Neighbors and Wisemen

I'm rarely rave about a book - particularly a work of non-fiction. This one, however, really deserved the high ranking. I've been a fan of Donald Miller's work, so when I saw a book by "Tony the Beat Poet", I figured "why not?"

I wasn't sure what to expect. After all, it can be easy for an aspiring author to ride on the coattails of another accomplished writer. I'm wary of success by association, so I cracked this book open tentatively.

I'm pleased to say though, that I truly enjoyed Tony's work. His literary style is witty, gritty, and real. There's nothing pretentious in his words. Perhaps that is why they resonated with me.

Tony tackles a lot of the questions I've had myself. I grew up in similar circumstances - surrounded by Christian terminology and taglines. I grew up with the "us vs. them" mentality. As I matured, I found myself more and more repulsed by organized religion in general - and church culture in particular. It is a comforting thing to find an author who can so aptly describe my own experiences.

Only recently have I begun to see the beauty and wisdom that can be found when one opens up to the unexpected. Most in the religious community turn to pastors or spiritual counselors for guidance and inspiration; however, it's a beautiful thing when we can learn and be blessed by "sacred encounters in unexpected places." I'm firmly of the belief that truth is truth, no matter where we find it. This book has helped to reestablish that belief. I highly recommend it to those who are sick of the standard rhetoric, to those who are feeling a little lost, a little tired of the same old, and who are looking to learn from unlikely sources.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through BookSneeze - their book review program. I wasn't required to post a positive review. These are my own opinions on this book.