and about whether a 37-weeks-gestation body found in a garbage can should be called a "fetus" or a "baby." (I digress a little but only to show the relevance of Weiseth's work.)
It is situations like those--and so many more--that call for stories. That urge us to know people for who they are not what we think they are or should be. Weiseth calls us to ask questions, to listen, and to tell our stories in an exchange of humanity. She writes,
One of my favorite features of the book is the reprinted blog posts at the end of each chapter illustrating how a specific story changes the way we see a particular issue or stereotype. I love that Weiseth shared her book space with other writers to add another layer to the work.
And though she has written a book and lives in Salt Lake City as part of a church plant, Weiseth is also a mother to two young children and immersed in the daily routines of life and family. She insists that our lives don't have to look like a Hollywood movie to matter.
Not a book just for those who communicate for a living but one for anyone striving to live a life that brings more of the Kingdom of God to earth. Our stories, our journeys, our trials and triumphs, matter. And, as Weiseth says, they can be the catalyst for change in someone else's life.
Speak: How Your Story Can Change the World is a sometimes-gentle, sometimes not, kick in the pants for everyone, not just writers or storytellers or speakers, to tell our stories. And it is equal parts inspiring and convicting. (Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from Zondervan through the Booklook Bloggers program.)
The author, Nish Weiseth, is the founder of one of my favorite blog spaces, A Deeper Story, and though I haven't read a lot of her work, in particular, I love the mission of the site and the stories shared there. So, I'm pleased to discover I love Weiseth's writing as well.
And her message--that stories are more powerful than all the labeling and stereotyping and arguing policy that goes on--is timely. Over the two days that I read the book, I watched online arguments erupt and devolve into hatred among strangers over stories about a group of Muslims using a community room at a local rec center for a religious observation and about whether a 37-weeks-gestation body found in a garbage can should be called a "fetus" or a "baby." (I digress a little but only to show the relevance of Weiseth's work.)
It is situations like those--and so many more--that call for stories. That urge us to know people for who they are not what we think they are or should be. Weiseth calls us to ask questions, to listen, and to tell our stories in an exchange of humanity. She writes,
This book is a call to do just that-- to change the game by telling the stories of our lives with courage, honesty, and integrity. It's a call to acknowledge that each of our stories is a small piece of the greatest story--God's continual work and transforming power in our lives. (24)
One of my favorite features of the book is the reprinted blog posts at the end of each chapter illustrating how a specific story changes the way we see a particular issue or stereotype. I love that Weiseth shared her book space with other writers to add another layer to the work.
And though she has written a book and lives in Salt Lake City as part of a church plant, Weiseth is also a mother to two young children and immersed in the daily routines of life and family. She insists that our lives don't have to look like a Hollywood movie to matter.
Most people are living life by daily fulfilling the obligations set before them. ... And though you may be living what seems like an ordinary life, faithfully doing what God has placed in front of you to do means you are actually living an extraordinary story. (183)
Not a book just for those who communicate for a living but one for anyone striving to live a life that brings more of the Kingdom of God to earth. Our stories, our journeys, our trials and triumphs, matter. And, as Weiseth says, they can be the catalyst for change in someone else's life.
kess_reads's review against another edition
3.0
The book was well laid out and had great meaning. The lessons you can learn from it are truly good messages, but it was hard for me to one hundred percent connect with the lessons coming from someone very different than myself. I guess that's the whole point of the book though! ha!
I also didn't like all the blog posts inside the book. Felt kind of like a rip off. I could have really learned the same things from going to the blog instead of getting the book. Almost like a way to make money from things already out there. So I didn't like that.
I also didn't like all the blog posts inside the book. Felt kind of like a rip off. I could have really learned the same things from going to the blog instead of getting the book. Almost like a way to make money from things already out there. So I didn't like that.
juneofthemoon's review against another edition
5.0
[I am a BookLook Blogger and received this book free for an honest review.]
Nish is a blogger who I've enjoyed following for the past few years. She is a Christian who openly discusses her struggles with the church and her faith. She is a wise woman with a sharp wit who also has no problem with the occasional expletive. Basically, she's the kind of woman you want to go grab a beer with and discuss life in all its messy detail. [If you haven't read her before I HIGHLY recommend taking a peek at her blog]
When the book arrived in the mail the paperback was deceptively small in size. What is lacks in physical weight, it more than makes up for in intellectual and spiritual weight. In eight chapters Nish uses her own stories and the stories of others to highlight how seemingly small, unextraordinary personal stories can bring about larger change in our world. She also writes about the importance of listening to the stories of others, how much better we can help each other if we only take the time to really listen.
I really don't think I can do justice in a blog review how much of a gift this book was for me. It was like a kick in the pants, in the best way. I have spent a lot of time talking about talking about my story over the past few years, but little time actually talking about my story. Or even properly writing about it. My heart is literally bursting with things I have not yet fully expressed for reason of feeling overwhelmed at the task. Speak helped me see that sharing in everyday conversation with those in your life or listening to the story of someone you just met are also ways of doing that. You don't need to be a best-selling author for your story to be heard and make a difference in the world. You can just be you.
This is a Christian book written by a Christian blogger. There is scripture scattered throughout each chapter. Regardless of your faith, this book is a must-read for anyone who questions the importance of their story. Nish is truly an inspiration, whether you are a Christian or not. She not only talks the talk, but she walks the walk. She went to Ferguson, MO with the express mission to listen and tell the stories if asked [see more on her Twitter feed].
"We have the power to use our own stories and lives to build bridges across the divisive gaps in our cultures. It just takes a soft, knowing nudge on the arm as we first ask, "What do you think?"" Listen. Speak. Then listen some more. We can make this world a better place, one story at a time.
Nish is a blogger who I've enjoyed following for the past few years. She is a Christian who openly discusses her struggles with the church and her faith. She is a wise woman with a sharp wit who also has no problem with the occasional expletive. Basically, she's the kind of woman you want to go grab a beer with and discuss life in all its messy detail. [If you haven't read her before I HIGHLY recommend taking a peek at her blog]
When the book arrived in the mail the paperback was deceptively small in size. What is lacks in physical weight, it more than makes up for in intellectual and spiritual weight. In eight chapters Nish uses her own stories and the stories of others to highlight how seemingly small, unextraordinary personal stories can bring about larger change in our world. She also writes about the importance of listening to the stories of others, how much better we can help each other if we only take the time to really listen.
I really don't think I can do justice in a blog review how much of a gift this book was for me. It was like a kick in the pants, in the best way. I have spent a lot of time talking about talking about my story over the past few years, but little time actually talking about my story. Or even properly writing about it. My heart is literally bursting with things I have not yet fully expressed for reason of feeling overwhelmed at the task. Speak helped me see that sharing in everyday conversation with those in your life or listening to the story of someone you just met are also ways of doing that. You don't need to be a best-selling author for your story to be heard and make a difference in the world. You can just be you.
This is a Christian book written by a Christian blogger. There is scripture scattered throughout each chapter. Regardless of your faith, this book is a must-read for anyone who questions the importance of their story. Nish is truly an inspiration, whether you are a Christian or not. She not only talks the talk, but she walks the walk. She went to Ferguson, MO with the express mission to listen and tell the stories if asked [see more on her Twitter feed].
"We have the power to use our own stories and lives to build bridges across the divisive gaps in our cultures. It just takes a soft, knowing nudge on the arm as we first ask, "What do you think?"" Listen. Speak. Then listen some more. We can make this world a better place, one story at a time.
alltheradreads's review against another edition
3.0
I am such a huge fan of Nish (one of the best people I follow on Twitter— do the same if you aren’t already!) and can’t believe I’ve waited so long to read her book. I’m such a fan of sharing stories and being brave with my own, and loved her thoughts in this one about how our stories can change the world, truly. The inclusion of snippets of so many women’s stories as they had been shared on the site she runs was awesome, and I especially loved seeing some of the comments that had been left on those posts originally. Such a good reminder that our transparency and vulnerability are gifts to those around us and to ourselves.
psmith1393's review against another edition
4.0
"...no matter how mundane, you're already living a great story that the world around you needs to hear...The story of how God is transforming you is how God's kingdom breaks in on earth today."
I loved this book! Everyone's story matters! Stories connect us and help us develop empathy for one another. I want to tell my story and I want to hear yours!
I loved this book! Everyone's story matters! Stories connect us and help us develop empathy for one another. I want to tell my story and I want to hear yours!
themisscaitlin's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a couple chapters to get into this book, but after I did I loved it! It really opened my eyes to how people respond so much better to personal stories. I definitely recommend for anyone who blogs or writes.