cover image It's Only a Flat Tire in the Rain: Navigating Life's Bumpy Roads with Faith and Grace

It's Only a Flat Tire in the Rain: Navigating Life's Bumpy Roads with Faith and Grace

Max Davis. G. P. Putnam's Sons, $19.95 (165pp) ISBN 978-0-399-14692-3

In his second book, Davis exudes the charm and accessibility that turned his initially self-published debut effort (Never Stick Your Tongue Out at Mama) into a bestseller. Though none of his ideas are new, Davis presents them with a winning blend of warmth and affability. While he does not work with his titular metaphor until the end of the book, Davis deals with topics such as suffering, loss and disappointment throughout, peppering the book with anecdotes (and miracles) from his own life as well as the lives of friends, celebrities and people to whom he has ministered. In particular, Davis refers repeatedly to his own son's deafness, and as he tells stories about this situation, he displays a refreshing combination of honesty, humility, optimism and faith. This attitude toward his own pain not only strengthens his credibility as an adviser to the suffering but also sets the book apart; unlike most authors who tackle these topics, Davis yields a book infused with lightness that does not actually make light of the serious topics it covers. As an evangelical Christian, Davis performs a difficult balancing act: He refers more than once to the uniqueness of Christ, but also encourages people of all faiths to look to their own religions for solace and moral guidance. Evangelical readers may judge this an unacceptable compromise, but Davis's wider audience will undoubtedly appreciate the gesture. (Jan.)