Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality - Blue Like Jazz

My friends have recommended this book to me for at least a year now. And since I've had time, I picked it up. I don't read very much, but this is a great book. I love how Donald Miller keeps your attention through stories of his life and adventures he went through. But I also love how real he is about life, and about God and Christianity. I highly recommend this book. I think it is especially appreciated by the younger generation because of his approach to life. It isn't the normal Christian's approach, but it is really good.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who feels "stuck" in their Christian faith. Donald Miller presents Christianity in "Blue Like Jazz" as something you need to go out and do, not sit down and learn. He recounts experiences of reading the Bible with friends over cigarettes and chocolate or confessing his sins to non-believers. While I didn't necessarily agree with everything he said, this book was an enormous challenge to the way I live my everyday and whether or not I'm genuinely showing love to those around me. This book is more of something to be savored, not studied, so I would recommend for anyone who reads it to look for the underlining points and not try to just copy everything Miller does. Great book--I'll be reading it again!

I'd strongly recommend this book to anyone in the Church. It gives a different perspective of having faith. Especially not to have it just to follow the crowd. I like the way Don ends the book, coming from all his struggles into a deep, genuine relationship with Jesus.

Overall, the book was pretty okay. I think it would depend on where someone is with their spiritual walk on how much they liked the book. It is written in a very "non-religious" way, and there are some parts where the truth is quite poignant. One part I found very insightful (section where he's talking about a play he wrote, with a couple on the verge of divorce, and the husband is talking to his wife while she's sleeping) and really brought me to tears. On the other hand, a lot of the writing sounds the same as earlier parts, kind of predictable; I found myself tiring of his style after awhile. So, overall it's okay. Some truth, depends on what you need to hear at this stage.

Anyone who wants to get past milquetoast notions of “religion” or “spirituality” will do will with a dose of what this book has to offer. Recommended by a friend who knows me well, I loved every page.

Don Miller has a very real writing style. He shares all of his thoughts and feelings even when it is embarrassing or shameful. He presents many new perspectives on Christianity but also brings about a rawness of God's attributes like

I would recommend it because this book because it doesn't have an agenda. It is simply someone else's perspective on Christian spirituality just like the title suggests.

This book is excellent. I could relate with the stories the author told and he answered many of the questions I had about true Christianity. He deals with the tuff topics that churches sometimes like to push aside and brings the bible to the real world. I would highly recommend this book to anyone questioning what Christianity is really all about.

This book recommended by family member because I was having a tad bit of a go with 'Christian Spirituality' to quote Donald Miller. Thus the reason for the purchase of other books along the same line and author. Finally a down to earth presentation relative to religion etc.

An engaging and extremely honest look at what it means to be a follower of Jesus, including some fairly indicting judgments on the Church and Christians in general. Because we don't love and accept others where they are, is it any wonder, they aren't flocking to the church doors? I would highly recommend this book! It is thought provoking and inspiring--one of a handful of books I will certainly re-read. I've ordered copies for friends, too.

This is my favorite book on Christian Spirituality. I love Donald Miller's take on Christianity from a raw and honest perspective. He helps "regular" people understand God without all the "religious" talk. Highly recommended for anyone exploring Christianity and also for those who just want a fresh take on what it means to follow God

Truly an inspiring book, without being trite or using christianese. Following the author's personal quest for truth with God was refreshing and laid to rest some doubts and fears that try to creep into the mind. I want to read it again.

Donald Miller has a fresh perspective, and in this book honest and unique questions are brought to the surface. There are groups of evangelicals that see question asking and critical honesty and the beginning of doubt and "Satan's playground."

In my mind, Faith in Christ gains substantial ground when the questions are asked honestly and critically and still I long to follow.

That is what Miller's book provided for me. He is a wonderful story teller, and wrapped within them are poignant thoughts and observations that left me hungry for more.

If you are a Christian traveler who questions and doubts sometimes, pick this up and be refreshed that Christ can still be Lord in the midst of fog.

i love this book!!! i feel a spiritual kinship with the author, donald miller. the writing is colorful and vivid, so i was able to visualize each of the scenes in his encounters on his christian journey! i also laughed a lot! the author was brutally honest about his beliefs and feelings; however, very committed to being a healthy spiritual being and wanting to do the right thing for the right reasons!

I believe this book really paints a picture of Christianity that is often looked over by the media and even by Christians. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is even slightly interested in learning about Christianity.

As a student attending a private Christian college, I was not happy when I was assigned to read another religious book. But Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz was not just another religious book. It is refreshing and exciting to read. Miller’s testimony of internal contemplating and his trials to resolve them kept me reading. This book offers a different view on Christianity highlighted by the author’s one of a kind experience at Reed College.

Like it was mentioned in the description, this book offers a fresh perspective on life. Before this book I felt as though my faith was becoming dull and repetitive. While I was reading I became more and more excited to continue my walk with The Lord. It really got me thinking more about God and it replenished my drive to seek out and experience my faith during my everyday life.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is experiencing how I was feeling before I read this book. Also, to anyone who wants an interesting take on Christianity and religion.

This book is clever and witty. It gives a progressive look at what Christianity and love for Christ look like in our modern society. Donald doesn't sugar-coat. His feelings and emotions are what they are, even when they don't look how some envision a Christian's feelings should look. Our relationship with our Savior is so personal and this book perfectly depicts one man's (and a few of his friend's) journey to a REAL relationship with Christ.

I enjoy Miller's casual writing style. As a fellow Christian, I found it interesting to read about his spiritual journey, although I'm not sure I'd change anything major in my own life based on his beliefs. I would put quite a bit more thought and research into the matter before doing so. He's definitely part of the emergent church movement, although he'd probably deny it. I got his next book, In Search of God Knows What, mostly because I love the way he writes, but I'm not enjoying it as much.

This book came to me in great condition as promised. The book itself I have read many times in the past and would recommend it to most people. I am giving it as a gift this Christmas and hope it is as appreciated as it was when I was first gifted the same book several years ago.

this book is cool, the last couple chapters get a little monotonous, but still worth the read for sure, miller says it best when he states; "I want my spirituality to rid me of hate, not give me reason for it".

Most books on Christianity or religion in general, tend to be somber and preachy as if the intent is to "save the reader from burning in Hell." This author wrote a personal testimony that made me laugh out loud and I could so identify with his descriptions and life situations. I would highly recommend this book no matter what the reader's beliefs are. It's well written and real!

Donald Miller has a quiet way of writing that seems to stick in your head. As someone who has grown up in a religious environment and walked away from it all at one point, It really opened my eyes to a new and refreshing perspective of Christianity and more importantly Jesus. He doesn't preach at you or tell you what your doing wrong in your life. He merely tells a story and explains what drives him. Regardless what your religion or personal beliefs are, I fell anyone can appreciate this great read.

The book was very good - it is very simplistic which is a relief from the self-righteous philosphical types. It uses stories to explain very difficult issues such as why Christ had to humble himself and come to earth to save the world. It is an easy read that will impact your soul.

This was a great read. I really identified with a lot of Miller's musings, including how self-centered we who live alone too long can become. It was the type of book where I found myself underlining and bookmarking certain passages, and I have a feeling I'll read this over and over again. I bought a paper copy for my sister for her birthday.

This was a great read. Engaging, exciting, and yes interesting. Sometimes you love this guy, other times he get on your nerves, but you love his journey with Christ. It is real, raw, and passionate. Certainly, a book that makes you feel uncomfortable at time. Book a but that tells a story, and makes some valid points in unorthodox ways. I highly recommend this book. Check it out for a relaxing read that will cause you to love your faith even more.

This book reads quickly and is entertaining. The title is just right. The book is about enjoying a life of faith in Jesus like you enjoy jazz. Written from a different mindset than most Christian books, it's worth reading. It jars some of the acceptable Christian ideas but in an entertaining way

Miller presents some interesting ideas, good stories, and sprinkles with a mild left-wing point of view. He offers new perspectives and questions "conventional wisdom" about Christian faith in a fun way. Miller also comes across as very confused and theologically drifting--which is pretty much the hallmark of the emergent movement. Worth a read if you have spare time, although not up to the hype...

Educational and entertaining. A fun trip tagging along with Donald Miller as he learns not to major on the minors. How he can know so much, and still believe in tithing, I don't understand, but "oh well." The chapter on "Confession" is well worth the purchase price. Read This Book!

Even though I am only half way through this book, I am enjoying it immensely! Don Miller opens his heart to the reader in an honest and personal way that makes the reader feel he/she is talking with the author in person. This author writes in a way that everyone can relate to. Even though the subject matter is somewhat serious, Don Miller is funny and painfully honest about his development in the Christian life. I laughed out loud more times than I can count. How can you NOT enjoy this book? I have already ordered his two other books.