On this blog I've frequently made reference to this great blog I read called Conversion Diary. (It's also on my Blogrollin' list.) It's written by a woman named Jennifer Fulwiler, who converted to Catholicism after a lifetime of atheism. As a lifetime Catholic myself, I am so fascinated by people's conversion stories and often think converts make the best Catholics!
Jennifer's conversion story is particularly interesting to me for several reasons. First, I have no idea what it would be like to grow up atheist and have absolutely no faith at all. Also, both she and her husband went on their faith journey and converted together, which seems pretty remarkable to me. Jennifer is an outstanding writer and has also become a pretty great Catholic apologist also. I learn so much from reading her blog.
I've been reading her blog since around 2008 and have been a loyal reader since that time. Over the years Jen has shared bits and pieces of her conversion story and her life, all of which are super interesting. As I mentioned, she's a great writer, so her stories are often compelling, funny and really make you think.
Since about the time I started reading her blog, she's been working on a book about her conversion story. Loyal readers will know that Jen went through many drafts of her book, and it was a very long process (to put it VERY mildly!). I, like many people I'm sure, was practically counting the minutes until Jennifer would announce that she had finished her book and it was on its way to being published. Luckily, this past December 2013 it was finally announced that we could pre-order the book, which I did that very day. Happily for me, the book finally (FINALLY) arrived at my doorstep this past week. It's called Something Other Than God: How I Passionately Sought Happiness and Accidentally Found It.
I am not exaggerating when I say it is awesome! As I mentioned I knew several details from reading her blog over the years, but having the whole story here in one book is fascinating. I made the mistake of starting the book at bedtime the other night and, after about 75 pages, had to pry the thing out of my own hands so I could get some sleep before work! Happily, I had a free day yesterday which I spent finishing the book in one sitting. My only complaint with her work is that it isn't longer! I could have read another 248 pages!
The book is incredibly funny. (Please do not get me started on the part where she recalls when her then-boyfriend Joe mentioned he was a Christian. Jen writes, "I tried to tell myself that he meant it in a medieval way, like to indicate he was a non-Muslim citizen of Christendom ..." Laugh out loud!) It is also very honest (she recalls an incident where she mocked Christ as a child), gut-wrenching (she's diagnosed with DVT during her pregnancy), hopeful (her medicine that previously had a $900 co-pay suddenly one month has only a $30 one ... but when she returns the next month it's $900 again and they have no record of the $30 transaction) and really such a blessing to read.
Anyways, the last thing you need is me recalling every detail since I'm about .0003 seconds away from re-typing the whole thing for you. Whether you're a Catholic, non-Catholic, questioning your faith or have no faith at all, you must must must read this for yourself. You can get it on Amazon, and it is worth the entire $17.46 you're going to pay for it. Frankly, I would have paid $18.46 to tell you the truth! :) I guarantee that you will close the book still wanting more, and when you do, don't forget that there is more at www.conversiondiary.com.
Jen ... when's your next book coming out?
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