High Points and Lows: Life, Faith, and Figuring It All Out

by Austin Carty

For readers who loved Blue Like Jazz , comes inspiration and advice from Survivor contestant and Christian speaker Austin Carty

Figuring out who you want to be in life is never easy. In High Points and Lows , Austin Carty traces his own stumbling journey toward adulthood and true faith, drawing on lessons from pop culture and Christianity. In these funny and moving essays that address questions on faith, goals, and vocation, Carty offers an uplifting message for religious and secular audiences alike.

By turns amusing and endearing, Carty's essays explore everything from misguided evangelicals who treat salvation as a cottage industry to the real danger of cheating in school-everyone will think you're brilliant and then you've got a real problem. Whether he is failing miserably at his first real job as a nightclub gofer, explaining how Saved by the Bell has ruined our youth, or struggling to come to terms with the death of a beloved friend, Carty demonstrates how finding the courage to be ourselves is the best way to forge a genuine connection with friends, family, and God.

Genres: Christian

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 26, 2010

Reviews

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short audiobook read narrated by the author. Poignant, yet funny, thoughts and retrospect of things learned in the author's life. Carty is a former contestant on Survivor and is unabashed in his Christian living.

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit - I was intrigued to read a book by someone who was on Survivor (that I liked, of course) and who lived nearby-ish. It was a really interesting read - as a Christian who came up in a more "traditional" denomination, it was nice to get a picture of someone with a more "evangelical" background looking at their own faith and their experiences. It was nice to see his viewpoint of some approaches that evangelicals use -- and his own path of faith and relationship of Jesus. His own experiences of love, family, and meaning also weaved their way throughout the story in a random but ultimately compact manner. I would recommend this book for any Survivor fans, any Christians, and anyone wondering about the path their life is taking. He's young, but he's asking the right questions.

[Jodi Uplinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. He had some good points and an interesting story of living out his faith in normal events of life (audio book)

[Jjanovyak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit that I picked this book up out of prejudice.

I saw the book prominently displayed in the New Books section of the downtown library, where I was champing at the bit, waiting for someone who was running nearly an hour overtime. My eye fell on the book and, in my sour mood, it instantly triggered all the negatives I generally feel when I see a product that appears to be attempting to make spiritual matters palatable to the public by cloaking them in popular themes. I admit I'm a grouch in this arena. In the main, I feel this technique is pandering. I think I am scarred for life, once having seen a devotional based on the songs of the Rolling Stones, and thus have little patience for such bizarre mash-togethers. So, seeing something described as inspirational written by someone whose most praiseworthy achievement has been an appearance on Survivor!, I was poised to feed my dislike for the genre.

So, I picked up this book, ready to leaf through, mentally shred it, and leave it on the shelf. Since I've starred this review, you know I was surprised. Rather than the labored, tortuous construction attempting to glue popular trends to isolated Scriptures that I expected, this book turned out to be a series of reflective essays, light, but not quite fluffy, with a very authentic feel.

I ended up checking it out that day, and read the balance of the book. I even recommended one essay to my teenage daughter, who shared my appreciation of it. Carty's thoughts on living in the present day (contained in a chapter that I think was called Chicks Dig Ace) are wholly valid and wise beyond his years.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

High Points and Lows is an amazing book that is easy to read yet incredibly poignant. I am in awe of how Austin uses his life experiences to teach such powerful lessons of faith. This book made me laugh and cry, and it even exposed some of my personal shortcomings. I am impressed that Austin was willing to put his own faults and vulnerabilities out there for the world to see just to share his message of faith in our great God.

While this book teaches great lessons, it is far from preachy. I truly believe people from all points on the faith spectrum would enjoy reading this wonderful book. I found myself sad when I came upon the final page because I did not want it to end!

Eagerly awaiting Austin’s next book!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I gave Austin Carty five stars. I have read several books about being real in the church and as a Christian. Being real, as in we are all flawed. We are not perfect. Austin let's you into his life and the lives of his friends, as well as his time on "Survivor". I met this young man at a book signing and I have to say that I was impressed by him. He is real. He might think that "Chicks Dig Ace" but I bet "People Dig Austin" is more like it. Thanks Mr. Carty!

[Blair Metcalf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grew up with the author in High Point, NC. I found this book to be funny, light and full of references to the 1980's. He speaks very candidly about some evangelical Christian references that many of us living in the Bible belt can relate to. If you know Austin Carty, read it.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grew up in High Point with this author and knew things he was talking about. Was given this book by a friend who also grew up in HP. It was a funny read whether you grew up there or not - very good for the 20-something set/easy to relate to with things he mentions.

[Jeff Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Impressed with his new book. Unsure at first how good it would be, but loved it through the last page. Laughed and cried, easy read. recommend.....

[Lexi T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book because of the imagery he uses to describe everything he's doing or has done.