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817 reviews for:
The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible As Literally As Possible
A.J. Jacobs
3.76 AVERAGE
817 reviews for:
The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible As Literally As Possible
A.J. Jacobs
3.76 AVERAGE
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
By far, my favorite book! I met AJ Jacobs while I was reading the book at a book signing. Hilarious views, regardless of your religion. I cracked up out loud throughout the entire book :) HIGHLY recommend this one for anyone looking for a lighthearted entertaining read!
This book seems like it would be entertaining and enjoyable for just about any reader, but I found it a particularly satisfying read as a seminary-educated pastor. Written by a self-professed Jewish agnostic, Jacobs' book is a terrific introduction to the often incredibly fascinating, inspiring, and even repulsive world of biblical literalism. There is enough material here for many weeks of sermon illustrations in my own pulpit. What a find.
Jacobs does a good job of exploring many of the strange and often contradictory rules of the Bible without ever feeling like he's making fun of religious folks.
AJ Jacobs does a great job of writing a narrative that while entertaining, also is well-informed and researched. He takes the process of parsing out the Bible seriously and comes up with some beautiful insights. Perhaps selfishly, however, I feel that what he takes out of it isn't enough. A question that arose while I read stemmed from his neighbor Nancy's question about what he is doing his good deed for. He struggles with that question and comes up with the C. S. Lewis quote. My question, however, is this - how different would his experiment have been if he had approached it solely for himself, and not for the purpose of writing an entertaining book? The thing being observed changes its behavior for the observer.
Couldn't finish it. Whiny narrator, only vaguely interesting premise. Sorry buddy.
This book is a funny, honest look at what it means to live Biblically. Jacobs' earnestness is engaging and, as a religious person who has questioned the very fiber of her faith, I felt he was respectful to both the secular and faithful. I enjoyed his willingness to ask questions and admired his honesty when the urge to "give himself over" frightened him. He acts as a brilliant bridge between the secular and divine with wit, kindness, and amusing bewilderment.
My only problem with the book lies in the heart of my problem with religion: Everything is filtered through the male perspective. This is not only disheartening but mystifying to me as a member of the other 51% of the world's population. I'm deeply tempted to do my own version of this project as a female because I wonder just how different an experience it would be from Jacobs'.
My only problem with the book lies in the heart of my problem with religion: Everything is filtered through the male perspective. This is not only disheartening but mystifying to me as a member of the other 51% of the world's population. I'm deeply tempted to do my own version of this project as a female because I wonder just how different an experience it would be from Jacobs'.
It was really interesting to hear the author's journey through following biblical rules. It let me realize how little I actually know about the Bible, specifically the Old Testament. It showed me more about religions/cultures I know nothing about, like Judaism.
I really appreciate the author's conclusion: no one is doing this right. No one is following any one religion to the T and everyone picks and chooses to an extent. It leads to the conclusion I've come to myself: whatever your beliefs, choose what works for you. Religion/spirituality is supposed to help you, not hurt you. If there's something in the Bible (or whatever spiritual source) that you like, integrate it as part of your own spiritual practice. If there's something that doesn't, don't.
I really appreciate the author's conclusion: no one is doing this right. No one is following any one religion to the T and everyone picks and chooses to an extent. It leads to the conclusion I've come to myself: whatever your beliefs, choose what works for you. Religion/spirituality is supposed to help you, not hurt you. If there's something in the Bible (or whatever spiritual source) that you like, integrate it as part of your own spiritual practice. If there's something that doesn't, don't.
The Year of Living Biblically is an amusing, insightful journey of a book. Jacobs explores and LIVES the rules and rituals of the world's all time best-seller with open earnestness and bold curiosity.I enjoyed this exponentionally more than his "humble quest to become the smartest person in the world."