Through Painted Deserts (Donald Miller).

Through Painted Deserts is quite possibly my favorite book of all time. Donald Miller is an incredible writer and this book is definitely his best, in my opinion. It's so good, in fact, that I borrowed the title of the book and named my personal blog after it (giving Miller homage and credit, of course).

Because I love this book so much, I've written about it before, and will be splicing together my current thoughts about the book as well as some old musings I've previously shared on other blogs or writing forums.

So where to start? Let's try the beginning. In the fall of 2005, I went to the college group at Bel Air Presbyterian Church to see Miller do a book reading. He was highlighting passages from his newest release, a memoir titled Through Painted Deserts. Though he only read bits and pieces from the foreword, I knew instantly that I had found my new favorite book. Miller's candid style of writing is so appealing to me. I always find myself able to relate to the things he writes. His ideas challenge me; his words inspire me. I don't ever feel as though Miller is preaching to me; instead, his words read like advice from a wise, trusted friend.

The memoir chronicles Miller's roadtrip from Texas to Oregon. The adventure was entirely unplanned; the only guarantees were that Miller and his driving companion, a new friend named Paul Harris, would begin in Houston and end up in Portland. Miller is able to sum up the content of the book eloquently in his own words: "What you will find in Through Painted Deserts is the beginning of a long trail of walking away from home, from religion and from an American version of Christianity." To give any more details of the story would be akin to giving away the ending of a great film or taking the last bite of your fabulous molten chocolate cake, so I'll spare you and allow you to bask in my praise for the book, knowing that your life will be forever changed by reading the content found on the memoir's pages.

There is one disclaimer, though, as provided by The Dallas Morning News:

• Warning: Could cause unquenchable wanderlust and a sudden urge to search eBay for a used VW van.
  

Miller's first book, Blue Like Jazz (which we'll get to later), was incredible. Actually, Through Painted Deserts is trumped by the popularity of the national bestseller. I think that's a shame, though, as I've found that I've taken more life lessons from Through Painted Deserts than Blue Like Jazz. Specifically, the following passage has carried me through momentous, life-changing times in my life. Miller's words from the very same foreword he read aloud at Bel Air Pres on that crisp California evening in 2005 resonate with so many events in my life:

• It might be time for you to go. It might be time to change, to shine out. I want to repeat one word for you: Leave. Roll the word around on your tongue for a bit. It is a beautiful word, isn't it? So strong and forceful, the way you have always wanted to be. And you will not be alone. You have never been alone. Don't worry. Everything will still be here when you get back. It is you who will have changed.

One last thing about my favorite read: The book wasn't actually published until five years (give or take) after it was written. Miller originally intended for the book to be called Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance (a spoof on the much more philosophical and serious work, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintence by Robert Pirsig) but the publishers sent it back and asked for a rewrite. It wasn't after his success with Blue Like Jazz that Miller got to give Through Painted Deserts another shot. On his Web site, he wrote, "Through Painted Deserts will always be my favorite book. I think an author always likes his first book the best." Despite his setbacks, Miller knew what he wanted and ensured that his dreams materialized. He got stuck, had to try some different things for awhile and then was able to make his comeback. He left. He wasn't alone. And it was he who has changed.

I think I'll try that, too.

Bergdorf Blondes (Plum Sykes).

Before you navigate away from my blog, please give Bergdorf Blondes a chance (okay, male readers, maybe you don't have to, but girlfriends, hang in there with me). Plum Sykes is a talented author who started her writing career at British Vogue in 1993. A mere four years later, Sykes became a contributing fashion editor to American Vogue. She worked with fashion editor, Anna Wintour, one of the most powerful, terrifying and intelligent women in the world of fashion. Working at Vogue under the tutelage of Wintour gave Sykes the experiences she needed to cultivate her writing skills.

Sykes's experiences at Vogue paved the way for her first novel, which was based on the New York fashion scene. Bergdorf Blondes chronicles the adventures of Julie Bergdorf (the heiress of the Bergdorf department store) and her posse. Julie's best friend (who is only given the title of Moi instead of a first name) is the narrator of the book and the sassy brunette who documents all of the goings-on in the world of fashion. The story essentially follows the young women on their journeys through life, love, adulthood and the Chanel and Cartier sample sales.

This book was one of the first to catapult into the "chick lit" genre. You know the type: books that are the perfect beach read, full of fashion jargon, Gossip Girl-like plots and witty banter. The exception with Bergdorf Blondes is that it's incredibly well-written, giving the novel credibility and allowing it to fulfill the "lit" requirement of the nicknamed genre. Sykes's voice comes through clearly in the book; though Julie and Moi flit around New York, seemingly without a care in the world, the tone used in the novel conveys Sykes's understanding that there is more to obsess over in this world than this season's Marc Jacobs heels or MAC's new lipgloss. There is a down-to-earth sentiment in the midst of the chaos and superficiality of Julie and Moi's lives.

I actually set aside my more intense reads (a few Dave Eggers books I'm reading, as well as a C.S. Lewis pick) while on vacation at home this weekend and re-read Bergdorf Blondes to give my brain a break. I was consumed by the genius of Sykes's reading; I forgot how much I enjoyed the book. I finished it in two days. It's that good.

You definitely have to be in the mood for something as lighthearted as this but know that if you're seeking some quintessential chick lit, this is the book for you. I especially love that the plot is peppered with perfectly crafted pop culture references. Here are some of my favorite examples:

• If Nicole Kidman could look that glamorous while she was divorcing Tom Cruise, I could smile my way through a few unreturned phone calls. But it's really hard, you know. I realized that day that actresses like Nicole really deserve all those free clothes because looking blissfully happy when your blood is turning to tears in your veins is extremely skilled work. I say, Nicole didn't deserve an Oscar, she deserves the Nobel Prize. (Sykes 94)
• "Hi. I'm Jazz-eee," she said flirtatiously. "I have a proper book question. You know that book, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius? Do you know if Dave Eggers, the author, is, like, single still?" (Sykes 229)
• The fact is that when you're down, it doesn't matter how many Bellinis and ball gowns you have, it doesn't make a jot of difference. Chloe jeans and Alpha-Beta peels don't make the nasty things go away. You have to live with the nasty things forever, like Liza Minelli does. (Sykes 244)
• Sometimes I wonder if I can get a divorce from Mom. I could cite irreconcilable differences over relations with our neighbor. Apparently Drew Barrymore did that and she turned out really well. (Sykes 264)
• Defeated, I let the car roll as far as it could onto the grass verge. I got out and sat slumped on the hood in a moody, Kelly Osbourne-style huff. (Sykes 268)

Though the content may not be completely stimulating, this book is completely entertaining. If you can't hop on a cruise or jet out to a beach, reading this book is the perfect vacation your mind needs from the grind of everyday life.

Wide Awake (Erwin McManus).

Wide Awake was one of the most helpful books for me during my transition from college into the "real world." I have to admit that I'm a bit biased about this book--I go to Mosaic Community Church where Erwin McManus is the pastor. I got the added bonus of hearing McManus discuss each chapter at church week after week, and his presentations provided me with the clarity I needed to fully understand the content found on the book's pages.

Regardless of my affiliation with both Mosaic Church and McManus himself, I truly believe that this is the perfect book for anyone transitioning into a new phase of life. It's also the right book for anyone who feels that their life has come to a standstill. The book is all about encouraging the reader to pursue a life wide awake, to pursue living one's dreams in present-day life instead of allowing them to remain as figments of their subconscious.

The book is broken down into chapters in order to explore the characters within ourselves that are waiting to be set free. Each chapter challenges the reader to dig deep and discover the potential that is undoubtedly within them. McManus encourages readers to recognize that we must be awakened from our sleepwalking in order to live the lives God has created for us. He calls us to understand that not only will our own lives be improved by comprehending our potential but he also stresses that the world needs us to live up to the standards God has set for us. We must create, dream, imagine and, ultimately, live. McManus mandates that we must live the lives that were set out before us in order to improve ourselves and our communities.

The book is simple to read and easy to follow. It's the type of book that some readers may be unable to put down; it's the type of book that other, more leisurely readers will be able to set down for a few days and return to without feeling overwhelmed or lost. The book is well-written, Biblically based and foundationally sound. Here's an excerpt from one of my favorite chapters, a section that investigates the "Explorer" character found within each and every one of us:

In an excerpt from Wide Awake:

If you're going to create the life of your dreams, you have to once again choose to explore. You need to make it a life mandate to learn everything and anything you need to know to turn your dreams into reality. You have to start making yourself flexible and pliable again, because if you stop learning, you will stop growing and will never create a life beyond the one you have right now...

When you are called out by God, you have to take on a learning mode that recognizes you are called by God to explore unknown territories and go to uncertain environments. To some of you, God is literally saying, "You need to leave your country, your relatives, your house and go to a place you've known if you are going to live the life of your dreams..."

I wonder if some of you need to move to Tibet or maybe India or South America. Or maybe you need to find a way to deal with the issue of AIDS in Africa. Is it possible that to create the life of your dreams, you need to get up and leave what you know and relinquish the security of what you have in order to discover what you only see in your imagination? Remember, there is always a hero within you waiting to be awakened--that hero is the explorer.

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After reading the book, I found this quote by Henry David Thoreau that not only went along so well with Wide Awake but that served as consistent inspiration to me during my times of transition as well:

:: Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake. ::