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kendranicole28's review
4.75
In a life marked by seemingly insurmountable and unsurvivable waves, it’s easy to lose our way. In this powerful, genre-bending book, Ann Voskamp offers a roadmap for Christian sojourners as we make our way back to God and surrender to His guidance and provision. Through the most intimate stories—beginning with an unconsummated honeymoon and journeying through decades of steadfast but difficult marriage, a gut-wrenching adoption story, and Ann’s experience with heartbreak and literal heart failure—and with writing that is more poetry than prose, Ann walks the path along with her fellow wayfarers as we lean into the headwinds of our faith, trusting in the truths of Scripture and the sovereignty of our Savior.
I can hardly give words to the masterpiece that is WayMaker. Though some of the narrative arc is buried beneath too many layers of imagery and metaphor (not unlike Beth Moore’s memoir, which I listened to just before this), I was captivated by Ann’s incredible stories, inspired by her faithfulness, and fascinated by the parallels she draws between her own (vulnerably detailed) marriage and adoption experience and our walk with the Lord. Ann’s life is ribboned with remarkable opportunities for the author to utilize the wayfarer’s compass for a SACRED way of life (Stillness to know God; Attentiveness to hear God; Cruciformity to surrender to God; Revelation to see God; Examine to return to God; and Doxology to thank God).
The stories and emotions Ann shares are heartfelt and intensely vulnerable, yet the tone is not one of oversharing. The narration is tasteful, honoring the intimacy of Ann’s personal relationships while also offering a gift to readers who crave companionship and camaraderie in our own hard journeys. Every story is an arrow pointing back to our WayMaker, an invitation to seek Him.
While I wish I had read this in print or Kindle so I could highlight and savor the countless noteworthy passages (about expectations and hopelessness, fear and despair, and suffering, and miracles, and rebirth), I so enjoyed Ann’s beautiful narration of her audiobook. Her soothing, lyrical voice and emotional reading made this a truly sacred reading/listening experience.
My Rating: 4.75 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook
I can hardly give words to the masterpiece that is WayMaker. Though some of the narrative arc is buried beneath too many layers of imagery and metaphor (not unlike Beth Moore’s memoir, which I listened to just before this), I was captivated by Ann’s incredible stories, inspired by her faithfulness, and fascinated by the parallels she draws between her own (vulnerably detailed) marriage and adoption experience and our walk with the Lord. Ann’s life is ribboned with remarkable opportunities for the author to utilize the wayfarer’s compass for a SACRED way of life (Stillness to know God; Attentiveness to hear God; Cruciformity to surrender to God; Revelation to see God; Examine to return to God; and Doxology to thank God).
The stories and emotions Ann shares are heartfelt and intensely vulnerable, yet the tone is not one of oversharing. The narration is tasteful, honoring the intimacy of Ann’s personal relationships while also offering a gift to readers who crave companionship and camaraderie in our own hard journeys. Every story is an arrow pointing back to our WayMaker, an invitation to seek Him.
While I wish I had read this in print or Kindle so I could highlight and savor the countless noteworthy passages (about expectations and hopelessness, fear and despair, and suffering, and miracles, and rebirth), I so enjoyed Ann’s beautiful narration of her audiobook. Her soothing, lyrical voice and emotional reading made this a truly sacred reading/listening experience.
My Rating: 4.75 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook
covergirlbooks's review
This book is a lot. I love Ann's poetic style of writing, and the way she looks at the world.
In this book she shares about the connections in her life that continued to develop her trust in God as her WayMaker. She starts with a disappointing honeymoon, and then winds her way to the adoption of their little daughter, Shiloh, and her personal health struggles.
I'd advise reading this book in bites, rather than sipping it down quickly. There are soooo many good truths in here, but it can be overwhelming, and even frustrating, if you just want to learn what happened next in the story. It took me a good while to get through, and page flags notwithstanding, I would say I could have read it even more slowly.
In this book she shares about the connections in her life that continued to develop her trust in God as her WayMaker. She starts with a disappointing honeymoon, and then winds her way to the adoption of their little daughter, Shiloh, and her personal health struggles.
I'd advise reading this book in bites, rather than sipping it down quickly. There are soooo many good truths in here, but it can be overwhelming, and even frustrating, if you just want to learn what happened next in the story. It took me a good while to get through, and page flags notwithstanding, I would say I could have read it even more slowly.
kenziereads11's review
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This is honestly one of the most thought provoking and emotionally safe books I have ever read. It had everything I needed to hear right there! Definite must read!
Content Warnings
Minor: Medical trauma
justovereherereading's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.5
It took me a while to get used to Ann’s writing style, it’s very poetic and reflective, which once you get used to it is beautiful and heartwarming.
The themes of walking through suffering, have been perfect for me at this time and have spoken to my soul though a tough time in life. I’ve cried and laughed in agreement as I’ve read.
I love the way Ann weaves revelatory truth through her memoirs and life experiences, it makes for a beautifully authentic book full of God’s truth and loving kindness.
The themes of walking through suffering, have been perfect for me at this time and have spoken to my soul though a tough time in life. I’ve cried and laughed in agreement as I’ve read.
I love the way Ann weaves revelatory truth through her memoirs and life experiences, it makes for a beautifully authentic book full of God’s truth and loving kindness.
eowyn_zoe's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Addiction, and Medical content
Minor: Pregnancy, Child death, and Suicide attempt
readheadedreader's review
5.0
Truly the right book at the right time. A beautiful reminder of how God calls his children into the dessert not to leave them for dead, but to show them just how marvelous he is and to draw them close as a tender father who loves his broken and scarred children always.