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karnaconverse's review against another edition
4.0
A perfect read for me, at this point in my life.
Katrina Kenison writes about the year she spent discovering who she is, now that her sons, and therefore, her day-to-day mothering responsibilities, have left home. Her journey takes her through the death of a close friend, a month-long yoga teacher training, and a college reunion as she asks, and finds answers to, "What now?" Readers who identified with her first two books (Mitten Strings for God, The Gift of an Ordinary Day)are sure to find themselves in this one.
Katrina Kenison writes about the year she spent discovering who she is, now that her sons, and therefore, her day-to-day mothering responsibilities, have left home. Her journey takes her through the death of a close friend, a month-long yoga teacher training, and a college reunion as she asks, and finds answers to, "What now?" Readers who identified with her first two books (Mitten Strings for God, The Gift of an Ordinary Day)are sure to find themselves in this one.
jenn_stark's review against another edition
5.0
a wonderful book that I was sad to finish. I will be coming back to it often.
lvberg's review against another edition
5.0
Katrina Kenison's books are poetic, insightful and meditative. I've learned so much from her first two books. This one is no different. I'll be reading and re-reading this one again and again.
katsmiao's review against another edition
5.0
this book is haunting in it's honesty as Katrina goes on a journey to reflect on her life and answer "what now?"
I believe books come into your life when you need them, and that's what happened to me with this book. It spoke to me deeply. What I take away from this book is "chose love, not fear", and to believe in myself. To allow myself to just be.
There is so much in this book that every reader will find something to identify with.
Katrina wrote a beautiful, haunting, magical book.
I believe books come into your life when you need them, and that's what happened to me with this book. It spoke to me deeply. What I take away from this book is "chose love, not fear", and to believe in myself. To allow myself to just be.
There is so much in this book that every reader will find something to identify with.
Katrina wrote a beautiful, haunting, magical book.
spiderfelt's review against another edition
4.0
This meditation on the art of being a woman in middle age was just what I needed to read right now. A lyrical reflection on change and acceptance, I found the words thought provoking and reassuring.
inthecommonhours's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite of Kenison's three memoirs. I've been reading it off and on throughout 2013. Savoring it.
At times the emotions and struggles it addresses were too close to home, if there is such a thing. That seems funny, in light of the fact that I'm 10 yrs younger than Kenison, with three boys under the age of 12---so I'm not an "empty-nester." But whose life is not in flux? At what stage are we not learning to let go? I'm sure the book will resonate differently for me as I reread it in later years, but her story is universal and I recommend it to everyone.
I want to capture some of my favorite lines here, but in truth, I have dog-eared half the book.
“I want to hold on tight to everything and everyone I cherished and, at the same time, saw in a way I never had before that living on this earth, growing older, and growing up in the true sense of the word is really about learning how to let go.”
“Growth and transformation occur not by changing who we are, but as we summon the courage to be who we are.”
I'm grateful for her candor about her marriage and her career. So grateful that I've had her words to accompany me throughout my journey as a mother, as a woman, as a human.
At times the emotions and struggles it addresses were too close to home, if there is such a thing. That seems funny, in light of the fact that I'm 10 yrs younger than Kenison, with three boys under the age of 12---so I'm not an "empty-nester." But whose life is not in flux? At what stage are we not learning to let go? I'm sure the book will resonate differently for me as I reread it in later years, but her story is universal and I recommend it to everyone.
I want to capture some of my favorite lines here, but in truth, I have dog-eared half the book.
“I want to hold on tight to everything and everyone I cherished and, at the same time, saw in a way I never had before that living on this earth, growing older, and growing up in the true sense of the word is really about learning how to let go.”
“Growth and transformation occur not by changing who we are, but as we summon the courage to be who we are.”
I'm grateful for her candor about her marriage and her career. So grateful that I've had her words to accompany me throughout my journey as a mother, as a woman, as a human.
kitchensensei's review against another edition
4.0
I don't think I was the intended audience that Katrina Kenison was reaching for when she penned this memoir. Who knew that a memoir from an empty nester coming to terms with aging could really hit me where I am, but it did. Been thinking a lot about contentment recently and this gave me much to think about.
wheatengator's review against another edition
3.0
There were moments.... 5 star moments....when I tracked with her. Much of the book I didn't.
thursdaymouse's review against another edition
4.0
Life is a magical journey indeed–I agree with Katrina Kenison enthusiastically, as I thoroughly enjoyed her book.
Filled with wonder at the transformation of her life after separate and very different types of loss, Katrina delves into an understanding and searching for a new version of happiness. After loss, she found so much more.
This book might at the start seem like it's meant for the middle-aged who are facing some sort of loss, but I feel like it's more for anyone with a life. There are universal themes and jewels within this book, to gently nudge us in the direction of seeking them out in our own context.
Katrina encourages us, as Socrates did, to "know thyself". She is a great motivator, and I thank her for her words of wisdom.
Filled with wonder at the transformation of her life after separate and very different types of loss, Katrina delves into an understanding and searching for a new version of happiness. After loss, she found so much more.
This book might at the start seem like it's meant for the middle-aged who are facing some sort of loss, but I feel like it's more for anyone with a life. There are universal themes and jewels within this book, to gently nudge us in the direction of seeking them out in our own context.
Katrina encourages us, as Socrates did, to "know thyself". She is a great motivator, and I thank her for her words of wisdom.