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A review by kricketa
Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way by Shauna Niequist
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.