emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

"Transcending the pain of humanness is one thing and one thing only: allowing yourself to be it. The struggle is trying to escape that which is inevitable." 

101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think
did indeed make me think and pause often, hence why it took me so long to read. 

I was shocked looking at the rating and reviews for this book, there are a lot of negative ones. Some even commenting on her age....I don't believe her age while writing this book should be taken into consideration for why people didn't like it. 

I understand the comments of repetitiveness, because yes, there were points and thoughts that were repeated throughout the book but they also pertained to the topic of that essay. This is one of the reasons why I think this book should be read over a longer period of time. Reading it too quickly dilutes the lessons. 

I also understand the comments about the grammar because there were a few grammatical errors that were obvious to me, which is saying a lot because I make errors all the time without realizing it. 

Despite all of this, I do think this book is worth the read and is important. It had me smiling and had me crying and had me laughing. There are so many important lessons and thought provoking ideas in these essays that I believe everyone should take time to consider. I don't think you will agree with them all and I don't believe you should. They are here to challenge the way you think and to expand your own ideas and beliefs. They also make you feel less alone. 
reflective slow-paced

Nope

Didn’t change the way I think. Couple of cleverly-worded nuggets of wisdom, lots of compilations of trite cliches. 101 list items, most of which were also lists. not a bad nonfic, like the advice/observations weren’t, you know, completely misguided, but the title had me a) expecting essays and b) on the defense from the jump against such a a lofty claim.
informative inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

An interesting set of essays to dip in and out of. Tips and thoughts on all aspects of life for reflection. I think this would be better as a physical book, one to reach for when in need of something, this audio version as some chapters are very short and the narrator had a certain tone throughout, they would blur together and you realise you zoned out and missed a chapter.

Sorry for the bad review, but there was too much repetition here, which I was not expecting. And essays are not just lists of things! However, as a fan of Marcus Aurelius, I'm sure that this won't hurt the author.

ealarsen's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 0%

I'm not sure whether I finished this or not.  I was listening to the audiobook, and the essays just ran into each other.  
emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced
hopeful informative inspiring slow-paced

jane_woodhouse's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 12%

I did not feel that it was worth any more of my time.