By Bread Alone: A Baker's Reflections on Hunger, Longing, and the Goodness of God

by Kendall Vanderslice, Peter Reinhart (Foreword)

Bread is central to God's story, and to your story too.

Our spiritual lives are deeply connected to bread--the bread we break with family and friends and the Bread that is Christ's Body, given and broken for us. It's easy to choose the cheapest, most convenient option, but the life of Jesus and the story of Scripture, as well as the substance of bread itself, shows us that there is more. In By Bread Alone, Kendall Vanderslice, a professional baker and practical theologian who spends her days elbow-deep in dough, reveals that there is no food more spiritually significant than bread--whether eating, baking, sharing, or breaking.

Kendall has struggled with hunger ever since she can remember--hunger for bread, yes, but also for community and for the ability to "taste and see" the goodness of God. She knows the tension of bread as blessing and bread as burden but has learned that bread also offers a unique opportunity to heal our relationship to the body of Christ and to our own bodies. In By Bread Alone, she weaves her own faith-filled journey together with original recipes and stories about the role of bread in church history, revealing a God who draws near to us and creatively provides for our daily needs.

When words fail, when we cry out in longing and loneliness, when God feels impossibly far away, By Bread Alone displays the tangible expression of God's presence and provision for us in the form of bread. It's the story of hunger and family, of friendship and unmet longing. It's the story of a God who meets us in both sacred and mundane ways. In the mixing and kneading, in the waiting and partaking, may God also meet you.

Genres: Food, Memoir, Christian, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Faith, Theology

272 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2023

Reviews

[Kaitlyn Schiess · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this moving, theologically rich, and beautifully written work, Kendall Vanderslice tells her own story as one part of God’s larger story of meeting people in bread. Cannot recommend highly enough.

[Alyssa Yoder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kendall's memoir started off slow for me; I didn't really connect emotionally with her story. But I loved her reflections on theology, bread, and baking. And by the final chapters, I was fully invested and blinking back tears. A soothing, peaceful read for me, a reminder that God works in quiet, everyday ways.

[Brooklyn Bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The author deftly wove in her life stories with theology and bread making. I really related to different parts of her story, particularly moving around and never really knowing what God has next. I was very encouraged by her acceptance of the daily bread God provides, and how that is enough for her. One day, one breadcrumb at a time, while we rely on a good Giver for tomorrow’s.

[Holly Dowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, candid reflection on body image, self-worth, purpose, and hope. Kendall Vanderslice recounts bits of her childhood, identifying the moments when she realized that her figure played a factor in other people's opinion of her. Charting first her rigorous ballet training that came to a sudden, heartbreaking end, then her pursuit of baking and restaurant work, she tenderly observes the pivotal moments that informed her future and helped shape her faith, including a faith in her body and in food. Throughout the book, tidbits of history, science, and theology about bread provide the scaffolding for Vanderslice's story. Impressively, these sections felt much deeper than mere story device; rather, the authors reverence for the miracle that is bread utterly suffused the text and gave richness to an already compelling story. The balance of food writing, theological reflections, and personal memoir is well-struck and results in a really lovely work.

[Abbey Phipps · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! The author does a beautiful job of telling her story, weaving in themes of bread and the goodness of God throughout. As a baker myself, seeing how she connected the seasons and changes and transformations in her life, whether physical, spiritual, or emotional, to the process of baking bread was absolutely beautiful. I also really connected with a lot of her story and feelings, and I think a lot of women will find solace in knowing they have not been alone in their struggles.

All that being said, there were parts of her theology that, as a charismatic, I vehemently disagree with. While I can appreciate some of the practices of the liturgical denominations, I found her explanations of other practices to be wanting, based on others' thoughts, not on Scripture. Additionally, she pushed aside and spoke negatively of the idea of praying for healing, as well as speaking in tongues and being free in worship. She made the comment that these experiences heightened her anxiety, and I just want to give her a hug and help her experience the full love of God, because it is a beautiful thing.

Because of that, I will recommend this book with a warning: know what you believe, and if someone's beliefs differ from yours, take it to Scripture before you take their word for it. (A great warning for life, as well.) I really did like the book, though. Very enjoyable read.

[Melissa Brown]

“Bread is, by nature, temporary. It gets eaten or it molds or it goes stale. We must pray for daily bread because bread cannot last forever—it’s designed to be consumed. But the bread itself, and the nourishment gleaned from it, is not the sole purpose of the loaf. The waiting, the trusting, the harvesting, the mixing, the shaping, the daily prayer—all of it transforms us slowly, over the course of our lives. It teaches us to hunger for what’s to come while keeping us grounded in the moment that we’re in.”

I found a lot to relate to in Kendall’s story and her journey of faith (also the numb hands that come with lots of baking!) so this was a tender, encouraging read for me.

[Traci Rhoades · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I appreciated about this book the most was the sense I got that it was the exact book Vanderslice was meant to write. I read her first book, too, and have had limited encounters with her on social media. She's well educated, a foodie, and passionate about making basic eats like bread a part of our spiritual journey. A really good book!

[Mary Elizabeth Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

REALLY makes you want to weep and then bake bread, so I'd call it a success

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is such an accessible story of food, pain, longing, and faith. Kendall's writing draws you in with stories that so many can relate to. She easily weaves bread science with faith and life struggles. You learn more about bread, communion, and community in a way that's intriguing even if you don't feel deeply religious. I also love the way recipes are included that tie her life's story together.

[Grace T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may not have the same denominational background or complicated past with food as Kendall Vanderslice, but oh goodness the lifelong struggle with anxiety/understanding the unwritten social norms it seems like everyone else gets without trying, and periods of wrestling with singleness and how God's plan for one's life isn't always what you expect growing up...that GOT me (especially the part about just sitting with the pain and how God makes Himself known there too--I've gotten to a place where I thought I was pretty content but since that part made me cry there may have been some of my trademark Emotion Bottling involved just out of habit, along with the more genuine stuff).

But more importantly, despite being gluten-free I loved the bread pervading this book and how Kendall twined her personal journey with her academic knowledge and her constant seeking after God to show how He is seeking and waiting to receive us always, and will provide for us. It's hard now, with COVID in the world, for me to figure out what hospitality looks like for me personally, but stories like Kendall's are encouraging reminders that it's still important and fellowship with others is vital to our growing together in Christ both inside and outside the church building.

(on a completely unrelated note if anyone wants to help fund the purchase of outdoor dining furniture for my tiny back porch so I can have people over for more than just movie or game nights...hit me up /j)

[Lana Colby hurd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated the authors view on bread and how it relates to our lives from mundane to extraordinary. From snacking to communion.
I liked the authors explanation on grains, yeast and salt and how it relates to each other in the loaf of bread.
There are also few recipes included, which I haven’t tried yet.

[Laura Kisthardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has recently become a hobby baker, I enjoyed this book which is part memoir part theological reflection. Kendall has had an interesting life and faith journey. She is an engaging storyteller. Reading her words felt like sitting down with a new friend for a conversation.

[Traci Rhoades · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one, feeling as if it was just the book for this author to write. Her great passion for baking breads, her reflections on different theological circles, and her own personal experiences, make for a good telling.

[Erik Bonkovsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it and learned some stuff but didn’t love it, probably because it was a bit more like a memoir than a theological reflection on bread-baking.

[Madeline Pannell · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVE. What a gift. I loved how Kendall wove together personal stories with history and theology so skillfully — just so full of creativity and hope

[Natalie Herr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kendall has so much to teach us about the connections between bread and faith and life. A combo of faith reflections, memoir and a few recipes thrown in, too. I loved the bread baking liturgy included at the end. I’m thankful for the way God shaped Kendall through baking and how she teaches us.

[Alicia Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not entirely sure why I am giving it 5 stars. Even as I listened to it, I was never quite sure why I continued listening. It is not the most wondrous story I have ever heard. Her prose is not the best ever written, yet this book is beautiful. It continued to pull me in by the beauty of the theology of bread, and the resting and kneading involved in such living.

Is this categorized as a memoir? An autobiography? The process of living out theology? The author has experienced a lot and achieved a lot in her life. I was intrigued by this. I covet her focus and her ability to succeed. I also learned from her struggles and triumphs. She continues to dig deeper into the Lord and to cling to Him.

There are many ways I can relate to her life: we had post-high school traveling experiences, a love for theology, a love for academics, a desire to perform well, singleness, and infertility.
It was the struggle of her life, as she wrestled with the Lord, that pulled me in. It was inspiring and heartening.

I also really love the idea of developing a deeper understanding of a theology of bread and hospitality. I have wanted to learn more about such theology for several years. She describes well her process in stepping deeper into this understanding. Her way of describing this theology is with depth and beauty.

I greatly appreciated how she respectfully addressed and named a variety of theological perspectives and denominations. I found out about her book from a liberal publication, so I was always ready for her to try to "school" me in these ways, but she never did. She was gracious and lovely in how she presented each of her denominational interactions.

Overall, this book is causing me to edit my relationship with cooking and people. She speaks often of loneliness, but I don't think I have ever had friendships as deep as the ones she describes. This book is causing me to question why and how I can improve my relationships. She included a liturgy for baking bread and this has been a good reminder of the need to do that while cooking in general.

I don't know who else would want to read this book. Maybe artists and overachievers who don't think their lives will amount to much, but who need to sit and be still.

[Sarah Fowler Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable memoir, although it's very similar to Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist. I liked the different bread recipes and really loved the liturgy for bread making in the appendix. I've been enjoying the content from Vanderslice on the Edible Theology Project.

"Eating has the power to forge community and shape our identity. At best food fosters a sense of belonging among those who eat in similar ways, a reminder that our longing for community and our need for food go hand in hand. For most of history, eating has been tied to cultural or religious identity, but even without those underpinnings, we manage to create our own new dietary identities . Paleo. Keto. Vegan. The list goes on. At worst, though, food can mark a form of social isolation. Whether the family diet sparks criticism from classmates or allergies prevent us from sharing a meal with others, food is also a reminder that God’s good creation has been marred."

"I didn’t need to chase after 'feeling God' or discerning God’s will to know that I remained within the fold. I just needed to walk forward , hands extended, and taste the Bread on my tongue, feel it slide down my throat, and let it settle into my belly. In doing so, I was binding myself to this community, and they in turn were binding themselves to me."

{I received a digital ARC on NetGalley from Tyndale House}

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one hits the shelves tomorrow. Thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale for the ARC.

This title looks at the connections between bread, church community, and human hunger and longing. I liked the description of this book right away, but I didn’t love it as much as I wanted to.

While the memoir portions of the book followed a chronological timeline in the author’s life, I had a hard time following the structure at times. This totally could have been a Kindle/advanced copy issue though. I liked the way memories from childhood, instructions for bread making, history of bread and the church were all woven together in this one, but I imagine it would be easier to see the connecting points in print.

I connected with the author’s experience as a ballet dancer, even in Christian dance programs, appreciated her candor in describing struggles with her health, weight, and body structure, and related to her desire to find true community and friendships in the church, sometimes struggling to find it.

There were a couple moments I felt were too didactic or where it took some effort to understand the point the author wanted to make. Her thoughts meandered a little bit more than is my usual taste for a memoir—sometimes I wanted her to spell it out for me a little more—but overall I enjoyed this one.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really thought-provoking read. Vanderslice writes engagingly and relatably; I certainly took my time with the book, simply enjoying various turns of phrase or thinking about the ideas brought forth. The pandemic has made me appreciate liturgy in new and more ways than I did before, and I particularly enjoyed how the author interspersed excerpts from the Book of Common Prayer throughout the book--as well as discussed liturgy at length herself. It was a perfect and apropos read during Lent accordingly!

I also could relate quite a bit to the author's singleness and related hills and valleys. I got a good chuckle at some of her responses to (of course!) well-meaning friends, some of which I've thought but rarely had the guts to actually say out loud, lol. And it was hard but relatable to read about how she still may not have answers or see a culmination to long-awaited dreams and desires. A lot of books exist out there where we do see dreams come true, and that's fantastic--but I appreciated seeing the flip side, where we still wait for things and don't know if or how they will come to pass. Thought-provoking!

4/5 stars.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

By Bread Alone is not your average theology book, personal narrative, or cook book, and we are thankful it's not! Kendall Vanderslice combines her own journey as a baker and theologian, her experience baking and leading community-making events, and hungering for God into a delightful and deep narrative that draws you in to taste the goodness of God. As a pastor I also love that she included discussion questions and you can download a free Lenten study guide to use along with the book for your church or small group. Having these extra resources provided saves me time having to create them myself, and allows me to be a reader and not have to always be thinking as a leader while I read. If you're unfamiliar with Vanderslice's Edible Theology Project, you need to check it out as well. Her work is the real deal and is what our churches need to bring us together around the table and build community wtih our neighbors near and far. Check it out. You won't be disapointed!

[Sheila Joiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kendall writes with grace and wisdom about the common struggles of growing into ourselves as adults and continuing to choose faith in the midst of rejection, loss, and unmet longings. Her experience as a baker lends special insight into the significance of these hard times, and how they transform us into people of the kingdom.

Throughout these reflections and lessons learned, she shares fascinating bits of church history and food science that highlight and enrich the spiritual lessons that can be gleaned from observing the different processes of baking bread. Kendall's story has such a vulnerable "realness" that has something for all of us who seek "the delight of praying for daily bread."

[Amanda Dolinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a lovely mix of Kendall’s life story, interwoven with the history of humans and bread. She offers fresh honesty about the love-hate relationships between us, our bodies and one of the very things that is a gift given to provide physical nourishment to us—bread. But her honesty about all the messiness of life and baking through it, doesn’t leave us jaded or discouraged about our own journey, even if it has been one filled with zig zags and veering off the path we thought we would be on. Kendall uses the story of bread, and how the gift of the One who provides the bread gives us delicious hope and audacity to keep rising—just like the bread in her kitchen.

[Ronja · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect with By Bread Alone — as I am not one to read biographies or people’s stories that often. But I was intrigued by all that I could possibly learn about bread and God’s Word through this book. This book far exceeded my expectations. The author’s story was told in such a captivating way that I had a hard time putting down this book. I could relate to many of things she wrote about, and learn from the rest. On top of that, I learned a lot about the bread and its role in Scriptures as well as the history of the church. All in all, this was a great read.

[Sarah Rossing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great reflection of food and relationships. Not only with other people, but also with yourself and your faith. Kendall's journey weaving together a love of baking and love of people, along with learning to express her own yearning for love and community speaks powerfully to a moment in time when isolation is so common. The recipes and prompts to break bread with others with greater frequency and intention are an excellent resource for individuals and community groups.

"When we bake bread and break bread, we know God in a rich, creative, and intimate way."

[Lisa Suit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew that a book about bread and theology would be right up my alley but I didn't realize just how much I would love this book. Kendall and I have had very different lives, but the stories of longing for God, longing for bread, recognizing the theological importance of bread, and our journey to the Anglican church are so similar that I wept many times reading this book. It moved me very deeply and I can't wait to wake up tomorrow morning and start a new loaf of bread while praying the Liturgy for Bread Baking!

[Rachel Hafler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Love this blend of memoir and theological reflection. Kendall writes on the importance and goodness of our bodies and how God uses bread to meet us in those bodies. I relate to so much of her story and am inspired by the ways that she has connected her work as a baker to her faith.

Kendall is doing amazing work through the Edible Theology project to bring these ideas on food and spirituality to churches and communities of faith. Reading about the journey and stories that birthed this work was very meaningful.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could say many things about this. It’s moving, vulnerable, and revealing, and has an incredible sense of deep thought and theology, particularly in a subject that has been overlooked by modern Christians.

But I think the easiest, most accurate way to describe this book is that it’s the modern “Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence.

Instead, Sister Kendall has brought many of the ideas to the present, expanded on others and creating a voice for other concerns that the church should have been looking at more deeply and intentionally long ago.

[Rachel Thorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended to me by a co-worker. An east read that reminds you of the importance of food and fellowship. The most successful fellowship events are the ones with food and this book gives insight into why. Also, Kendall’s vulnerability about loss, longing, and asking for daily bread is very moving and inspirational. I highly recommend to someone looking for connection or belonging or for new ways to understand the love and community in their own lives.

[Eady Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting dance or interplay between baking, theology, and the nourishment we receive from both.

Kendall delves into her experiences as a dancer, struggles with weight, struggles with singleness, and the many spiritual lessons she has gleaned as a baker and a theologian.

This is a spiritual memoir and a quite a prayerful read, bringing meditation and spirituality to the baking, breaking, and partaking of bread.