booktalkwithkarla's reviews
1338 reviews

I participated in an online training Cathy Loerzel co-led and know of Dan Allender by reputation, so when I heard about their book together I was intrigued. The premise of this book as described on the flap copy also resonated with me. And I wasn’t disappointed. 

Loerzel and Allender write different sections of the book and it’s always clear who is writing. Stories and personal illustrations are interspersed with scripture and secular writings and psychology.  Our core traumas and other experiences lead us to be widows, orphans, and strangers. These archetypes are not the end of the story. With faith and community we can be on the path to grow into roles of priest, prophet, and king/queen. 

Monthly, I met with others at my church to slowly and carefully read this book and discuss. That experience was rich and rewarding - to hear their stories and perspectives and to affirm ways we are living out these roles. It was a great way to absorb the content and to grow in deeper connection with them. We all know something is not right in the world and we are trying to get back to Eden. Looking to our past to move to the future - in community and truth - is redeeming heartache. This isn’t a how-to book but will orient your heart to pursue your calling as priest, prophet, and/or king/queen.

During COVID I discovered Zibby Owen’s book podcast and Instagram where she shares many interesting things. I have enjoyed much of her work and was excited to read her memoir, preordering it. Somehow other books kept me distracted until this week when I started it at bedtime and then made myself put it down at page 90 so I could sleep. The next day I begrudgingly did what needed to be done, reading in all the spare moments. 

I found her story to be - interesting and emotional, sad and happy - a real page turner. Her writing is clear and engaging. I read a paperback version yet felt like she was telling me the story in person. The specifics of my life look very dissimilar to her life, yet we share a devotion to people and books. It’s fun to read about life in the city and experiences I will never have. It’s awesome to see generosity and service in action. And I respect her ability to live a public life and protect the privacy of her children. I like Zibby and I love this memoir. 

The books and Zibby’s personal reading as she experienced life are an incredible bonus to this reader. Plus what a gift to provide a complete book list at the end. Only a reader would be so kind. Thank you Zibby. Keep being real and sharing your essays and writing.

This short story by Cheryl Strayed caught my attention because of the title. It’s great and inviting. In the story Strayed talks about her relationship with her mother in law - from meeting her in “you guessed it” a bar to saying goodbye at the end of her life, plus much of the in-between. I found her writing moving and descriptive of complicated relationships and how we see people - our differences and what we share in common. This was a quick and enjoyable read. I’m glad it came to me. 

In Braving the Wilderness Brené Brown gives us research and stories about true belonging and courage. These are great topics anytime but especially in these times of intense polarization. 

Brown’s writing style in this book seems like a transcript of her speaking (including cursing). At first it caught me off guard but seems on brand and appropriate for the topic. I trust her research and like her style. 

Many of the lessons included were powerful and Brown gives easy phrases that offer clear action steps. She provides stories from celebrities and her own life. I wept reading about the experiences of collective joy and pain. This is the book for Brown fans and anyone looking for ideas to deepen connection in families and communities. 

Powerful to help continue conversation about faith, choices and grace.  Grateful for this resource.

This very original novel of letters is an imagined friendship based on the lives of Flannery O’Connor and Robert Lowell. Carlene Bauer’s intelligence, research, imagination, and insight shines brightly in every word and letter. Themes of friendship, family, culture, loyalty, identity, calling, love, and more run through the pages. As much as what is said between Frances and Bernard matters, so much is revealed by their letters to their friends. Thanks to Annie B Jones of the Bookshelf Thomasville for the recommendation. I deeply enjoyed reading this epistolary novel.

This is a well written book that I probably should not have picked up or continued reading. Turns out it wasn’t for me. A few public readers and podcast hosts whose taste I like said they really liked it so I bought it. As this group of Unitarian Universalists search for a new leader at their church we are along for the ride and quickly realize that the committee members each have their own personal searches.

Early on it is made very clear (several times) that this is not a Christian church, like I expected from the descriptions I heard. “But I keep waiting to hear, you know, about God, and Jesus, and what we’re supposed to believe in.” And later it says “We don’t push any dogma, doctrine, or creed. It’s even fine that you’re a Trinitarian.” Still, I chose to keep reading. 

Michelle Huneven is gifted at writing diverse people and each character’s dialogue and attributes were identifiable. I was never confused as to who was talking. I’ve been on a search committee and much of it was relatable. I liked the premise and the way recipes were incorporated. I didn’t like the characters disdain for Christians. I did like how the book ended. 

I think this book will be enjoyable for some but it wasn’t the right book for me. 

“You don’t realize how thirsty you are for such full attention until it comes to you. One by one, we bloomed under her gaze.”

“… in my experience, the people who join search committees are often seeking a change for themselves – the internal self is conducting its own search alongside the church’s.“

Before you start this memoir block out a chunk of time in your calendar because you will not want to put it down. Not only is her story compelling but Lara Love Hardin writes a page turner. Even at her worst I just wanted to hug her. There are so many memorable parts of this story - things that are relatable and things that are shocking. I really enjoyed this book and recommend reading and discussing the story, then talking about and listening to other’s “worst thing we’ve ever done” moments. Hardin’s humanity and empathy outshine her literary accomplishments, which are pretty amazing. Excited to discuss this at book club. 

“There is so much I didn’t see, or didn’t want to see.”

In this memoir, Eilene Zimmerman tells the story of her ex-husband Peter’s secret, one she learns of only after his death. She gives details of their courtship, marriage, careers, parenthood, and divorce. Then tells of her discoveries after his death and what she failed to see - all pointing to our stereotypes and lack of understanding about drug abuse and addiction in elite circles. 

Zimmerman delivers facts seamlessly with the narrative, traveling from present knowledge to past thoughts and experiences. It was easy to track both and helpful to have the facts shared at the relevant time. The latter half of the book focuses more on the alarming rates of addiction and drug use, plus the underlying reasons from studies and anecdotal evidence.  People abuse drugs for these top three reasons, “to manage physical pain, to manage emotional and psychiatric distress, and to manage stress.”

This book was easy to read because of great writing and difficult to read because of the tragedy of death and family pain. I had physical reactions while I read including many tears. Still, I am glad I read it.  One section that stuck out to me from the book follows. 

“Some of the professionals I interview know they have a drug problem but aren’t seeking help. Many are in recovery, and others use but feel they don’t have a problem. For the latter group, drugs are simply a hack – a shortcut – a way to be more productive, more focused, less depressed, less anxious, more chill, more social, less bored, more creative, just better, without having to go through the uncomfortable process of self examination and self reflection. Without having to, for example, get more sleep, eat healthier, meditate, spend time with family and friends, get a psychiatric evaluation and treatment. Those things take time, and time is one thing many of those in this group feel is in short supply.”

Surely we have the time.

Anthony Doerr, a prize winning author, takes us on his adventure with his twin sons and his wife, as he writes and moves through a year in Italy. He is there as a fellow, at the American Academy, writing alongside other artists pursuing independent projects. This is a beautifully written and interesting peek into the life of a new father temporarily living in a historic and fascinating city. Doerr is a talented writer, able to bring Rome alive. I felt the wind. I smelled the food. I heard the water. Doerr’s insights and advice - parenting and otherwise - inspire presence and observation.

I loved how he wove together ordinary and extraordinary events. I felt moved between the beauty of the past and present. This is a short book but one that I hope to engage with again and again. The richness of Doerr’s connections and contrasts is incredible and worthy of more attention. His love for Rome made me consider more cities I want to explore. This book offers a powerful and rich reading experience. Enjoy the journey. 

“Maybe being a new parent is like moving to a foreign country. There is a Before and an After, an Old Life and a New Life.”

“We are humbled over and over – humility hangs over our heads like a sledgehammer.”

“Not-knowing is always more thrilling than knowing. Not-knowing is where hope and art and possibility and invention come from. It is not-knowing, that old, old thing, that allows everything to be renewed.”