This is a book that can (and should) be read by all Catholics, no matter where they are in their faith. It challenges both the Catholic who is apprehensive about his faith and the Church and the Catholic who embraces the Church in her entirety because this is book about developing a real relationship with Christ. The challenge is always there for the reader: go deeper, go deeper. Regardless of what your spiritual life and relationship with Jesus are like, Mark shows us that we can always go deeper and know Christ better. Furthermore, Mark reveals to us that we must go deeper with every day that passes and that we must never become "comfortable" or complacent in our faith.

Mark is a gifted writer who is able to engage the reader. "Blessed are the Bored in Spirit" reads like a novel - it's a page-turner. You'll be tempted to read this book in one or two sittings because of its captivating style and humorous anecdotes. But you'll get more out of this book if you approach it as a spiritual guide and keep a bible and journal handy.

One of the best qualities Mark and his latest book have to offer is honesty. Mark doesn't play around or beat around the bush; he gives it to you straight. It's ironic that such a funny book is meant for the Catholic who is ready to be serious about his faith. Instead of offering the reader in-depth theological refutations the misconceptions that plague our culture, he challenges the reader to be honest with himself, sit down with Jesus and pray - we'd be surprised by what a little bit of honesty can do in exposing some of the outrageous claims of society. One of my favorite examples of Mark's challenging and eye-opening honesty is in the chapter "Recreational Sex: Living in the Flesh:"

"I urge you to stop right now and pray. In your prayer, ask Jesus himself to give you his perspective on modern sexuality. Ten sit in silence. Is he prompting you to guide your mouse to the porn site so that you can discover his perspective? Does he suggest that you call a sex line? No."

This is one of my favorite aspects of the book because it seeks to challenge the reader to open his heart up to God and gives practical guidelines on how to go about that. If the heart is not open to God, the mind cannot appreciate His teachings.

This honesty extends further than theological and moral truths. It challenges us to be honest with ourselves about our relationship with Jesus. Do we really know Christ? Do we spend enough time with Him? "Why don't invite Christ into our day more often? If you simply don't think of it, then Jesus is still distant, not yet a friend or a brother." No matter where you are in your relationship with Christ, Mark shows us that must always be seeking to deepen it.

One of the most obvious things about this book is that it is written out of love. Mark cares about the reader, which is why he doesn't water anything down or speak in ambiguous terms. He gives us the hard truth others may be too afraid to share with us. While he discusses what true love is in the final chapter, love is embedded in every page and embroidered on every word. The book itself teaches us about love because it is an act of love itself.

Within the pages of the book, Mark hopes to help us change our perspective, our approach and our self-offering. He accomplishes these goals beautifully with wit, honesty, humor and insight. Who ever knew that crossword puzzles had so much to offer the spiritual journey?

Blessed Are the Bored in Spirit is a must read for anyone striving to live the Catholic life in today's world. Hart writes to challenge and motivate without overwhelming the reader, and uses both personal experience and Catholic doctrine to drive home his points. Comical stories, honest perceptions, and practical advice make this book an easy read that will change your perspective on "walking the walk." As a young adult in the Catholic Church, it's often difficult to get straight answers without feeling judged, stupid, or intimidated. Mark clearly "tells it like it is" but also offers realistic help on how to avoid and overcome the common sins we fall into. Blessed Are the Bored in Spirit shares the timeless message of God's love in a relatable, non-threatening, and highly entertaining way.