This Week in Books--long overdue edition
I've been reading a lot recently, I've just not taken the time to share all the great books I've been reading in a weekly post in the last few weeks. Instead of listing all the books I've read, I just wanted to highlight my two favorites:
From Clutter to Clarity: Simplifying Life From the Inside Out by Nancy Twigg
If you are looking for some motivation to organize your life and find more peace and clarity, you'll definitely want to read this simple book. I expected the content to be primarily about organization and de-cluttering, instead this book goes much deeper and investigates the root problems and causes for many of our stresses and struggles in life. I appreciated the author constantly bringing you back to Christ. Without Him, we can have no clarity in our lives. A good, thought-provoking read.
The Worn-Out Woman: When Your Life is Full and Your Spirit is Empty by Dr. Steve Stephens and Alice Gray
Oh how I needed this book (a huge thanks to a commentor who first recommended it)! I didn't realize how over-booked my life has been and how much of a worn-out woman I was until I cracked it open and read the first few chapters... it totally changed my life and my focus!
I so thoroughly benefited from what I learned in this excellent volume and feel like many of you might be where I was, that I've decided to dedicate the next few weeks to posts on what I've been learning. So go get yourself a copy of this book if you can and then come back here next week to join us in the series as I share what God has been teaching me and what has been enabling me to rise above the exhaustion I was experiencing and find passion and rejuvenation again!
From Clutter to Clarity: Simplifying Life From the Inside Out by Nancy TwiggIf you are looking for some motivation to organize your life and find more peace and clarity, you'll definitely want to read this simple book. I expected the content to be primarily about organization and de-cluttering, instead this book goes much deeper and investigates the root problems and causes for many of our stresses and struggles in life. I appreciated the author constantly bringing you back to Christ. Without Him, we can have no clarity in our lives. A good, thought-provoking read.
The Worn-Out Woman: When Your Life is Full and Your Spirit is Empty by Dr. Steve Stephens and Alice GrayOh how I needed this book (a huge thanks to a commentor who first recommended it)! I didn't realize how over-booked my life has been and how much of a worn-out woman I was until I cracked it open and read the first few chapters... it totally changed my life and my focus!
I so thoroughly benefited from what I learned in this excellent volume and feel like many of you might be where I was, that I've decided to dedicate the next few weeks to posts on what I've been learning. So go get yourself a copy of this book if you can and then come back here next week to join us in the series as I share what God has been teaching me and what has been enabling me to rise above the exhaustion I was experiencing and find passion and rejuvenation again!
Labels: Reviews
posted by Crystal Paine at 3:00 PM
11 Comments:
As a young, single woman, I sometimes feel like I'm sneaking into a moms only corner of the web here! I really appreciate all your wisdom, Crystal, and I like to think that when I visit here I'm storing up knowledge for my future(Lord willing!)career as a wife and mom though.
The second book looks great. Can't wait to read what you have so share. :)
Crystal, this book looks very good. I just have a question for you--are you still going through "Do Hard Things" by the Harris twins? Or did I totally miss that and you're all finished?
I found a copy of DHT in our library. I haven't cracked it open yet. Maybe it's because I have too much going on:).
Krista
I was wondering...do you always buy your books you post about?? Or do you find most of them at the library...or do you simply get them shipped to you for your reviewing? You seem to be such a minimilist and a frugal person that I can't imagine you would buy a lot of books??? Just curious.
We all have our weakness and spurlge issues--you would be totally entilted to indulging yourself with purchasing any book you wanted. I like to buy scapbooking supplies out of my splurge money, but I love to read too.
I was just asked to review the top book and am excited to read it! :)
Sounds like an answer to my prayers! As a stay at home mom of three children ages 4 and under I could definitely benefit from a book like this:) Thank you for sharing. I have been feeling worn out and short tempered lately. I will be back to find out about what you've been learning!
~Elizabeth
Donna: I pretty much never buy any books. I get the majority of them from PaperBackSwap or the library (and sometimes gifts, too!).
When people sign up under me on PBS, I get two book credits (I think once you get over 50 sign-ups, they start giving you two credits instead of the usual one credit.) so because I have a lot of traffic on MSM and occasionally mention it there, I tend to have plenty of credits to use. I have my wishlist on there and just add books to it anytime I come across a book I'm interested in and then am notified when it's available. Eventually, I've found I'm usually able to get the book.
I probably get at least a third to half of the books I read from our library. We have a fairly large library system here and they have quite a good selection so I just request a few books off my long list and put them on hold every few weeks. This ensures I never run out of stuff
I do also sometimes get asked to do book reviews but I only accept a handful of those I'm really interested in and think you all would be, too.
Books are certainly my weakness (and my husband's as well!) but we try to only keep those books which we really found helpful and beneficial so that our library is made up of our very favorite books. So, for the many books we read that we decide we don't want to keep for our library, we usually either pass them on to others/give them away. I used to sell books on Half.com, but I've gotten away from that sort of thing since I don't usually have time to list and pack stuff now.
Stephanie: Please know you are not an outsider here and we welcome you heartily! :) I know I tend to write posts which are more mom-focused just because that's the season of life I'm in right now. However, I do *try* to post some variety here so that those who are not in the same season of life as me can also be encouraged and apply things to their own situation. And I always welcome the input of all you single gals--and would more than welcome guest posts from you all!
Crystal, I always enjoy when you post book reviews. It helps me when hearing others' recommendations to better choose between the plethora of good books out there...
I'll look forward to hearing what you are learning from these.
Wow, Crystal, both of those books sound like exactly what I need to read right now. I am feeling like life is a bit too busy and chaotic, and just a overall burnt out and tired. I desperately want to simplify life a bit (and declutter our home a lot!), slow down, be more balanced and refocus on Christ and my relationships with others. If my library doesn't have these, I'll probably buy them. Thank you for the recommendation! It was so timely for me! :)
Crystal,
I was encouraged that the Worn Out Woman was such a blessing to you--you made my day! I'll have to get another copy, as I gave mine away. I love the fact that you don't have to read the chapters in order, but agree that the first few really get your attention. Before I read it, I thought the cover was a little "pathetic-looking," and didn't think the title suited me at the time, but I'm so glad I read it anyway. Now that I AM a worn out woman, I'm looking forward to re-reading it. (I'll try to link through your Paperback Swap link, if I can find it...)
Merrilee
Thank you for the recommendation. I just bought the Worn Out Woman's book.
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