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beyondevak's review
5.0
I must confess that I sought this book out for many reasons. One reason that I wanted to read it was because I wanted to understand the concept of what having a healthy, spiritually-enriching community of support and encouragement was all about. The second reason was because I wanted to appreciate the lesson of finding an intentional, vulnerable, and consistent community. The third reason was because I wanted to see if it was possible, in this age of transparent secrecy and feigned openness, to really and truly have a trusting relationship with others in the faith community. Finally, I wanted to read this book because the title, quite simply, drew me in. I am glad that I decided to get this book.
Lean on Me by Anne Marie Miller was not a "pretty words" kind of book and yet it was a work of beauty. It was raw and honest. It was real and heartbreaking. It was a help and an encouragement.
Although many may say that they cannot relate to Miller's experiences, I genuinely believe that there is a message in this book for everyone. I believe that there are many rich lessons that can prove to be inspiring.
A complimentary copy of this title was made available by the publisher.
Lean on Me by Anne Marie Miller was not a "pretty words" kind of book and yet it was a work of beauty. It was raw and honest. It was real and heartbreaking. It was a help and an encouragement.
Although many may say that they cannot relate to Miller's experiences, I genuinely believe that there is a message in this book for everyone. I believe that there are many rich lessons that can prove to be inspiring.
A complimentary copy of this title was made available by the publisher.
ioanaisreading's review
4.0
What I really loved about this book - Lean on me - is the lack of "how-to". It is a memoir in which the author speaks pretty openly about aspects relevant to the topic, which I admired. I knew some things about the author, Anne Marie Miller, and the things she went through, but this was a bit more detailed and it was useful in creating the context, and understanding why community and close relationships are that important.
I personally don't think this is a book that brings a revolutionary aspect to the "why do we need community" question. However, I think it helps the reader understand one person's point of view coming from a personal experience.
The way in which the author approached her situation, where she realised that something has got to change, and this all led to her moving across the country a few times.. yeah, I want that. But what this made me realise is that roots are not always physical. I appreciated her openness towards the group of mentors that were to guide her. Also, her willingness to guard herself from the "bad" community AKA those who wouldn't necessarily help her grow - to be appreciated.
This is probably not a nice thing to say, especially as a Christian, but I appreciated her not throwing a bunch of Bible verses into the book. I know them all. This is not the first book on community that I've read. I know the verses. I liked the effect of the Bible passages in her life better, to tell you the truth. I believe those were a major fact in her coming out of that dark period.
Probably more that this being a book on community and its importance, it is a book on how community actually helps ones brokenness and the feeling of lost that inevitably are to appear in everyone's life, even for the briefest of moments.
I knew I liked this book when after I started it, I didn't dread going back to the "community book". That's not my favourite topic, but this was not the point with this book. I was actually eager to read more. It must be the memoir aspect of the book. If I sound like a curious lady, I am afraid I don't know how to defend myself.
All in all, I appreciated the honesty (the vodka and Coke moment? pretty honest) and the willingness to write about it. I also liked the style. I've previously read one of Miller's books, Permission to Speak Freely, and I also enjoyed that. She has a poetic kind of writing which draws the reader into the book, but this is probably something not everyone enjoys.
It's a good book and it's worth the time and money.
I was offered a free copy of this book by Thomas Nelson--W Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion of the book. All thoughts expressed here are my own.
I personally don't think this is a book that brings a revolutionary aspect to the "why do we need community" question. However, I think it helps the reader understand one person's point of view coming from a personal experience.
The way in which the author approached her situation, where she realised that something has got to change, and this all led to her moving across the country a few times.. yeah, I want that. But what this made me realise is that roots are not always physical. I appreciated her openness towards the group of mentors that were to guide her. Also, her willingness to guard herself from the "bad" community AKA those who wouldn't necessarily help her grow - to be appreciated.
This is probably not a nice thing to say, especially as a Christian, but I appreciated her not throwing a bunch of Bible verses into the book. I know them all. This is not the first book on community that I've read. I know the verses. I liked the effect of the Bible passages in her life better, to tell you the truth. I believe those were a major fact in her coming out of that dark period.
Probably more that this being a book on community and its importance, it is a book on how community actually helps ones brokenness and the feeling of lost that inevitably are to appear in everyone's life, even for the briefest of moments.
I knew I liked this book when after I started it, I didn't dread going back to the "community book". That's not my favourite topic, but this was not the point with this book. I was actually eager to read more. It must be the memoir aspect of the book. If I sound like a curious lady, I am afraid I don't know how to defend myself.
All in all, I appreciated the honesty (the vodka and Coke moment? pretty honest) and the willingness to write about it. I also liked the style. I've previously read one of Miller's books, Permission to Speak Freely, and I also enjoyed that. She has a poetic kind of writing which draws the reader into the book, but this is probably something not everyone enjoys.
It's a good book and it's worth the time and money.
I was offered a free copy of this book by Thomas Nelson--W Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion of the book. All thoughts expressed here are my own.
karibaumann's review
2.0
She seems very nice and I am sure this book was therapeutic for her to write but it didn't speak to me at all.
amesjo's review
3.0
I felt like this book couldn't really decide what it wanted to be/do.
It started off with me thinking it was going to be a self help book, but then it sort of fizzled out and became more of a memoir, followed up in the end by follow up questions/reflections.
It went through the author's journey through her divorce and how she dealt by creating a group of people around her to hold her accountable. I feel like a lot of details were left out, so where I wanted to relate to her, I found myself not being able to.
It started off with me thinking it was going to be a self help book, but then it sort of fizzled out and became more of a memoir, followed up in the end by follow up questions/reflections.
It went through the author's journey through her divorce and how she dealt by creating a group of people around her to hold her accountable. I feel like a lot of details were left out, so where I wanted to relate to her, I found myself not being able to.
ecooley115's review
3.0
Not at all what the title says
I am very interested in reading and writing about true community right now, so judging by the title of this book, I believed it would be pertinent on that topic. Except it's not. At all. This is her divorce story. That's it. It would be good for someone going through a divorce, but not good at all for someone interested in reading about true community.
I am very interested in reading and writing about true community right now, so judging by the title of this book, I believed it would be pertinent on that topic. Except it's not. At all. This is her divorce story. That's it. It would be good for someone going through a divorce, but not good at all for someone interested in reading about true community.
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