This book was hard and beautiful to read. Angela Gorrell's descriptions of grief and then joy in the midst of grief were poignant. I have a feeling I will read this book over a few more times.

This book is incredible. Dr. Gorrell is an excellent storyteller, and she tells about her heartwrenching losses and journey to healing in a way that is both relatable and inspiring. In addition, her research and understanding of grief, trauma, and their relationship to the twin epidemics of suicide and addiction in America make this book much more than a memoir. I would have thought it impossible to write about joy in the face of loss without sounding trite or Pollyanna-ish, but she's done a great job. When I read a book I really love, I never hold on to it long because I want to share it. I know I'll end up purchasing this one many times over because I want to give it to so many people.

This book is EXCELLENT. Angela gets at the tough parts of life—exploring how joy and sorrow, celebration and lament can coexist. She shares a brutally honest testimony of the things she went through and how her faith in God and connections with other humans healed her. Angela frequently writes that joy is an antidote to despair, and this makes me more willing to embrace the risk of feeling joy when life knocks me down. 10/10 everyone should read this book—especially anyone going through a hard time and is struggling to have hope for the future.

Dr. Gorrell’s writing is engaging and thought provoking. She shares her story with such courage and wisdom that we can carry into our own lives as we encounter inevitable grief and the joy that can come with it.

Joy is something I think all of us have been longing for; it’s been in short supply, especially this last year. Through the winsome sharing of her own stories, experiences, and, most poignantly, losses, as well as those of people she loves and cares for, Angela points to the possibilities of joy even when it seems hard to grasp. Really grateful for this beautiful, timely book.

This book is for anyone who has been offered cheap, half-baked "solutions" to suffering clothed in the finest Christianese. Not only was Dr. Gorrell's book immensely encouraging to me as someone who is constantly trying to make sense of the suffering of others and my own suffering; my hope is that Dr. Gorrell's book will also challenge the American Church to adopt a posture of—in her own words—"withness" and "witness" in the face of life's inevitable struggles. I cannot recommend this theologically rich, practically insightful, and poignant memoir highly enough.

My gosh. This book. I cried. I laughed. I felt seen. I wish more Christians talked about how messy grief is and how joy can coexist in the messy grieving process. She discusses all this and more in powerful and raw stories that are every bit of honest and powerful. I sometimes get scared of those places in me, but she dove right in. For that, I am so inspired. I will say, big trigger/content warning for drug use and suicide conversations. It's a deep reality that's discussed in depth. For me who has experienced suicidal thoughts and attempts but also suicide loss and immense griefs, this was powerful but sometimes hard to read. I had to take it in small doses. But oh how it's worth it. So worth it. And real. The reality of grief and reality of joy are beautifully illustrated across this book. And for those who are lucky enough to have not experienced profound grief, this book is also incredible in teaching how to sit in it even when it's not yours. I remember specifically reading a part that talked about when you don't know what you need when you grieve. It was a call for supporters to rally around the person and not ask. But just do. During a season of grief, my mentor quoted this to me once, without me realizing it, and it was the most relieving acknowledgment. I think it shaped how she helped me as she didn't ask. She just did. It was so kind and helped me vocalize where I was and helps me in my ministry with my grieving congregation that they may find joy again. Fully recommend. Excellent read.

The Gravity of Joy is a beautiful book about finding joy in sorrow. Gorrell speaks from experience with tragic circumstances to share how she found joy in the midst of death. It took me a month to read this, because of so many other things going on, but when I was able to dedicate time to it, I had a hard time putting it down.