trublues's review against another edition

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3.0

I don't remember who recommended this to me - not a personal acquaintance but perhaps through some blog I follow. The beginning of the book seemed to live up to the title though as it went on the feeling of stopping and listening disappeared. There were some good insights along the way though generally this was a very simple book without much new to offer. It was good for light encouragement (though it got a bit heavy for me when he went on about how much damage a self-focused mother can cause).

jane_k_norfolk's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

strelly555's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

5.0

ellachis's review against another edition

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5.0

“I think in a sense that is what biblical faith is saying, almost before it says anything else: Stop, and Look, and Listen.”
Really loved this book, as it is a reflection on the stories and the power of words, and the grace that lingers in the most mundane moments of life.

jjeepa04's review against another edition

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4.0

As a big fan of Buechner, I realize I was primed to enjoy this book published after his death from a lecture given earlier in his career. And I did. And I think others will too...in fact, I believe it's a good intro to Buechner if one is unfamiliar with him. This book is accessible, moves along at a good pace, includes quite a bit of autobiographical material, and has a message that is timeless with plenty of practical suggestions for making it happen. Stop, look, and listen to life is as important a goal for us now as ever. Give it a try.

jonathancliff's review against another edition

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3.0

This was a lot of the same essays and collections in “Telling Secrets”, but not verbatim. Maybe read this one instead?

egjohnson26's review against another edition

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4.0

My first experience with Buechner’s writing, which I found refreshing in its realistic look at the beauty and struggles of life & faith, and charming in its voice

snix's review against another edition

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4.0

My first Buechner book, definitely not my last. It IS clearly a collection of unpublished lectures, but is still really good.

gadrake's review against another edition

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4.0

Here is a meditative book that could or even should be read with a pause between chapters. Buechner is perhaps best described as a writer first and a theologian second. An ordained minister, he nevertheless has never headed up a church, but rather teaches and writes on topics of spiritual discernment.

Here his message is not mind blowing exactly, and at first I was not sure it was something to value, but fortunately a few hours of quiet reading time changed that first impression. Buechner's own father committed suicide in the Great Depression era, and this influenced him greatly. While experiencing great intellectual and publishing success, his own daughter nearly died from anorexia. So there is a very practical part of life he addresses as well as the need to notice God in the ordinary acts of living, i.e., in nature, art, music, grandparents, friendships, and more.

bensmucker93's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring medium-paced

4.0