cover image Crazy Happy: Nine Surprising Ways to Live the Truly Beautiful Life

Crazy Happy: Nine Surprising Ways to Live the Truly Beautiful Life

Daniel Fusco. WaterBrook, $16.99 trade paper (224p) ISBN 978-0-593-19266-5

In this vibrant work, TV and radio host Fusco (Upward, Inward, Outward) explores notions of living a good life by taking a close look at the Beatitudes and the nine attributes (“love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control”) that compose the Fruits of the Spirit. By pairing each of the Beatitudes (“blessed are the hungry” or “blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice”) with one of the nine Fruit of the Spirit attributes, Fusco offers insights on living a better life: “mourning produces joy in the kingdom of God” and “comes from lives that allow God to meet us and work through brokenness.” Fusco’s Christian devotion is evident throughout (“true beauty works itself out in our lives only as we are made one with Jesus”) as he illustrates how, even in adverse or difficult circumstances, hope can be found. Fusco acknowledges that embracing negative experiences may sound “crazy,” but assures readers that one must “unlearn the cultural doctrines we’ve inherited” to “live in the beauty of God’s kingdom.” Christian readers longing for happiness will connect with Fusco’s uplifting reflections. [em](Mar.) [/em]