I have previously reviewed Wm. Paul Young’s book “The Shack,” the fictitious story of Mackenzie Allen Philip’s encounter with the Trinity in a shack in the Oregon wilderness, near where the body of his brutally murdered daughter Missy was found. Mackenzie (Mack) was greatly traumatized by his daughter’s – a trauma that impacts every aspect of his life.
Young’s book has become a cultural phenomena, and one of its most improbable success stories. Originally written for the benefit of his children, it was copied and bound as a last minute Christmas gift at a Kinko’s near his home.
Later Young shared the manuscript with a former pastor Wayne Jacobsen, who thought it should be published for a wider audience. But the book was rejected by several publishers. Finally, Jacobson (who had a small publishing house of his own) decided to publish the book himself. With just a few hundred dollars available for marketing, a word-of-mouth promotional campaign was employed to elicit sales. The rest, as they say, is history.
As often happens with “cultural phenomena,” the success of “The Shack” has begun spinning off a “cottage industry.” Much like the self-publishing success of Mark Victor Hanson’s popular “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” dozens of other books and resources are being launched to capitalized on the success of “The Shack.”
One of those books is “The Shack Reflections for Every Day of the Year.” Now let me say that I am not typically a fan of the “daily readings” genre. Several dozen such books adorn my bookshelves. I seldom make it through the first month before the book is discarded. Still, being a fan of “The Shack” and Baxter Kruger “The Shack Revisited,” I decided to give the “Reflections” book a chance.
For each day of the year Young offers a brief reading taken from “The Shack,” along with a fresh devotional thought (or prayer). Those who are fans of “The Shack” and enjoy the “daily readings” genre will no doubt find this book a wonderful addition to their library.
Not me.
Oh, I do not drink coffee, either – so I hope there is no upcoming “Shack” coffee-mug.
The Shack: Reflections for Every Day of the Year
by: Wm. Paul Young
publisher: Windblown Media, published: 2012-10-02
ASIN: 1455523038
EAN: 9781455523030
sales rank: 981
price: $9.85 (new), $10.44 (used)
The powerful story found in The Shack written by Wm. Paul Young stole the hearts of millions and rocketed to fame by word-of-mouth, making it a phenomenon in publishing history. Now, THE SHACK: REFLECTIONS FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR provides an opportunity for you to go back to the shack with Papa, Sarayu, and Jesus.
This 365 day devotional selects meaningful quotes from THE SHACK and adds prayers writer by W. Paul Young to inspire, encourage, and uplift you every day of the year.
