Happy birthday to Field Notes for the Wilderness!

So we're giving away 10 copies!

Hi friends,

Just popping into your inbox today with a little celebration: Field Notes for the Wilderness: Practices for An Evolving Faith is celebrating one year out in the world today.

This book was more than ten years in the making so it’s hard to believe we’re already a year out from the release. The book became an instant bestseller¹ and that is entirely thanks to you all.

I am so grateful to all of you who have read it, shared reviews, requested it at your library, posted about it on social media, and sent such lovely messages about how this book intersected with your own story.

It means the world to me, truly. There wasn’t a moment of its writing when I forgot who it was for: us. All of us whose faith is evolving, whose one-time “answers” turned to ash in our mouth, who did everything right but nothing turned out as promised, who are looking around our current political landscape with grief, who are being expanded by love. (So many people like to write or talk or threaten or clutch pearls ABOUT us, very few things are FOR those of us in the wilderness. This one? it’s for us.)

Writing can often be a bit lonely and so one of the best parts of this job is when you labour over something with your whole heart and then it is received so beautifully by the people for whom you wrote it all along.

Here are a few reviews that made my day:

• “Field Notes for the Wilderness isn’t just a book—it’s a companion for the weary, those navigating the dark and sacred unknown. With her signature blend of strength and tenderness, Bessey extends a hand to those who have found themselves untethered from the faith they once knew.
  This book is not about answers—it’s about permission. Permission to wrestle, unravel, and believe in ways you never thought possible. It’s about learning to trust yourself, to let go of what no longer serves you, and to embrace a faith that is fluid, evolving, and alive. Bessey writes with the wisdom of a trusted guide and the warmth of a lifelong friend. She weaves stories, liturgies, and practices into something that feels less like an invitation—to breathe, to grieve, to rebuild, to rest. And yes, even to hope again.
  For those who have left behind the certainty of evangelicalism and are wandering through the wilderness of faith, this is your guidebook. Barbara Brown Taylor’s words on the back cover say it best: she has had many fathers in the faith, but no mothers—until now. Bessey embodies that nurturing, mothering heart of God, and you feel it on every page.
  This is not a book to rush through. It’s a book to sit with, to return to, and carry with you like a well-worn map. If you are searching for faith beyond the rigid boundaries of what you were taught—if you need to know you’re not alone—this book is for you. Simply put, Field Notes for the Wilderness is holy ground.” (from Heidi Anne)

• “I admit that I have been putting off writing this review because I knew I would never be able to express how much this book means to me. It is essential reading for anyone who has ever felt lost in the faith world. If you need a guide through the scary questions and grief and "what now" of changes to your beliefs, this book is for you. Sarah Bessey is the queen of gentle, wise, kind paths forward through the hard, lonely, liberating, complicated spiritual wilderness. It was hard not to highlight the entire book because it was so full of truth and things I want to always remember. You are not alone in this. There are no quick fixes and easy answers, but you're not the only one, and you are welcome to pull up a seat at this table full of outcasts and wanderers. We are so blessed to have Sarah, leading from love, empathy, nuance, and generosity. Leave behind the heavy yokes, whether from the traditional religious institutions or deconstruction influencer culture. If you're ready for more than outrage bait and fear and hot takes, this is for you. If you want to know you're not crazy and there is more to life and faith than conformity and obedience to the morality tests, read this. Join us on this messy journey to a bigger and better and more sustainable way to live.” (from Jenna)

• This book is an authentic invitation to a deeper, steadier, whole hearted life and relationship with God. It was cool water for my thirsty soul. There were at least two chapters that felt like they were written directly for me. I found good company, sweet encouragement, and great story telling in the book that empowered me to wonder and grow in the wandering and wilderness of life’s changing landscape. I recommend this book for those with questions and disappointments. (from C. Peterson)

• “This is a wonderful field guide for those of us experiencing wilderness, whether it’s where you want to be or you were pushed there (or a bit of both). These letters from Sarah are a hug through the wilderness and evolving faith—even, and maybe especially, if you’re evolving pretty far away from where you started. Companionship, ideas for moving forward and toward, helpful imagining for what this season means both now and for your future self… truly a gift from her. I’ve both cried and come away hopeful. Two practices stood out to me for what I need now, and I know I will revisit Sarah’s words as a guide often.” (from Jackie M.)

Honestly, your reviews, comments, posts, and emails mean more to me than the industry stuff like making bestseller lists (okay, fine, that is nice too, not going to lie to you). Seeing your dog-eared copies with underlined passages and sticky notes sticking out of the pages is one of my favourite things in the world.

Giveaway

To celebrate, Convergent is giving away ten copies to Field Notes subscribers. They will choose ten random commenters here and ship you your own copy (if you already have it, no worries, just give it to a friend or a library!). Canadian and USA shipping addresses only, I’m afraid.

We’re giving away ten here at Field Notes, but also five on Instagram and Facebook respectively so if you want to enter more than once, get after it.

To enter here, click on Leave A Comment button here and share a little something with us about your own evolving faith.

With gratitude,

S.

My Books | Field Notes | Instagram | Facebook | BlueSky | SarahBessey.com

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1. ⭐️ The Globe and Mail
⭐️ USA Today
⭐️ Publishers Weekly
⭐️ Bookshop.org
⭐️ Indie Booksellers
⭐️ McNally Robinson