Joy Beth Smith - Party of One: Truth, Longing, and the Subtle Art of Singleness

PRAISE FOR PARTY OF ONE

In Party of One, Joy Beth Smith chooses to go where many of us fear (or simply dont want) to tread on the topic of singleness. With raw vulnerability, and unflinching honesty, Joy Beth pushes past easy questions and answers about singleness and relationships. Instead she invites us into her own story and journey, and the conversations many women are having every day. Party of One is tender, passionate, and sometimes uncomfortable all at the same time. Its not a book for the fainthearted, or for well-worn platitudes. But Id also say its important reading as we listen to, support, invest in, and empower the single members of our community.

Jo Saxton, speaker, author, chair of 3Dmovements, and cohost of Lead Stories podcast

Anyone who has signed a True Love Waits pledge (me), written letters to her future husband (also me), or politely nodded along while friends and family gave unsolicited dating advice (again, me) will be nodding and laughing along to Joy Beths honest account of the confusing experience that so often is Christian singleness. What Joy Beth offers readers is the permission and freedom to make the most of singleness, defining it not by what it lacks but by what promise it holds. This book is a gift to the church and to readers from all walks of life.

Katelyn Beaty, author of A Womans Place and Christianity Today editor at large

Joy Beth Smiths voicehonest, fearless, funny, and wiseis exactly what we need in the conversation about Christian singleness. Her book will bring healing to a church culture that desperately needs it, and offers a healthy, positive vision of what singleness can look like for faithful Christians. An essential read.

Gina Dalfonzo, author of One by One

I experienced Party of One as one long exhale. Finally comes a book that speaks the language of both soul and sexuality without any squeamishness. Finally comes a book that is both devout and devoid of the weird stodginess religious people have about their bodies under the guise of reverence. If the gospel teaches us anything, its that we dont have to choose between humanity and divinity. In that same Christian spirit, Party of One demonstrates that we dont have to choose between funny and fierce, boldness and tenderness, or laughter and tears. Somewhere at the intersection of Hildegard of Bingen and Tina Fey, God gave us Joy Beth Smith.

Jonathan Martin, author of How to Survive a Shipwreck and Prototype

Singleness isnt a season of preparation for something better. Amen. Today is the gift, and Jesus is the prize. The church is in dire need of a more robust theology and practice when it comes to singleness and Joy Beth leads the way with humor and wisdom that cut through the fluff. This isnt one of those what to do while youre waiting for a husband kind of books, so pick it up and be encouraged.

Hayley Morgan, coauthor of the bestselling book Wild and Free

This is the book I wish I would have read as a single woman. Joy Beth speaks with clarity, compassion, wit, and frankness about so many of the unique struggles and triumphs of navigating singleness in our current culture. She doesnt shy away from difficult topics and alternatively offers her readers the warm, understanding hug and the kick in the pants they might need. This is a must-read for both singles and married folks who want to put singleness in a proper, biblical perspective. I cannot recommend it enough.

Jasmine Holmes, author and creator of Not a Mommy Blog

Party of One frees us from the nest of lies we encounter as single adults in Christianity. Joy Beth untangles the beliefs that insist prolonged singleness is a result of sin, singles are lacking in wisdom, and sexuality is a simple matter. Christians havefor too longneeded someone to wade into the complexity of these issues, without flinching, and to lead us through it. Joy Beth has done just that with stirring eloquence and reassuring bravery.

Paul Maxwell, author of When Your Twenties Are Darker Than You Expected

Joy Beth Smith writes a timeless anthem for the ones often feeling singled out by singleness. Her prose is refreshing and kind, like an old friend sitting down with you for a cup of tea. A truth-teller who isnt afraid to talk about the stuff we so often shove into the corner, Joy Beth gives the greatest gift a writer can give their reader: a series of honest me too moments that empower and push us allsingle, dating, marriedto be better.

Hannah Brencher, author of Come Matter Here

This book is a triumph of truth and empathy for those living the single life and those who are long hitched! After being married twenty-five years, reading Party of One out loud to each other was one of the most enjoyable ways to spend our evenings. It stirred up our desire to reclaim those deep, foundational lessons God began in our own lives while we were single, honoring the meaningful, whole, and beautiful lives we each have. Everyone, regardless of marital status, should read Joy Beths welcoming, witty, and provocative work.

Stephan and Belinda Bauman, authors and speakers

Im a married Puerto Rican pastor who absolutely loved this book. I was challenged and inspired by Joy Beths journey. Her wit and faith are a winning combination. You will read, cry, laugh, cringe, and be challenged to truly know yourself (while being inspired to love whatever wild ride God has you on). And as a married Puerto Rican pastor who used to preach a lot of the things Joy Beth calls out in her book, I can only say: Im so sorry! While it may be written to singles, this is a book every pastor, parent, church leader, and married friend needs to read.

Carlos Rodrguez, founder of Happy Sonship and author of Drop the Stones

The stories and research behind Party of One provide a solid, relatable framework for exploring the questions of longing and lament as well as the beauty and freedom of single life. Whether youre just entering the college dating scene or youve rocked it solo for decades, youre going to want your own copy of this book for all the me toos youll want to write in the margins. Grab a copy and a pen, because the party is just getting started.

Jenna, 29, assistant editor

For an older, single woman like myself, reading Party of One is like being invited into a conversation your heart longs for, but rarely finds. Stuff gets real with an unapologetic flair that makes you want to join in the discussion, despite the hesitation anyone feels when talking about typically taboo subjects. No one talks about these topics because we are afraid of exposure, and yet we are not meant to live life in the shallow end. We are called to community, one that goes deep, and that is what this book encourages us to docome find your place at the table, celebrate it, and know that you are not alone.

Christina, 36, program director

This book is everything. Im a pretty tough critic and typically hate Christian womens self-improvement and encouragement books because I feel like they lack a sense of honesty and understanding that God isnt a vending machine, but this was everything I needed and more.

Meghan, 24, missionary

This book is a gift for those of us who oftentimes feel like we are navigating the single life alone, but its also a gift for the Church at large. Everyone wins when the body of Christ embraces and celebrates her single membersdoubts, dreams, and all!

Kendall, 27, baker and writer

Party of One unveils the reality and struggles of being a single woman in a way that is greatly needed in the church. Joy Beth covers all the bases by addressing the language and treatment that unmarried adults can be exposed to, and shes not afraid to bring it home with a no-holds-barred discussion on sex and singleness. While