cover image Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions

Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions

Lysa TerKeurst. Zondervan, $14.99 trade paper (198p) ISBN 978-0310332794

If auditions were held for a replacement for Oprah Winfrey.1—the early Oprah, who was vulnerable, open, girlfriendly, and not a billionaire—TerKeurst would make a short list. This mom of five had a breakout hit with Made to Crave, and her newest should also resonate. TerKeurst is open about her moments of losing it—especially at home, saying nasty things in the heat of the moment to her best-loved ones. But after those confessions come tips and tricks for being less emotionally reactive. There’s a bit of scientific and psychological discussion of these states, but mostly she presents psychologically acute insights that will be familiar to those with some self-awareness through therapy, 12 steps, journaling, or other self-help methods. She does it in a distinctive voice and with Bible in hand. While there’s no groundbreaking psychology, her voice is fresh and friendly. It will be most welcome to Oprah’s large audience of suburban mothers who are currently in need of a guiding light, as long as they’re open to advice with a distinctly Christian inflection. (Aug.)