Customer Reviews

As Is: Unearthing Commonplace Glory

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Fitting snugly into the palm of your hand, As Is, the debut work by Tennessee writer Krista Finch is a subtle work of introspection and free-spirited writing that is the perfect accompaniment to a day that is drawing to a close. Written in a familiar, coffee-house-chat sort of way, Finch distills captivating and thought provoking moments of epiphany, heartbreak or nostalgia into moments of reflection. Writing in this way, Krista brings both title and subtitle to the forefront as she writes about things "as is" in an intensely literal way--her writing not operating on a symbolic or metaphorical level--she is "unearthing commonplace glory" and sharing it with the reader.

Finch has plenty of commonplace to go around, and her ability to share deep details of her life like eating disorders or death without over-sharing or playing up the sentimental or provocative gives a steady weight of authenticity to her work. She is mining her life not in the modern sense that a writer unearths the bad to shock and captivate, but is putting forth her life as a testimony to the normality of both her life and, consequentially, the lives of her readers. Using this careful tact, Finch presents the events of life--the mundane, the joyous, the tragic--as all being moments of constant redemption.

This book, more than anything else, is a formal diary or informal memoir that uses the exposed good, bad, and ugly as a conversation that is part friendship, part monologue, and part counseling session (for the reader or for her?). In this way, Finch presents her life, unearthed before the reader, as a journey haunted by glory, pushing the reader to come to terms with the glory in their own good, bad and ugly times.

Finally, it is appropriate with this book, collectively as cover art, typesetting, presentation, and editing, shows the strong possibilities of self-publishing done well. It's design puts many large house publishers to shame. The one caveat I would have with this book, which may be a symptom of the editorial process, is that it is a bit long. With less material, the commonplace would have had more impact than the slight overabundance present in the book's current form, and I wonder if the page count would have been cut with a traditional publisher.

"As Is" provides a unique perspective on life, finding valuable lessons in some of the most common circumstances. We usually miss the opportunity to learn from our relationships and every-day occurrences. "As Is" is a great reminder to not let those opportunities pass us by. I'm looking forward to more from Krista Finch. Really makes you think. Love her style and the way she finds the uncommon in the common.

This book is sweet - it makes you remember/think of all the good, all the GOD in life/lives. I was smiling, crying, and laughing by the 2nd page! I love it and will keep it and re-read it many times.

I received a copy of As Is by Krista Finch for my birthday. I read it and thought it was delightfull book. It was funny and yet very tender. I would recommend anyone to read this book.

I obtained my first copy at a release party in Nashville where the author was present to read excerpts from her new book "As Is". I was so thrilled with the author, the excerpts and the book itself that I quickly bought another copy online for a friend! You will not be disappointed with this earthy, raw but sophisticated, collection of memoir, reflection, and musing that brings into sharp focus the mundane of everyday life - which enthuses as it soothes. I highly recommend "As Is" as more than worth it! You will want to buy another for a friend!