I have been a reader and a fan of Adrian Plass for (astoundingly!) over thirty years. He is genuinely one of the funniest writers out there but what makes him exceptional is his ability to leave you not only laughing but often profoundly moved – often in the same paragraph. He is a genuine, honest Christian who is not afraid of doubts or tackling difficult questions and subjects, frequently adding clarity to what may have been a puzzle or indeed, what you may have been avoiding looking at.

'Still Crazy' is no exception to my description above but rather than holding to a distinct theme, is a collection of writings on various topics, composed mainly over the period of the pandemic. It can be (and may be designed to be) picked up and dipped into, but I find that one section is never enough and found it hard to stop reading at the end of a piece.
Yet again, I am left challenged, moved and inspired in equal measure. I am also left smiling! There are few authors you can say that about.

I appreciate the fact that Adrian Plass likes to use humour as his preferred manner of writing. However, as humour is subjective, it was totally wasted on me. For the fans, I have no doubt that they will love this book. My husband has always enjoyed his books. For me, I couldn’t get to grips with it.

Thank you to the author, Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First off: There was a time in my life when I was roleplaying a fervent Christian, struggling to fit into where I thought I belonged. Adrian Plass was an author that helped me immensely at that time, showing me through several of his books that my inward attitude and heart were much more important than the outward behavior that was sold to me as the way to grow in the Christian life. In the 20 years since, I have stepped out and away from where I was then, but looked forward to reading this collection of Plass's writings. It is very rambling and includes essays, anecdotes and poems - well-written as always with this author, and heartfelt with wonderful touches of humor. Although I applaud the author's honesty in admitting he doesn't have all the answers, and has many questions himself, I have to admit my heart has turned away from that previous life and I did find it hard to get back into the groove with this author.

This seems to be a book about everything and nothing. But what on the surface may seem like random ramblings, in fact are observations on life that are real, honest and humble, with plenty of Adrian’s well-known humour. But the subjects carry a poignancy that cuts to the core of a topic.
Adrian has such a charming way of looking at things, bringing real life and honest responses to big life issues, reassuringly demonstrating that we don't have to have all the answers. That it is OK to be human.
The topics range from growing old, to the church; the retelling of Bible stories to people and their strange but loveable ways. There is also a contemplation of the big issues of life and death. There are numerous anecdotes, mostly humorous, mostly proving how ridiculous people can be, but clearly proving that if we are honest with each other and with God then truth will prevail.
It is presented in a mixture of creative styles - skits, poems and sketches, and of course a return of the well-known diaries. It is a delightfully fun read, packed with an underlying wisdom.
Mostly what comes across to the reader is an approach to faith that is open, honest, obedient and true. A humble stance, without many definitive answers, but it is the very lack of certainty that gives strength to a deep and profound faith.
And the conclusion of it all ... well, who knows, but he has learnt through life stay grounded in a mysterious faith and to be much kinder to himself.

I was happy to get the chance to read an advance review copy of this book. I read several of Adrian's earlier books in the 80s, often hilarious, wistful, sad and always thought-provoking. This latest book draws together some of the themes from a more mature perspective and combines prose, poetry and short sketches to illustrate the truth that God is (still) gracious, loving and forgiving.

Thank you to Netgalley for sending an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review... so here we are.

I'd never heard of Adrian Pless before reading this book but I'll definitely be checking some more of his works out after finding this one to be an absolute delight. It may strongly reference the Holy Scriptures in most places but, even if that isn't your thing, you'll still find this book humourous and, in true Ronseal style, it does what it says on the tin: it's an anthology of thoughts, poems and anecdotes, collected from a podcast that was first published during the first Covid lockdown in 2020 whilst keeping us all entertained and sane. It's definitely a good light-hearted read, which can be broken down into chunks, and can be re-read when you get a few moments..

Four stars. Would definitely recommend.

A lovely lighthearted commentary and observations on life with a religious slant by the Christian author. Don’t be put off if you’re not religious as this is more of a sub thread and it’s a very open minded religious stance anyway. Lots of varied topics are covered, such as growing older, covid, hobbies you’re good or maybe not so good at and what is love. The observations are very astute, done with excellent humour and are genuinely thought provoking. I’m (moderately) religious so missed some of the backstory to the passages in the bible mentioned which left me vaguely intrigued and slightly frustrated. Google wasn’t an option as I’m on a caravan holiday in Wales with zero phone signal but hey ho not too much missed to ruin the thread. Definitely a good light hearted read, which can be broken down into chunks and picked up and down when you get a few moments. Recommend.

Unfortunately, this turned out to be not my kind of book at all.
That is not to say that it is not well written, which it is.
However, the subject matter was simply not for me.

Plass takes us behind the curtains of a creative efforts to pull Christians out of their trances. With nuanced perspectives on biblical stories and church basement meetings, you’ll be laughing with, perhaps at, the foibles of our unexplored faith stories. Sometimes the book feels like a giant stream-of-consciousness blog but then shocks you when you actually ponder the questions, the paradigms of the author’s take. We too often are content with “Sunday School” answers—the ones drilled into us by well-meaning teachers and preachers—that we recite when we merely ask the basic questions around life’s circumstances. But if we change the question, as Plass does, our rote answers no longer work, and then we have to figure them out for ourselves. Plass keeps us from mindlessly responding with book-learning, memorized, spoon-fed faithful cliches. He admits he doesn’t have the answers but he has plenty of questions.

First things first, I love the cover!
Second thing- this was interesting because it's humor, church humor and I do hope that wouldn't stop anyone from reading it, because there are some scriptures that I find funny, unthinkable (like really sending a whole whale to swallow someone because he couldn't go and utter a sentence to people?), what's interesting is that the author has these stories woven with people, places and experiences- so that was refreshing.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

Still Crazy
Love, laughter, and tears from the world of the Sacred Diarist
by Adrian Plass

I thought the book was ok. I thought it was a book of humor. That was a mistake, it was full of bible references. It was not my kind of humor.