October 9, 2007

The Good Book

“The Year of Living Biblically,” by A.J. Jacobs

Some folks rollerblade around the globe. Others scarf 50.5 hot dogs in less than twelve minutes.

People challenge themselves in all sorts of weird ways.

A.J. Jacobs documented his own version of Herculean effort in the new memoir The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible. Jacobs records his journey amidst the growing frustrations of his family and the skepticism of his friends.

To perform his undertaking, he alters the way he lives, from tithing his income and attempting to stone an adulterer to growing a Moses-like beard and reducing his wardrobe to nothing but white robes with sash belts (religion isn’t for the high waisted).

Jacobs’s humor, wit, and dedication (he performs a Jewish chicken sacrifice and visits a Christian snake handler) will leave you with an appreciation for even the most bizarre religious rituals.

Go ahead and throw your hands up.

Available online at amazon.com or your local bookstore.