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974 reviews for:
Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living
Shauna Niequist
3.69 AVERAGE
974 reviews for:
Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living
Shauna Niequist
3.69 AVERAGE
Probably would rate closer to 3.5 ⭐️
This was my first Shauna read, and I was looking for a book to help my self-talk and just perspective overall. I definitely found lots of golden nuggets I related to, and highlighted many sections I hope to return to.
Overall the structure of the book didn’t appeal to me as much, so I took my time reading it. I think that’s okay, I think it’s not meant to be a page-turner. But that is why I would rate it slightly lower because some portions felt repetitive or disconnected and strung together by cliches.
This was my first Shauna read, and I was looking for a book to help my self-talk and just perspective overall. I definitely found lots of golden nuggets I related to, and highlighted many sections I hope to return to.
Overall the structure of the book didn’t appeal to me as much, so I took my time reading it. I think that’s okay, I think it’s not meant to be a page-turner. But that is why I would rate it slightly lower because some portions felt repetitive or disconnected and strung together by cliches.
Overall a good book, but her position of privilege made it hard to relate to at times. It felt whiny to me, but the overall ideas are solid.
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
I did not expect to give this book four (almost five if I'm being honest) stars. I actually had a hard time jumping in at first because I've been reading a lot of similar books recently and some of the struggles I share with the author have started to feel embarrassingly first world. Only even moreso in this case as I'm clearly not in the same socioeconomic bracket as this author and I kept thinking- please someone send me to Hawaii to practice the art of being present!
But the tone is so genuine and the stories relatable and her ecumenical embrace of things both Protestant and catholic really resonated for me and by the end I was wishing we could be friends and share a coffee date and adding a few of her other books to my library holds list
Update May 2021: just reread. Still four stars but solidly so now. Bread and Wine remains my favorite and this book definitely hits differently post-lockdowns and sometimes the privilege I mention in my original review feels a bit cringey, but some of the passages are still SO SO SO good for my recovering perfectionist self and I still want to gift this book to almost every mom I know...
But the tone is so genuine and the stories relatable and her ecumenical embrace of things both Protestant and catholic really resonated for me and by the end I was wishing we could be friends and share a coffee date and adding a few of her other books to my library holds list
Update May 2021: just reread. Still four stars but solidly so now. Bread and Wine remains my favorite and this book definitely hits differently post-lockdowns and sometimes the privilege I mention in my original review feels a bit cringey, but some of the passages are still SO SO SO good for my recovering perfectionist self and I still want to gift this book to almost every mom I know...
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This book is such a salve for the soul. Do yourself a favor and grab it, get cozy with some coffee or wine and soak up her words.
p. 19 "Richard Rohr says the skills that take you through the first half of your life are entirely unhelpful for the second half."
p. 28 "Now I know that in the same way I've always believed God's spirit dwells deeply in the world, it also dwells deeply in me. I've know that, cognitively, but my life spoke otherwise. Now I know that the best thing I can offer to his world is not my force or energy, but a well-tended spirit, a wise and brave soul."
p. 36 "Part of being an adult is taking responsibility for resting your body and your soul. And part of being an adult is learning to meet your own needs, because when it comes down to it...no one else is going to do it for you."
p. 40 "Productivity became my idol, the thing I loved and valued above all else...(frantically trying to prove my worth..."
?Am I doing this to be loved or to love?
p. 57 "..away allows us to see the rhythms and dimensions of our lives more clearly."
p. 63 "Essentially, my identity then depended on outward approval, which changes on a dime."
p. 79 "Try to keep your soul always in peace and quiet, always ready for whatever our Lord may wish to work in you. It is certainly a higher virtue of the soul, and a greater grace, to be able to enjoy the lord in different times and different places than in only one. _Ignatius of Loyola"
p106 "Even it it's scary, especially if it's scary, let silence be your anchor, your sacred space, your dwelling place. it's where you will become used to your own voice."
p 124 WHEN BRAVE MEANS BORING
p128 "It's about realizing that what makes our lives meaningful isn not what we accomplish, but how deeply and honestly we connect with the people in our lives, how wholly we give ourselves to the making of a better world, through kindness and courage."
p 136 "the rescue came first" "what if all my life I've been trying to walk with Jesus who reprimands me while I'm drowning and gravy me at the last second, rolling his eyes...No wonder most of my prayers sound like minutes from a board meeting"
p143 "In the silence, I have found love. I have found love and peace and stillness and gratitude."
p 172 "let's do so much more than simply please people. Lets see them and love them and delight in them look deeply into their eyes.
p194 "when we are who we are called to be, we will set the world ablaze. -Catherine of Siena"
p. 28 "Now I know that in the same way I've always believed God's spirit dwells deeply in the world, it also dwells deeply in me. I've know that, cognitively, but my life spoke otherwise. Now I know that the best thing I can offer to his world is not my force or energy, but a well-tended spirit, a wise and brave soul."
p. 36 "Part of being an adult is taking responsibility for resting your body and your soul. And part of being an adult is learning to meet your own needs, because when it comes down to it...no one else is going to do it for you."
p. 40 "Productivity became my idol, the thing I loved and valued above all else...(frantically trying to prove my worth..."
?Am I doing this to be loved or to love?
p. 57 "..away allows us to see the rhythms and dimensions of our lives more clearly."
p. 63 "Essentially, my identity then depended on outward approval, which changes on a dime."
p. 79 "Try to keep your soul always in peace and quiet, always ready for whatever our Lord may wish to work in you. It is certainly a higher virtue of the soul, and a greater grace, to be able to enjoy the lord in different times and different places than in only one. _Ignatius of Loyola"
p106 "Even it it's scary, especially if it's scary, let silence be your anchor, your sacred space, your dwelling place. it's where you will become used to your own voice."
p 124 WHEN BRAVE MEANS BORING
p128 "It's about realizing that what makes our lives meaningful isn not what we accomplish, but how deeply and honestly we connect with the people in our lives, how wholly we give ourselves to the making of a better world, through kindness and courage."
p 136 "the rescue came first" "what if all my life I've been trying to walk with Jesus who reprimands me while I'm drowning and gravy me at the last second, rolling his eyes...No wonder most of my prayers sound like minutes from a board meeting"
p143 "In the silence, I have found love. I have found love and peace and stillness and gratitude."
p 172 "let's do so much more than simply please people. Lets see them and love them and delight in them look deeply into their eyes.
p194 "when we are who we are called to be, we will set the world ablaze. -Catherine of Siena"
Fresh air for your soul.
I've loved all of Shauna's work - even though our lives are so completely different. She writes so honestly and with deep love. Personally this book affirmed some things for me about worthiness, love and stillness.
I've loved all of Shauna's work - even though our lives are so completely different. She writes so honestly and with deep love. Personally this book affirmed some things for me about worthiness, love and stillness.
This was an easy and quick (when you have the time) read. Her points were simple and something I needed to hear. The main point of the book is to stop over doing your schedule and to appreciate the world and people around you.