I’ve just finished reading Rachel Held Evans’ first book, Evolving in Monkey Town. It’s not only well-written, I think she’s an important voice in helping to shape theological conversations in the immediate future for evangelicals and post-evangelicals (if that word will even make sense in ten years).

Here are a few reasons I suggest this book for your reading.

1. It’s painfully honest. Evans speaks prophetically about issues in culture but does so within the context of her own journey with the twin burden of doubt and faith. She does not critiquing Christianity from the outside, but from within the trenches of lived-out-vibrant faith.

2. It’s funny. I think humor is one of the more powerful ways to introduce God back into the public arena per faith and culture. Born in Dayton, TN (home of the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial) Evans offers a Southern voice akin to Donald Miller’s Portland-slanted view of American culture.

3. It does what every good book should do–causes me to reflect on my own  life while simultaneously thinking about how my life fits within the Big Story of God at work (albeit in messy ways) in our world.