Book Review: Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I Love by Kate Bowler

 

Kate Bowler’s book, Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I Love was one of the first books I read this year. I gave it five stars though I felt it was a bit disjointed with the storytelling.

Moving on. I soaked in the uncertainties of life through Kate’s  journey of a diagnosis of stave IV colon cancer at the tender age of 35. She’s a history professor (theology) at Duke University, married to her high school sweetheart and has a darling two-year old son. There are many characters in this story, all very endearing, even the grumpy physicians. They were a perfect combination of family friends and colleagues surrounding a woman facing the end of her life with unconditional love, honesty and much humor. I felt a kindness in my heart for all of them. 

We ask why when things happen to us, this memoir reaches past the why and heads straight into what do I do, how hard do I live, how much love can I spend, and to whom, where do I go, how to I do it all the while working, navigating the health care system and traveling weekly for experimental cancer treatments.

We don’t know how we will spend our time left when a raw, violent diagnosis is handed to us, a death sentence, but Kate Bowler gives us a tiny blueprint, whether you believe in God or not (she is a Christian, a history professor in theology and has a few books on the subject) but you won’t feel inundated for salvation, that’s not what this book is about.  It’s about uncertainty and dealing with it smacked up in our face with nowhere to run.

I recommend it and will keep the five stars. I won’t forget her story any time soon so that alone, makes it a beloved book for me. Plus, I took notes, another five-star check mark. Lots of notes  and I have  them marked under “terrible diagnosis” in my journal. You know, for when that uncertainty is a certainty but not really.

I listened to this on Audible  - Kate Bowler narrates beautifully. 

Cheryl

Decision has been made after batting a wary eye

This is my daughter, Christa. When she is trying to decide something she tunes out but keeps a wary eye on me. After her own quiet deliberation she will choose. Then go back to ignoring me completely. 

This one decision of mine cannot be ignored. But you can bet my eye is wary. The kid got it honest.

There is a lot of pressure out there, or so I have read, that reviewing books should be this way or that. Either be nice with your reviews or be honest. Or be nice and honest, or be one big blistering ninja, oh the variances in the arguments! 

Personally, I hate to pan a book. Someone took the time to pen it, peddle it and pray for the book to be successful. Since I know a small group of authors I understand the pain and frustration that goes into a book and it's total aftermath.

On the other hand... If a book is badly written it is badly written. I mean, I know it may appeal to the masses but so does cotton candy. Doesn't necessarily mean it's "good" (for you.) I will be the first person to say I disliked (hate is a toxic word) Fifty Shades of Grey and stand in a long line of people that disliked this series as well. I simply could not get past the plot. Seriously, it was so faulty and untrue that even the suspension of belief had a nervous breakdown. I won't pick on the writing, because, well... I am not a snob in grammar and such as I tend to need fifty shades of editors to get my sentences straight. (I do. I am a nurse, speak in acronyms and live in New Jersey where the slang is completely incomprehensible.)  I cannot pick on the writing. Though I will say this. It could have been BETTER. 

And really, we have so many varying opinions with this argument that I am going to go with my heart, my guts, my new kidney and pancreas (okay they are fifteen years old but who is counting?) If I don't like a book I will say why I do not like the book without being mean or irrational.

If it is really really woeful. It never happened. Okay?

This argument has been going around my conflicted brain for months now. I do not want to be cruel but I am not going to lie. 

And I deeply apologize for picking the most cliched book to dislike and use as an example.