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reagancluff's review against another edition
5.0
Part memoir, part gospel insights. I really enjoyed her testimony.
cdjdhj's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book and found it very inspirational. I would have liked to know a little more of Al Carraway's life story. She seems to tell a lot of partial stories in the book to make points, but I would like to read the entire story of her life as an Latter-day Saint convert, author, speaker and social media influencer. Overall it was a good book, and I found some real gems of wisdom and inspiration within its covers.
mary00's review against another edition
3.0
3 1/2 stars. I am glad I read this. It could use some editing, which is why I didn't rate it higher. I enjoyed the overall message.
mnstucki's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars not because the writing is anything superb (in fact, I caught several grammatical things that her copy editor really should have seen and corrected...) but because she communicates in a voice that is so relatable about struggles that are so dear to me.
papidoc's review against another edition
4.0
Al Carraway's memoir of her conversion and adjustment to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is an inspiring "fish out of water" story. I can relate to it, a little. Though I grew up as a member of the Church, I grew up on the East coast, and could relate to many of the cultural differences and attitudes between the art and Utah. I think of them as distant and more or less fond memories now, but they were occasionally a bit troublesome when I was younger and newly arrived at BYU.
Carraway reads in a sort of breathless tone of voice, but other than that, does a nice job of recording her book. There were good ideas throughout. For example, I liked the thought of keeping several journals with different purposes: a "regular" daily journal, a monthly testimony journal, an annual conversion day reflection and update journal, and so forth. Otherwise, it was simply interesting following the adventures of this bright and engaging young woman as she followed divine direction as best she was able, and entered into a new life. I wasn't sure I would like it much, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Carraway reads in a sort of breathless tone of voice, but other than that, does a nice job of recording her book. There were good ideas throughout. For example, I liked the thought of keeping several journals with different purposes: a "regular" daily journal, a monthly testimony journal, an annual conversion day reflection and update journal, and so forth. Otherwise, it was simply interesting following the adventures of this bright and engaging young woman as she followed divine direction as best she was able, and entered into a new life. I wasn't sure I would like it much, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
tamfilley's review against another edition
5.0
I read the hard copy of this book and listened to it on audio. Both were fantastic and the audio was read by Al herself. I loved the emotion that she put into telling her story. This is a must read for everyone. This book is filled with truth and help and inspiration! There are many quotes throughout that I loved here are just a few.
“ don’t let a bad day make you feel like you have a bad life.”
“Ask God not google“
“ no matter who we are or what we are going through, there is always a solution. It is and always will be Christ. The gospel is not our last option-it is our only option.“
“You will always have what you need to make it through anything. Comfort is always there because Christ is always there. He knows the way because he is the way. When dark times come, calm your thoughts and listen for him.“
“ don’t let a bad day make you feel like you have a bad life.”
“Ask God not google“
“ no matter who we are or what we are going through, there is always a solution. It is and always will be Christ. The gospel is not our last option-it is our only option.“
“You will always have what you need to make it through anything. Comfort is always there because Christ is always there. He knows the way because he is the way. When dark times come, calm your thoughts and listen for him.“
emmalundgren's review against another edition
5.0
Everyone NEEDS to read this book! It is a book that changed me for the better. Use a highlighter and mark this book up! It may just have come into my life at the right time but this book was definitely inspired by God and I love Al's story.
andreagraves5's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book, I think Al Fox is darling and such a great person. I like that she focused on life after her conversion - she has some amazing insight and is such an amazing person. I do wish she would've spent a little more time on her story before her conversion. It was described quite vaguely and the book wasn't what I expected- but I still enjoyed it.
akristinab's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It took me a day to devour it and in the end it was covered in highlighted passages. This is a book where you're bound to find some insight from it.
kayrencar's review against another edition
5.0
Reading this book was like sitting across the table from Al, having a conversation (albeit a one-sided conversation that's so interesting and insightful that, although you don't end up getting a word in edgewise, you don't mind in the slightest). What I love most about Al is her endless optimism and Nike-esque "Just Do It" attitude towards the gospel. I think most of us, at some point or another, tend to forget how awesome God is while we're grappling with crippling fears, paralyzing self-doubt, and other various trials. But Al's perspective is a great reminder that God is real, that He loves us, that peace and joy are available to us in every moment, and that it's never too late to become the people we were designed to become. Her testimony is clear and real in the most in-the-trenches sort of way—she knows trials and weaknesses and mistakes, and pretends to nothing otherwise. Her story is incredibly relatable, and her book is a quick, easy, accessible read that I would recommend to anyone and everyone.
To address certain complaints/criticisms offered by other reviewers: Yes, this book is an easy read without the grand, flowing compositional style of, say, an Elder Holland. Yes, there are grammatical/editing errors. HOWEVER, I believe that Al's conversational writing style is perfectly suited to reaching younger audiences (which, I think, was the intention), and is also true to the style of her blog (which, again, was probably intentional—what would we think if they had poked and pruned her voice to oblivion?). So, dear self-proclaimed grammar Nazis and literati members, please lay down your weapons of war and enjoy this book for what it is: a testimony worth hearing, however imperfect.
To address certain complaints/criticisms offered by other reviewers: Yes, this book is an easy read without the grand, flowing compositional style of, say, an Elder Holland. Yes, there are grammatical/editing errors. HOWEVER, I believe that Al's conversational writing style is perfectly suited to reaching younger audiences (which, I think, was the intention), and is also true to the style of her blog (which, again, was probably intentional—what would we think if they had poked and pruned her voice to oblivion?). So, dear self-proclaimed grammar Nazis and literati members, please lay down your weapons of war and enjoy this book for what it is: a testimony worth hearing, however imperfect.