Book Brief :: A Change of Habit

I first learned of A Change of Habit: Leaving Behind My Husband, Career and Everything I Owned to Become a Nun from a review in my local paper, the Atlanta Journal and Constitution. I was intrigued by someone who, having grown up in a small southern town like me, would walk away from a marriage and career to join a convent. So, I added it to my TBR list and got in line on my Libby app for the audiobook.

The first part of the book, which starts with Claudette Powell’s early years (she later becomes Sister Monica Clare), is reminiscent of The Glass Castle. She grew up in poverty and with an addict father. Fast forward to her adult life and – post acting school – she’s living in LA, married, and building a career as a creative and a comic. She talks about attending one of Jimmy Fallon’s birthday parties. However, she’s not quite comfortable, and has never forgotten a childhood fascination with being a nun – spurred on my “The Flying Nun” and “The Sound of Music.”

As some major things in her life began to shift, Claudette decided to begin in earnest to explore what she felt like was her calling to a contemplative life. She landed in the Episcopal Church and at The Community of St. John Baptist, which is the recipient of all proceeds of the book. While life in a convent may be simpler, as Sister Monica Clare – as she’s now known – explains, it isn’t easy. She dives deep into the culture of living as a nun in ways I had never thought of. For example, self-denial also means not expressing personal appreciation or recognition to any one person – a practice that flies in the face of every corporate leadership and management book ever written. It is a fascinating, and counterintuitive, way of life.

What I enjoyed the most about A Change of Habit was Claudette’s honesty about her journey to redefine and rediscover herself. I think all of us can relate to this – in at least small ways if not as significant as Claudette’s change. There is something validating and comforting about reading of someone else’s journey toward becoming their authentic self. All the more so as a Christian since a large part of Claudette’s journey was finally publicly embracing what had always been so significant to her inwardly.

Verdict: Highly recommend if you enjoyed other memoirs like The Glass Castle or Educated. Or, if spiritual journeys are you jam, you’ll love it.