There could not have been a more perfect time for this book than now. So Long, Normal addresses how we have all been feeling the last few years since 2020 when all normal seemed to go out the window. I enjoyed this book and others I have read by Laura Story because she is so transparent and relatable. She and her family have quite the story and it would be easy to see how she could have ended up giving up and being bitter. However, she long ago said goodbye to the normal life she thought she would have and spends each day grateful for the one she has now. I will say this book did not have as strong of an impact on me as her other books, but it was still filled with down to earth faith-based suggestions, I enjoyed the interviews with real people she knows who also said so long to normal.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

If you are new to Christianity or haven’t read a lot of great non-fiction Christian books in the past, then I would definitely recommend So Long, Normal. If you’ve already been around that mountain a few times, then I would say pass and move on to the next one. So Long, Normal wasn’t a “bad” book. I don’t even have a problem with the book itself, it was just, for me, another Christian book saying a lot of the same things over again. I read a lot of non-fiction Christian books, so the information seemed to be repetitive.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Laura Story’s ability to move me emotionally is amazing. She shares her heart and personal encouragement to those who are hurting and struggling. As we are in the midst of COVID, there is no sense of normal. The author's writing style is well done and her use of scripture and sharing the story of her life … her husband, kids, and career in Christian music is appealing. The fact that she shares interviews of various individuals is a wonderful addition. And then when she asks readers the same question at the end is moving.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

While there was a lot of good stuff in this book (my Kindle document is full of highlights), I had hoped for something a little more practical. Now, I get that Story cannot address what each person is going through when it comes to loss of normalcy, because what we each call normal will be different, but I still expected some hands-on tips.

I would say that this is rather more a book to offer hope in the midst of losing normal. It's your permission to grieve but also to hope. It shows that our idea of a normal life is an illusion because, for the Christian, life cannot be "normal" in the world's sense of the world.

There is one thing at the end that can help you work through your own loss of normal and I appreciated that. I also liked the different people and families she interviewed to help us see how others dealt with their loss of normal and the blessings they found along the way.

Laura Story does a good job of balancing the real, raw pain of losing the life you had hoped for, while offering hope for the life you are actually living.

I have not heard a song by Laura Story that has not touched me deeply so when I saw she had a book, especially related to things not working out, I knew I wanted to read this. Story is a gifted teacher and has a genuine way of sharing God’s truth to bruised, hurting hearts. Her words of encouragement, cultivated through her own trials, are all meant to point the reader back to the unchanging presence of God and the healing and restoration He provides in His Truth. A great book to add to any shelf.

I received a complimentary copy, with thanks, from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own and freely given.

Laura's book is honest and she is open in her writing about her own struggles with letting go of normal. She illustrates succinctly that we must let go of control and desiring a "normal" life over following God in our lives. Yes, there will be shaking and storms but we must remember who is ultimately in control.

This is a fantastic read, one written amid a pandemic we haven't yet seen the end of. I easily get discouraged or unsettled thinking about post-pandemic life, our "new normals", and how I want life to look at that time. What do I want to keep from pandemic life (more nights at home), and/or reengage in (uh, seeing/hugging people?! lol!)? And yet, we only have so much control.

Enter this book.

I'd heard Laura Story's song 'Blessings' on the radio a number of times, but really wasn't familiar with her beyond that, until now. I loved her writing style and just how deeply she knows and shares the Scriptures in 'So Long, Normal.' It's exactly what I need as we continue amid the pandemic and covid variants, and look ahead with hope. Brilliant read.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was wonderful and very inspirational. I feel like I really gained a lot from reading it.

This is such a helpful and Biblical book. Laura Story has been through a lot and writes with knowledge and experience. She will help you see that normal isn't always the right way to be thinking...instead look at things Biblically. One day things will be "normal", but that time isn't now. This book would be a great read for anyone in any walk of life or any season of life.

“Our greatest surprise has been in seeing how God chooses to bring himself immeasurable glory through what he has not healed and what he has not fixed.”

“Every one of us has endured uninvited change.”

This is the first book I have read by Laura Story and I definitely appreciated certain aspects of this book. She weaves together her own life experiences, as well as some interviews with others, along with Biblical truth and teaching. She seeks for the reader to be fully present in life and encourages engagement in the different seasons we may find ourselves in that defy the “normal” we were expecting.

I am in a personal season of change in my life, of “saying goodbye to my own normal”, as it would be described in this book. I should have been a key demographic for this book and yet, while this was an encouraging read and presents the reader with timeless truth, I struggled to connect with her writing style a bit. I’m not sure if this is because I am a bit older than her and am at a different place in my family and professional life, as I am sure others will really resonate with the messages within.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley on exchange for my honest review.

4 stars
So Long, Normal
Living and Loving the Free Fall of Faith
by Laura Story

I have long been a fan of Laura Story's music. So Long, Normal is a wonderful book. Story leads readers on a journey through the difficult times in her life and others, while pointing readers to the beauty of the Gospel and the marvelous benefits of releasing our hold on “normal” and grasping on to full faith in Jesus,
Story is as talented a writer as she is a singer. She has a deep solid theology and I understood a few Biblical promises in a new way after reading this book.
I highly recommend this book. It would be perfect for a small group!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.

Laura Story takes you through her own story as well as others' stories and stories from Scripture of saying goodbye to "normal". "Normal" is something we so often strive for instead of stepping out in faith or trusting God. The book is easy to read and makes you think about ways that we so often strive for "normal".

"I pray I've encouraged you to step out in boldness, step away from unhealthy or overly cautious patterns of life, and truly say goodbye to anything you lean on a substitute for true faith."

I received a complimentary advanced reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

I received an ARC copy of So Long, Normal in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley and W Publishing Group for making this book available to me. My thoughts are my own.

2020 changed life for all of us. No doubt about it. Life came to a complete halt between January and May as we tried to understand what was taking place.

Books written in the middle of this crisis will forever memorialize this life-changing year. Unfortunately, some books will remain stuck in time, unable to become timeless odes.

I have a "love, hate" relationship with So, Long Normal, Laura Story's newest book out July 20, 2021.

The Love
I appreciate Story's mature writing in So Long, Normal. Wanting to learn about her, I checked out her bio. With a Master's in Theological Studies, Stories speaks from a place of authority. Her love for God's word comes out time and again as she quotes from the Scripture and provides analysis. She incorporates the words of several theologians, which tells me she is well-read.

I just passed the "40" milestone in June, and I feel like I'm reading the wise reflections of a best friend or older sister. It's as if I'm sitting down over a fresh pot of coffee with Story and listening to her speak. I love how she adds parts of her story into her writing. I love how she's broadened her reach by adding the testimonies of fellow Christians.

I love how the book is laid out, broken into three sections: first establishing what normal is, then saying farewell to normal and finally, hello to the "new" that God has in store. I think this is brilliant! It's a step-by-step guide to becoming more open to God's leading and less stuck in our everyday boxes.

I especially appreciate what Story offers at the end. She asks us questions, questions about trauma, what might be holding us back and how to move into an extraordinary life.

The Hate
2020 triggers me. I agree with Story that we all face post-traumatic stress from what we endured last year. However, it's almost impossible not to politicize the pandemic or even subtly virtue signal our position. While Story's position is subtle, I still detect a leaning in one direction. I fear this is a turn off to some readers, as it was for me. I wish I could look past it, but it's woven throughout the book. I fear it will become lost as a tome of 2020.

What would I have done differently? I don't know that much could have been done to change this. We've all drawn our lines in the sand, so to speak, regarding 2020 and COVID. Like I said, this triggers me. I'm one person. I've seen reviews for So Long, Normal that praise it in its entirety.

Bottom Line
2020 changed a lot for me, and I'm sure it changed a lot for you as well. Like Story writes, I was refined in 2020. I had to take risks in 2020. I had to let go of plans and expectations. There were moments of fear, but moments of great faith as well.

Have I gained wisdom from reading So Long, Normal? Yes.

Can I give So Long, Normal five stars? No. I can give it four stars. Solid writing and [mostly] wise encouragement create a great resource for Christian women. It's like the adage, "take what you like and leave the rest."

While I say this, I can imagine some of my friends asking how I can promote someone who I disagree with, how her position on certain things doesn't run through her theological position. I don't find her positions on 2020 to run throughout her theological positions. And that's what is frustrating to me. She offers wise words on how we can shift our positions to what God has in store for us.

However, I still think fair warning is required before jumping into this book.

Triggers: 2020, COVID

4-Stars

So Long, Normal by Laura Story. I had wanted to read this book because it was written by Laura Story. and because I thought it was one I could buy as hard copy or maybe audio to give to a friend, who became quadriplegic after an accident.

I was disappointed. The beginning seemed appropriate for me, but then most of the book was about letting God take you from your "normal" life and use you for His purpose, which is fine, but not what I was looking for at this time in my life.

I enjoyed the various stories of people's lives and changes in their lives. The book seemed to ramble and go on and on. I set the book aside for a couple weeks and then had to force myself to finish. I procrastinated writing this review because I did not want to give a negative review.

3.5 stars

Laura Story’s newest book is as uplifting and encouraging and her last two. But it also offers a challenge to accept and enjoy a life following God that may be different from what we planned. Using examples from her own life, from the Bible, and from other people she has met, Laura explores the many different ways that God calls us to honor Him and to live a life glorifying God. Her writing style is much like a conversation with a friend, and Laura is open about her own struggles with finding a new normal. I found this book a delightful read and a comforting look at how my own life can be fulfilling in the midst of difficulties. I highly recommend this book.

I really enjoyed So Long, Normal by Laura Story. It was a great reminder of why Christians should abandon "normal" to pursue a more intentional life.

My full video review can be see here: https://youtu.be/BSvzbU_N-jg

The text version is found here: https://www.matthewschaefer.xyz/post/so-long-normal-book-review-laura-story

I have long admired Laura Story as a musician, writer and a person. This is at least the third book of her's that I have read and it is, again excellent. Each chapter includes some stories of Laura's life, a discussion of a Biblical passage as well as a story about another person who has had their "normal" interrupted.
This book is perfect for the time we are in as Christians and Americans. "Normal" has been interrupted for everyone during this past year of shutdowns due to Covid. But, as Laura states in the book " is it possible that God in his mercy might allow our lives to be shaken for the sole purpose of exposing a faulty foundation?" This book looks at this and also whether our changing circumstances are being used by God to bring us closer to him.
If you have had some sort of upset to your normal conditions that are causing you to question God, I highly encourage you to read this book.
I received a complementary copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.