Book Review: Kristian Anderson's Days Like These

It's rare I read a book that moves me as much as Days Like These did.  It's not an easy book to read as it deals with the topic that is much touchy to people, dying. We already know what is to become of the writer at the beginning of the novel, and he's almost too famous anyways to really hide the outcome of his life. The mixture of faith and honesty keep the book feeling realer than many other non-fiction faith novels you'll read.

Rachel Anderson knew her husband wanted to publish a book not only to leave behind for her, but for his sons to remember him by. Taking the blogs he published online while battling cancer, she turned his blog into a book with pictures, and her thoughts through in on what was happening at the tie the entry was wrote. Kristian doesn't hide who he is and his imperfections as he battles the cancer to be there for his family, but he uses all his strength to keep focused on his faith in Christ. The book explores his journey from a guy who finds out he has cancer to one who becomes almost globally famous, meeting people such as Oprah and Russel Crowe in his journey to encourage others and win his own battle.


By the end of this book I was honestly about to cry. These stories that Kristian wrote started off as blogs, and his wife set out to publish them. The editing is remarkably done to create power, and build the story as if all the blogs were written in this way to build upon each one. I also enjoy how the book doesn't try to uplift Kristian to be super human, though after all he has been through and his ability to preserve you've got to admire his bravery and faith. Because Kristian is so honest it makes him that much more likable.

The way that Rachel weaves in perspectives from her side also strengthens the story. You can only get so much fro Kristian about how he thinks his cancer is affecting others, but to hear someone else speak of it also brings it to life with other layers. This book doesn't sugar coat the very harsh realities of what he is experiencing. At first he is pretty hopeful, and to know what is coming makes some of that all the more painful to read. Near the end though as the cancer has progressed, so has his acceptance for what is to come. The thoughts that come with this are almost devastating to read.

Many people would wonder though why you won't to read such a depressing book, but I think somewhere in Kristian stories many will find hope. The fact that Kristian clung so tightly to his faith despite the attacks being made on his life and his family are encouraging to read. Some of us become discouraged over much smaller things, but he held on stronger than most.

Days Like These isn't a book that will leave me quickly after I am done reading it. It's more than just a story about a guy who had cancer, but one that shows a man who had a strong faith in God, and really cared about his family. His wife, Rachel, demonstrates her love for him as well even though the story isn't about her. It's a beautiful story that is a bit hard to read through considering the painful subject matter. The following video is one mentioned many times during reading where Kristian made his wife a birthday message following the news he had cancer.

Rating 8 of 10.

This book was provided by Booksneeze for a review.