Reviews

Notes from a Blue Bike: The Art of Living Intentionally in a Chaotic World by Tsh Oxenreider

freckleduck's review against another edition

5.0

I really loved this book. I have listen to Tsh's podcast mostly this year and I really love her perspective. I appreciate how she encourages people to be themselves and I like that she chooses to live in a way that is not just following what others do. I loved the honesty of this book and how she documents her thinking on topics as flexible and not static.

abruce1267's review against another edition

hopeful informative medium-paced

5.0

justicepirate's review against another edition

3.0

I think this book is an excellent guide into living simply and helping those understand that it is possible to live in a way that is not deemed normal in society, but saves you money, gives you joy, and leads to great adventures.

ndschmidt's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.5

jkn303's review against another edition

4.0

Overall, I very much enjoyed this book. The author talks a lot about simplistic living and then boils it down to intentional living, which is really more accurate for her life, which is anything but simple with lots of international travel, job changes, educational changes and location changes.

Occasionally one gets the feeling that she enjoys going against the current (subtext: the bourgeoisie American current) just for the sake of going against the current. Everything needs to be over-thought and criticized - Do you really NEED such a large TV? Well I suppose it's OK for you, but we just don't NEED that. But it is overall pretty free from judgmental undertones and enjoyable to read.

It has a lot of good food for thought about the choices we make and the way we spend our time and energy.

serenitylive's review against another edition

5.0

I can't stop thinking about the good things in this book and the life principles on living simply, intentionally, and well. The message that there are many ways to do it felt a little lost in the repetition of exactly how this thoughtful author gets it done in her own life. But she does make sure to say we are all supposed to find what living intentionally means for us.

Overall, a beautiful book that as my sister wrote in the email review that made me put aside all other reading for this, "is just how I want to live."

margaretmechinus's review against another edition

1.0

I have not read her blog, The Art of Simple- but from her book I learned to simply embrace the last minute flight cancellation that has you taking a redeye flight across the country with your children so that you won't be too late to catch your cruise out of Manhattan. She also offers suggestions to simplify your family's week vacation in Paris- find an apartment on Craig's list, much "simpler" than staying in a hotel. Also save visiting the romantic sites for your next trip there alone with your husband. This book was not at all what I expected.

lindajanebob's review against another edition

Just meh

trishadenise's review against another edition

2.0

I almost gave this three stars because I really wanted to like this book. I enjoy Tsh's blog and I value intentional and simple living. But the truth is that I was disappointed - maybe my expectations were too high.

michellel123's review against another edition

5.0

Amazing. I read Tsh's blog 'The Art of Simple', so I had an idea of the content and premise of the book. Tsh and her family have lived in both Turkey and the US, sometimes not by choice, and she was struck by the differences in lifestyles in each place. On returning to the US, her family decided to make deliberate decisions to adopt the types of lifestyle practises they appreciated about Turkey, and other places they have visited. Tsh's values are ones I aspire to, and having young children, this book was very relevant. She talked about the year she spent homeschooling, her embracing of slow food, the importance of travelling with her children, and their limiting of screen time. Want to buy a copy so I can read again!