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A review by kayrencar
More than a Tatooed Mormon by Al Carraway
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.