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Looking for Lovely: Collecting the Moments that Matter
“I want you to take every step of your life with excitement for where you are headed. And I want you to feel beautiful and confident as you do.” But how? When the enemy whispers lies that you are not smart enough, pretty enough, or rich enough? Or you are too dumb, too loud, too quiet, too thin, too fat, too much or not enough? What if you don’t have what it takes to be who you really want to be? In Looking for Lovely, Annie F. Downs shares personal stories, biblical truth, and examples of how others have courageously walked the path God paved for their lives by remembering all God had done, loving what was right in front of them, and seeing God in the everyday—whether that be nature, friends, or the face they see in the mirror. Intensely personal, yet incredibly powerful, Looking for Lovely will spark transformative conversations and life changing patterns. No matter who we are and what path God has us on, we all need to look for lovely, fight to finish, and find beautiful in our every day!
208 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2016
About the author
Annie F. Downs
53 books2,078 followersAnnie F. Downs is an author, blogger, and speaker based in Nashville, Tennessee. Flawed but funny, she uses her writing to highlight the everyday goodness of a real and present God.
An author of three books- Let's All Be Brave , Perfectly Unique , and Speak Love , Annie also loves traveling around the country speaking to young women, college students, and adults.
Read more at anniefdowns.com and follow her on Twitter @anniefdowns.
An author of three books- Let's All Be Brave , Perfectly Unique , and Speak Love , Annie also loves traveling around the country speaking to young women, college students, and adults.
Read more at anniefdowns.com and follow her on Twitter @anniefdowns.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 463 reviews
April 5, 2016
There is something beautiful about a “Me Too” book. The type of book where the author shares bits and pieces of her heart, her struggles, and walk with the Lord in a way where you can’t help but nod your head in complete agreement. Looking for Lovely is that type of book.
Annie Downs allows us to walk along side her as she processes one of the darkest moments in her life. Sharing how God lovingly unearthed destructive thought patterns, lifestyle choices, and deep hurt and by exposing them to the light a new fresh perspective emerged. Annie refers to this as anticipating the goodness of God in the midst of trials and hardships- looking for the lovely while walking through valleys of difficulties and loneliness.
Annie shares stories of her past, moments when she could pinpoint where her heart was wounded by believing the whispering lies that she was not enough- with her weight, in her dating life, in her relationships- and how she would run away and quit when life became too difficult. I was drawn in by her sweet authenticity and vulnerability.
This book is not a self-help book. You will not get a method or plan- but through reading Annie’s personal testimony of God goodness, you will receive hope in a God who can restore and heal the brokenness in your life. She weaves in the gospel truth of God’s word throughout the book, sharing moments of lovely that she collected through the painful processing of her broken past.
“I’m believing what I cannot see because of what I can see. And that’s the kind of moment that matters to me- the kind I hang on to, the kind I call lovely, the kind that sticks to my heart and reminds me over and over again of who our God is and how He works.” // Annie Downs Looking for Lovely
I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Looking for Lovely was like a cold glass of water on a hot day- refreshing, encouraging, and full of hope. After reading this book, you will begin to see the lovely moments God brings our way even in the darkest hours of suffering and difficulties.
Annie Downs allows us to walk along side her as she processes one of the darkest moments in her life. Sharing how God lovingly unearthed destructive thought patterns, lifestyle choices, and deep hurt and by exposing them to the light a new fresh perspective emerged. Annie refers to this as anticipating the goodness of God in the midst of trials and hardships- looking for the lovely while walking through valleys of difficulties and loneliness.
Annie shares stories of her past, moments when she could pinpoint where her heart was wounded by believing the whispering lies that she was not enough- with her weight, in her dating life, in her relationships- and how she would run away and quit when life became too difficult. I was drawn in by her sweet authenticity and vulnerability.
This book is not a self-help book. You will not get a method or plan- but through reading Annie’s personal testimony of God goodness, you will receive hope in a God who can restore and heal the brokenness in your life. She weaves in the gospel truth of God’s word throughout the book, sharing moments of lovely that she collected through the painful processing of her broken past.
“I’m believing what I cannot see because of what I can see. And that’s the kind of moment that matters to me- the kind I hang on to, the kind I call lovely, the kind that sticks to my heart and reminds me over and over again of who our God is and how He works.” // Annie Downs Looking for Lovely
I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Looking for Lovely was like a cold glass of water on a hot day- refreshing, encouraging, and full of hope. After reading this book, you will begin to see the lovely moments God brings our way even in the darkest hours of suffering and difficulties.
April 11, 2016
Downs takes us through many of her life experiences. She is a different person today, she writes, because of suffering and the transformation that followed. She explains how she found beauty in the mundane, collecting moments that matter. She encourages us to do the same.
For this senior citizen, this is a book that did not grab me. Downs rambles through her life, writing about many of her experiences. We read about her being overweight as a child, about the TV programs she liked to watch, about her seeing a breath-taking sunrise, about the experience and feel of the Ryman in Nashville, her adult onset allergy to dairy, wandering through a farmers' market, tears cried over being single, taking friends honky-tonk hopping in Nashville until 2 A.M., the sports she likes, doing her nails, eating sushi, getting a tattoo, and much more.
I almost felt like I was reading a stranger's journal. I might liken reading this book to having a stranger go through a photo album, explaining each of the photos, reliving their meaningful events. Downs does draw some spiritual insights from sharing her experiences but that did not seem the major focus of the book. Downs writes, “...this book itself, in some crazy way, is a collection of what God has shown to be lovely.” (174)
As a senior citizen, this book did not inspire me. I was raised in an era when such intimate stories were not shared with strangers. This book may be meaningful for younger people, those more used to being moved by honest and revealing stories from strangers, such as through digital media.
I would recommend this book to young people, perhaps young single women. Downs notes that she is still a work in progress and is not finished by any means. Younger readers might well identify with her.
Food for thought: “If you aren't experiencing pain, you aren't experiencing beauty.” (76)
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Icon Media for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
For this senior citizen, this is a book that did not grab me. Downs rambles through her life, writing about many of her experiences. We read about her being overweight as a child, about the TV programs she liked to watch, about her seeing a breath-taking sunrise, about the experience and feel of the Ryman in Nashville, her adult onset allergy to dairy, wandering through a farmers' market, tears cried over being single, taking friends honky-tonk hopping in Nashville until 2 A.M., the sports she likes, doing her nails, eating sushi, getting a tattoo, and much more.
I almost felt like I was reading a stranger's journal. I might liken reading this book to having a stranger go through a photo album, explaining each of the photos, reliving their meaningful events. Downs does draw some spiritual insights from sharing her experiences but that did not seem the major focus of the book. Downs writes, “...this book itself, in some crazy way, is a collection of what God has shown to be lovely.” (174)
As a senior citizen, this book did not inspire me. I was raised in an era when such intimate stories were not shared with strangers. This book may be meaningful for younger people, those more used to being moved by honest and revealing stories from strangers, such as through digital media.
I would recommend this book to young people, perhaps young single women. Downs notes that she is still a work in progress and is not finished by any means. Younger readers might well identify with her.
Food for thought: “If you aren't experiencing pain, you aren't experiencing beauty.” (76)
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Icon Media for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
June 3, 2016
Annie F Downs has an informal writing style. At times her thoughts seemed disjointed or fractured but you can switch gears with her a little easier when you get use to her writing style. She has a very friendly and honest voice but at times her descriptions are vague or over generalized, & sometimes her overly friendly chit chatty voice impedes the content of her message. It seems confusing and forces you to reread parts because of the awkward wording.
I did appreciate some of her stories more than others but the overall idea of finding lovely images or experiences and then making connections with how God works in life is always an encouraging reminder.
I did appreciate some of her stories more than others but the overall idea of finding lovely images or experiences and then making connections with how God works in life is always an encouraging reminder.
March 22, 2016
Add Annie Downs to the list of Christian authors who have obviously walked around in my mind and heart. (See also Niequist, Shauna and Bessey, Sarah). One day in Heaven, I just know we're all going to form an all-girl praise rock band. You just wait and see. ;) Seriously though, this is another one of those books that came along exactly when I needed it, and I'm hoping to look for lovely in my own life and find glimpses of Jesus along the way. Thanks for this one, Annie. Brava.
September 14, 2017
by Andrea Renee Cox
This was an amazing workbook (along with the video package I had to purchase separately). A few times, it didn't go as deep as I expected it to, but overall, it was a delightful Bible study that helps a person shift their focus to what really matters: God's faithfulness.
I hope Annie F. Downs does more Bible studies over the coming years. She's so easy to listen to in the videos, and her voice comes out in the writing too. She seems to truly care about God and her readers/viewers. I hope that continues. I like that she's helping others to dive deeper into God's Word, because it truly is the lifeline we all need to grab hold of.
I was not compensated for my honest review.
This was an amazing workbook (along with the video package I had to purchase separately). A few times, it didn't go as deep as I expected it to, but overall, it was a delightful Bible study that helps a person shift their focus to what really matters: God's faithfulness.
I hope Annie F. Downs does more Bible studies over the coming years. She's so easy to listen to in the videos, and her voice comes out in the writing too. She seems to truly care about God and her readers/viewers. I hope that continues. I like that she's helping others to dive deeper into God's Word, because it truly is the lifeline we all need to grab hold of.
I was not compensated for my honest review.
October 2, 2016
I finished the book thinking if she can get a book published then so can I. This a memoir of random experiences with some spiritual epiphanies. It's a sweet book and a light read at best. If I had one message to give the author it would be, "go deeper Annie."
March 21, 2019
This book spoke to my heart in so many ways. It was truly a gift from God to listen to Annie read this book to me in the audio version and speak to my broken places. This book is exactly what I needed at this exact moment in my life. Now on to find more Annie books because this girl can write and I need to read all her books now!!!
January 16, 2017
I honestly could not find a flow or meaning to this book. It felt like she was rambling on and had 20 different ideas in her head. I just finished a great book that walked thru the 5 Habits of Women that was a great study of Ruth. Picking up this book was such a watered down disappointment that I can't even waste my time to finish it. Sorry but this book is definitely one I recommend you just skip!
October 14, 2016
There were many parts I enjoyed, and I liked the essence of the book. We sometimes need to take a step back and look for the lovely. But I found the author a bit more liberal than myself, and there was perhaps a bit too much disagreement to thoroughly love this book.
December 19, 2021
I love Annie’s writing. Every book is memoir-style and memorable.
TW: eating disorder(s)
TW: eating disorder(s)
September 24, 2023
I thought this was a fun book. You can tell it was written by someone with a kind soul.
August 31, 2019
I feel like I can't give a book 2 stars without writing at least some kind of review. I also feel really bad giving it 2 stars or writing anything bad about it because the author seems like a really nice person. Nevertheless, I'm going to put this here so that down the road I will remember why this book wasn't for me. And I think that is what it comes down to - this book was not for me. I don't think I am not her target audience. I have to think that her target audience are girls like the ones she talks about mentoring in the book. And possibly her friends, because good grief, according to the book she has *a lot* of friends.
So here's the simple breakdown. It read like a series of blog posts. Again, I know this is a thing right now. Bloggers write books, and they read like blogs, but that is not for me. I want books to have more depth than a blog post. And this one did not. The whole book is about her working through and getting past a breakdown, but she never goes into depth about the breakdown. She talks about all the places she saw lovely and what that meant for her, but I never quite understood why. Was there a time where she didn't realize what she loved? What gave her joy? It's like she really wanted to write a book about her break down without actually talking about her break down. Imagine if Ann Voskamp had written 1000 Gifts and never talked about her sister's death. Never talked about all the scary, awful ugly that happens in life that we have to see past in order to see the lovely. It's okay to be working through things and to want to keep it all private, but it's then best to make the choice not to write a book about it.
I guess that's the short of it. It just lacked the depth needed to give the message (which is a good one) context.
So here's the simple breakdown. It read like a series of blog posts. Again, I know this is a thing right now. Bloggers write books, and they read like blogs, but that is not for me. I want books to have more depth than a blog post. And this one did not. The whole book is about her working through and getting past a breakdown, but she never goes into depth about the breakdown. She talks about all the places she saw lovely and what that meant for her, but I never quite understood why. Was there a time where she didn't realize what she loved? What gave her joy? It's like she really wanted to write a book about her break down without actually talking about her break down. Imagine if Ann Voskamp had written 1000 Gifts and never talked about her sister's death. Never talked about all the scary, awful ugly that happens in life that we have to see past in order to see the lovely. It's okay to be working through things and to want to keep it all private, but it's then best to make the choice not to write a book about it.
I guess that's the short of it. It just lacked the depth needed to give the message (which is a good one) context.
April 4, 2018
This was a sweet little book that reminds you to look at the beauty in the every day. I did find it a bit privileged - it WOULD be great if we could all go to sleep in our beds with the blinds up so it's dark in the room at night and we can rise with the sun but MOST of us don't live on an acreage or anywhere that putting the blinds up at night would result in nothing more than it being awfully bright when one is trying to sleep.
I also didn't really appreciate the constant 'friend name dropping' that she did. We get it, you have a HUGE tribe of people that you can rely and lean on. Many people who are 'broken crazy' and struggling to find the beauty in anything are doing so on their own or with one or two close friends of whom you would not pour your soul out to everytime you see them...
The jist of the book was great, the writing was decent and she seems like a normal and in touch person except for where her own privilege blinds her... disappointing.
I also didn't really appreciate the constant 'friend name dropping' that she did. We get it, you have a HUGE tribe of people that you can rely and lean on. Many people who are 'broken crazy' and struggling to find the beauty in anything are doing so on their own or with one or two close friends of whom you would not pour your soul out to everytime you see them...
The jist of the book was great, the writing was decent and she seems like a normal and in touch person except for where her own privilege blinds her... disappointing.
April 5, 2016
This is a beautiful and honest book about fighting for beauty among brokenness. Annie Downs bravely invites us into her real life—her joys, her struggles, her hangups, and her hangouts—as she searches for the loveliness in everyday life. This book made me want to visit Annie's stomping grounds, of Nashville, and yet also uncover my own collection of lovely right where I live too. I finished this book in just a few days because it was captivating, inspiring and authentic.
*I received an advanced copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
*I received an advanced copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2016
This was one I saw RAVED about all over social media, and it came to our lovely book corner at work, so I snagged it. As far as books by Christian women go, this is one I actually liked, but it still didn't blow me away. I don't know what it is about books by Christian women, but usually I find them icky or shallow, but this one wasn't either of those things. It was a refreshing read, a fun read, and Annie wrote like a real friend, which I really liked. I'm all about choosing joy and choosing gratitude, and this was right up that alley.
April 14, 2022
Although I really liked a lot about this book I do think it is suited better to read in a devotion type manner (I know a study exists and would be interested in that format). I found the tangible challenges presented simple yet profound and appreciate her humorous writing style. The chapters were very short and easy to read. I appreciated her insight but many struggles or concepts were not at all relatable to my life so there was less connection there. At times felt I was getting a lot of insight into the authors life/big personality which I don't really care about.
April 29, 2022
(Audiobook) — an oldie but goodie!
December 6, 2023
“If you need me. That’s where I hope you’ll always find me. Locking eyes with The One Who has chosen me.”
October 22, 2025
sushi yum
June 24, 2026
A read-it-in-one-sitting book I often come back to. Still just as good
March 14, 2021
DNF at 109. I couldn’t read the phrase “broken crazy” one more time. Annie’s writing style is not for me, and her flippant name for her mental health struggles was in pretty poor taste to me. Not to mention all the fat phobia in the first section of the book! Way to alienate a whole bunch of your readers.
So wow, this book was totally wrong for me. It brought me a lot of unlovely before I decided to take Annie’s advice and look for lovely...by reading something else.
So wow, this book was totally wrong for me. It brought me a lot of unlovely before I decided to take Annie’s advice and look for lovely...by reading something else.
April 18, 2016
So glad I have my own copy of this book. It's one that I will read over and over. Trying to find the lovely even when life is hard can be so difficult. It's one that I will pass on to my friends who are struggling with their own "broken crazy" and if you read this you will get what I'm talking about. I hope you find some lovely in your day!
February 27, 2016
Annie does it again! With humor, real life stories and meaningful observations Annie will make you feel like you're on a coffee date. Each chapter has reflection and simple everyday challenges to help you capture lovely in your life if only you'll look for it.
February 26, 2018
Annie Downs writes of her search to find beauty even during challenging times, to collect the moments that allow her to experience serenity and joy ... and to hopefully help her readers do the same. She shares many of her personal challenges and how they have shaped her. And at the end of most chapters, she gives a specific challenge to "look for lovely". Some of the challenges include getting up early to watch the sunrise, visit a place in your town that speaks to your soul, pause and take a break/rest, listen to new worship music, reach beyond your circle of friends and get to know someone who is different than you.
Here are some of my favorite parts.
When going through a particularly difficult time, she felt alone, abandoned and misunderstood. But she survived. She writes: "...my capacity to see beauty has increased in a much bigger measure than the pain I felt. My ability to feel the depths of something good was strengthened by my choice to feel the depths of pain. I don't exactly know how it works. I just know the more I hang on and feel, the more I am able to feel; and each time more balm gets rubbed into the wounds of my soul. It's sacred, right? Feeling God right here, in the middle, is just as my friend described. Purely sacred." (pg. 75)
"It's about feeling the pain, letting the sufferings be a part of your life, embracing the Romans 5:3 moments so you can process through the Romans 5:4 days so you live a Romans 5:5 hope-filled life. If you aren't experiencing pain, you aren't experiencing beauty. Darkness makes us appreciate the beauty of the light. if you aren't allowing yourself to feel the hurt, sadness, loneliness and disappointment this fallen world has to offer, you probably aren't feeling the fullness of the joy and beauty the redeemed moments have to offer." (pg. 76)
"...athletes don't walk away....They may pause, they may rest, but they don't give up. I thought athletes were stronger than everyone else, but I'm beginning to think they just get grace better than I do. Grace to grow, grace to make mistakes and recover, grace to try again." (pg. 92)
I love how she talks about how the blue and yellow paint in Monet's house made the other color look better. "I can't forget how those colors, while truly beautiful on their own, were actually far more stunning together. Though super different, the way these colors cooperated impacted me." (pag. 129-130) Then she talks about her friend Nichole and how they are very different but they complement one another and they are better together..."She adds value to my life, and next to me she makes me a more beautiful Annie." (page 131) Then she encourages us to make friends who are different, friends from diverse backgrounds, friends who see the world differently. I know that doing this has added immensely to the "loveliness" of my life!
"When in a blink, God stamped a statement onto my heart. TRUST THE PATH....He meant the questions in my heart, the things I wonder about, the worries that I am going to miss Him. I don't have to know here things are going; I don't have to know the destination; I just have to trust the path." (pg. 164-165)
"It makes perfect sense to me, grace and perseverance. I have learned that to be all grace is to be lazy but to be all perseverance is to be judgmental. A good balance of grace and perseverance pushes us forward without destroying our spirit when we don't meet a goal, and it continually brings us back to our goals, our dreams, and desires in order to remember why we began, how far we have come to get here, and where we ultimately want to go. It gives us permission to not be perfect but to strive toward excellence." (pg. 167)
"And as I'm collecting these moments that matter, I'm actually just seeing more of Him. Because in the end that's what this is all about. When you find Jesus, you have found lovely. He is everything we need." (p. 172)
"I am one who would rather hide my brokenness, hide hte lamp that is less than sufficient. But just like with my house, I feel God pushing me a bit to embrace my broken places and appreciate my weaknesses as much as I appreciate my strengths." (page 176)
"I'm a different Annie than I used to be. I had to be broken to be rebuilt, but breakdowns seem to often come before breakthroughs, right? My cape of shame has long been trashed, and my days of constant self-hate have passed. What God has done in my heart and my life (and body, to be honest) in the last two years is nothing short of a miracle. I used to be a quitter; now I cross more finish lines than I ever have before. I didn't know what it felt like for my character to be stretched and grown, but I do now. I thought I understood hope, but the kind of hope that has become mine in recent months is a treasure I don't want to release. I have surrounded myself with people who are for me, for my health, and for my sanity, and it has made for a tribe I am deeply gratefukl for and indebted to. I am growing and changing, and I like me more than I ever have." And I am very unfinished. (I bet you are, too.) But I am very loved. (I know you are, too.) (pages 180-181)
Here are some of my favorite parts.
When going through a particularly difficult time, she felt alone, abandoned and misunderstood. But she survived. She writes: "...my capacity to see beauty has increased in a much bigger measure than the pain I felt. My ability to feel the depths of something good was strengthened by my choice to feel the depths of pain. I don't exactly know how it works. I just know the more I hang on and feel, the more I am able to feel; and each time more balm gets rubbed into the wounds of my soul. It's sacred, right? Feeling God right here, in the middle, is just as my friend described. Purely sacred." (pg. 75)
"It's about feeling the pain, letting the sufferings be a part of your life, embracing the Romans 5:3 moments so you can process through the Romans 5:4 days so you live a Romans 5:5 hope-filled life. If you aren't experiencing pain, you aren't experiencing beauty. Darkness makes us appreciate the beauty of the light. if you aren't allowing yourself to feel the hurt, sadness, loneliness and disappointment this fallen world has to offer, you probably aren't feeling the fullness of the joy and beauty the redeemed moments have to offer." (pg. 76)
"...athletes don't walk away....They may pause, they may rest, but they don't give up. I thought athletes were stronger than everyone else, but I'm beginning to think they just get grace better than I do. Grace to grow, grace to make mistakes and recover, grace to try again." (pg. 92)
I love how she talks about how the blue and yellow paint in Monet's house made the other color look better. "I can't forget how those colors, while truly beautiful on their own, were actually far more stunning together. Though super different, the way these colors cooperated impacted me." (pag. 129-130) Then she talks about her friend Nichole and how they are very different but they complement one another and they are better together..."She adds value to my life, and next to me she makes me a more beautiful Annie." (page 131) Then she encourages us to make friends who are different, friends from diverse backgrounds, friends who see the world differently. I know that doing this has added immensely to the "loveliness" of my life!
"When in a blink, God stamped a statement onto my heart. TRUST THE PATH....He meant the questions in my heart, the things I wonder about, the worries that I am going to miss Him. I don't have to know here things are going; I don't have to know the destination; I just have to trust the path." (pg. 164-165)
"It makes perfect sense to me, grace and perseverance. I have learned that to be all grace is to be lazy but to be all perseverance is to be judgmental. A good balance of grace and perseverance pushes us forward without destroying our spirit when we don't meet a goal, and it continually brings us back to our goals, our dreams, and desires in order to remember why we began, how far we have come to get here, and where we ultimately want to go. It gives us permission to not be perfect but to strive toward excellence." (pg. 167)
"And as I'm collecting these moments that matter, I'm actually just seeing more of Him. Because in the end that's what this is all about. When you find Jesus, you have found lovely. He is everything we need." (p. 172)
"I am one who would rather hide my brokenness, hide hte lamp that is less than sufficient. But just like with my house, I feel God pushing me a bit to embrace my broken places and appreciate my weaknesses as much as I appreciate my strengths." (page 176)
"I'm a different Annie than I used to be. I had to be broken to be rebuilt, but breakdowns seem to often come before breakthroughs, right? My cape of shame has long been trashed, and my days of constant self-hate have passed. What God has done in my heart and my life (and body, to be honest) in the last two years is nothing short of a miracle. I used to be a quitter; now I cross more finish lines than I ever have before. I didn't know what it felt like for my character to be stretched and grown, but I do now. I thought I understood hope, but the kind of hope that has become mine in recent months is a treasure I don't want to release. I have surrounded myself with people who are for me, for my health, and for my sanity, and it has made for a tribe I am deeply gratefukl for and indebted to. I am growing and changing, and I like me more than I ever have." And I am very unfinished. (I bet you are, too.) But I am very loved. (I know you are, too.) (pages 180-181)
August 7, 2019
Absolutely wonderful. So real and relatable.
June 24, 2024
3.5 stars
This was a nice audiobook to listen to and I imagine the physical reading experience would be similar. It really felt like having a conversation with a friend or listening to a relatable podcast (which is apropos as the author does in fact have a podcast).
Although this book is categorized as "Self-Help" and there's life lessons to glean from it along with moments of Annie's life to relate to, I will say this book felt much more like an autobiography. A book filled with the author's journey. Which again is helpful because there are moments to relate to but it is more mainly focused on her life and what she has learned.
One thing that I did enjoy is that while this book is categorized as "Christian Non-Fiction" and does have biblical references, the book isn't overwhelmingly saturated with that. It's easy to read, it's relatable, and because of that I think this book will reach a greater audience.
I could see myself coming back to this book at different periods of life because I think different moments could be more applicable depending on life circumstances.
This was a nice audiobook to listen to and I imagine the physical reading experience would be similar. It really felt like having a conversation with a friend or listening to a relatable podcast (which is apropos as the author does in fact have a podcast).
Although this book is categorized as "Self-Help" and there's life lessons to glean from it along with moments of Annie's life to relate to, I will say this book felt much more like an autobiography. A book filled with the author's journey. Which again is helpful because there are moments to relate to but it is more mainly focused on her life and what she has learned.
One thing that I did enjoy is that while this book is categorized as "Christian Non-Fiction" and does have biblical references, the book isn't overwhelmingly saturated with that. It's easy to read, it's relatable, and because of that I think this book will reach a greater audience.
I could see myself coming back to this book at different periods of life because I think different moments could be more applicable depending on life circumstances.
December 5, 2019
I liked the overall idea of this book; looking for the lovely things in our lives. There were different things that Annie said, that encouraged and inspired me. I have to say though, this book was so talked about that I had high expectations and I honestly didn't love it. Maybe I just didn't connect with her writing style, but I personally felt that this book was a little all over the place, vague in places, and I found myself having to re-read several parts. I started this book 3 years ago, and just couldn't get into it enough to read it consistently. I appreciate her honesty and humor, I just felt like something was missing.
May 21, 2021
this book was the lovely i’ve been looking for. annie’s style reminded me a lot of bob goff, and so did the way she views God, which is much like the way i try to view God. her metaphors and anecdotes brought me to tears so many times. nearly every page in this book is dog eared to mark something that i want to remember and apply to my own life forever and ever. i’m thankful for optimistic Christians who are learning to sit in their struggle and grow from it
reduced a star simply because occasionally the informal writing style was just a little too rambly to me, although most times i did love it because i felt like we were taking about life together
a perfectly wonderful read
reduced a star simply because occasionally the informal writing style was just a little too rambly to me, although most times i did love it because i felt like we were taking about life together
a perfectly wonderful read
January 8, 2024
3.5 stars
First book of 2024!
I absolutely adore Annie and am so grateful for her honesty and vulnerability. This was a beautiful book about getting through the hard parts of life and making your way to the other side of the "broken crazy."
My only gripe is that it felt kind of disconnected. I feel like there wasn't a really strong theme throughout, and that left me a little confused at times. It felt more like a book of essays, really. Which is fine, that just wasn't what I was expecting.
First book of 2024!
I absolutely adore Annie and am so grateful for her honesty and vulnerability. This was a beautiful book about getting through the hard parts of life and making your way to the other side of the "broken crazy."
My only gripe is that it felt kind of disconnected. I feel like there wasn't a really strong theme throughout, and that left me a little confused at times. It felt more like a book of essays, really. Which is fine, that just wasn't what I was expecting.
July 10, 2019
I enjoyed listening to this book on audio as Downs is the reader. I give it a solid 3 or 3 1/2 ⭐️’s. She shares her life story w many real life examples. Downs writes descriptively and with humor. It does feel like she’s talking to you over coffee. She uses scripture and encourages the reader at the end of each chapter w practical ways to look for lovely. As the book ends she points us to Christ which I appreciate. Good one to listen to if you enjoy audio books.
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