Constantly Craving: How to Make Sense of Always Wanting More [Paperback]

This was an enjoyable read, not at all academic, but full of humour and light illustrations. It is not the usual style of book that I read, but I'm probably not in the midst of the target demographic for readship. Ms Meberg provides us a look at the constant craving of this world, and reframes that yearning that we all experience (suffer under?) in terms of Christian faith. That is, faith in Christ serves to re-orient that craving into a Godly direction.

My one critique has to do with the lack of Scriptural references. There are a ton of deep faith concepts employed in the text, and some references to Scripture, but few overt references. It would have been nice to have some footnotes citing particular Bible verses that were being used directly or conceptually in the text. I found at times I would think...I've read that somewhere in the Bible...and then would have to spend some time online searching down the reference. This is not a huge point and probably has something to do with the target population for the book (and not someone like me, who is always looking for sermon illustrations).

The style of writing is conversational, and I'm sure if you had seen one of Ms Meberg's public presentations that her particular style is reflected in the writing. It's the type of book you can sit and read over a cup of tea, enjoy and not realize that there are some true gems of Christian thought contained within. For example, Chapter 6, Hungry for Happiness, talks about the difference between happiness and contentedness - which beautifully sits with Paul's message throughout 1 and 2 Corinthians. Why is Paul content even in a shipwreck? Because he is an ambassador for Christ, and judges by the inner musings of the heart, versus the world's focus on the outward appearance. I just would have preferred that Scripture to be a bit more overt. That said, the subtle approach will probably draw in readers who would not look at a book that had (2 Cor 5:17) every second verse.

I enjoyed the book. I will lend it to some of my friends who wrestle with such questions - why do I never receive that which I desire so deeply? I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to better understand the question of how this world differs from the new creation in Christ.

booksneeze.com gave me a free copy of this book for an honest review - this review is my own opinion)

I admit that I struggle with always wanting more, more love, more food, more God. The book Constantly Craving How to Make Sense of Always Wanting More by Marilyn Meberg sounded like it had been written just for me. The back cover promises:

"Counselor and author Marilyn Meberg knows all about cravings. She also knows the One who knit us together, desires and all. With wit and compassion, Marilyn helps us understand our appetites, offers advice for managing them here on earth, and encourages us to eagerly await the day when we will find total satisfaction in heaven."

As Meberg worked through Scripture to show us how what we need is more of the Lord I found myself losing interest. It seemed that she repeated the same theme over and over again. This would have done well as a conference topic or a short essay, but there was not enough meat to truly flesh out an entire book.

I'm not sure what I was expecting, a bit more humor perhaps, certainly more words about the feeling of stark need. I believe there were many paths Meberg could have followed yet I felt as if we were stalled at a corner she didn't choose to turn. I was in fact craving more than what was offered.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own

Marilyn Meberg's book Constantly Craving address a common human condition: always wanting more. Some topics resonated more with me than others, but I found myself learning a lot from everything she discussed. Marilyn doesn't talk about how to get rid of our cravings, but she does talk about how to look more deeply at our cravings and what they mean - what they tell us about ourselves. She uses stories from her own life, about her own cravings, as well as Scriptures and other stories, to unpack things such as wanting more friends, more romance, more forgiveness, even more revenge. Marilyn's writing is honest and humourous and this book was a fast, easy read that left me with much to think about.