Work in Progress Review: A Memoir of Finding Faith Through Odd Jobs

Quick Verdict

The Work in Progress memoir caught me completely off guard. I picked it up expecting standard inspirational fare, but what I got was something far more human: a funny, honest account of finding faith through dishwashers and cubicles. If you're looking for spiritual memoirs that don't preach, this one's worth your time. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

What Is the Work in Progress Book About?

Work in Progress is exactly what its subtitle promises: a collection of confessions spanning a remarkably varied career. Before the author ever considered the priesthood, he worked as a busboy, dishwasher, golf caddy, movie theater usher, factory worker, bank teller, and corporate office drone. Each job taught him something about himself, about people, and ultimately about faith.

The memoir moves chronologically through these roles, finding meaning in the mundane. HarperOne published this spiritual memoir, and it's clear the editorial team understood that the power here isn't in theological arguments but in everyday moments. By the time the author enters seminary, we've watched him fail at enough things to genuinely believe he's found his calling rather than simply escaped his circumstances.

Key Features

• Chronicles eight different jobs before priesthood, each with its own lessons
• Balances humor and sincerity without veering into either extreme
• Short chapters make it ideal for busy readers
• Accessible spiritual themes for readers of all backgrounds
• Authentic voice that feels like a conversation with a wise friend
• Published by HarperOne, a trusted religious publisher
• Reflects on finding purpose in work society often overlooks

Hands-On Review

I sat down with Work in Progress on a Saturday morning, intending to read one chapter before my day got busy. Three hours later, I'd finished it. The chapters are short—maybe 3-5 pages each—but they build on each other in ways that make stopping genuinely difficult.

What surprised me most was the humor. The author doesn't shy away from the absurdity of his situations: showing up to a corporate job inkhakis that were clearly too short, the particular humiliation of being a busboy at a fancy restaurant, the surreal experience of caddying for someone who clearly had never touched a golf club. I found myself laughing out loud at several points, which isn't what I expected from a spiritual memoir.

But here's what keeps it from being just a funny book: the author genuinely struggled. There's no neat arc where each job teaches him exactly what he needs. Some of these experiences just sucked, and he says so. The factory work chapters in particular felt raw—the tedium, the physical toll, the way work like that can make you feel invisible. When he eventually finds his way to the priesthood, it feels earned not because he's perfected himself but because he's finally found a place where his particular brand of searching makes sense.

The priesthood itself gets less page time than I expected. About the last third of the book deals with seminary and early ministry. Some readers might want more there. I didn't mind—the foundation had been laid so well that I didn't need extensive detail about liturgical procedures. I wanted to understand the person making the choice, and I did.

Who Should Buy It?

Buy this if: You enjoy memoirs that find meaning in unexpected places. If you've ever worked a job that made you question your path, this book will resonate.

Buy this if: You're looking for spiritual reading that doesn't require you to share the author's specific faith. The universal themes about vocation and purpose translate regardless of your religious background.

Buy this if: You want a quick, engaging read with genuine heart. At its length, it's perfect for commutes or before-bed sessions.

Skip this if: You're seeking an in-depth exploration of Catholic theology or priestly life. This is a memoir about becoming, not a manual on being.

Skip this if: You prefer your spiritual books earnest and solemn. Work in Progress wears its humor openly, and if that tone doesn't appeal, you won't find enough gravitas here to satisfy.

Alternatives Worth Considering

Unreasonable Hope by廖力in: If you want a spiritual memoir with more focus on ministry and less on the pre-priesthood jobs, this offers a different angle on finding one's calling.

The Cross and the Human: For readers who appreciated the spiritual elements but want a more theologically grounded read, this provides deeper exploration of faith questions.

Starting Over by Natalie: A secular alternative that similarly explores finding meaning through unconventional career paths, for those who want the job-hopping narrative without the religious framework.

FAQ

Final Verdict

Work in Progress succeeds because it refuses to pretend that finding your calling is neat or dignified. The author stumbled through plenty of awkward jobs, made questionable choices, and still somehow arrived somewhere meaningful. That's not just a spiritual message—it's a human one.

HarperOne has published a memoir that works for secular readers and people of faith alike. Whether you buy it for the humor, the inspiration, or the surprisingly relatable job stories, you'll come away with something worth thinking about. The question isn't really whether this memoir is good—it's whether your life right now has room for a book about finding meaning in the mess. Probably does.