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mereilly's review against another edition
2.0
I think Maria Shriver had really good ideas and intentions in writing this book. But by foregoing any real vulnerability of herself or her family (i.e. sharing stories that pull back the curtain on her unique life), it felt at times like a list of platitudes with no real depth. At one point, she even admits she prefers the illusion of invulnerability. At times, without true examples or context behind the emotions that allowed her to learn hard lessons, they sound like a mix between a college admissions essay and a political stump speech... with a flair for the cliche. There's some great insight and important lessons in there, but it really felt like it was missing something major. I usually finish books feeling connected to the author and I just didn't with her.
bookofcinz's review
4.0
Wow
I absolutely love this book. I loved how Shriver was able to write in a beautiful way about hard topics. I felt my faith being renewed and I loved all the prayers at the end.
This is definitely a book I want to re-read in the future.
I absolutely love this book. I loved how Shriver was able to write in a beautiful way about hard topics. I felt my faith being renewed and I loved all the prayers at the end.
This is definitely a book I want to re-read in the future.
jenrcratsenberg's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn’t the most profound book I have ever read, but had I approached this book never reading on such topics prior maybe it would have been more inspirational for me? Three stars isn’t bad. I liked it. It was happy and uplifting. A few good reminders and it was simple. I like simple. I felt it was honest and clean. Overall a good book.
megan_reads's review against another edition
3.0
I got the sense that writing this book was therapeutic for Maria. It was decent but nothing mind-blowing.
smcgurren's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't like how politically charged a lot of the sections were, which caused me to knock it down to a three star rating. When I pick up a book like this I am not looking for someone to criticize or change my beliefs. Otherwise, there were some good messages and take-aways when the author wasn't trying to infuse today's political divide into her book.
monikakris's review against another edition
5.0
Such a beautiful, insightful book written by am incredible woman. I'm not religious but can appreciate all the prayers and all of her idea and outlook on life in general. Have hope.
aliciamae's review against another edition
2.0
Each chapter is very short. I could see some people using this book almost like a devotional and reading a chapter a day. It seems like each chapter is actually from the newspaper column that Shriver writes. So if you're a regular regular reader of her column, I'm not sure if there's much new information for you. A positive, feel good sort of book with lots of good quotes.
abookishaffair's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. "I've Been Thinking" is a glimpse into how Maria Shriver is able to make the most out of life. This book is the literary equivalent to having a huge cup of tea with a really good friend. It is thoroughly comfortable and satisfying.
I think it's always important to keep in mind that books like this about people's ways of finding themselves in the world may not work for everyone. Shriver is up front with this in this book: her way may not be the right way for everyone but it works for her. I saw that a lot of her methods and the things that she thinks about could be molded to my own life.
One of the things that stuck out most to me were her ruminations about mothers. She had an incredibly strong mother and Shriver herself seems to be a pretty strong mother. She mothers sometimes in a different way and sometimes in the same way as her mother. Mothering has been my most difficult job and it seems to carry such a huge responsibility. One day, these little people that I am raising are going to be out in the world. How do I set them up for success? Shriver gives a little insight and a little grace to the conversation.
This book is probably best if read little by little over a period of time. While it was satisfying to read it in one fell-swoop, I am already finding myself wanting to go back and read this book a little slower in order to more thoroughly digest some of the tidbits and great life lessons that this book offers.
I think it's always important to keep in mind that books like this about people's ways of finding themselves in the world may not work for everyone. Shriver is up front with this in this book: her way may not be the right way for everyone but it works for her. I saw that a lot of her methods and the things that she thinks about could be molded to my own life.
One of the things that stuck out most to me were her ruminations about mothers. She had an incredibly strong mother and Shriver herself seems to be a pretty strong mother. She mothers sometimes in a different way and sometimes in the same way as her mother. Mothering has been my most difficult job and it seems to carry such a huge responsibility. One day, these little people that I am raising are going to be out in the world. How do I set them up for success? Shriver gives a little insight and a little grace to the conversation.
This book is probably best if read little by little over a period of time. While it was satisfying to read it in one fell-swoop, I am already finding myself wanting to go back and read this book a little slower in order to more thoroughly digest some of the tidbits and great life lessons that this book offers.