A Bounty of Books

 When We Were on Fire: A Memoir of Consuming Faith, Tangled Love, and Starting Over by Addie Zierman could be the story of the life of any number of Millennials one would meet on the street. While the story is a common one, the intensely personal and eloquent way it is communicated sets it apart as something special. Mrs. Zierman shares her journey from a 14 year old "Super Christian" to a thirty something recovering cynic, struggling to consistently engage the Evangelical culture she has alternately embraced and rejected.

I found several parts of Mrs. Zierman's journey that resonated with me. While our paths have not been exactly the same, we were a part of the same culture at around the same time, and the imprints it left on our life are similar. I applaud the brutal honesty with which Zierman shares her journey. I appreciate that she didn't try to tie anything in a nice neat bow or whitewash the ugly parts of her story. She understands the complexity of life in all of its ups and downs. Her retelling of her story is powerful because of that complexity.

When We Were on Fire comes with an author's note, a discussion guide, and an interview with the author. This book would be excellent to read individually or as a small group. While it's told from a distinctly female perspective, Zierman's story carries meaning for both men and women. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys personal narratives, is struggling with Evangelical Christian culture, or anyone open to the subject of faith and it how can shape one's life.

I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers as part of their Blogging for Books book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255