If you think you have it bad--take a look at what
these women have gone through.
“Kudos to the amazing strength of these women!” This book is the needed
inspiration to survive the worst luck and circumstances that catch women
unexpectedly. Stories of almost unimaginable pain and tragedy: the death
of loved ones, being witness to mass murder, the loss of an esteemed job
after years of loyalty, and the reversal of fortunes. But more
importantly, these are stories of individual strength to transform
shock, despair, and paralysis into sheer will and guts. It contains the
innate resources we have to climb out of the abyss and into a new life
with unexpected happiness.
— Amy Tan, best-selling author of The Joy Luck Club
Today I dashed into my local library to return a few books that were due--and as always--I had to check out the just-arrived book-shelf. Did I find "This Is Not the Life I Ordered" on the new-book-shelf? No. But I did picked up a copy of Reading Group Choices 2008-Selections for lively book discussions (could they come up with a more boring title?)--and that's where I found a recommendation for this book. It certainly piqued my interest.
With daily business shut-downs, job lay-offs, home foreclosures, tanking retirement funds and who-knows-what's-around-the-corner--I think this book might be just what the doctor ordered.
And as for Reading Group Choices 2008--it is definitely worth a look if you're in the market for some good reads. There's a mixture of fiction & non-fiction and all the books are recommended by librarians, book group members, booksellers, authors & publishers. Then they're reviewed to ensure discussibility and those that make the final cut get the "Reading Group Seal of Approval" - and come with discussion questions.
To check out the Reading Group Choices website click here.
"We Read to Know We Are Not Alone"
-C.S. Lewis-
This Is Not the Life I Ordered is for anyone who has ever felt overworked, overwhelmed, or just plain unlucky (and, who hasn’t?!). Through this collection of stories, wisdom, and practical advice, readers will meet four ordinary women who have faced extraordinary life challenges. Together, they have a history of six marriages, ten children, four stepchildren, six dogs, two miscarriages, two cats, a failed adoption, and foster parenthood. One of them was shot and left for dead on a tarmac in South America and two have lived through the death of their spouses.
This book started simply with four friends getting together for "kitchen table coaching sessions" to talk about their lives. Week by week and story by story, they realized their great advice to each other could help other women struggling with life's myriad issues of work, family, and love, as well as the big questions of life and death. For over a decade, the power and strength of their collective friendship enabled these women not only to survive but to thrive.
Each section of the book concludes with suggested action plans and exercises that the authors refer to as the WIT (Women in Transition) Kit. They realize women are busy, running from the moment their feet hit the bedroom floor, but what they have found is that by taking the time to follow up on the recommendations in the Wit Kit has made a world of difference in the quality of their lives, and that of their loved ones.
Whether trying to recover from overwhelming hardship or to celebrate a triumph, readers will find four amazing women to share hope and inspiration with through the true stories in This Is Not the Life I Ordered. This is a book for women of all ages.
For more info on this book click here. There's even a 45 page excerpt.
Today I dashed into my local library to return a few books that were due--and as always--I had to check out the just-arrived book-shelf. Did I find "This Is Not the Life I Ordered" on the new-book-shelf? No. But I did picked up a copy of Reading Group Choices 2008-Selections for lively book discussions (could they come up with a more boring title?)--and that's where I found a recommendation for this book. It certainly piqued my interest.
With daily business shut-downs, job lay-offs, home foreclosures, tanking retirement funds and who-knows-what's-around-the-corner--I think this book might be just what the doctor ordered.
And as for Reading Group Choices 2008--it is definitely worth a look if you're in the market for some good reads. There's a mixture of fiction & non-fiction and all the books are recommended by librarians, book group members, booksellers, authors & publishers. Then they're reviewed to ensure discussibility and those that make the final cut get the "Reading Group Seal of Approval" - and come with discussion questions.
To check out the Reading Group Choices website click here.
"We Read to Know We Are Not Alone"
-C.S. Lewis-
Here's the Synopsis of This Is Not the Life I Ordered
This Is Not the Life I Ordered is for anyone who has ever felt overworked, overwhelmed, or just plain unlucky (and, who hasn’t?!). Through this collection of stories, wisdom, and practical advice, readers will meet four ordinary women who have faced extraordinary life challenges. Together, they have a history of six marriages, ten children, four stepchildren, six dogs, two miscarriages, two cats, a failed adoption, and foster parenthood. One of them was shot and left for dead on a tarmac in South America and two have lived through the death of their spouses.
This book started simply with four friends getting together for "kitchen table coaching sessions" to talk about their lives. Week by week and story by story, they realized their great advice to each other could help other women struggling with life's myriad issues of work, family, and love, as well as the big questions of life and death. For over a decade, the power and strength of their collective friendship enabled these women not only to survive but to thrive.
Each section of the book concludes with suggested action plans and exercises that the authors refer to as the WIT (Women in Transition) Kit. They realize women are busy, running from the moment their feet hit the bedroom floor, but what they have found is that by taking the time to follow up on the recommendations in the Wit Kit has made a world of difference in the quality of their lives, and that of their loved ones.
"If one woman sees another woman as successful, that woman will never
fail, never feel alone…"
— Florence Scovel Shinn, writer (1871-1940)
— Florence Scovel Shinn, writer (1871-1940)
Whether trying to recover from overwhelming hardship or to celebrate a triumph, readers will find four amazing women to share hope and inspiration with through the true stories in This Is Not the Life I Ordered. This is a book for women of all ages.
For more info on this book click here. There's even a 45 page excerpt.
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