Of Mess and Moxie

May 8, 2017
Bestselling humorist Hatmaker (For the Love), a blogger, pastor, HGTV star, and mother of five, will be familiar to any evangelical Christian reader. She’s like a friend whose laugh that most of the time is fun to listen to but sometimes it’s too much. Here, Hatmaker piles on stories about bingeing on food (or wine or Netflix) alongside a bevy of kid poop jokes and kids-learn-human-anatomy jokes. Tucked in between are conversational reflections designed to offer pastoral advice and empathy when things go wrong. Those who don’t spend time in the evangelical subculture may miss some of the references (singer Sandi Patty, Baptist youth groups) and find that the humor relies on too many stereotypes of women, Erma Bombeck style. But those who find religious people humorless should certainly read this book. Hatmaker has humor in spades, which will please those looking for laughs, but her work will disappoint readers wishing for something with more depth. Agent: Curtis Yates, Yates & Yates.

Jen Hatmaker's twelfth book is an unreservedly honest and heartfelt guide to how women can approach their messy lives with moxie. The self-described low-grade Christian author narrates her own story. She provides anecdotes not included in the written text, which add more fun to the listening experience. The chapters start with interesting quotes delivered in her upbeat Southern twang. They smooth the way into her reflections as a Christian woman who appreciates God's gifts. Hatmaker's use of sarcasm and self-deprecation is disarming as she tackles varied topics, making this book sound like a conversation with a trusted friend. Listeners should have a pen and paper ready to take down her recipes and helpful tips. S.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine