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daniellemtd's review against another edition
5.0
"It's okay to live the unanswered questions."
Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber was a fantastic read, covering her first year at Oxford University and her conversion to Christianity. I greatly enjoyed joining Carolyn on her journey through the ups and downs of learning who Jesus is and His unconditional love for us. As a Christian woman myself and someone who grew up in a Christian home, experiencing Carolyn's conversion through her memoir helped me to grow closer to Jesus and appreciate the gift of faith my family has given me. This books is beautifully written and of course has a very happy ending.
Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber was a fantastic read, covering her first year at Oxford University and her conversion to Christianity. I greatly enjoyed joining Carolyn on her journey through the ups and downs of learning who Jesus is and His unconditional love for us. As a Christian woman myself and someone who grew up in a Christian home, experiencing Carolyn's conversion through her memoir helped me to grow closer to Jesus and appreciate the gift of faith my family has given me. This books is beautifully written and of course has a very happy ending.
steveinadelaide's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. it's a bit disjointed at times but the author uses language beautifully and describes Oxford University in ways which made be want to study there. She also shares her gradual and subtle journey from agnosticism towards Christianity. This journey sometimes includes a few cliched responses to questions that are issues for Christians but, on the whole, does not dominate the narrative. To start with, I wondered whether my interest could be sustained for over 400 pages. But it was. With evocative descriptions of Oxford, reference to classical writers and poets, delightful turns of phrases, a bit of romance, it makes for a genuinely fresh reading experience.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
dana_atkins's review against another edition
4.0
This book was not just a "who I was before Christ and who I am now" explanation, but it was witty and woven with stories from her life as well as excerpts from poems/songs/novels. Since Weber is also a professor of literature, this book was also very well-written.
The one con I felt this book had was that the first 300 pages seemed to keep my attention more than the last 150.
The one con I felt this book had was that the first 300 pages seemed to keep my attention more than the last 150.
brennakaye's review against another edition
5.0
I didn’t expect to love reading this memoir so much but it was absolutely beautiful. Would definitely read again but I would purchase it so I could highlight quotes as I read!
dessmarie's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t often write reviews. Usually books are either not worth dissecting or, if they ARE, I mull over them for weeks to genuinely inspect my feelings. This book was somewhat of an exception. It’s the kind of book I want to press into everyone’s hands and urge them to read. It’s also the kind of book that I realize not everyone WILL appreciate in the way I do. I absolutely loved following the author through her journey of discovering herself, Christianity, and ultimately, the overwhelming love of God. Because this book has some colorful language sprinkled throughout, there may be some who would find it offensive. I found it to be genuine, thought provoking, and an epic love story between a girl and the God who loved her so much He sent His only Son to die for her. There aren’t many individuals who would willingly take you on that journey through pain, doubt, and derision. There are even fewer who could do so with such eloquence, passion, and beauty. This book will stay with me for quite some time.
alltheradreads's review against another edition
5.0
I don't think I've ever loved a memoir this much. Scratch that, I know I haven't. THIS BOOK... I don't even have adequate words for how much I loved it. I couldn't put it down. I devoured it in less than 24 hours, reading it during every spare second, and immediately wanted to read it again once I finished. It's an incredible story of coming to faith, it reads like fast-paced and fantastic fiction, it's lovely, it's about England (where I spent a summer and therefore can't get enough of), it paints amazing pictures of all the layers of questions and seeking and belief that faith holds... it's the best kind of love story, the kind about a girl finding her true self and coming fully alive in a relationship with her Creator and Father. READ THIS RIGHT NOW. Buy it for yourself and all of your friends and read it and savor it and love it like I do.
holtfan's review against another edition
5.0
I love [b:Surprised by Oxford|9923943|Surprised by Oxford|Carolyn Weber|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388184922s/9923943.jpg|14816776] for so many reasons.
I love this book because of Oxford. On more than one occasion, I shouted to whomever happened to be closest, "St. Ebbes! That's my church!" or "New College! That my college!" Yet on an even deeper level than passing references to places I know, Caro's experience as a abroad student resounded with me. I understand getting lost, being confused by the strange pronunciations of names, even the wonder of the tutorial system. I understood Oxford and her love for it resonated for me.
I love this book because of Wordsworth, Lewis and the many other writers she quotes. Caro is friends with them all. Her love of learning and thinking is so evident. I ate it up and realized I was starving for more. She provides quotes at the beginning of chapters, references throughout her conversations, sometimes poems within the prose. Although I am not an English major, I readily understood her love for her subject because it reminded me of the giddy, reckless joy I felt when I was at Oxford studying political philosophy. This book reflects not only a scholar's heart, but a lover of learning's heart for academia.
Most of all I love this book for Caro's conversion experience. Although so different from my own, her journey to faith filled me with joy and understanding. I like that it followed through from her first blissful moments after surrendering to the often frustrating reality of the Christian life afterwards. It isn't easy. Caro is honest, vulnerable, and unafraid to express her love for God and because of that, this book breathes. It questions and answers and leaves unanswered, leaving many ideas for the reader to wrestle with in its wake. In some ways, it feels like a literary mentor because so much of what it deals with are things everyone wonders and needs to be reminded of...or at least I do.
[b:Surprised by Oxford|9923943|Surprised by Oxford|Carolyn Weber|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388184922s/9923943.jpg|14816776] is thick, 400 odd pages, but worth every moment. It is worth re-reading. Highlighting. Enjoying. Perhaps for some this is a sit-down-and-read-in-a-day sort of book but for me it took three separate occasions, separated by months, to finish. I needed to digest it to move on and yet I suspect I barely skimmed the surface of what I will get out of it in the future. There is so much!
I love this book because it reawakens my love of learning. It fills me with hope. I suspect I have found a life-long friend.
PS I STRONGLY recommend Kris's review of this book! Check it out!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/780686119?book_show_action=false&page=1
I love this book because of Oxford. On more than one occasion, I shouted to whomever happened to be closest, "St. Ebbes! That's my church!" or "New College! That my college!" Yet on an even deeper level than passing references to places I know, Caro's experience as a abroad student resounded with me. I understand getting lost, being confused by the strange pronunciations of names, even the wonder of the tutorial system. I understood Oxford and her love for it resonated for me.
I love this book because of Wordsworth, Lewis and the many other writers she quotes. Caro is friends with them all. Her love of learning and thinking is so evident. I ate it up and realized I was starving for more. She provides quotes at the beginning of chapters, references throughout her conversations, sometimes poems within the prose. Although I am not an English major, I readily understood her love for her subject because it reminded me of the giddy, reckless joy I felt when I was at Oxford studying political philosophy. This book reflects not only a scholar's heart, but a lover of learning's heart for academia.
Most of all I love this book for Caro's conversion experience. Although so different from my own, her journey to faith filled me with joy and understanding. I like that it followed through from her first blissful moments after surrendering to the often frustrating reality of the Christian life afterwards. It isn't easy. Caro is honest, vulnerable, and unafraid to express her love for God and because of that, this book breathes. It questions and answers and leaves unanswered, leaving many ideas for the reader to wrestle with in its wake. In some ways, it feels like a literary mentor because so much of what it deals with are things everyone wonders and needs to be reminded of...or at least I do.
[b:Surprised by Oxford|9923943|Surprised by Oxford|Carolyn Weber|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388184922s/9923943.jpg|14816776] is thick, 400 odd pages, but worth every moment. It is worth re-reading. Highlighting. Enjoying. Perhaps for some this is a sit-down-and-read-in-a-day sort of book but for me it took three separate occasions, separated by months, to finish. I needed to digest it to move on and yet I suspect I barely skimmed the surface of what I will get out of it in the future. There is so much!
I love this book because it reawakens my love of learning. It fills me with hope. I suspect I have found a life-long friend.
PS I STRONGLY recommend Kris's review of this book! Check it out!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/780686119?book_show_action=false&page=1
ladylegerwood's review against another edition
4.0
Encouraging, beautifully written and a prompting to visit Oxford ... Yep, it's a book I've really enjoyed.
kharrit's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0