You're a Miracle (and a Pain in the Ass)

Clear, concise and very relatable although I don't feel like I learned anything new, being well-read on neurology and behavioural psychology already. Honestly, I think its lovely that someone who is kind of a hot mess wrote a self-help book and is so honest about himself.

Emotion-provoking. Never have I read a book where I felt so cared for by the author. Mike's engaging stories and analogies weave thorough understanding of what it means to be human and whole.

I first learned of Mike McHargue through his work on The Liturgists podcast, then his Ask Science Mike podcast. I had the chance to talk to him in person for a little bit at the Evolving Faith Conference in 2018 and he really is the nicest person.

I enjoyed reading his first book, Finding God in the Waves, which was about his faith journey from southern baptist evangelical to atheist, to progressive Christian appreciative of the mystical/contemplative forms of faith.

In this book, he talks about the way our brains work and different strategies for helping our brains heal after trauma, and this is all interspersed with his story of learning to have true compassion and love for himself, which he wants his readers to be able to have for ourselves too. I really enjoyed reading this one and I want to re-read it soon!