Many of the books I discover are mentioned in other books. The mention catches my attention, so I buy the book. It’s usually a great way to find new authors.

That’s how I found On Pilgrimage by Jennifer Lash. An extended quote from the book caught my eye. Then I saw another. And another. It was clear that I needed to read the whole thing.

On Pilgrimage is the author’s story of a journey across Europe after learning she had cancer. She visits all the traditional places a Christian pilgrim would visit: Lourdes and Lisieux, for instance. But there are a wide range of side roads and new discoveries as well. Throughout her solitary journey, Lash is writing a very personal and keenly insightful story about spiritual discovery.

The back of the book describes it as “sensitive, humorous, courageous and inspiring.” It is all of those things indeed.

But is it engaging? For me, sadly, the answer is no. The high points of the book are high indeed. They make you pause and ponder some deep insight that Lash has expressed. But in between those points it is filled with too much description and narration. I wanted to say, “Yes, I get it, the baguettes were crusty at this bakery….but who cares?” The filler that describing the logistics of the journey could’ve used a Hemingway type edit — keep it simple and brief to make it stronger.

The book is worth reading. The paragraphs where Lash discovers something about her spirituality and finds words to express that are inspiring moments in the book. It’s just not a “great” book because it doesn’t focus enough on the things that really matter.