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I’ll admit it—I was skeptical when I first heard about this book. A guy tries to follow every rule in the Bible for a year? It sounded equal parts blasphemous and intriguing. But as someone who loves books that mix humor and introspection, I couldn’t resist.
What I found was more than just a series of silly biblical mishaps (though there are plenty of those). A.J. Jacobs’ journey is surprisingly heartfelt. He dives (sincerely) into questions about faith, tradition, and how ancient wisdom fits into modern life. It’s the kind of book that makes you laugh, think, and maybe even analyze your own beliefs. My The Year of Living Biblically book review:
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The Year of Living Biblically Book Summary
The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible chronicles A.J. Jacobs’ ambitious and often hilarious attempt to live a year following the Bible as literally as possible. Jacobs is inspired to explore his spiritual side and the influence of religion in modern society. Although a self-described agnostic, he dives headfirst into the project, armed with his Bible and a notebook full of rules.
Jacobs meticulously follows hundreds of biblical laws, both major and obscure. Not lying, gossiping, or coveting, to stoning adulterers (he gets creative with pebbles) and not mixing fibers in his clothing (a challenging one.) Along the way, he grows a full beard, blows a shofar, avoids mixing meat and dairy, and observes a Sabbath.
The book combines Jacobs’ misadventures with insightful connections with biblical scholars, fundamentalists, and spiritual leaders. It explores the complexity and contradictions of biblical teachings while reflecting on the nature of faith, morality, and community. Ultimately, Jacobs discovers a sense of gratitude and finds value in certain practices, even as he maintains a skeptical perspective on biblical literalism in modern times.
It’s a funny, thought-provoking tale that mixes religious curiosity with cultural commentary and personal growth.
Who is AJ Jacobs?
A.J. Jacobs is an American author, journalist, and self-described “human guinea pig” known for his humorous and immersive approach to nonfiction writing. He specializes in undertaking extreme, often absurd challenges for the sake of learning and personal growth. And of, of course, entertaining his readers. His books combine humor, deep research, and thoughtful reflection, often weaving in personal anecdotes and interviews with experts.
Learn more about AJ Jacobs and his books, articles and TED talks (!!!) here:
Some key facts about Jacobs:
- Career: He has written for major publications like Esquire (where he was once an editor), The New York Times, and The New Yorker.
- Popular Works: His best-known books include The Year of Living Biblically, The Know-It-All (where he read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica), and It’s All Relative (where he dives into genealogy and attempts to host the world’s largest family reunion — my review here).
- Themes: Jacobs often explores big questions about knowledge, health, religion, and connection, using himself as the “guinea pig” to test out ideas in real life.
- Humor & Relatability: His writing combines wit, curiosity, and a willingness to poke fun at himself as he stumbles through these experiments.
In addition to his books, Jacobs is a public speaker (like those TED talks!) and has delivered engaging talks on creativity, curiosity, and the lessons from his unusual projects. He’s also a frequent guest on podcasts and TV shows where he shares insights from his unconventional life experiments.
Now onto the rating! The Year of Living Biblically Book Review:
My innovative system for rating humor books is explained here
Wholesomeness Score: 3.5/5
Generally free of graphic and explicit content. The book is clean overall, but A.J. Jacobs tackles some tricky topics that might not scream “wholesome” to everyone (like stoning adulterers and the Bible’s take on sexuality.) His sincere effort to explore faith adds a nice touch of wholesomeness.
Hilarity Score: 3.5/5
Jacobs’ self-deprecating humor and ridiculous attempts to live out ancient Biblical rules make for plenty of chuckles. It’s witty and clever without trying too hard.
Overall Book Awesomeness Score: 4/5
A solid mix of humor, introspection, and quirky challenges. It’s not everyone’s idea of a good time, but it was for me. I think it’s a great read if you’re into humor with a side of cultural and religious commentary.
Things I liked:
- Absurdity of attempting to live out ancient rules and guidelines (like not mixing fabrics or blowing a shofar in public)
- Jacob’s sincere effort to explore faith. He didn’t come off as making fun of religion. He seemed genuine in his journey to understand faith and the role it plays in our lives
Things I didn’t like:
- While the book is fun, it doesn’t dive too deeply into theological questions. I found it to be a good blend of serious theology vs silliness, but more serious readers might want a deeper philosophical exploration.
Conclusion: A Thought-Provoking and Funny Biblical Adventure
The Year of Living Biblically is a unique blend of humor, cultural and religious commentary, and personal growth. A.J. Jacobs’ commitment to living out ancient Biblical rules leads to plenty of hilarious situations, but the book also provides moments of genuine reflection on faith, morality, and community.
While it might not satisfy those looking for deep theological insights, it’s a great read for anyone who enjoys a mix of wit and wisdom. Whether you’re curious about religion, enjoy quirky personal experiments, or just want to laugh at someone trying to follow ancient rules in modern times, this book delivers a solid experience.
Scott Johnson is a Midwestern humorist, author of Essays Out of Left Field, and the mind behind scottjohnsonauthor.com. He’s also a husband, dad of three, and Data Systems Administrator (whatever that is). Scott is on a mission to find and read all the funny books. He shares his thoughts on those books, author life, and other delightful randomness with his readers on his website.
