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155th out of 874 books
—
689 voters
Cold Tangerines: Celebrating the Extraordinary Nature of Everyday Life
Cold Tangerines is a collection of stories that celebrate the extraordinary moments hidden in our everyday lives. It is about God, and about life, and about the thousands of daily ways in which an awareness of God changes and infuses everything. It is about spiritual life, and about all the things that we have called nonspiritual life that might be spiritual after all. It...more
Hardcover, 238 pages
Published
October 9th 2007
by Zondervan Publishing Company
(first published October 1st 2007)
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I don't believe this book is meant to be gobbled up in one sitting but rather one bite at a time. No matter your faith, you cannot deny the vulnerable truths the author shares from her personal experiences. You may even find yourself in the pages.
Some quotes so far:
"The day I left my job...was the darkest day of my life so far. It felt like a curse, a punch in the face, a slice to the core. It made me feel like my luck had run out cosmically, and from then on, all I could expect was rain. But the only person who decided my life had turned to dust was me...I would never have wanted it this way, but something bright and beautiful has been given to me, and I'm in grave danger of losing it, squandering it, becoming a person who cannot find t...more
"The day I left my job...was the darkest day of my life so far. It felt like a curse, a punch in the face, a slice to the core. It made me feel like my luck had run out cosmically, and from then on, all I could expect was rain. But the only person who decided my life had turned to dust was me...I would never have wanted it this way, but something bright and beautiful has been given to me, and I'm in grave danger of losing it, squandering it, becoming a person who cannot find t...more
My sister called me and said I had to read this book. This is an amazing and unusual event. She is a busy person - six kids among other things and I am the librarian. I usually want to tell her what to read. The other odd part is we are not always in sync about religion. And this book is definitely about religion. So I figured out I could get this book on my Kindle and downloaded it immediately.
And my sister is right - I needed to read this book. Shauna is a wise soul for one so young. She remin...more
And my sister is right - I needed to read this book. Shauna is a wise soul for one so young. She remin...more
"Cold Tangerines" is a collection of little "gems" from Shauna Niequist's life; actually, it read more like a blog than a novel. I appreciate that she was able to focus each story around a very specific event from her past and provide the reader with take-away lessons. Likely because I had a very ordinary adolescence (feelings of awkwardness, doubting myself and whether or not anyone liked me, found fault with my body, etc.), it was easy to resonate with many of these stories.
Niequist's writing...more
Niequist's writing...more
i have a whopping 3 friends with new books out, of which shauna is one. the essays here are all short, 1st-person narratives with fantastic bits of juiciness w/r/t love and loss and life. she has a great hand for evoking the meta- from the details of ordinary events. i have a policy of trying to read 3-6 books at once, so i can always have a book to fit my mood; cold tangerines is the perfect negotiator for this model--whether at the bus stop or at lunch or out for a pre-bedtime smoke, in the sp...more
I heard Shauna Niequist speak and read from her book at the Festival of Faith and Writing this spring. Cold Tangerines is a collection of essays about celebrating and living life to the fullest. The writing style is colloquial and sounds just like the way Shauna speaks. But, she is a friendly and joyful sort of person, so I enjoyed her stories very much. I appreciated her honesty about the tough seasons in her life, and I think I will go back and reread the essays about writing and creativity.
I was attracted to this book because of the title and the cover. I needed something easy to get me through some busy times so I began to read.... This is not a novel but rather a journal of Shauna's experiences as she tries to live the life that God has planned for her. She is unflinchingly honest about her foibles and faults and relates her experiences with humor and truthfulness.
Although she was raised in a Christian home, she is not a 'goody two shoes' personality. Her joys and pains are no d...more
Although she was raised in a Christian home, she is not a 'goody two shoes' personality. Her joys and pains are no d...more
Apr 13, 2008
Brie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone wanting a fresh perspective on life and spirituality
Recommended to Brie by:
Alison Sansom
This is one of the most honest (I hesitate to say "Christian") books I have ever come across. In the vein of Donald Miller, Niequist shares beautiful insights in her musings about everyday life, which, as they unfold, prove to be incredibly significant.
[The only reason I gave it 4 stars out of 5 was because sometimes the prose gets a little tangled...but if you can stay with it, you won't be disappointed. Though lengthy at times, Niequist paints beautiful word pictures.]
[The only reason I gave it 4 stars out of 5 was because sometimes the prose gets a little tangled...but if you can stay with it, you won't be disappointed. Though lengthy at times, Niequist paints beautiful word pictures.]
First off, this book is not extremely well-written and, I have to admit, that after reading the first couple of chapters I still "didn't get it". However, I pushed through and quickly became entranced. Shauna Niequist writes with a refreshing honesty that feels like a breath of fresh air. I finished the book feeling understood, comforted and refreshed. I think for any woman in her twenties this is an encouraging read that is relatable on some level for everyone.
this summer, you need to read this book. simply put, it's wonderful. in reading it, i felt like i was being hugged by a friend. it spoke deeply and directly to my heart. read it. it's delightful.
this book is shauna's first and it is an absolutely wonderful collection of essays about life, celebration, and finding joy and significance in the little moments, the everyday moments of life. there are stories that will have you lauging out loud, as shauna's wit is spot on. there are stories that will...more
this book is shauna's first and it is an absolutely wonderful collection of essays about life, celebration, and finding joy and significance in the little moments, the everyday moments of life. there are stories that will have you lauging out loud, as shauna's wit is spot on. there are stories that will...more
This is a book about celebration and is comprised of short stories and lessons from the author's life. Overall I enjoyed the book. I don't think I connected with the author and her writing style as much as someone else might. She is a very emotional person -- more so than me -- and I found her writing style a little over dramatized and I found it exhausting at times. That said, I did appreciate that she made herself vulnerable to her readers and shared some very personal things -- many of which...more
Admittedly, when I realized that this was a "faith-based" book, I was hesitant; where the author carries her faith in God, I'm more of a "universe" and karma-based kind of girl.
That said? Even our differing beliefs had no effect on how much I adored this book.
Although there were the strong undercurrents of a religion I don't subscribe to, it was easy enough for me to skip over certain passages or mentally adapt certain passages to suit my own beliefs.
Faith differences aside, I settled in happily...more
That said? Even our differing beliefs had no effect on how much I adored this book.
Although there were the strong undercurrents of a religion I don't subscribe to, it was easy enough for me to skip over certain passages or mentally adapt certain passages to suit my own beliefs.
Faith differences aside, I settled in happily...more
I really wanted to like this book. Why? I agree to the core of my being with the idea behind it... celebration of the beauty of every day. The places and even many of the people in its pages are familiar to me. Some of the writing is truly beautiful. The author doesn't - as so many others do - leave readers at an arm's length. The basic point of each mini-essay is valid, sometimes even profound. However, I really, really didn't like it. The constant references to the author's unhappiness with he...more
This was such a good book. I read it over the span of several months, though I could have easily read it in an afternoon. Reading this made me feel completely normal, as I was able to identify with many of the author's struggles with measuring up and struggles with faith and trusting in God. Awesome book. I can see myself reading this once a year, just for the reminders.
Jun 13, 2008
Rachel
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in seeing more beauty in their life
Recommended to Rachel by:
Lisa Maher
This book is about finding celebration and redemption in our ordinary lives. Shauna Niequist writes beautifully and makes amazing and yet simple connections.
"I believe that these love letters to my own quotidian life might possibly unmask the tiny glimmers of hope and redemption masquerading as normal life in your corner of the world." -from the introduction
"I believe that these love letters to my own quotidian life might possibly unmask the tiny glimmers of hope and redemption masquerading as normal life in your corner of the world." -from the introduction
Well, I'm definitely in the minority here with my rating. I thought the idea of this book was a wonderful one--I love to celebrate everyday life, but there were a lot of times throughout the book I was like, 'what was the point of this, again?' For some of the essays this is not true and it is very apparent that they follow her theme, but really, for me, not enough of them. She has a sometimes beautiful and sometimes overdone poetic prose style of writing that sometimes captivated me and sometim...more
This book was like sitting down with my best friend. There is something here for everyone, no matter what stage of life you are in. It made me laugh, cry, think. It made me warmer in my soul and I'm a different person having read it. Or perhaps not a different person - but more aware and thankful for who God created me to be.
I enjoyed reading this book. The author shared some good stories about her life with interesting insights into the importance of enjoying the moment. I thought of friends who I wanted to share this book with as I was reading. I know they would benefit from the insights as well.
I received a free copy of this book in the mail from the publisher, and I'm not sure why. I thought I won it through Goodreads first reads; however, I did not as it is not listed among the giveaway books I have won.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this book. From page one, I was drawn in and didn't want to put it down. However, this is one of those books that I want to digest slowly because there is so much good stuff to ponder. I wish I could properly explain what the book is about, but then I would p...more
Anyway, I really enjoyed this book. From page one, I was drawn in and didn't want to put it down. However, this is one of those books that I want to digest slowly because there is so much good stuff to ponder. I wish I could properly explain what the book is about, but then I would p...more
This is one of those jump up and down books for me -- Yes! I have thought that way... Yes! I have been there... Yes! She gets it... I could not get enough of these short, poignant vignettes. I adore her frank, fresh writing style. I appreciate her authenticity, and I respond to her heartbreak. She isn't afraid of tough questions, or of honest self-reflection. She embraces religion with a unique moxy that is equal parts reverance, familiarity and relevance - all in perfect balance. I found myself...more
Dec 01, 2008
Matt
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone
Recommended to Matt by:
My cousin Kendall
This is a book of short 'thessays' (thoughts turned into essays) on a variety of things that touch the life of a 30-year-old woman whose life is going through significant change. I am not a 30-year-old woman--I am not having my first child; I am not married; I have not bought my first house, moved away from my home town or been let go from my job. But I really like this book and will be giving it to at least one person for Christmas. It's something everyone can relate to and benefit from.
Shauna...more
Shauna...more
This wasn't what I was expecting, but I loved it all the same. Short essays about events and thoughts in the author's life. She was pregnant as she wrote this, so I did get tired of the pregnancy/newborn references, but all in all, it made me think about faith and God and life and Today. Some gems:
The more I let go, do without, reduce, the more I feel rich. The more I let people be who they are, instead of cramming them into what I need from them, the more surprised I am by their beauty and dept...more
The more I let go, do without, reduce, the more I feel rich. The more I let people be who they are, instead of cramming them into what I need from them, the more surprised I am by their beauty and dept...more
I adored this book - it's a wonderful collection of essays. Great to read cover to cover & later go back and re-read essays that stood out to you.
I wanted to build life on my own terms. I felt like having faith was like having training wheels on your bike, and I wanted to ride without those training wheels even if I fell.
Vulnerability makes no logical sense. How can showing your weaknesses, admitting your faults, confessing your jealousy and anger-- how can any of that do anything other than tear down your reputation?
And yet! And yet.
Whether it's musings on friendship or the simple aforementioned statement about faith, Shauna Niequist doe...more
reads like a conversation with a best friend. powerful and poignant stories to encourage and draw you into a life worth living.
I am amazed at how well Shauna is able to write about different events from her life, whether big or small, and make them so relatable. She is also brutally honest at times that it is refreshing. We need more people like her. Though some may view it as complaining, I see it as Niequist being very real and confident in her ability to explain exactly what she is feeling.
I felt myself nodding at so many of the different things she would write about even if I hadn't exactly experienced what she had...more
I felt myself nodding at so many of the different things she would write about even if I hadn't exactly experienced what she had...more
I don't think I've highlighted any book as much as I have this one! Love this book!!
Easy read, humor-filled, and overall pleasantly thought provoking.
I loved this book! Everyone should read it. Really impactful.
I wanted to love this book. I really did. If I ever wrote a book, this is the style mine would be in.
But it just didn't draw me in enough. I finished it, because I hardly ever don't. But there was just something missing. A lot of people love this book, and I don't blame them. I can see how it could be a good read, I just didn't "get" most of it.
There were definitely parts I enjoyed, parts that made me smile and chapters that I didn't want to end. Shauna is a good writer, she's just different tha...more
But it just didn't draw me in enough. I finished it, because I hardly ever don't. But there was just something missing. A lot of people love this book, and I don't blame them. I can see how it could be a good read, I just didn't "get" most of it.
There were definitely parts I enjoyed, parts that made me smile and chapters that I didn't want to end. Shauna is a good writer, she's just different tha...more
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“I have always, essentially, been waiting. Waiting to become something else, waiting to be that person I always thought I was on the verge of becoming, waiting for that life I thought I would have. In my head, I was always one step away. In high school, I was biding my time until I could become the college version of myself, the one my mind could see so clearly. In college, the post-college “adult” person was always looming in front of me, smarter, stronger, more organized. Then the married person, then the person I’d become when we have kids. For twenty years, literally, I have waited to become the thin version of myself, because that’s when life will really begin.
And through all that waiting, here I am. My life is passing, day by day, and I am waiting for it to start. I am waiting for that time, that person, that event when my life will finally begin.
I love movies about “The Big Moment” – the game or the performance or the wedding day or the record deal, the stories that split time with that key event, and everything is reframed, before it and after it, because it has changed everything. I have always wanted this movie-worthy event, something that will change everything and grab me out of this waiting game into the whirlwind in front of me. I cry and cry at these movies, because I am still waiting for my own big moment. I had visions of life as an adventure, a thing to be celebrated and experienced, but all I was doing was going to work and coming home, and that wasn’t what it looked like in the movies.
John Lennon once said, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” For me, life is what was happening while I was busy waiting for my big moment. I was ready for it and believed that the rest of my life would fade into the background, and that my big moment would carry me through life like a lifeboat.
The Big Moment, unfortunately, is an urban myth. Some people have them, in a sense, when they win the Heisman or become the next American Idol. But even that football player or that singer is living a life made up of more than that one moment. Life is a collection of a million, billion moments, tiny little moments and choices, like a handful of luminous, glowing pearl. It takes so much time, and so much work, and those beads and moments are so small, and so much less fabulous and dramatic than the movies.
But this is what I’m finding, in glimpses and flashes: this is it. This is it, in the best possible way. That thing I’m waiting for, that adventure, that move-score-worthy experience unfolding gracefully. This is it. Normal, daily life ticking by on our streets and sidewalks, in our houses and apartments, in our beds and at our dinner tables, in our dreams and prayers and fights and secrets – this pedestrian life is the most precious thing any of use will ever experience.”
—
525 people liked it
And through all that waiting, here I am. My life is passing, day by day, and I am waiting for it to start. I am waiting for that time, that person, that event when my life will finally begin.
I love movies about “The Big Moment” – the game or the performance or the wedding day or the record deal, the stories that split time with that key event, and everything is reframed, before it and after it, because it has changed everything. I have always wanted this movie-worthy event, something that will change everything and grab me out of this waiting game into the whirlwind in front of me. I cry and cry at these movies, because I am still waiting for my own big moment. I had visions of life as an adventure, a thing to be celebrated and experienced, but all I was doing was going to work and coming home, and that wasn’t what it looked like in the movies.
John Lennon once said, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” For me, life is what was happening while I was busy waiting for my big moment. I was ready for it and believed that the rest of my life would fade into the background, and that my big moment would carry me through life like a lifeboat.
The Big Moment, unfortunately, is an urban myth. Some people have them, in a sense, when they win the Heisman or become the next American Idol. But even that football player or that singer is living a life made up of more than that one moment. Life is a collection of a million, billion moments, tiny little moments and choices, like a handful of luminous, glowing pearl. It takes so much time, and so much work, and those beads and moments are so small, and so much less fabulous and dramatic than the movies.
But this is what I’m finding, in glimpses and flashes: this is it. This is it, in the best possible way. That thing I’m waiting for, that adventure, that move-score-worthy experience unfolding gracefully. This is it. Normal, daily life ticking by on our streets and sidewalks, in our houses and apartments, in our beds and at our dinner tables, in our dreams and prayers and fights and secrets – this pedestrian life is the most precious thing any of use will ever experience.”
“I want a life that sizzles and pops and makes me laugh out loud. And I don't want to get to the end, or to tomorrow, even, and realize that my life is a collection of meetings and pop cans and errands and receipts and dirty dishes. I want to eat cold tangerines and sing out loud in the car with the windows open and wear pink shoes and stay up all night laughing and paint my walls the exact color of the sky right now. I want to sleep hard on clean white sheets and throw parties and eat ripe tomatoes and read books so good they make me jump up and down, and I want my everyday to make God belly laugh, glad that he gave life to someone who loves the gift.”
—
427 people liked it
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Jul 05, 2011 05:29pm