Finding God in Vegas by Donald Young traces the author's life from childhood as an adopted son in Illinois, describing his relationship with his parents, early activities, and interests in music, writing, and service. He details his education, including a Master of Arts in theology, and the development of his identity and sexuality, eventually living openly as a gay man. Young recounts his relationship, including marriage to Joaquim, and relocations to Minneapolis, Chicago, and Las Vegas. He also shares family connections, including reconnecting with his father, who later battled health issues, and locating estranged relatives. Remarkably, on a February evening while living in Vegas, Johnny Cash’s American Recordings provoked an intense emotional response; an event which ultimately led him to a personal spiritual awakening, understanding God’s love, and reordering his life's priorities.

As a Gen X'er myself, who was born and raised in San Francisco, later moving to Vegas for over a decade, I was immediately drawn to Donald Young’s Finding God in Vegas: A Gen X Spiritual Awakening. It turns out, the memoir is so much bigger and so much better than that. Young's openness delivers a truly uplifting account that radiates the beauty, hope, and fulfillment that come from change. Las Vegas is a transient city with McMansions, the fastest cars, and incomprehensible wealth, so Young's reflections on materialism, societal pressures, and human limitations feel especially honest. His journey toward acceptance of who he loves is important, but more so is how he chooses to live. He is someone who pursued God academically, which I find totally fascinating. Tightly written, beautifully candid, and with tales of cats, this is a memoir worth reading. Recommended.

Finding God in Vegas: A Gen X Spiritual Awakening by Donald Young is a well-written memoir that evinces the need to find, share, and embrace love, especially God’s love. Donald begins by sharing the story behind this book and countering six lies of the modern world. He writes about his background as an adopted child, his period of affluence, and how he held onto a false faith because of fear, material possessions, and career success. However, a year after Donald’s fiftieth birthday, there is a change in the leadership structure, and he is laid off from Avidité Health. Soon afterward, he moved to Las Vegas. This marks a point of spiritual awareness and transformation for the first time in Donald's adult life. His story proves that everyone, regardless of their fears, background, or past experiences, deserves God's love.

Donald’s story was absolutely motivational and inspiring. I felt so many emotions as I read, proving Donald to be a skillful and talented writer. I derived many positive lessons from this book, particularly on the need to stay humble no matter the success I achieve at any point in my life. Also, genuine happiness comes from embracing God’s love. This story will remain a constant reminder to me that there is more to life than worldly success. The writing is detailed, well-paced, straightforward, and easy to comprehend. It also features themes of love, self-discovery, hope, humility, and more. I recommend Finding God in Vegas by Donald Young to anyone who has doubts about their worth and is struggling to accept God’s love.