Local Opinion Editorials

‘HERE GOES NOTHING’ – The Book Nook Review

Here Goes Nothing: An Introvert’s Reckless Attempt to Love Her Neighbor
By Kendra Broekhuis
Thomas Nelson
HB, 273 pages

Kendra Broekhuis is an introvert, so when she feels challenged to show love to her neighbors after she and her husband move to a Chicago neighborhood, she’s apprehensive. A busy stay-at-home mom, Kendra has plenty of dirty diapers and dirty dishes alike to take up her time, and getting out of her comfort zone isn’t high on her priority list. However, as Kendra prays for thirty days for God to show her how to love her neighbors, she finds God’s love, peace and grace in the most unexpected ways and places.

Broekhuis does an excellent job of using the little stories from her daily life to demonstrate how to step out and love others even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient. She covers a wide range of topics, from how to love your family patiently, to how to love and empathize with people you’ve only met recently. Though some chapters have a loose connection to the book’s overall theme, Broekhuis generally does an admirable job of raising thought provoking and challenging questions while simultaneously telling her own story.

Christian women, especially introverts, will enjoy reading this book. In today’s world, it’s easy for people to be concerned only with their own lives. Kendra Broekhuis challenges readers of this book to look beyond themselves to the hurting that exists right next door.

Reviewed by Rachel M. Pfeiffer, a Professional Writing student at Taylor University