Blue... like jazz?

Did you ever have someone recommend a book to you? I get that often. In fact, usually, when someone says, "You gotta read (insert book title here)," I usually tune them out. I have enough books to read. My bookshelves are one big guilt trip for me. I buy books and then I do not read them. If someone looked at my shelf, they might think I am an avid reader. I guess I am becoming one of those. But a closer look at the truth would tell them that I am much more of an avid "book buyer" than I am a reader. So I have a stack of 10-15 books on my desk that I "want to get reading..." And then I have shelves of other books that I plan to read someday. Some of those books are books that I've started reading, get 50 pages in, and then put aside...

So, about a month ago, Dave Gannon recommended Blue Like Jazz. A few days later, I saw it reviewed on a friend's website. Two other people asked me if I'd read it, and I see a chapter from it inserted into my favorite magazine. Think it might be time to pick up a copy?

Well, I just finished reading Blue Like Jazz, and I really liked it. Donald Miller writes as if he's talking directly to you, sharing what the subtitle calls, "nonreligious thoughts on Christian spirituality." That's exactly what you'll get. It's like you're getting inside a real person's mind, hearing their doubts, fears, and questions about life.

He has some great chapters about life, faith, community, love, and the church. Here's a guy who attended one of the toughest universities in the country, and I think he did it simply to connect with people and make friends. One chapter talks about how he and his friends set up a confessional booth in the middle of campus for students to come and confess their sins.

The twist came, however, as each student came to the confessional. Instead of confessing their own sins, they listened to the author or one of his friends confessing the sins of the church. How Christianity has judged people instead of loving them. How Christianity has had people fighting themselves instead of loving the world. How Christianity has not done a good job of showing the love of Christ to our country.

Overall, this was a very honest, personal look at one man's struggle with the Christian faith, and how he came to know a deeper love for Jesus while rejecting the bad things he has seen in Christianity. Miller was witty, honest, real, and at times laugh-out-loud funny. His self-deprecating humor makes the book memorable and enjoyable.

I don't say this about too many books, but I think this one deserves a second read. I'm not saying it's the "best book ever" - as I tend to say after seeing movies I like. But I am saying it's well worth your time, it's a quick read, and I'm really glad I read it!