Rating: 
Summary: Blue Like Jazz Good Read for the Soul
Review: "Nobody will listen to you unless they sense that you like them."This, according to author Donald Miller is something very simple about relationships that his friend Spencer helped him discover. And this same wisdom is precisely why I liked Blue Like Jazz - I believe Donald Miller ("Don" to his friends, of which I am now considering myself) likes me in a never-met-before-but-I'm-sure-we'd-be-good-friends kind of way. Besides being a very talented thirty-something writer, Miller's other obvious gift is that he's incredibly smart, or at least he seems so when you read his very laid-back but very brilliant processing of life and ministry at Portland's Reed College, "which has the distinction of being ranked one of the most intellectual and one of the most godless colleges in the country." But (and this is the cool part), Miller's not above some good old-fashioned feelings of insecurity and funny fits of self-deprecation as he relates his successes and struggles with his "nonreligious thoughts on Christian spirituality." Drawing on arguments more grounded in self-evidence than Scripture (though the two are not mutually exclusive by any means), Miller's graceful considerations of a multitude of topics are fun and meaningful to read. Some highlights: "My most recent faith struggle is not one of intellect. I don't really do that anymore. Sooner or later you just figure out there are some guys who don't believe in God and they can prove He doesn't exist, and some other guys who do believe in God and they can prove He does exist, and the argument stopped being about God a long time ago and now it's about who is smarter, and honestly I don't care. I don't believe I will ever walk away from God for intellectual reasons. Who know anything anyway? If I walk away from Him, and please pray that I never do, I will walk away for social reasons, identity reasons, deep emotional reasons, the same reasons that any of us do anything." "The most difficult lie I have ever contended with is this: Life is a story about me...I hear addicts talk about the shakes and panic attacks and the highs and lows of resisting their habit, and to some degree I understand them because I have had habits of my own, but no drug is so powerful as the drug of self. No rut in the mind is so deep as the one that says I am the world, the world belongs to me, all people are characters in my play. There is no addiction so powerful as self-addiction." Humorous and honest, Blue Like Jazz is true to its name in that it's interesting (and maybe a little sad) to listen to if you don't mind the fact that - like jazz music - not everything resolves. Recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: if this book is for you, you won't find a better one
Review: A lot of people just aren't going to 'get' this one, which is too bad, because it further illuminates the divide between different experiences and personalities among Christians that Miller describes. The style may put some people off; many just won't be able to relate to Miller's beliefs and experiences.
That's ok. I believe this book is for a very specific set of people who are Christians, but have been overlooked by the culture of conformity within today's churches. If that sounds like you, there's a good chance you will absolutely LOVE this book. Otherwise, it will be a bit like listening to rap music or going to the modern art museums - unless you are into those things, you'll probably find yourself wondering what in the world everyone else sees in it.
You probably won't enjoy this book if you (a) enjoy watching Fox News (b) grew up in the church and feel totally at home there (c) do not enjoy critical self-introspection (d) don't like the Simpsons and (e) aren't bothered by the fact that the book has nothing to do with jazz.
Rating:
Summary: The top of my favorites list!!
Review: Absolutely amazing combination of funny sarcasm and startling revelation. Miller manages to take a fresh new perspective on my simple ideas of the Christian faith without quoting the whole Bible. An excellent book for both the unbeliever and the believer alike!
Rating:
Summary: Few books have impacted like this one...
Review: As a single, white, male, campus minister (which, I think Miller is as well) in New York City traversing his 30's I don't think I could have read a story that related more to my life. Miller does a masterful job in communicating a sensitive perspective on living the Christian life in this unique culture. I laughed outloud so many times in the first dozen pages that I knew I found a kindred spirit in Miller. Even if you have no way of relating to a person like Miller you should read this tome to get an idea of what a generation of "Jesus-Freaks" are thinking about life, church, realtionships, etc. Miller is so real in this book it hurts. I look forward to future thoughts from this wonderful writer. Cheers.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing glimpses of genuine spirituality
Review: As someone who has grown up in very religious Christian circles, I have often been frustrated that we all speak the same way and think the same way. Our message is often contained in pat, easy answers, and we don't like to talk openly about our theological and moral struggles. Yet the beauty of the genuine Christ-life lived out is rare to find. I found Donald Miller to be a breath of fresh air. He expresses beautifully with words things I have often felt or been afraid to say out loud. He presents a Christian life that embraces humility, hope, compassion, vulnerability, and humor. He gives me hope to be able to live out a truer, more beautiful expression of my faith. I found myself laughing, crying, cheering, and at times even embarrassed. A very enjoyable and inspiring read. As one who is discovering what a postmodern expression of my faith would look like, I recommend Blue Like Jazz to anyone on the same journey. At the same time, I think Miller does a great job of presenting an honest search for Christian spirituality while still holding on to biblical truth and orthodox belief. For those who look for ways to criticize postmodern Christian spirituality, you'll probably find what you're looking for. For those who look for the marriage of truth, beauty, and simplicity, you'll certainly find what you're looking for.
Rating:
Summary: Definately one for your shelf...
Review: As soon as I finished this book, I made it a personal mission to get it into the hands of as many people as I could. It is a book that I would hand to anyone in a heartbeat, wherever they may be in their faith journey. It's real, it's honest, it's insightful, it's hilarious. Miller has written a book that has deeply touched my heart and the hearts of many who I know have read it. Grab a copy right away...grab two copies and get a friend to read it alongside of you...and talk about what it stirs up within you. I'm excited for anyone who gives this book a chance!
Rating: 
Summary: Good Book, Way to Go!
Review: Common themes that resonates in Miller's books to his readers are honesty and simplicity. I too can ceratinly appreciate Miller's honesty in approaching Christianity. The simplicity of his book also means accessibilty. Anyone can read it in a short time. This is a good thing. Kudos on the reminder about selflessnes, the need to die daily to Christ, the need of loving people and doing the christian walk authentically. After reading this book, however, I also couldn't help but feel that many of Miller's grasp on doing the walk are watered down. Miller replaced Christianity for Christian spirituality as if any of these words were intended to be mutually exclusive. Being a christian means to be a follower of Jesus, to practise Christ's spirituality regardless of the reputation others have given it. Yes in our world of today, where christianity has run a bad rep, I can certainly understand Miller's intentions. But making change comes not in finding a way out of the church, not in distancing yourself from a so called name in order to attract liberals, but walking change from within, advocating the real message of Christ no matter what the world thinks. Christ's message as a matter of fact will always be antithetical to this world. Remember even Jesus ran a bad rep in this world. The world killed him even though he never did a thing bad, but love all people and try to show them the way. Miller paints a picture of Jesus that is all loving and embracing of all people, sinners and saints alike. Yes he was. But he did not paint the picture of Jesus who is also angry towards sin, the Jesus who beat and overturned tables, the Jesus who was a prick on the skins of sinners. Miller failed to expose the condition of sinners in the hands of an angry God. Not to do so is to do a great disservice to christianity, his so called Christian spirituality. I am also afraid that Miller's points about putting the needs and cares of others above our own, is not biblicaly based. This is neither required nor necessary. The Bible said love your neighbor as yourself. It did not say love your neighbor more than yourself. And finally, Miller speaks in a glowing language about the students at Reed. I agree. There is much to be said for a group people who learn for the sake of learning, who pursue kowledge and understanding to its depth, who care deeply about the power of ideas and have a transparent attitude towards people because people matter. The pursuit of knowledge is a cultural mandate that God gave humans at creation-it's the "subduing of the earth." Kudos to all Reedies. But what Miller fails to do is to expose the inherent depravity of the human soul, the lack of existential humility in academia, the God is dead supposition. He failed to expose a world that is so seperated from the will and plan of God, a world always in need of a saviour- an urgent call to revival, repentance from sins.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful ideas enclosed in great writing
Review: Don's book really draws the distinction between religion and spirituality. He tells how he lost his religion, but found his spirituality, and how the second is so much more of God than the first. His book is funny but speaks to you in such a real way. He has a lot of interesting ideas that feel really true to me about how Jesus really wants the world to be. It's one of those books you don't want to put down and find yourself laughing out loud or nodding your head as you read.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Book, Easy Read
Review: Donald has an excellent writing style that keeps you wondering and intersted at the same time. I read the book pretty quick and enjoyed every bit of it. He brings up thoughts and questions that you sometimes thought that you only thought. It is not a heavy religious book at all, just at the title states 'nonreligious thoughts on Christian spirituality. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a good read.
Rating:
Summary: couldn't put it down.
Review: Donald Miller is my hero. From the minute I picked this book up, I couldn't put it down. I've gotten about 5 of my friends copies already and have lent my book out to people. Miller writes the way he thinks, it seems. He is coming from a real place where others can relate to his questions and his experiances. He's not trying to hide anything, he's just letting his life experiances out there so that we can learn from them ourselves. I can't even count the times this book made me laugh out loud. Any book that makes me laugh and really think is good with me. You should definitly read it. It's amazing.
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