Do yourself a favor and listen to this on audiobook. Then do yourself a favor and if you're addicted to 1.5 speed, don't. For one thing, you won't wanDo yourself a favor and listen to this on audiobook. Then do yourself a favor and if you're addicted to 1.5 speed, don't. For one thing, you won't want to rush this. You'll want the full 8 hours 43 minutes. And for another thing, even though Rick Bragg's voice sounds perfectly normal at 1.5, since he speaks so slowly, that drawl is at least half of the charm.
Next time I'm finding myself a little anxious, I might just turn this on. It's really hard to think anything bad could happen in the world when Rick Bragg is talking about oysters or his mama's iron skillet or the "unshorn Kardasians" (aka the Duck Dynasty guys)....more
I've had this sitting on my shelf for too many years, recommended by people with great taste, and after the recent tragic death of Anthony Bourdain, pI've had this sitting on my shelf for too many years, recommended by people with great taste, and after the recent tragic death of Anthony Bourdain, picked it up this weekend. I'm only sorry it took me so long to read. I knew he was a fantastic writer, but sheesh is he a fantastic writer. I've never tasted a Bourdain dish, but if he was half as good a chef, I'm sorry I never did.
The theme of this book could be 'total depravity," but I'm so so glad I read it. I've read a few foodie memoirs in my time, but never anything like this....more
I didn't expect I could enjoy anything nearly as much as I did Penumbra, but this lived up to the hype. Just as rolicky and fun... and I literally HADI didn't expect I could enjoy anything nearly as much as I did Penumbra, but this lived up to the hype. Just as rolicky and fun... and I literally HAD to stop halfway through and make some homemade bread. Delicious!...more
She might have gotten 5 stars if she hadn't said she uses Hellman's mayonnaise. :)She might have gotten 5 stars if she hadn't said she uses Hellman's mayonnaise. :)...more
No one writes more beautifully than Shauna Niequist.
That being said, this was a book of her essays, chopped down into smaller bits for a "devotional."No one writes more beautifully than Shauna Niequist.
That being said, this was a book of her essays, chopped down into smaller bits for a "devotional." Most of this isn't new material, but her wonderful essays that appear elsewhere like Bread & Wine and Bittersweet.
Read those instead.
Firstly, because this is not really a devotional. At least not enough to suffice for a year spiritually on its own. It would be a wonderful inspirational passage to read in the afternoon as a pick-me up over tea or something, but it is milk, not meat. Delicious, sweet milk. Life-affirming and inspiring for sure. But I don't know God better after having read this. I know myself a little better. And that's ok. But a little beside the point if I'm DEVOTING myself to something. Niequist is a fan of labeling so very much "sacred" that it sort of loses its meaning (moments, crumbs, beauty, space, story, a sunset, chopping, a track star, friendship, tables). And in fact, a couple of times she dances into territory that is bordering on unbibilical. [By way of example, she states that in marriage we should "take responsibility for your own emotional and spiritual health." While there is an element of truth there, that we only depend on God for holiness, the tenor of her overall message runs contrary to the picture of marriage described in Ephesians 5, where it is clear that we are to love and sanctify and nourish the other. This, and other places, sound a bit more like pop psychology than the counter-cultural mysteries of God.]
If you have time only to read a page or so a day for a devotional, go with something with more depth and focus on the character of God, like Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest, that focuses on and expounds the Word instead of assigning a verse loosely to a topic.
If you're interested in the topics she explores of being grateful for the gifts God gives us, read some of these as well: John Piper - Desiring God Joe Rigney - The Things of Earth James K.A. Smith - Desiring the Kingdom Frederick Beuchner Robert Farrar Capon - Supper of the Lamb...more
Possibly the highest praise I can give is that I just bought a second copy to gift to a friend whose husband actually IS about to become a diplomat.
LoPossibly the highest praise I can give is that I just bought a second copy to gift to a friend whose husband actually IS about to become a diplomat.
Loved this book. So much of my love for it was how much I, as a navy wife, identified with the diplomat husband woes (loneliness; moving often; dreams of a home base; being his first priority in heart, but not always able to be in practice and presence). [I adore being a Naval officer's wife, and the adventures far outweigh the woes, so I'm definitely not complaining, but those aches are there.]
The author was also a beautiful writer, and of course, it's hard to go wrong with "French" and "eating" in the title....more
The essay "What Would Jesus Eat?" by Leslie Leyland Fields was worth the (small) price of admission alone. A small bite, but lots to chew on here (punThe essay "What Would Jesus Eat?" by Leslie Leyland Fields was worth the (small) price of admission alone. A small bite, but lots to chew on here (pun intended)....more
Absolutely fantastic story of her life in France (makes me want to travel to France and eat!), but I could have done without a lot of the political stAbsolutely fantastic story of her life in France (makes me want to travel to France and eat!), but I could have done without a lot of the political stuff... seemed unnessesary and distracting to the topic....more
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