So Close to Amazing

So Close to Amazing by KariAnne Wood

With a humorous bent and an infectiously creative attitude, DIY expert and writer KariAnne Wood comes to her new book, So Close to Amazing, with a keen sense of purpose. The great thing about the book is KariAnne doesn't have it all figured out and yet she is able to laugh at her foibles and mess-ups, with the grace to keep moving on toward another goal. Early on in the book she writes, "I'm the one who brings slice and bake cookies to a potluck. Not baked, of course. Only sliced....That's me - following a dream without much of a plan."

Something extraordinary happens in the midst of the ordinary, at least for the Wood family. We find in the book a vision of taking over a small town pharmacy, moving from Texas all the way to small town Kentucky with her children. The picturesque house turns into a swirling place to raise a family, and to engage in DIY projects while seeking to run a business. Remodeling an old farm house is quite a chore, but KariAnne tackles it with the same gusto as she does her home projects. The Total Aside snippets in the book are a fun way to interject some humor in the book while adding some personal details.

What I find also appealing in the book is that she incorporates biblical material, lessons from her reading and application of the Scriptures to everyday living and life situations. From parenting to husband and wife interactions, we see a whole panoply of ways in which church and Bible engage the lives we lead. I wasn't terribly keen on the DIY stuff in the book, but I know many will see a good outlet for these pages.

Thanks to Tyndale Blog Network for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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