The chapters stand alone fairly well - there isn't a particular flow from one chapter into the next - which is why I called them essays. This does lend itself well to short bursts of reading, just one chapter a night, or each day while waiting to pick up your children from a sports practice, or while hiding in the bathroom with the last ice cream sandwich.
Jen Hatmaker uses her usual brand of sarcasm and humor mixed with encouragement. Reading her books lets you say, "Ah, I'm not alone!" and "Me too!" Of Mess And Moxie isn't any different - especially when you read her four "How To" sections, with sarcastic and ironic how-tos gleaned from other mothers on the internet. It's so good to know I'm not the only one whose kids do that stuff.
I do have to admit that I was expecting something different from this book. I'm not sure what. Maybe more structure and a flow that would outline well and build like a sermon with three points and 9 subpoints. I was encouraged. I smiled and I laughed. I marked a chapter and thought of someone who needed to hear that encouragement. I even marked a chapter to come back and re-read for myself. It just wasn't what I was expecting and I haven't yet figured out what I was expecting.
April E.
