Pros: I recently read and loved the author's memoirs (Everything Happens for a Reason . . . and No Cure for Being Human) and was delighted to learn she has written additional books of devotions and blessings. I appreciated that this book contains meditations/reflections for many types of days and that it is not full of toxic positivity. I so appreciate that it acknowledges anxiety and painful times while also finding the beauty in our lives. In addition to being a lovely personal project to work through this book, I think this would make for a resource for groups to explore together because it combines scripture, essay, and prompts.

Cons: None!

Thank you to NetGalley and Convergent Books for the opportunity to read this book.

Kate Bowler is known for crafting witty yet heartbreaking stories of the difficult times she's been through. Now battling Stage IV cancer, she has penned, "Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!: Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs & In-Betweens". Bowler uses her trademark transparent honesty when sharing about her life. Each meditation includes a personal anecdote and a poem/prayer for the reader. I was especially intrigued when she shared that the word "precarity" which we take to mean something that's dangerous, actually comes from a word meaning "obtained by entreaty or prayer." Bowler insists that we cannot do all things by ourselves, but rather must rely on others -- God especially.

My favorite blessing includes the phrase, "Blessed are we, the anxious, with eyes wide open to the lovely and the awful." This was a book that I would highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I sat down to read Kate Bowler's "Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!: Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs & In-Betweens" in the early days after my release from an 11-day hospital stay to address bladder cancer that would remove my bladder, leave me with an ostomy, unexpectedly also address previously undiscovered prostate cancer, and ultimately leave me having both beautiful and terrible days.

As my recovery continues, a combination of physical healing and adjusting to life with an ostomy while also praying that the removed cancer stays removed, Bowler's ability to tap into the wonder and holiness of what it means to live life faithfully wherever our path takes us continues to be an ability that inspires, informs, and engages with my daily journey.

While Bowler's own journey is by now well documented, I continue to marvel at Bowler's ability to both affirm faith and yet embrace those of us for whom the pressure to be cheerful and optimistic is not only unrealistic - it's downright unhealthy.

"Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!" is inspired, entertaining, witty, vulnerable, and incredibly wise as Bowler invites readers to embrace their true paths and to resist the cultural pressure toward toxic positivity that can often feel particularly overwhelming within the world of faith.

Bowler's invitation into a different sort of faith journey feels truthful, honest, and embracing of those of us whose lives haven't always been embraced within faith circles.

This collection of short, accessible reflections with tangible action steps are proving to be the perfect companion for my own healing journey as I try, sometimes moment by moment, to get through my days whether I'm having a good day, a bad day, a mediocre day, or a day I simply can't define. My life, I would day say, would never be one held up in Christian circles as a lighthouse for the faith. Yet, Bowler gets it. She really, really gets it. Bowler composed these meditations during a season of chronic pain, a season that was often marked by the unpredictability of the life journey. She invites us warmly into feeling the full breadth of our life experiences without hesitation and without shame.

Deeply grounded in both Scripture and daily life, these reflections are typical Bowler - candid, transparent, often quite funny, and always insightful. We're encouraged to look for the ways we can expand our capacity for courage, love, and honesty and a deepened relationship with God. I've also been enthralled by Bowler's inclusion of bonus sections for use during Advent and Lent - opportunities to take these meditations and make them a communal experience.

As someone who is learning how to adjust and embrace my new physical realities, "Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!" is a sacred, loving companion and yet another literary wonder from Kate Bowler.

Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day is the title of Kate Bowler’s latest devotional for women. While I am not too fond of the title, I am absolutely in love with the book. This devotional touches on all the worries, concerns, thoughts and day-to-day joys and tribulations of a woman’s average day. Additionally, there are Lenten and Advent devotions that are beautiful additions to an already beautiful collection of prose, poetry and prayer. The Christian woman will want to add this one to her collection.

I adore Kate Bowler’s words and this is another wonderful devotional to add to my collection. I will definitely be buying the hardcover when it comes out. The blessings in this book are written like poetry and our so many different emotions into words when I have trouble finding them myself. I recommend this book to everyone. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.