Simple Secrets to a Happy Life by Luci Swindoll

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Title: Simple Secrets to a Happy Life: 50 Ways to Make the Most of Everyday

Author: Luci Swindoll

Format: trade paperback

Genre: Christian, General Life Reflections

Source: BookSneeze book review bloggers program through Thomas Nelson

Published: Thomas Nelson / 2012 / ISBN: 978-1-4002-0353-6 / 208 pages / $15.99

Buy the Book:  Amazon / Thomas Nelson / Luci's Store

Find the Author Online: Twitter / Website / Blog

Why I Read this Book:  I attended the Women of Faith Conference last October and Luci Swindoll was one of the speakers there.  She has been single her entire life and has a vibrant zeal for living every day and has a very artistic perspective.  I bought her book Doing Life Differently while I was there and it really resonated with me, so I've been "book stalking" her ever since.

What I Liked:  I love the fact that Luci begins with her childhood and discusses lessons learned from her parents in her youth.  Having grown up with my grandparents for most of my life, I love to hear stories about what their youth was like and how things have changed, whether for good or bad and why. 

I also love how each chapter title concerns the "lesson she has learned" and what we will be reading.  Even glancing over the titles of the chapters made me excited even before I started reading the book.  After all, "Keep Your Word Every Time" and "Celebrate the Life You're Given" intrigued me to find out what she learned and how she learned it.

All of the stories that Luci tells, and the illustrations she pens, contain wisdom that only a lifetime of rich and full experiences can give.  I hope that I am able to learn and pass on my knowledge the same way she has in this book.


What I Didn't Like:  The book ended too soon!  Yes, it's 50 chapters, but there's so much wisdom packed into the short chapters that I hungered for more.



Overall Impression:  I love the honesty and transparency that Luci displays in her words.  Reading her books makes me feel like we're sitting down for a cup of tea and having a conversation.  If you're ready to have a heart-to-heart conversation about a life well-lived, I suggest you grab hold of Simple Secrets to a Happy Life.  You will not be disappointed.  
 
Rating: 5 out of 5


Let me know what you think!  Happy Reading!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This great meme is hosted by Sheila at
“Book Journey”.
It’s a great way to start the week and
find out what other bloggers are reading.

I would discuss how testing wen this past week, but it isn't really over yet.  I have 2 more days of proctoring the extended time (all day) testers before I can actually go back to my classroom and attempt to do some work.  

I had hoped to get a lot of reading done since I was proctoring tests all week, but the poor kids needed help with the stupid online testing tools, so I was constantly running around while trying to be unobtrusive.  I feel a rant coming on, so I think I'll change the subject now.

Ahem....so, what are you reading this week?

I plan on finishing up with Janet Evanovich's Three to Get Deadly.  (Yes, I had to put it down for awhile to get some other books read for reviews.)  It's absolutely hilarious and I've actually missed hanging out with the crazy characters.  Hopefully the testers this week won't need as much help and I can get sucked back into the story.   I still haven't seen the movie for the first book, but I've also been told to wait for it on TV.  (That's kind of depressing since I see so much potential for this series.  Hopefully those others were wrong.  Now, I just have to figure out where I can still watch it.)

I want to start Luci Swindoll's Simple Secrets to a Happy Life.  I really enjoyed her other book Doing Life Differently, so I'm really excited to be reading this one now.   Her words were a very powerful and soothing balm to my restless spirit as she wrote about how God has manifested himself in her life in unexpected ways.  I think the reason why I feel such a kinship with Luci  is because she is single too, but hasn't let that stop her from living her life.  I can't wait to read what little nuggets of truth and wisdom she shares in this book. 

I am also have an ARC of  Inescapable by Nancy Mehl.  I love suspense books and this one caught my eye because it features Mennonites.  Somehow I have never really put mystery and Mennonite together, so this should be a great combination.   

What are you reading this week?  Anything interesting that I should add to my list?  Have a great Monday!  (Wait, is that an oxymoron?)