discoveringpeace's reviews
633 reviews

I've given up reading this book. While it started out with a bang, it's since fizzled into the weirdest, wackadoodle, mental book I've probably ever picked up. Ironically, it's all about ditching your stuff and severing emotional ties to "stuff", yet this lady is revoltingly sentimental and emotional about things! The final blow came when she described finding bags and piggy banks of coins in her clients' houses: "At this point, my clients would rather just ignore the bag's existence. Writing this description is hard enough, but to actually see the coins, stripped of their dignity as money, is heartrending."

Wut.

An honest, touching account of stroke-induced aphasia, detailing the wrenching loss and joyful rediscovery of a vibrant and profound shared love affair with language. Every page was an immense lexical ocean. However, Ackerman, at times, gets so carried away in her descriptions, she singes the reader in adjective hell. Two pages describing brewing a cup of coffee was the best definition of tedium I've ever encountered. An interesting, recommended read for linguists.

Horrifically hilarious, but at times it felt like she was trying too hard to be funny and it fell flat.

Insight into why we feel compelled to discipline (punish) when our desire is, and should be, to listen, guide, and connect.

An gentle, moving memoir of tragedy, beauty, determination, and - most touching - family traditions. A book I suspect I'll never forget.

Another one I chose to cut ties with, and only had 15% of the book left. Gilbert offers great personal stories and inspiring tips, but Jesus! Slogging through the repetitive, stream of conscious rambling made me want to strangle her! So I jumped ship. Moving on!

A handy overview for those wanting to learn more about Bernie. Few surprises for supporters.

Oh goodness. Profoundly breathtaking. Exquisitely written. A painful, beautiful expression of the frailty and absolute strength of being human, of facing cancer, of embracing life and death.

Exemplary. There is so much work yet to be done.