Hokey Pokey: Curious People Finding What Life's All About (Paperback)

by Matthew Paul Turner (Author)
Key Phrases: curious path, sometimes truth hurts, Curious People, Lord of the Rings, Amy Grant (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Not all who wander are lost. Join Matthew Paul Turner on a journey to discover the secret to a life well lived (or, at the very least, to meet some interesting people). Packing his trademark humor and quirky sensibilities, Turner takes the road trip of a lifetime.

His mission? To encounter people who are curious enough to be dangerous. To talk with those who have found professional peace, even in the midst of doubt. To meet individuals who are living with passion and purpose.

From teachers to theologians, from Wall Street to Washington, each person shares their unique take on finding meaning in whatever we do. Part chronicle, part conversational, and completely hilarious, Hokey Pokey offers life lessons filtered through Turner's one-of-a-kind style.

So even if you haven't arrived, the journey there can be a trip. Which just may be what it's all about.

About the Author

Matthew Paul Turner knows all about career transitions. As the former editor of CCM magazine, Christian entertainment's premiere publication, Matthew got his auspicious start stuffing envelopes after graduating from Belmont University. he is the author of several books, including the Christian pop culture tour-de-force, The Chrsitian Culture Survival Guide (Relevant Books). Matthew and his wife, Jessica, reside in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Product Details Paperback: 208 pages Publisher: David C. Cook; New edition edition (April 1, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 0781445361 ISBN-13: 978-0781445368 Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #160,305 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
curious path, sometimes truth hurts

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Curious People, Lord of the Rings, Amy Grant, Father Robert, New York City, Kirk Cameron, New Guinea, Northern Virginia, Does God, Hokey Pokey

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3 Reviews 5 star:  (1) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.0 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 2 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Finding Freedom in Hokey Pokey, April 3, 2008 By  C. Shaver (Gastonia, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Matthew Paul Turner has written about 15 books in the past five years, most of which challenge status quo Christianity through titles such as "Provocative Faith" and "What You Didn't Learn from Your Parents about Sex." Turner's latest book, "Hokey Pokey," brings his sarcastic wit to the table along with personal stories and interviews to find what God's calling means for individuals. This book is for college students and others who are still searching for some sort of purpose. Although the title sounds a little hokey, the content shows Turner knows what he's talking about. Turner carries an edge with him that you may be able to see with other authors such as Donald Miller. One of the most appealing things is that Turner recognizes he's not a theologian, but a storyteller who doesn't have a set formula for "living your best life now." "Hokey Pokey" shows that Turner understands the power of true stories over fiction, and he uses this to his advantage. He gets to the root issue of the book through the story of how he learned the Hokey Pokey. Turner grew up a fundamentalist Christian going to a private Christian school that preached dancing of any sort was "sexual" and should be banned. However, he encountered a rogue substitute teacher who taught the class the Hokey Pokey. Turner said this was one of the first times he felt free. He delves deeper into what God's calling is through more stories from his past, and through insight he has learned through his journey. Turner shows that Christianity has made God's calling more of a career and not as much about a lifestyle. It is here where he calls the subculture out and shows how living free is living God's calling for humanity. 3.0 out of 5 stars I might take flak for this review, April 6, 2009 By  Jeff Miller "Consuming Worship" (Aubrey, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This book from the former editor of CCM magazine is about finding and embracing your life's calling. Turner weaves many personal anecdotes both from his life and from conversations with others to help drive his point home. Turner's prose is full of sarcasm, thankfully much more held in check than on his personal blog. In fact, if I had read his blog before the book, I probably would have given it a pass, but that's a subject for another time. There's really nothing groundbreaking here, but the book is a good read nonetheless. My biggest criticism is the length of the book--and that's saying a lot coming from a long-winded writer like myself. The book is not long, and really can be easily read in a day or two, but I found that the numerous stories and object lessons could have either been shortened or cut entirely and Turner's main points would have come across more cleanly. I did appreciate the advice Turner offers for those who are searching for their vocation, and that "vocation" does not necessarily mean "job" but rather "calling." This is an important distinction. Another nice touch is the encouragement to be open to what the world around you has to offer--the idea that you don't have the market cornered on truth and would be better served by accepting truth wherever you might find it. In addition, the idea that calling is not a self-serving thing, but rather meant for the good of the community around you is a welcomed point. (The back copy quote of Tolkien is a plus in my book too.) I would suggest this book for anyone who is sincerely searching for their place in this world and asking God for help in the right direction. Don't expect anything profound, but you may find focus in the reading. 0 of 1 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Written with wit and sensitivity..., April 15, 2008 By  BookReviewsByDebra "Book Reviews By Debra" (Hawesville, KY USA) - See all my reviews    5 Stars Written with wit and sensitivity... Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for ReviewYourBook.com, 4/08 Matthew Paul Turner, author of Hokey Pokey, shares the stories of other people. Turner learned long ago the importance of listening. Few people have learned that lesson. He shares his experience of volunteering in a nursing home. Bingo Night was the highlight of the resident's week. The lesson he learned was to "focus on what God has given me in the here and now." At the end of each section are question to assist you in "finding what life is all about." The key to this book lies in the subtitle, finding, not found. We should never stop searching. We should never stop growing. I found the story of Turner's first dance was very touching. He was brought up in a strict Christian household and taught that dancing was wrong. A substitute teacher assured him that was ridiculous. She taught her class to do the Hokey Pokey. Turner states that he felt free for the first time in his life. Hokey Pokey is written with much wit and sensitivity. Turner forces readers to examine their own life.		Ad feedback   Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: David C. Cook; New edition edition (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0781445361
• ISBN-13: 978-0781445368
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #160,305 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finding Freedom in Hokey Pokey, April 3, 2008

By	C. Shaver (Gastonia, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Matthew Paul Turner has written about 15 books in the past five years, most of which challenge status quo Christianity through titles such as "Provocative Faith" and "What You Didn't Learn from Your Parents about Sex."

Turner's latest book, "Hokey Pokey," brings his sarcastic wit to the table along with personal stories and interviews to find what God's calling means for individuals.

This book is for college students and others who are still searching for some sort of purpose. Although the title sounds a little hokey, the content shows Turner knows what he's talking about. Turner carries an edge with him that you may be able to see with other authors such as Donald Miller.

One of the most appealing things is that Turner recognizes he's not a theologian, but a storyteller who doesn't have a set formula for "living your best life now."

"Hokey Pokey" shows that Turner understands the power of true stories over fiction, and he uses this to his advantage. He gets to the root issue of the book through the story of how he learned the Hokey Pokey.

Turner grew up a fundamentalist Christian going to a private Christian school that preached dancing of any sort was "sexual" and should be banned. However, he encountered a rogue substitute teacher who taught the class the Hokey Pokey.
Turner said this was one of the first times he felt free.

He delves deeper into what God's calling is through more stories from his past, and through insight he has learned through his journey. Turner shows that Christianity has made God's calling more of a career and not as much about a lifestyle.

It is here where he calls the subculture out and shows how living free is living God's calling for humanity.

3.0 out of 5 stars I might take flak for this review, April 6, 2009

By	Jeff Miller "Consuming Worship" (Aubrey, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book from the former editor of CCM magazine is about finding and embracing your life's calling. Turner weaves many personal anecdotes both from his life and from conversations with others to help drive his point home. Turner's prose is full of sarcasm, thankfully much more held in check than on his personal blog. In fact, if I had read his blog before the book, I probably would have given it a pass, but that's a subject for another time.

There's really nothing groundbreaking here, but the book is a good read nonetheless. My biggest criticism is the length of the book--and that's saying a lot coming from a long-winded writer like myself. The book is not long, and really can be easily read in a day or two, but I found that the numerous stories and object lessons could have either been shortened or cut entirely and Turner's main points would have come across more cleanly.

I did appreciate the advice Turner offers for those who are searching for their vocation, and that "vocation" does not necessarily mean "job" but rather "calling." This is an important distinction. Another nice touch is the encouragement to be open to what the world around you has to offer--the idea that you don't have the market cornered on truth and would be better served by accepting truth wherever you might find it. In addition, the idea that calling is not a self-serving thing, but rather meant for the good of the community around you is a welcomed point. (The back copy quote of Tolkien is a plus in my book too.)

I would suggest this book for anyone who is sincerely searching for their place in this world and asking God for help in the right direction. Don't expect anything profound, but you may find focus in the reading.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Written with wit and sensitivity..., April 15, 2008

By	BookReviewsByDebra "Book Reviews By Debra" (Hawesville, KY USA) - See all my reviews

5 Stars
Written with wit and sensitivity...
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for ReviewYourBook.com, 4/08
Matthew Paul Turner, author of Hokey Pokey, shares the stories of other people. Turner learned long ago the importance of listening. Few people have learned that lesson. He shares his experience of volunteering in a nursing home. Bingo Night was the highlight of the resident's week. The lesson he learned was to "focus on what God has given me in the here and now." At the end of each section are question to assist you in "finding what life is all about." The key to this book lies in the subtitle, finding, not found. We should never stop searching. We should never stop growing. I found the story of Turner's first dance was very touching. He was brought up in a strict Christian household and taught that dancing was wrong. A substitute teacher assured him that was ridiculous. She taught her class to do the Hokey Pokey. Turner states that he felt free for the first time in his life. Hokey Pokey is written with much wit and sensitivity. Turner forces readers to examine their own life.