Vander Lugt's intent with this book is clear - to show how beauty can make an otherwise benign and earthly existence more enjoyable and more like God intended. God created beauty and filled this world with it abundantly, like the 400,000 species of beetles Vander Lugt references. However, the intention of this book is greatly hindered by the author's writing style. Some phrases are so incredibly poignant, to quote' "Beauty is oxygen for people who struggle to find meaning beyond the self, coming like a fresh breeze into the suffocating atmosphere of 'me, myself, and I'" and, "Beauty is oxygen for people who struggle with boredom and find little to love with abandon." What incredibly insightful turns of phrase that will reach so many people hampered by today's world and its distractions. However, those beautiful phrases are intermingled into a scattered construct that has the reader bouncing from thought to thought and quotation to quotation. The ability to appreciate these thoughts is left wanting as the reader tries to keep up with this stop and go writing style. I believe Vander Lugt's thoughts have a wonderful foundation and are an excellent launching point for reflection and discussion, and I would read more of his works. However, I think the structure of this piece missed the mark and distracted from the topic at hand.

I like that this book includes poetry, cultural references, and reflections as well as scripture. Lugt likens beauty to oxygen, not something decorative, but an essential part of our health and wellbeing. I would consider using this for teaching in an English Composition class. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I will be purchasing a hard copy for myself.
#BeautyIsOxygen
#NetGalley

A beautifully written book! I always am looking for great Christian books, and this is one of my favorites. It was so pure and sweet and had such great take away. The scripture was incredible. Highly recommend!