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The Uncommon Woman: Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary
Imagine yourself in a pool of strong swimmers, all swimming clockwise. You, a Christian woman, are swimming counter-clockwise...counter-cultural, if you will. This book is for the woman who longs to rise up out of the stereotypical behavior of gossip, insecurity, pettiness, and small dreams. She has an unfulfilled desire to be someone who goes against the grain of the common for the sole purpose of living a life with conviction. The woman who reads this book is ready to believe in her deep value, ready to accept her high calling, and ready to make a difference in a world in need of her influence. Go ahead, swim against the stream to become The Uncommon Woman.
200 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2008
74 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
About the author
Susie Larson
38 books462 followers Susie Larson is a popular radio talk show host, national speaker, and bestselling author. The author of twenty-two books, Susie is also a veteran in the fitness field and has twice been voted a top-ten finalist for the John C. Maxwell Transformational Leadership Award. Susie and her husband live near Minneapolis with their three sons, three daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren. Susie’s passion is to see people everywhere awakened to the value of their soul, the depth of God’s love, and the height of their calling in Christ Jesus.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 4, 2010
MY REVIEW:
The Uncommon Woman is one of thee best books for woman I have ever read. And I do not say that lightly. I have read enough great books for women's living that I consider it hard to compete with the authors I have come to love; but Susie Larson has become a favorite of mine.
This book challenges women to be uncommon and explains what that means and how to make it a reality in your own life. Each chapter is followed by several discussion questions and action steps that really probe the heart and soul. I enjoyed the honest and fresh look that Susie takes on subject we face every day in our lives as women. I appreciated her own examples and testimony and was encouraged greatly by them.
While this book does not flow as well as some books do, and is actually hard to "get" without reading the whole book, it packs a punch for when you do read the whole thing. It digs deep and makes you think but in easy-to-grasp terms. The Uncommon Woman could easily be read in an afternoon - but you won't want to - you'll want to soak in this book and re-read portions as it encourages you to be the woman God wants you to be: the uncommon one. The one who is willing to live for Him, the one who is willing to bow down.
You will walk away from this book, as I did, with a renewed desire to live the extraordinary life rather than the ordinary one the world says is so good.
BOOK OVERVIEW:
Imagine yourself in a pool of strong swimmers, all swimming clockwise. You, a Christian woman, are swimming counter-clockwise...counter-cultural, if you will. This book is for the woman who longs to rise up out of the stereotypical behavior of gossip, insecurity, pettiness, and small dreams. She has an unfulfilled desire to be someone who goes against the grain of the common for the sole purpose of living a life with conviction. The woman who reads this book is ready to believe in her deep value, ready to accept her high calling, and ready to make a difference in a world in need of her influence. Go ahead, swim against the stream to become The Uncommon Woman.
* * * * *
This review copy was provided courtesy of Moody Publishers.
The Uncommon Woman is one of thee best books for woman I have ever read. And I do not say that lightly. I have read enough great books for women's living that I consider it hard to compete with the authors I have come to love; but Susie Larson has become a favorite of mine.
This book challenges women to be uncommon and explains what that means and how to make it a reality in your own life. Each chapter is followed by several discussion questions and action steps that really probe the heart and soul. I enjoyed the honest and fresh look that Susie takes on subject we face every day in our lives as women. I appreciated her own examples and testimony and was encouraged greatly by them.
While this book does not flow as well as some books do, and is actually hard to "get" without reading the whole book, it packs a punch for when you do read the whole thing. It digs deep and makes you think but in easy-to-grasp terms. The Uncommon Woman could easily be read in an afternoon - but you won't want to - you'll want to soak in this book and re-read portions as it encourages you to be the woman God wants you to be: the uncommon one. The one who is willing to live for Him, the one who is willing to bow down.
You will walk away from this book, as I did, with a renewed desire to live the extraordinary life rather than the ordinary one the world says is so good.
BOOK OVERVIEW:
Imagine yourself in a pool of strong swimmers, all swimming clockwise. You, a Christian woman, are swimming counter-clockwise...counter-cultural, if you will. This book is for the woman who longs to rise up out of the stereotypical behavior of gossip, insecurity, pettiness, and small dreams. She has an unfulfilled desire to be someone who goes against the grain of the common for the sole purpose of living a life with conviction. The woman who reads this book is ready to believe in her deep value, ready to accept her high calling, and ready to make a difference in a world in need of her influence. Go ahead, swim against the stream to become The Uncommon Woman.
* * * * *
This review copy was provided courtesy of Moody Publishers.
February 13, 2017
This book was the most transformative book that I have read to date. If I may take a moment to be fully transparent, I spent the past two years reading more secular personal development books than Christian personal development books. In doing so, I strived so hard to incorporate those tenets into my life -- grit, fearlessness, positivity, just to name a few. I'd feel encouraged for a bit, but it wouldn't stick long. A friend helped me to realize that everything that I was doing was in my own strength.
When I picked up this book off of the bookshelf, I wasn't entirely sure that it was what I needed -- I was SO wrong and I am grateful that I didn't allow that to stop me. Susie did an amazing job of using Scripture to really ground us in the truth of God's Word. It helped me to understand the importance of knowing Him and His Word for myself. Of how important being in relationship with Him truly is. It is so easy to get out of sync and to begin relying on our own strength, especially if we have had events in our lives that made us believe that we have to do so, but it's so freeing to realize that the closer that we get to God and the more we get to know Him, the more we are able to relinquish control and trust in Him wholeheartedly.
Susie spoke about many of the things that an uncommon woman is called to do, but I believe the central theme is definitely knowing God for ourselves. I cannot express how grateful I am to have read this book. I highly recommend it, especially if you have been unplugged from God for a while and need to get to know Him and His calling for your life better. Oh, and the last chapter -- completely wrecked me, but in the best way possible!
When I picked up this book off of the bookshelf, I wasn't entirely sure that it was what I needed -- I was SO wrong and I am grateful that I didn't allow that to stop me. Susie did an amazing job of using Scripture to really ground us in the truth of God's Word. It helped me to understand the importance of knowing Him and His Word for myself. Of how important being in relationship with Him truly is. It is so easy to get out of sync and to begin relying on our own strength, especially if we have had events in our lives that made us believe that we have to do so, but it's so freeing to realize that the closer that we get to God and the more we get to know Him, the more we are able to relinquish control and trust in Him wholeheartedly.
Susie spoke about many of the things that an uncommon woman is called to do, but I believe the central theme is definitely knowing God for ourselves. I cannot express how grateful I am to have read this book. I highly recommend it, especially if you have been unplugged from God for a while and need to get to know Him and His calling for your life better. Oh, and the last chapter -- completely wrecked me, but in the best way possible!
January 22, 2016
This is the first book I've read by Susie Larson and I can't say enough good things about this book or how much it's changed how I plan to approach life in the coming days.
Excerpt from my full review:
The Uncommon Woman is a book that is filled with stories and tips on how to reach past what the world has taught us to be. This is a call to be uncommon, almost weird to the rest of the world. Because, let’s face it, what God calls us to be is weird to the world we live in today....The Uncommon Woman is not for the faint of heart or the woman that cares more about what others think than what God thinks. I’d recommend The Uncommon Woman is for the woman that... To read my full review, please visit http://p413life.com/book-review-the-u...
Thanks and happy reading!
Excerpt from my full review:
The Uncommon Woman is a book that is filled with stories and tips on how to reach past what the world has taught us to be. This is a call to be uncommon, almost weird to the rest of the world. Because, let’s face it, what God calls us to be is weird to the world we live in today....The Uncommon Woman is not for the faint of heart or the woman that cares more about what others think than what God thinks. I’d recommend The Uncommon Woman is for the woman that... To read my full review, please visit http://p413life.com/book-review-the-u...
Thanks and happy reading!
July 12, 2016
Summary:
"The uncommon woman refuses to let her mistakes or weaknesses define her because she is defined by His strengths alone." Page 26.
The word uncommon refers to ordinary. The book is written to a female audience. No matter the life we are living we can be called by God and live exceptional lives.
Three sections covering twelve chapters.
"The Uncommon Woman Understands the Paradox That She is Nothing and Everything."
"The Uncommon Woman Embraces a Different Perspective
"The Uncommon Woman Changes the World"
My Thoughts:
Before reading The Uncommon Woman, I'd heard of Susie Larson. After reading this book, I began listening to some of the broadcasts from her radio station. I enjoy listening to some of the topics.
The Uncommon Woman covers a variety of subjects, from choosing the right battles, to praying instead of becoming influenced by other people's bad attitudes.
Chapter seven held important lessons for me. I feel the title does not explain the depth of the topic. In brief, do not let the world tell us how we are to respond and act. Further, don't let the wounds of life make us bitter and become like the world.
When we are wounded or attacked, we must remember Christ's example of humility. But in our remembering we do not lose sight of who we are and whose we are...To be transformable is to give the Lord (along with trusted godly people) easy access to the things of our character that Jesus might make us more like Him. But opening our souls up to anyone who wants to say a cross word to us is not wise. Not to say we should keep difficult people out of our lives. They are usually the ones God uses to refine our character. But we must not give more weight to their words than those of our godly friends and wonderful Savior. Page 110-111.
Chapter nine explores fears.
"We all have a story to tell."
The longer we live, the more stories we will have to tell.
"If we live by faith instead of being bullied by our fears, those stories will be ones of victory, inspiration, and triumph. Our stories will inspire others to put their fears under their feet." Page 143.
From painful past experiences to fear of the future, fear feels like a dog chasing us in our waking moments and in our sleep.
Larson defines fear and explores decisions "we've made out of fear." My favorite point, "We have to love God more than our fears." Page 150.
"The uncommon woman refuses to let her mistakes or weaknesses define her because she is defined by His strengths alone." Page 26.
The word uncommon refers to ordinary. The book is written to a female audience. No matter the life we are living we can be called by God and live exceptional lives.
Three sections covering twelve chapters.
"The Uncommon Woman Understands the Paradox That She is Nothing and Everything."
"The Uncommon Woman Embraces a Different Perspective
"The Uncommon Woman Changes the World"
My Thoughts:
Before reading The Uncommon Woman, I'd heard of Susie Larson. After reading this book, I began listening to some of the broadcasts from her radio station. I enjoy listening to some of the topics.
The Uncommon Woman covers a variety of subjects, from choosing the right battles, to praying instead of becoming influenced by other people's bad attitudes.
Chapter seven held important lessons for me. I feel the title does not explain the depth of the topic. In brief, do not let the world tell us how we are to respond and act. Further, don't let the wounds of life make us bitter and become like the world.
When we are wounded or attacked, we must remember Christ's example of humility. But in our remembering we do not lose sight of who we are and whose we are...To be transformable is to give the Lord (along with trusted godly people) easy access to the things of our character that Jesus might make us more like Him. But opening our souls up to anyone who wants to say a cross word to us is not wise. Not to say we should keep difficult people out of our lives. They are usually the ones God uses to refine our character. But we must not give more weight to their words than those of our godly friends and wonderful Savior. Page 110-111.
Chapter nine explores fears.
"We all have a story to tell."
The longer we live, the more stories we will have to tell.
"If we live by faith instead of being bullied by our fears, those stories will be ones of victory, inspiration, and triumph. Our stories will inspire others to put their fears under their feet." Page 143.
From painful past experiences to fear of the future, fear feels like a dog chasing us in our waking moments and in our sleep.
Larson defines fear and explores decisions "we've made out of fear." My favorite point, "We have to love God more than our fears." Page 150.
October 6, 2019
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I love Susie Larson’s writing style but had never been drawn to this book because I didn’t “get” the title/concept. Basically... the point is...don’t be common, be extraordinary.
Excerpt: “On the days when the world tries to dress you with labels and assessments that are inconsistent with heaven’s voice, tighten your belt and speak the truth: ‘I cannot wear those rags with this robe...they do not go together, and I choose righteousness.”
Excerpt: “On the days when the world tries to dress you with labels and assessments that are inconsistent with heaven’s voice, tighten your belt and speak the truth: ‘I cannot wear those rags with this robe...they do not go together, and I choose righteousness.”
May 3, 2011
Susie covers a lot of ground in this book, but the reader can still grasp all the material. Especially with the help of the devotional questions at the end of each chapter. Susie really knows what it is like to walk with the Lord and her advice/stories are marvelous. This book will offer new insight into your relationship with God and is simply a must-read for all women!
August 10, 2021
There were many moments of beautiful writing and touching anecdotes! The author was also quite well read, and it showed in the excellent quotes and bible passages she pulled in.
Nothing particularly life-changing for me, but a solid read for those beginning to dive deeper into living out their faith! :)
Nothing particularly life-changing for me, but a solid read for those beginning to dive deeper into living out their faith! :)
January 30, 2016
Absolutely LOVE this book!
This book is not for wimpy Christians. It is all about the mature, meat eating walk! I was challenged, and prodded. The iron was clanging and I am off to doing good works; (i.e iron sharpening iron, and spurring each other on to good works!)
This book is not for wimpy Christians. It is all about the mature, meat eating walk! I was challenged, and prodded. The iron was clanging and I am off to doing good works; (i.e iron sharpening iron, and spurring each other on to good works!)
July 25, 2020
This book was given to me at a time in my life that I desperately needed it. Susie takes the things that we all will face and brings the truth of God's Word into the situation and shows us a better way to live. I highly recommend every woman reads this book.
September 9, 2021
Fantastic
So very powerful and full of Truth! I highly recommend this book and its call to live the uncommon life!
So very powerful and full of Truth! I highly recommend this book and its call to live the uncommon life!
January 14, 2020
Another winner from Susie Larson! This book and study were just what I needed at the right time. I was blessed to meet Susie and have her sign my copy. She is very real and just the same in person as she displays herself in her books. Very authentic and she has such an insight into God's Word.
This book has huge lessons for anyone looking to break barriers and take God's hand to the next level. I highly recommend it!
This book has huge lessons for anyone looking to break barriers and take God's hand to the next level. I highly recommend it!
October 18, 2020
I can't wait to reread this with my accountability partner and go through the questions at the end of the chapters. I also recommended this book to a pastor friend who has a women's group via Zoom on Monday nights. This helps remind you whose life we are meant to model.
June 2, 2024
Flirted a little too much with the prosperity gospel. Granted, I only made it halfway through before deciding to put it down. May be helpful for some, but too surface level for me.
I give two stars because she does use a considerable amount of scripture throughout.
I give two stars because she does use a considerable amount of scripture throughout.
July 2, 2018
Awesome book.
July 24, 2020
Excellent book and highly recommended
July 29, 2021
Absolutely filled with life changing thoughts. A game changer.
April 23, 2023
The calling is high and real! What a challenge to live above the "normal" life of a Christian woman, and lead a life and heart after Jesus.
September 8, 2025
eye opening. so good. passed this book on. healing and conviction
September 5, 2024
I read this book very slowly and thoughtfully. I normally finish a book in 1-3 days, this was 6 months. I cannot even express how much it hit me in the heart and gut. I made forgiveness moves that I never expected and were life changing. Thank you for this beautiful and motivating book Susie, I felt spoken to! Truly stoked my fire and set it ablaze!
July 8, 2021
One of the many things that captured me in this book was Chapter 11. Man, God is so amazing and I want my relationship with Him to be the most intimate, even more than my marriage so I can be a better wife! Thank-You Jesus for your sacrifice, Thank-You God for your love and grace, and Thank-You Holy Spirit for your guidance in showing me the righteous and godly pathways.
July 16, 2018
4/2012 This was our book for the 2011-12 S.O.S group. It worked very well for the group and provided a springboard for good discussions. The main focus was on how remembering Whose we are prompts us to act with uncommon love, grace, mercy, tolerance, humility, etc..
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July 2, 2011Good book. Great for reading in small chunks and would be GREAT as a study group at church.
April 21, 2012
So many great truths in this!
September 28, 2012
Read this as part of a women's book study this summer. Full of wisdom, insight, and truth. Made for great discussion and personal reflection.
August 16, 2012
Amazing read!!! Affirming and challenging.
August 24, 2013
Enjoyed this book cover to cover. Very inspiring!
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January 31, 2015Love this book. It's my go to book of encouragement and inspiration. Susie writes like she's having a chat with a friend.
March 26, 2015
I enjoyed this personal book about how to get past everyday attitudes that wear us down and strive to uncommon through our faith.
August 10, 2015
Great book.
January 14, 2016
It's alright but I couldn't get into it. I stopped about half way through.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews