The “Million Miles in a Thousand Years” Open Thread
Books, Featured — By Jordan Green on October 1, 2009 at 11:00 am
Last night, Dan Gibson and I (along with some other lovely folks) had the privilege of seeing the sole Arizona stop on Donald Miller’s Million Miles Book Tour. Burnsider Susan Isaacs was excellent in her one-woman show taken directly from the pages of her hilarious memoir, Angry Conversations with God, and Don was typically poised on stage. When I used to travel with him, his speaking ability always amazed me…I’ve never met someone who’s so natural onstage, no matter what the size of the audience. His current talk might be his best.
Anyway, Don joined a few of us at Four Peaks Brewing after the show, though I’m afraid Dan and I were the only ones drinking.
Halfway through the meal, I realized Don’s book had come out that day. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years is Don’s first book in years. He worked his butt off getting it finished, and (in my opinion) it’s the best he’s ever written. The fact he was with us here in Phoenix on the day it officially hit stores was quite an honor, and we toasted a milestone Don as worked years to reach.
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We’ve considered running a review here on Burnside, but I just don’t think we can be objective. We could publish a critical review, but then it would almost seem like we were trying to be jerks. We could publish a positive review, but then we’d come off nepotistic.
Instead, we’re starting this open thread. We’ve love to hear what you think in the comments. Some questions to consider:
- What did you love or hate about the book?
- Where does Million Miles rank in the Donald Miller compendium? Better than Searching for God Knows What? Worse than Blue Like Jazz?
- How did it impact you?
- Did the story of Jim and his wife Janice make you cry? (I did, and I’m man enough to admit it.)
- Million Miles: life-changing or a pile of self-help tripe? Both? Neither?
- Which character is better: “Jordan” from Million Miles, or “Penny” from Blue Like Jazz? (Alternately, is “Jordan” the best literary character in history, or just this year?)
Feel free to be as brutal as you like.
And if you haven’t yet, buy this book ASAP. (Preferably at a non-Christian book store, as Christian Bookseller Association sales do not affect the New York Times best-seller list.)
23 Comments
Here’s my review. http://childrensministryandculture.wordpress.com/2009/09/30/book-review-a-million-miles-in-a-thousand-years/
Loved it.
Great idea, Jordan!
I already read Larry’s review and thought it was well put. Here’s mine: http://middletree.blogspot.com/2009/09/book-review-donald-millers-million.html
I probably didn’t say anything that others who liked the book didn’t say, but my last paragraph is probably an exception to that:
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Aside: Although their writing styles are very dissimilar, the ideas of Donald Miller and John Eldredge echo similar themes. In this case, Miller seems to be inspired by Eldredge’s exhortation to believers–contained in “Desire,” “Waking the Dead”, and especially “Epic”– to make your life a great story. The result is an inspiring message, as well. Although their voices are very different, I would love to one day see a collaboration between the two.
The link to Eldredge is a perceptive connection. I know Don and John Eldredge are friends, and Don respects him a great deal, so I’m not surprised some of his influence comes out in “Million Miles”.
To answer your questions, Jordan:
- What did you love or hate about the book?
I loved the message. Although it’s described by some reviewers as not churchy, it’s actually very Christ-centered, because the message is consistent with Jesus’ statement that He came to make sure that we have life to the full, not to mention Paul’s statement about us being Christ’s workmanship, designed for great purposes (Eph 2:10)
- Where does Million Miles rank in the Donald Miller compendium? Better than Searching for God Knows What? Worse than Blue Like Jazz?
I think this one ranks right at the top of DM books, but I liked them all very much, so I hate to put one at the bottom of any list.
- How did it impact you?
I’m still mulling this one. It definitely helped get my focus off myself and my own self-interests. It is one of many books I have read this year which are telling me to love others, and do it well.
- Did the story of Jim and his wife Janice make you cry? (I did, and I’m man enough to admit it.)
I read this book and “Same Kind of Different as Me” at the same time, and both have a man walking through seeing his wife taken by cancer. It’s very hard to read for me, as I have a friend who’s in this very situation right now. But as sad as the Jim/Janice story is, there is plenty about it that’s inspiring.
- Million Miles: life-changing or a pile of self-help tripe? Both? Neither?
Has the potential to be life-changing. It depends on the reader, though. If someone reads it and agrees with it, but nothing in their life changes, it’s not the book’;s fault
- Which character is better: “Jordan” from Million Miles, or “Penny” from Blue Like Jazz? (Alternately, is “Jordan” the best literary character in history, or just this year?)
I’d say the Goff family is the highlight of the book, with all due respect to Penny and Jordan.
Yeah, it’s tough to beat the Goffs.
Also, in case anyone thought otherwise, the question regarding the best character was tongue-in-cheek.
As you know, Jordan, I wrote a review of this book some time back, which I believe you and I decided to ‘hold’ for reasons that need not be addressed here.
I’ve always been a supporter (the word ‘fan’ disgusts me) of Don’s writing because of his honesty and clarity of thought.
I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of AMMIATY. It was horrible! I won’t get into the details as to why, but I was shocked at how bad it was.
I’ve heard from several sources that the finished product is terrific. I also received the final edition in the mail from the publisher, but have not had the time to read it due to work issues (I have a lot of it – thank God!).
I plan to read it soon and will most likely write another review. Hopefully, my sources are right and it will be a pleasurable read.
My question is this….
Why on earth would Thomas Nelson release an ARC that is so wrought with errors and inconsistencies? These copies are used for review and a bad ARC results in a bad review. I don’t get it.
Don, if you’re out there. I apologize for ripping your book (ARC) and will make reparations when I read the finished product, assuming that it’s what I would expect from you.
Don, I think your publisher owes you an apology.
“As you know, Jordan, I wrote a review of this book some time back, which I believe you and I decided to ‘hold’ for reasons that need not be addressed here.”
Didn’t I address that in the fourth paragraph down?
Bob, I read your reasons earlier this summer and believe that the final copy is very different, based on your description of what you read. I hope you get a chance soon to check it out.
I do have one quibble, and wasn’t sure where to mention it. I counted several misspelled words in this book. That fact is probably more important to some people than it is to others, but there it is. I was really surprised to see it happen so often to a book that must have been looked at by several editors.
How many James’s are there?!? You guys need to sign up for a gravatar account so we can tell who’s who.
I’m assuming it’s the same one, though it would be nice if he replied to specific comments to make it less confusing…
Emily, I have no idea what a gravitar is. Is it edible?
It’s all me. I replied to Bob’s post the wrong way. Sorry. I felt the other ones should stand on their own. I’ll stop posting now.
I’ve read and enjoyed all of Don’s books, and enjoyed this one the most, with one exception: as a native Portlander, fellow Imago member, and avid reader, I was dismayed at the comparatively large number of typos and glaring mistakes that passed through the publisher’s proofreading. Yes, for some readers it is not only distracting, but hurts Don’s reputation as a serious author. So instead of discussing ideas we’re giving attention to spelling and grammar, which shouldn’t happen. I made a list, in hopes that someone would correct them before the next printing. Who do I contact?
Don actually mentioned this on his blog recently, so here’s how to let him (and his editors) know about the missed edits:
http://donmilleris.com/2009/09/03/a-million-miles-and-a-dozen-or-so-type-os/
The Goffs got me good. I am wondering how to be like a Goff.
- What did you love or hate about the book?
I loved how unique it was. Storytellers never try to inspire us to live better lives. I feel they would prefer the time we waste in front of the TV to us actually living better lives than them. It gave me food for thought.
- Where does Million Miles rank in the Donald Miller compendium? Better than Searching for God Knows What? Worse than Blue Like Jazz?
It’s different. It ranks up there with Blue Like Jazz, but it is more coherent, more mature – like the man we all fall in love with in BLJ all grown up.
- How did it impact you?
I am moving in with a roommate at the end of the month. No more living alone. No more wasting my time, talents and gifts. I started writing a great story with my life many years ago – and have been paddling in the middle of the lake for awhile now. Time to start heading towards the shore again.
- Did the story of Jim and his wife Janice make you cry? Yes, but for selfish reasons. I wondered if she knew how lucky she was to be loved like that on this earth. Not everybody gets that before they pass away. And not everybody realizes they have that either.
- Million Miles: life-changing or a pile of self-help tripe? Both? Neither?
It has the potential to be both. I could easily read it, be moved, and then forget it a month later. Not because it is a bad book – just because it is one idea out a million that are thrown our way everyday. I choose to make it life-changing for me though.
- Which character is better: “Jordan” from Million Miles, or “Penny” from Blue Like Jazz? (Alternately, is “Jordan” the best literary character in history, or just this year?)
Hehe – I vote for the Goff’s. Honestly I thought they were made up people. Who would actually jump in a lake to say good-bye to guests? And who does their laundry? And why don’t they fight over who has to wash the clothes five times a day because they keep jumping in the lake? I am glad Don twitpic-ed them – otherwise I wouldn’t believe they existed.
I’m on chapter 13 right now and I am just absolutley in love with the book. I was sitting at Subway last night reading a sentence and literally my mouth dropped open and I lost some of my sandwich because Don said matter of factly something I had never realized I do (live more in fantasy than reality.)
I think it’s funny that the same reason I loved Susan’s book is the same reason I am loving this book, because I see so much of my self in it. Guess that makes me egotistical!
Also, I found it oddly gratifying that the Jordan character in the book is the same Jordan I often communicate with on these boards. Is it sad that that made me feel like I was cooler than my other friends reading it? Kind of like I was only 4 steps removed from Kevin Bacon, instead of 6.
- What did you love or hate about the book?
Loved the hypothesis behind it. Didn’t really hate anything, except that it was over too quickly?
- Where does Million Miles rank in the Donald Miller compendium? Better than Searching for God Knows What? Worse than Blue Like Jazz?
Not sure anything will ever compare to my first reading of Blue Like Jazz (done on a roadtrip through New Orleans), but it’s my second-favorite. Gosh, this is a hard question. I loved To Own a Dragon, too, for completely different reasons. Do we have to rank?
- How did it impact you?
It made me want to live a better story and changed the way I looked at my own life, to a degree.
- Did the story of Jim and his wife Janice make you cry? (I did, and I’m man enough to admit it.)
Gosh yes. At work. Wanker.
- Million Miles: life-changing or a pile of self-help tripe? Both? Neither?
Yes. Can be life-changing, can be not, depending on what you do with the information.
- Which character is better: “Jordan” from Million Miles, or “Penny” from Blue Like Jazz? (Alternately, is “Jordan” the best literary character in history, or just this year?)
Lucy is the best literary character in history. Also, the cutest.
After 50 hundred people recommended it, I read Blue Like Jazz. I was both frustrated and challenged by it. The disorganization bothered me, which is a common complaint, I believe.
Million Miles, on the other hand, is entirely successful. It is well structures, constantly interesting, and it motivates one both as a human and a Christian. I don’t read many books by Christian authors, primarily because they rarely value the full spectrum of what it means to be a human. Living a good story is more than having a good prayer life and feeling good about your relationship with God. Living a good story involves hobbies, projects, sacrifices, passions, and action. Miller was able to capture this.
Elton,
Well put all around.
John
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