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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

This Book Is My Most Unexpected (and Loved) Read This Year

by Chautona Havig · 1 Comment

Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson just became my favorite book of the year--and even over all fiction. I'm not sure how I feel about that. via @chautonahavig

Just a note about this review of Adorning the Darkness by author, songwriter, and musician Andrew Peterson. While this book focuses on the areas of the arts, it can feel like it only applies to people who are “artsy” or are “creatives.”  That word “only” is important.  That’s how it can feel.  It’s not. I really think it’s a book that every Christian would benefit from, regardless of their personal perception of their own creativity. Let’s talk about this one… so much to unpack.

Adorning the Dark

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

This Book Is My Most Unexpected (and Loved) Read This Year

For the last few days, I’ve been devouring chapters of this book at a gluttonous rate. In fact, my recommendation to friends that they only read one a day lasted me through 3/4 of the book and then I consumed the rest tonight.

And I’ve been shoving this title at everyone I know it will resonate with and saying, “Read this. You’ve GOT to read this!” Guilt hammered me for a bit over that one because it reminded me of how as new believers we often do that with the Gospel. We tell everyone who will even pretend to listen about this amazing story–and it’s true!

Then, bit by bit, we scale back and are careful of it–as if we share too much we’ll lose some. Silly us.

But I won’t be surprised if this book doesn’t do that to me, too. That guilt shouts into my ears, “You’ve lost your first Love. You’re replacing Him with a man’s ideas–His Word with some guy’s words.”

And it’s a lie from the pit. IT’s exactly what I think our Adversary WANTS me to think.

Because see… the truth is, this book has pointed me back to God at every turn. It has laid bare my need for communion with Jesus on an even more intimate level, and it has whispered a promise straight from God Himself (through His Word… nothing extraBiblical going on here!). It says, “Do all–your writing, your wifing, your creating, your cleaning, your LIVING–to the glory of the One, True Creator.”

And I’m humbled. Broken. I stare at my pathetic offerings through the eyes of the adult looking back at the clumsily pasted together Valentine brought home from school. And something within whispers back the truth–a truth I tend to forget until people like Andrew Peterson remind me. He sees those pathetic offerings through the loving eyes of that child’s daddy–an Abba who loves and cares both about the child and her imperfect gifts.

My soul sings new songs after reading this book–songs of praise not to this author (although he has earned my respect and a certain amount of praise, too) but to The Author. And I’m at peace.

Bonus from reading Adorning the Dark.

I found a great new song (to me).  Look, it’s no secret that I don’t like most music labeled as “Christian.” When I learned that Andrew Peterson (the author of one of my FAVORITE youth fantasy series –one that reminds me in a weird way of this other book I reviewed a while back and they’re nothing alike!) was also a musician, I’ll admit it. I dismissed it as “more of that junk.”  I hope he’ll forgive me. Guys… I’ve listened to this song a dozen times in just a few hours.

So, what’s next for me?

Look, I learned so much from this book. So much.  Seriously. This is going to be an annual reread–either this book itself OR one of the books that are on the “recommended reading list” at the end. I bought several books as I was reading, assuming I’d “get to them sometime,” but one of those books is the first on that rather extensive list, so I decided I’d read through that whole thing. I think it’s important. So, I’m going to have my own “Adorning the Dark” bookshelf for as long as the book and the recommended books in it point me to The Book.

Adorning the DarkAdorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making by Andrew Peterson

From the bestselling author of The Wingfeather Saga and award-winning musician and storyteller, Andrew Peterson.
Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, WORLD Magazine each named Adorning the Dark as one of their books of the year.

Making something beautiful in a broken world can be harrowing work, and it can’t be done alone.

Over the last twenty years, Andrew Peterson has performed thousands of concerts, published four novels, released ten albums, taught college and seminary classes on writing, founded a nonprofit ministry for Christians in the arts, and executive-produced a film—all in a belief that God calls us to proclaim the gospel and the coming kingdom using whatever gifts are at our disposal. He’s stumbled along the way, made mistake after mistake, and yet has continually encountered the grace of God through an encouraging family, a Christ-centered community of artists in the church, and the power of truth, beauty, and goodness in Scripture and the arts.

While there are many books about writing, none deal first-hand with the intersection of songwriting, storytelling, and vocation, along with nuts-and-bolts exploration of the great mystery of creativity. In Adorning the Dark, Andrew describes six principles for the writing life:
serving the work

  • serving the audience
  • selectivity
  • discernment
  • discipline
  • and community

Through stories from his own journey, Andrew shows how these principles are not merely helpful for writers and artists, but for anyone interested in imitating the way the Creator interacts with his creation.

This book is both a memoir of Andrew’s journey and a handbook for artists, written in the hope that his story will provide encouragement to others stumbling along in pursuit of a calling to adorn the dark with the light of Christ.

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Comments

  1. Cindy Davis says

    July 9, 2022 at 5:07 am

    My son loves his books too! I think this is one we will have to pick up. I have heard that song and love it, but had NO idea it was his!! Thanks so much for writing this post and sharing it.

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

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Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
September 29, 2023
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