YOUR INNER EVE: Discovering God's Woman Within

Newman shares encouraging thoughts and some inspired biblical exegesis in this brief book about black women's spirituality. Her short chapters cover topics such as prayer ("Eve Powered Up!") and forthrightness ("Eve Speaking Up!"), each dwelling initially on a passage of scripture. Newman's application of these passages is often impressive. In a chapter on epiphanies, she revisits the story in John's gospel of Jesus healing a man who had been sitting beside healing waters for 38 years, waiting for his chance to get in. Newman points out that people often spend their lives seeking ineffective solutions to their problems, when God usually has a real solution, if only they would receive it. Alongside these thoughtful interpretations, however, is a good deal of clichéd advice. For example, Newman frequently encourages her readers to take care of themselves before they give to others—a good idea, perhaps, but one that has saturated self-help literature for years and one to which Newman adds little. Further, Newman throws in a good deal of content related to sexuality (particularly sexual abuse and domestic violence), but does not connect it in any clear way to the rest of the book. These flaws, along with her liberal theology, will put off some readers, but many are sure to appreciate the book's easy-to-read, inspiring tone. (Jan. 25)