brendaclay's review
5.0
This book is a collection of essays about, appropriately, celebrating both the bitter and the sweet in life. It took me a while to finish, because it's very insightful and was an emotional experience for me. I typed out three pages of quotes that I had highlighted. I recommend it to everyone. Period.
stepanana's review against another edition
5.0
Love this book. Felt like I could've written half of it out of my own life. Love the honesty and words of wisdom. Great insight to love and life and God.
maynovalis's review against another edition
4.0
The author writes with passion and honesty, with richness and truth - drawing on lessons learned the hard and beautiful way. I related to her in so many levels even if the details of our lives were different. I didn't always agree with her thoughts, but this is not the typical kind of book I read, so I found it helpful to add this kind of balance. Life is both joy and sorrow - when we walk through seasons of sorrow, Christ is our comforter in a thousand ways. And that's what He is when we are celebrating too- we just understand His comfort acutely when we feel our desperation for it with more accuracy. Our stories are not just about us and our stories should be told in order to reflect the bigger story of the gospel. Good read indeed.
kricketa's review against another edition
2.0
I received this as a gift about 10 years ago and since I'm trying to stop hoarding unread books, decided to pick it up. To be honest I had no idea who Shauna Niequist is or about her previous connection to a church I really really disliked when I lived in Grand Rapids. (Mars *shudder* Hill.) When I discovered this, I considered not reading but it's been a hard year and I have been in desperate need of grace. The book was real hit or miss for me, ultimately best read a chapter at a time to keep from getting overwhelmed by all of her friends' names. Some of the chapters provoked thought in me, like the one that listed these journal prompts:
-Am I proud of the life I'm living?
-What have I tried this month?
-What have I learned (about God) this year? (parentheses mine)
-Do the people I'm spending time with give me life, or make me feel small?
-Is there any brokenness in my life that's keeping me from moving forward?
Chapters like "Steak frites" and "Phoenix" had something to say, and said it well. I enjoyed those.
And then there were chapters that said nothing at all. For example the one that is basically "we had a really nice time in San Juan!!!!!!!" Or the one that is basically "I like food!!!! Here is a list of foods I have eaten at my dining room table!!!!!!"
And finally, the chapter called "Princess Free Zone" which was so uninformed it pushed this review down to two stars. Is the problem really about women "batting their eyelashes and playing dumb"in order to get things done? Why not focus on the actual problem, which is men who won't listen to women unless they look a certain way or act in way that won't threaten their masculinity? Since she lives in a religious atmosphere similar to the one I was raised in, I'm not surprised by this, but I would hope that a person raising sons has been enlightened since the publication of this book.
-Am I proud of the life I'm living?
-What have I tried this month?
-What have I learned (about God) this year? (parentheses mine)
-Do the people I'm spending time with give me life, or make me feel small?
-Is there any brokenness in my life that's keeping me from moving forward?
Chapters like "Steak frites" and "Phoenix" had something to say, and said it well. I enjoyed those.
And then there were chapters that said nothing at all. For example the one that is basically "we had a really nice time in San Juan!!!!!!!" Or the one that is basically "I like food!!!! Here is a list of foods I have eaten at my dining room table!!!!!!"
And finally, the chapter called "Princess Free Zone" which was so uninformed it pushed this review down to two stars. Is the problem really about women "batting their eyelashes and playing dumb"in order to get things done? Why not focus on the actual problem, which is men who won't listen to women unless they look a certain way or act in way that won't threaten their masculinity? Since she lives in a religious atmosphere similar to the one I was raised in, I'm not surprised by this, but I would hope that a person raising sons has been enlightened since the publication of this book.
mjsteimle's review against another edition
4.0
While Bread & Wine was cozy and comfortable, this book was uncomfortable at times because it forced me to consider the areas of my life that are bittersweet, or even just bitter because the sweet part hasn't rolled around yet. That being said, I'm glad I read this book. Reading Niequist makes me want to sit down and write, to record the details and then come back to tease the meaning out of everyday life.
ashleyjean6's review
3.0
There are really good nuggets to be found in this book. Definitely can recognize pieces of Bread and Wine. But overall I didn't love it. Maybe because I'm not in the right season to hear it or need it. Maybe because the author has a personality quite different from mine so things really didn't resonate well with me. It felt disjointed and scattered and a bit repetitive. Sometimes I found it immature. Not a reread, and not nearly as amazing as Bread and Wine.
need_to_read's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
5.0
stashac13's review against another edition
5.0
Another refreshingly honest collection of stories from Shauna's repertoire. Her use of words and storytelling has a uniquely accurate way of encapsulating the beautiful mess we live in. It is a special feeling to see the world through another's eyes and to know that our thoughts and feelings are simply part of a universal truth. We are never alone and we are never the exception.
jasmyn9's review against another edition
3.0
Bittersweet was a mix between like and repetitive for me. While I appreciated and quite often really enjoyed the author's outlook and words of wisdom, there didn't seem to be enough new ones to completely fill the book. The book also has a very heavy religious tone to it. I knew going in that it had some, but it was a little too much for my taste.
Also, the food. Detailing every meal she ever had, how it was prepared, and if people liked it or not was too much. I'll be honest, I stopped reading those parts and just skipped right over them with a mental "And then they ate."
I did enjoy her stories about life, and the way she pointed out that bad things do happen to everyone. It's how people react and allow those bad times to shape the rest of their lives that can make or break a person. Learning to enjoy the good moments in the busy lives most of seem to live is a lesson I need to learn sometimes. Her stories of the simple things that stayed with her helped me remember some from my life, and it was very refreshing.
Also, the food. Detailing every meal she ever had, how it was prepared, and if people liked it or not was too much. I'll be honest, I stopped reading those parts and just skipped right over them with a mental "And then they ate."
I did enjoy her stories about life, and the way she pointed out that bad things do happen to everyone. It's how people react and allow those bad times to shape the rest of their lives that can make or break a person. Learning to enjoy the good moments in the busy lives most of seem to live is a lesson I need to learn sometimes. Her stories of the simple things that stayed with her helped me remember some from my life, and it was very refreshing.