A thoughtful and honest assessment of beliefs, values, and the commitments one makes. It's about work, family, spirit, and the need to discover who you are and then be that person.

This book reads softly in tone and in a voice that is high with vast experiences of the spirit. A delightfully honest account of Sue Monk Kidd’s personal experiences will keep you focused, especially on how she values even the most subtle connections to people, nature, frustrations, anger, fear, and most of all learning life. Lots of references to poets, some of our greatest thinkers in history, and some from the Bible, so the resources are there for structure. Some of her experiences were redundant but somehow it worked okay. I think the best thing is how she gives examples of exploring the true self. Authenticity is the theme here that comes through on so many pages of her experiences with family, friends, co-workers, strangers, and the power of nature. Her emphasis on process is a good reminder in our fast-paced demanding world. If you are ready for a quick read (200 pages) that can open your heart and mind to more meaning in your everyday life, this is one that will do the task. A compelling read that kept me totally absorbed. Recommended. Paula Cappa is an avid book reviewer and an award-winning supernatural mystery author of novels and short stories.

I took my time reading this book, savoring bits and pieces every morning. It is highly readable, enjoyable, and inspirational.

A loyal fan of Sue Monk Kidd's novels, I hadn't known she began her writing career submitting things to "Guideposts" magazine. While I find the magazine to generally be a bit emotionaloly manipulative, there was little in FIRSTLIGHT that evoked that reaction in me. FIRSTLIGHT is an enjoyable, quick read, and carries the rich, descriptive language characteristic of Ms Kidd. I especially appreciated all the book tells about her and her contemplative way of life.

This is exactly what I needed to read this Lenten season. The essays brought me great solace.

3.5 stars

I really enjoy Kidd's fiction so I was excited to this book in the non-fiction section of my library. Some really good nuggets in an easy-to-read style - a great way to end my reading year!

It was a nice little book. Snippets of her life were shared within the pages. Sometimes I feel it is good to read an authors earlier writing so you have a sense of where they came from.

Loved the insightful stories of a woman who is searching for spiritual balance in her life. A great pick me up in the long cold days of winter

I am not usually drawn to conventional "Christian" writers. Too many lack the compassion necessary for my definition of the term. This work is like a how to for compassion in many ways. Although very autobiographical, it resembled to me the short stories of Alice Hoffman who uses a thread to unite a group of stories she encloses in a book. The thread in this book is compassion... for self, for family, for community and the priorities we require to be successful in our goal of compassion. It's a really nice book that I will return to.

An enjoyable collection of stories and snippets. Ive had this book for a long time so it was nice to finally get to it.

Thought provoking book. I enjoyed it.

So preachy without a story. I was very disappointed as I love Sue Monk Kidd’s books.