The Sacred Slow by Alicia Britt Chole

I am truly enjoying The Sacred Slow so far.  I find myself rushing so much in life, even in my spiritual life.  This is the type of book I needed.  I really like how the book is broken up into 52 experiences.  Even though the sections are not long, I have found myself digging deep into each one and taking my time in it.  The exercises at the end of the sections are very thought provoking.  I plan on using this book as a devotional throughout next year doing one section a week.

I would highly recommend this book for anything that needs to step back, slow down, and really develop a deep intimate relationship with God. 

For full disclosure, I did receive a copy of the book from Handlebar Marketing in exchange for my honest review.  

Frederick Buechner's The Remarkable Ordinary and A Crazy, Holy Grace

A lot of time when reading a book, I think the author is conversational.  I have been completely wrong until now.  Frederick Buechner truly feels like he is talking directly to you.  I felt like a close friend was talking to me while reading the two books I received.  First The Remarkable Ordinary:  How to Stop, Look, and Listen to Life.  Being married to a music professor and a musician myself, I loved the focus of the arts in the first half of the book as a way to slow down and look at life.  It reminded me to pay attention to little things.  His personal stories later in the book will bring a tear to your eye. 

My only complaint is I felt like I had to go back and read some passages again to understand them.  Almost as if he were rambling.  But I did enjoy the book immensely. 

I also received A Crazy, Holy Grace:   The Healing Power of Pain and Memory for review.  I feel like I took a lot more away from this book than the first.  The writing does not seem to ramble as I felt it did in The Remarkable Ordinary.  What struck me most from this book is hearing how his mother dealt with pain and loss.  That was a slap in my face because I am the same way.  I tend to shut everything out and try to forget it happened.  This book helped me look at pain in a different light, and I hope to deal with it in a more healthy way.   

For full disclosure, I received both books from Handlebar Marketing in exchange for my honest review.