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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
Nothing mind blowing but just a poetic testimony of the authors slowing down to prioritize the important relationships and priorities in her life. A good reminder and a gentle read. But hard to connect with at times because not everyone’s schedule is so flexible.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Some chapters spoke deeply to me but a good chunk just passed me right on by. One thing I will take with me in the hope that I continue to throw candy and choose joy in this new chapter of post grad life!!
I need to download this into my brain so I can fight against the culture around me.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
A great, quick listen to help me gear up for this school year. I love that it’s listening to the authors lived experiences instead of a to do list or self help book. But I also took some great ideas or at least warnings- that if I don’t find time for joy and rest then my body will force the rest part.
reflective
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
I'm not sure exactly how to rate this book. Sometimes I was really relating and found profound thoughts. Other times I felt like it was completely irrelevant to my life. I am an educated, white, solidly middle class, cis, heterosexual, happily married woman and I still felt like some parts were unrelatable because of the privilege needed to do what Niequist did. She never addressed the privilege she has to just stop working and start saying "no" because she feels overwhelmed or off-center. Nor does she ever give any practical advice on how to do so if you are in a position where you could or how to adjust if you're not in a position where you can just drop responsibilities and say no. For me, that's a problem! That makes the book just personal ramblings and thoughts with nothing actionable. There's really no practical advice.
My other problem with the book is that she repeats the same thoughts over and over and over. It felt like after every 3 or 4 chapters was another chapter that rehashed all the author's previous rantings about being burnt out and over stressed and losing herself to the busyness because she was empty inside.
But, there were some real gems in the book, too! The chapter "Oil and Vinegar" was amazing! It is a wonderful sermon on prayer and how/what/why to pray. The chapter "Agency" has some really powerful things to say about personal authority. The chapters titled "It's All Right Here" and "The Man in the Tuxedo" were also powerfully thought-provoking.
The chapter on Walking on Water with the analysis of the bible story of Peter walking on water was soul-changing. The chapters "Must Be Nice" and "Your Mess is Mine" regarding envy and friendship are also life-changing.
So, would I recommend this book? Yes, but with the caveats that it doesn't have any really practical advice or checklists or step-by-step instructions. It's a quick read, so I would recommend reading it if you're looking to be inspired to figure out how to change your life for the better. Alternatively, I would recommend skimming it and reading the chapters you find yourself most interested in, because there are some powerful insights mixed in among the repetitive essays of how the author realized her life wasn't what she wanted and how overwhelmed she was and how she's doing better now but it's all a work-in-progress.
My other problem with the book is that she repeats the same thoughts over and over and over. It felt like after every 3 or 4 chapters was another chapter that rehashed all the author's previous rantings about being burnt out and over stressed and losing herself to the busyness because she was empty inside.
But, there were some real gems in the book, too! The chapter "Oil and Vinegar" was amazing! It is a wonderful sermon on prayer and how/what/why to pray. The chapter "Agency" has some really powerful things to say about personal authority. The chapters titled "It's All Right Here" and "The Man in the Tuxedo" were also powerfully thought-provoking.
The chapter on Walking on Water with the analysis of the bible story of Peter walking on water was soul-changing. The chapters "Must Be Nice" and "Your Mess is Mine" regarding envy and friendship are also life-changing.
So, would I recommend this book? Yes, but with the caveats that it doesn't have any really practical advice or checklists or step-by-step instructions. It's a quick read, so I would recommend reading it if you're looking to be inspired to figure out how to change your life for the better. Alternatively, I would recommend skimming it and reading the chapters you find yourself most interested in, because there are some powerful insights mixed in among the repetitive essays of how the author realized her life wasn't what she wanted and how overwhelmed she was and how she's doing better now but it's all a work-in-progress.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced