A Million Miles in a Thousand Years is the latest book by Donald Miller. Its release is today, and here is my review.

All too often, we lack perspective. We go about our daily lives focused on the here and now, neglecting to look at the bigger picture. Donald Miller finds himself in that position at the beginning of his new book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. The story begins when a screenwriter obtains the movie rights to Miller’s memoir. Miller becomes a co-writer of the screenplay, only to realize that his life is quite uninspiring. He starts taking a longer view of his life, changing habits and pursuing goals that made for a better story.

At first, I was relatively unimpressed with A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. It seemed to me that Donald Miller spent the first few chapters navel-gazing and whining about his relatively comfortable life. But then I discovered that this was by design. After his own “inciting incidet” occurs, Mr. Miller’s voice changes and becomes full of energy. He returns to being the dynamic writer we’re all accustomed to.

As I read about how he biked across the country, climbed Machu Picchu, and started a charity, I began to feel more personally motivated. By the time I turned the last page, I was ready to take control of my life and turn it into an epic story. Even though Mr. Miller’s books are usually pretty light on theological concepts, I really appreciated his discussion of God as the ultimate storyteller. This book is a real page-turner, be prepared to read it cover-to-cover once you crack it open.

Memorable quotes from A Million Miles in a Thousand Years:

“A story is a character who wants something and overcomes conflict to get it.”

“The point of the story is the character arc.”

“…the idea that a character is what he does makes as much sense in life as it does in the movies”

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