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Around the World in 80 Dates shares a woman's humorous take on being single. Women will be encouraged to never settle for less than God's best.
Description: Travel writer Sydney Alexander is ready for one
particular journey to end: her frustrating search for a Mr. Right.
But things are looking up: Just after landing her dream job, she
meets an eligible round of bachelors.
Now Sydney will discover just how far she’s willing to compromise
to land her dream guy.
Around the World in 80 Dates
ISBN-13: 9781600061776
Trim Size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/4
Cover: Paperback
288 Pages
Percentage Discounts for Bulk Purchases of Single Items
Downloadable
Part of a Series
Available in Spanish
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A Humorous Look at Christian Dating
Around The World in 80 Dates – Confessions of a Christian Serial Dater by Christa Ann Banister is a wonderfully, funny book. The lead character, Sydney Alexander is a single Christian woman who works as a travel writer. She is able to laugh at herself and finds humour in the circumstances she’s in. It’s a look into the world of single Christians. Young, single adults all go through some of the same things when it comes to dating and relationships. Around The World in 80 Dates shows how a Christian single deals with issues while staying true to their Christian faith.
I believe that Sydney Alexander is a good role model for single Christians to follow today. Especially in this time where sex, drugs and drinking is the norm. Sydney Alexander has chosen to enjoy her life while still being righteous in God’s eyes.
Christa Ann Banister tells a good story. It is lighthearted and easy to read. However, the way the characters deal with specific issues can be a guide for all single Christians to try and follow. The book is not preachy but has an important message to tell all those single Christians looking for their “happily ever after”.
Posted by Michelle Padrelanan on 2/9/2010 11:09:58 PM
Maybe not for me; expecting it to be funnier and satirical
This is the first book in the chicklit series featuring Sydney Alexander. The book cover is great; the picture reminds me of Audrey Hepburn. Title (and subtitle)—creative, appealing. Judging by the title and book cover, I expected an enjoyable, slightly satirical read, which would poke some harmless (but pointed) fun at Christians and the whole dating scene. I thought that sort of book would be a refreshing change from the usual mushy love story.
But preachy dialogue and moral-of-the-story narratives made the story development take a backseat. It hampered my being sucked into the fictional world of Sydney and relating to her and her friends. I was reading her romantic forays, but wasn’t at all empathizing with her love quest.
It didn’t help, at least for me, that Sydney wasn’t all that interesting. I’ve read one or two of the shopaholic books, and there’s a reason readers latch on to the series. I’m not a fan, but I can understand why people are hooked on it. I think it’s got a lot to do with the main character: she’s got to be interesting, funny, quirky; so much so that readers will join her through the whining, the excitement, the catastrophes, till the ultimate happy ending.
Posted by Molly on 1/3/2010 12:44:47 AM
Enjoyable, Fun Read
Christa Ann Banister’s Around the World in 80 Dates is an enjoyable approach to Christian dating. While the subject of a late-twenty-something trying to find her Godly match and fumbling her way through first dates may sound trite, Banister has a casual and direct voice that invites the reader in and dispels any sense of irritation at the familiar topic. The reality of the main character, Sydney’s, faith is woven into the story and cannot be missed. The gospel is presented clearly between dates at P. F. Chang’s and assignments at the heroine’s travel magazine writing job. The constant reality of the woman’s faith is not obnoxious—it is endearing, imperfect, and feels real. The book deals well with both Christian and non-Christian dating contexts, and doesn’t vilify the non-Christian or exalt the perfection of a Christian partner. Banister confronts the reality that even Christian men can be jerks, and that each of us has to decide who we’ll be within the world of relationships. The supporting characters are sweet and provide an entertaining chorus that supports Sydney as she explores herself and her relationships. Banister is also careful to create a real sense of longing in her lead and several other women in the novel, but is not indulgent or depressing on these points. The only real downside to this faith-filled chick-lit is the constant appearance of brand and pop-culture references that will undoubtedly, in only a few short years, become obnoxious for a reader that doesn’t remember their context. However, this current background now will most likely entertain one reading the book. If you’re looking for a happy ending with a dose of Jesus and a few laughs, pick this one up.
Posted by Claire on 7/30/2009 4:10:15 PM
Awesome book! Must read for any single Christian woman...
I'll freely admit it. I was skeptical about this book. I thought, "a Christian chick-lit book? That must be awful."
Now, you must understand something. I've been in the Christian culture since I was prenatal. I know how ridiculous items made in our culture can get.
But I digress.
Despite my reservations, I decided to give Around the World in 80 Dates a try. After all, the cover looked compelling and, as a Christian single girl, I felt I needed some feel-good chick-lit. If nothing else, I'd have something serious to say in my review about the lack of realism in Christian fiction.
Boy was I wrong. This book is awesome. Two days after picking it up I had the entire thing read (I would have had it done sooner, but I have a friend visiting). It's been a long time since I consumed a book like I did Around the World in 80 Dates.
Christa Ann Banister apparently was secretly filming my life and borrowing from my experiences when she wrote this book. The main character, Sydney, like me went to Bible college, didn't get her MRS degree (Mrs.), and loves writing. She's a spunky, self-confident heroine who isn't afraid to be a bit of a mess sometimes when her love life doesn't turn out as expected. I actually laughed out loud several times as Christa explained "DTR" (Define the Relationship) talks [a huge subject for debate when I was in college] and how hard it is to buy a Bible for someone else.
The story takes you through Sydney's experiences dating, but also gives you insights into the lives of the other characters of the book by switching view points to get inside their heads. While this was a bit disconcerting at first (I had trouble remember who was who), it lead to a richer story-telling experience because you really began to feel the characters and sympathize with what made them tick.
I also appreciated that Sydney wasn't a character that thumped everyone over the head with her faith. The ways she deals with it are very real and woven into the story. None of the "lets stop for a moral lesson" moments that badly written Christian fiction often tries to throw in. In short, Sydney is relatable for any person who has struggled with life and love. She's a light without being a sunburn.
The book is funny, but stays away from being just a fluffy chick book by dealing with some serious issues women face when trying to find Mr. Right. I especially applaud how Sydney isn't a pushover or someone desperate to get married just to be married. She knows what she wants and makes some tough choices along the way.
In short, I highly recommend you pick up this book. It's guaranteed to lift your spirits and, at the least, remind you that you're not the only single woman out there with a bad dating history.
Posted by Tabitha on 6/22/2009 12:17:55 AM
What about REALLY good guys like me?
Okay, Sydney writes well and has a point, but there are GOOD guys out there - like I was, but I got married to a great lady. It grates on me that so many women crab about the men that they know. Well, maybe they know the wrong men. Sydney needs to look for solid Christian guys that have enough Christian conviction and testosterone to do the RIGHT THING about taking a wonderful lady out. If these men will do the RIGHT THING about taking a wonderful lady out, then perhaps the wonderful lady will just possibly consider marrying such a man and WILL basically live happily ever after. Okay, there will be little bumps and potholes, but basically she will say 10, 20, 30 years after the wedding that her marriage is blessed. She will tell other women to hold high their standards and go not for the handsome or rich men, but the GOOD men that love and walk in obedience to and worship of Jesus and have lots of testosterone (i.e. are GREAT lovers).
Posted by Snerdly on 6/19/2008 7:36:00 AM
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