A Book Review by Sandra Lane on Pastrix by Nadia Bolz-Weber
I couldn’t help but be drawn to this book by the cover alone. Pastor Nadia is pictured in a humble pose, knees bent, arms resting casually, with her tattoos on full display. The cover sets the stage for a book that is open and real—and it did not disappoint.
Pastrix, by Nadia Bolz-Weber, is a refreshingly honest and human read. Nadia writes with humility, transparency, and a willingness to face life’s hardest questions—like why bad things happen and what we can take away from those experiences. I found her reflections both challenging and encouraging. She doesn’t shy away from sharing her own missteps either, including some epic fails at her church that were surprisingly relatable—been there, done that! What I admire most is how she turns those moments into lessons of grace and growth. She’s raw and real, and that’s exactly what makes her voice so powerful.
Yes, she drops the F-bomb more than a few times, but it never feels gratuitous—it’s simply part of her unique style and fits the story she’s telling. You can find this book in our Patton Library under Spiritual Growth.