I’m currently reading Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. So many people had recommended it so highly that I must confess, I was rather skeptical. If so many people liked it so well it was bound to mean I wouldn’t. Not that I’m anti-society or anything… just that, for some reason, I tend to not find appealing things that others, especially fellow believers, do.

At any rate, I’m enjoying it. I wouldn’t say it’s the best book ever, or that it’s life-altering. I think its more encouraging in a literary sense than anything. It says that people just telling their story is good enough to get published. You don’t have to have it all figured out and wrapped up in a bow to get your story told. It’s okay for it to be a work-in-progress, as all authentic stories are.

Donald Miller writes very much like my roommate, Adria. Here’s a sample of Blue Like Jazz that I just read:

"Then what?" Tony asked, sort of laughing.
"Penguin sex."
"Penguin sex?"
"Yes. Penguin sex. Right there on television. I felt like I was watching animal porn."
"What was it like?" he asked.
"Less than exciting," I told him. "Sort of a letdown."
"So what does penguins having sex have to do with belief in God?" Tony asked.
"Well, I am getting to that…."

And on it goes.
Adria has a similarly dry wit and not only writes but verbally delivers these crazy one-liners and zingers with such understated tone you can’t help but bust out laughing. Then with her next breath she, like Donald Miller, will turn the tables on you and delve into the depths of the wisdom of God.

She is far too young to have this wisdom of her own accord. It has to be God’s, and she is His own human Little Dipper, plunging into the depths of Him and bringing out life-giving, drenching wisdom for all of us who are thirsty.

You need to read her latest entry, Rock and Roll Circus. For that matter, you need to read all her posts.

And watch for her name on the bookstore shelves. I believe someday soon she will give Donald Miller a run for his readers.