Donald Miller and his book Blue Like Jazz - a Hup and Steph favorite

Posted By Hup | April 23, 2009

I haven’t really done a whole lot of book reviews here on here and that’s mainly because I almost never finish a book all the way through. I’m not sure if that’s because it’s hard for me to focus for extended periods of time or if I’m just not reading the right books, but the fact of the matter is I just don’t enjoy reading books that often.

But, I must say that Stephanie has helped me find a couple of books that I have somehow read through like I was going to win a lifetime supply of fat-free Fig Newtons once I finished them. This is pretty incredible once you realize that there are only two places that I ever read books: in the bathroom and in bed before I go to sleep. So, the fact that I burn so fast through these books that Stephanie gives me must mean that I really like them (or that I go to the bathroom way too much?).

One of these books that I am currently enjoying reading through is Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz, which he calls “Nonreligious thoughts on Christian spirituality”, which might sound a little odd, but begins to make much more sense once you start reading it. You see, Donald Miller is a full-fledged Christian, but has had an amazing journey when it came to how he eventually became one that he felt was worthy of what God and Jesus Christ have to offer. He’s an amazing storyteller and in this book he is very open about his thoughts on what having a relationship with God actually means, his questions that he’s had along the way and how interacting with non-Christians has made him discover ways to become an even better Christian himself. It’s really an amazing book and although I’m not completely finished with it yet it’s not going to take me much longer at the rate that I’m going. Stephanie is reading it for like the 10th time if that tells you anything.

So, I guess that what I’m saying is if you have ever questioned what being a Christian actually means and whether or not it’s something for you, this book would be a great way to answer some of those questions without feeling too overwhelmed. Just like Donald Miller says in his book, God is doing work in everyone’s heart but he’s definitely working harder on certain people and as a Christian you can practically feel it when talking to them. Is God trying to do work in your heart? If He is, take $10 and go buy Blue Like Jazz over on Amazon and give it a quick read. Or, if you don’t have $10, just let me know and I’ll send you a copy myself. For real.

One other thing — if you enjoy Blue Like Jazz, the next one that you need to ready is another one of Donald’s books Through Painted Deserts (which Stephanie mentions in this post). It’s an awesome read as well.

Filed Under random thoughts, you gotta have faith

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    4 Talkies! to “Donald Miller and his book Blue Like Jazz - a Hup and Steph favorite”

    1. swell on April 23rd, 2009 9:42 am

      it’s always disturbed me that people do so much reading in the bathroom. i seem so singularly alone in the fact that i’d rather concentrate on the business at hand then spend any additional time with my bare ass exposed than is necessary.

    2. Brad on May 7th, 2009 7:08 pm

      Read it and loved it. Coming from a more conservative side, this book really opened up my eyes to really what it’s all about.

    3. lindsay on May 7th, 2009 7:08 pm

      if you love blue like jazz, you may also appreciate these two by rob bell (2 of my all time favorites):

      velvet elvis:
      http://books.google.com/books?id=kiPBZZd1e5sC&dq=Rob+Bell&printsec=frontcover&source=an&hl=en&ei=6JMDSvKTBZDksgOS-NXtAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4

      Sex God:
      http://books.google.com/books?id=PJ6tRjP2hWAC&dq=Rob+Bell&printsec=frontcover&source=an&hl=en&ei=6JMDSvKTBZDksgOS-NXtAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5

    4. Alex on July 3rd, 2009 2:34 pm

      Blue Like Jazz has quickly become my favorite book ever!! It is refreshing. It’s one of those books that really speaks to your soul. It’s warming and honest and it speaks of real truth. I keep reading it over and over because I feel like this book has the power to really speak to me about something true. Donald Miller is an amazing writer. His writing style flows with life and the words on the page seem real, not like just a bunch of text on a page. The book is full of wonder. I’m looking forward to reading more of Donald Miller in the future (as in whenever I come across some money LOL). Through Painted Deserts is one of the next books on my list. :)

      Godspeed

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