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The Wishing Year: A House, a Man, My Soul
One New Year’s Day, Noelle Oxenhandler found herself alone after a long marriage, seemingly doomed to perpetual house rental, and estranged from her spiritual community. Though she was a skeptic at heart and a practicing Buddhist, she forced herself to try the art of wishing brazenly: for a new love, a healed soul, and the 2 BR/1.5 BA of her dreams.
In this charming, compe...more
In this charming, compe...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
July 14th 2009
by Random House Trade Paperbacks
(first published 2008)
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While Noelle writes lyrically and paints characters with beautiful brush strokes, 3/4 of the way into the book, I wished I had her phone number so I could call her up and tell her to stop whining.
Noelle intended to start the New Year and see if things like "The Secret" and "Law of Attraction" actually work. And though time and time again, she was met with serendipity, she constantly threw all surprise bouquet's of happiness to the ground and stomped all over good fortu...more
Noelle intended to start the New Year and see if things like "The Secret" and "Law of Attraction" actually work. And though time and time again, she was met with serendipity, she constantly threw all surprise bouquet's of happiness to the ground and stomped all over good fortu...more
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I read this book after receiving it as an early reviewer. The book says that If you loved Eat, Pray, Love then you'll love this. Well I really loved "Eat" but in an entirely different way. "Eat' was a retelling of a spiritual/religious journey, where this book retold a woman's journey in discovering how to want material things and how to wish for them and strive for them. Kind of how to prioritize what’s important in life and that’s it’s ok to want ‘things’.
The author,...more
The author,...more
I didn't have very high expectations for this book but it was ok. Noelle Oxenhandler is a good writer which makes the book compelling to read.
Summary: Ms. Oxenhandler, a self professed skeptic and pessimist, buys a bunch of books about "the power of wishing" (yes, apparently this is its own sub-genera) and reads them so you don't have to.
Although as the book goes along it becomes apparent that her brand of skepticism is somewhat less harsh than mine, or at...more
Summary: Ms. Oxenhandler, a self professed skeptic and pessimist, buys a bunch of books about "the power of wishing" (yes, apparently this is its own sub-genera) and reads them so you don't have to.
Although as the book goes along it becomes apparent that her brand of skepticism is somewhat less harsh than mine, or at...more
Robin
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
those who like to read life changing memoirs
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This is a book that I borrowed from the library and when it came in, I started reading it at dinner even though I had at least three other books already going at work plus my stacks at home! Why? It was that intriguing to me that this woman used the power of positive wishing to change her life in positive ways. Reading this book gave me some ideas about relationships in my life and how to change things. Her story is similar to mine in certain ways as well, especially having to do with the loss o...more
The front jacket of this book describes this book as "charming, compelling, and joyful." Indeed, and so much more. I haven't enjoyed a book so much in years. I've written dozens of notes in this book, and am continually drawn back to it because it Noelle Oxenhandler is so pragmatic and hopeful. She learns about "putting it out there" by observing the behaviors of her almost mythic friend, Carole, who, says Noelle, "seems to assume her right to earthly happiness."...more
This was also a memoir but this time by a well-published author (nope- haven't read any of her other books or various articles). I thought the subject matter was very interesting though. She concentrates on a year in her life where she wants to make her wishes for the future and to make a conscious effort to make them become reality. Noelle is a practicing buddhist (a familiar vein with me I guess) who explores her own hesitation about wishing for too much and the societal pressures that are pla...more
I think that wishing makes a lot of logical sense. Consciously expressing your desires, reserving that space in your brain, forcing a wish to the forefront of your mind is very likely to inspire you to take action. You wish you could sing more and because you are thinking about singing, suddenly you start noticing signs for singing lessons and flyers for choirs seeking new members. You wish your kitchen was cleaner and more organized so you decide to check out some organization books from the li...more
In an effort to be more frugal, I borrowed this book from the library. However, I like it so much I have now ordered it from Amazon while still reading my library copy. (I declind the Kindle version because this one of those books that I really need to be able to flip through while reading.)
It is the true story of a skeptical woman's experiment in wishing for three things in her life: to buy a house, to find a significant other, and to get a deeper spiritual connection. The autho...more
It is the true story of a skeptical woman's experiment in wishing for three things in her life: to buy a house, to find a significant other, and to get a deeper spiritual connection. The autho...more
Despite a few pages that I skimmed through, I found this book intriguing, honest, and down to earth. For anyone woman who has found themselves in a life that wasn't what they had imagined for themselves, this book is a good look at how small steps can make bigger changes. It also explores the question of how can you be both spiritual and have money.
It's the writers voice that makes this book so satisfying. I have to mention in this review that I did like Under a Tuscan Sun, a bo...more
It's the writers voice that makes this book so satisfying. I have to mention in this review that I did like Under a Tuscan Sun, a bo...more
Just finished this is in a torrent of reading on trains and planes and beaches.... I hesitated to buy it because I thought the idea was the whole thing. That is, I assumed the author's idea to spend a year focusing on three deep wishes (for a man in her life, spiritual health, and a house of her own) was interesting and useful enough as a concept that I didn't need to read the actual book.
But I'm glad I did. Oxenhandler is more nuanced and philosophical than Elizabeth Gilbert, whose book...more
But I'm glad I did. Oxenhandler is more nuanced and philosophical than Elizabeth Gilbert, whose book...more
In the past few years, the "law of attraction" has been a big buzz word, especially with the book and film The Secret. This author boils down the "law of attraction" to "making wishes". She researches different methods of wishing that have been used over time and she does an experiment in which she wishes three different things. I thought this was a realistic portrayal about the law of attraction in that she got what she wanted, but the paths were not pain or burd...more
I wouldn't have expected a book about wishing would take itself so seriously. No matter how much research you do to provide as many viewpoints as possible it's always going to remain anecdotal not scientific evidence. So why not have more fun with it? She concludes little more than that wishing is focused attention. No!! Really?!! What a shocker, though thankfully not THE shocker.
That said, in the midst of the book I lost my wallet while on a walk and immediately put my hand ov...more
That said, in the midst of the book I lost my wallet while on a walk and immediately put my hand ov...more
I enjoyed this book immensely. It is a charming exploration of "wishing/desiring" in the author's life as well as down through the ages. The 12 chapters follow the 12 months of a year that begins with 3 wishes. The author includes quotes on the subject of wishing from dozens of sources from St. Paul, to Emily Dickinson, to Carl Jung. She also references other authors/books which I liked. She explores (both cynically and comically) whether there is any power or magic in wishing: in ...more
Oxenhandler wants to believe in the power of positive intention, but struggles against her religious upbringing, her academic training in philosophy, and her anxious mindset. Events conspire to help her question these things in ways that won't be so surprising to readers of any other spiritual memoir. I wasn't particularly sympathetic to her tone or her concerns, but I did appreciate her accounts of the books she read along the way -- several of which made it onto my own to-read lists. Too many ...more
I really loved this book. I 'won' it @ my old library & was uplifted doubly. This cover is my favorite ever. I picked dandelions like crazy 4 my mom & mud pies. It always made me sad to see how quickly they wilted & offended me to no end when people told me they were just weeds. Yes, of course, I enjoyed blowing the seeds to make wishes! :o I have a picture of my son Wade sitting next to the infamous flower. I have a pic w/ my son Wyatt holding out a dandelion towards me in my Bible, a dandelio...more
Loved, loved, loved this book. Half of the pages are now either turned back or scribbled on. You know when the perfect book finds you at the perfect time? This is the perfect book for me, right now. Neither airy-fairy nor too scientific, Oxenhandler entwines Buddhist, Christian, and pagan thought, fairy tales, common sense, magic, and philosophy. Like the baby bear's porridge, it was just right. I'm still processing what I read, and learned, and am looking forward to mulling over it all for week...more
"The wising year" is an interesting book with the same idea as "The Secret", "What the Bleep do we know" and the "Law of attraction", "Eat, pray, love". I mean the idea that if you wish for something with clear image, precision and with strong intention, you'll attract the result. I only started this book and already have some plans to experiment with the suggested steps of attracting the outcomes of my wishes into my life. I like the description...more
I had gotten this book from Lynette when she had come up to visit this summer. It was not what I expected and at first I was not sure if I was going to like it. It was a very scholarly non fiction read and took me a while to get through. I learned a lot about different cultures and about one women' s journey of continued spiritual growth centered around finding happiness and achieving the wishes/fulfillment she desired in life. I would recommend the book to others as an inspirational educational...more
One reviewer described Oxenhandler as a "Buddhist Anne Lamott"--perfect description. Really intriguing premise; I learned so much about the philosophy and beliefs behind our "wish" system. Who knew there could be so much to this? Oxenhandler is having a midlife crisis, but this could pertain to quarter-lifers too. Dovetailed nicely with The Florist's Daughter by Patricia Hampl--and this one is happier. Oxenhandler is coming to the Fairfield Library this summer as a speak...more
This book was really entertaining, eye opening and just pleasant to read. I have not read many memoirs before but this one got my thinking that I might enjoy this genre more than expected. I have already recommended this book to my mother. Reading this book was like sitting down with a girlfriend and listening to her personal journey. It was a well written and relevant book for anyone who is wishing for just little bit more out of life.
A Buddhist decides to explore desire, overcome her natural pessimism, and make three wishes for the new year. While grappling with the strong reactions that come up for her as a result of putting her wishes out there, all of which come true, she actively researches the deeper spiritual meanings attached to wishing. Her skepticism and reluctance rescue the book from becoming too New Agey and simplistic.
I especially appreciated her exploring her attachment to suffering, the importanc...more
I especially appreciated her exploring her attachment to suffering, the importanc...more
The premise to this book was interesting--an experiment to discover the power of desire/wishing in our lives. The author is very open and honest with her own life, experiences, thoughts, and discouragement. It reminded me a lot of the 70's--meditation, groupie events, etc. There were some good thoughts worth reading, but the book is very repetitious and drawn out, and it was hard to get through the book.
This is a fast read. Oxenhandler's conversational tone is sweet and accessible. There were many moments where the book seemed to be pure chaos, hopping from one idea to another with the threads barely connecting them, but in the end I finished the book with a warmth in my heart. I do think that when Oxenhandler speaks of "wishing" she really means "prayer" but is too frightened to say it. I do recommend this book for a nice, fluffy, spiritual read.
I picked this up at our local library, knowing nothing about it, and was so, so glad I had. Noelle Oxenhandler is wise and funny and thoughtful, and she writes about wishing (a subject that so easily could become ridiculously new age-y and about 3 inches deep) with heart, intelligence, and a healthy dose of cynicism. I loved this book so much I felt sad to return it to the library, and had to buy myself a copy.
Does wishing really work? Is there any power in it? Noelle Oxenhandler wants a house, a great relationship, and to feel whole. Will wishing for these things have an effect on her life? I wasn't convinced by her story, which seemed more of a chronicle of just normal events taking place, interpreted by her as cosmic and meaningful. But her research and reading in this type of literature - books like The Secret, for example - was interesting in its own right.
Noelle does an excellent job of weaving the practice and history of wishing into her life and memoir. I enjoyed the way she kept returning to particular things, like the sayings "If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride," and "Wish in one hand, shit in the other and see which one fills up faster." Her timing on repetition is impeccable, reminding the reader of key points she has made. This repetition could become annoying with a less nimble writer, but Noelle carries it...more
Oxenhandler presents a lot of interesting research on wishing as well as her own experiences over the year and she avoids an overly optimistic ending (justifying her oft-stated self-description as a "skeptic"). She meets some amazing people. I enjoyed the book! It's somewhat academic which gets a little tiresome, but she writes well. I'd like to read her previous book.
I was a tad skeptical during the first 1/3 of the book. I enjoyed the memoir part, yet the author didn't find the right balance for me with her research_it was too much or too little. The second half of the book showed a very nice balance for me.
The book is about the power of wishing and stating what you want outloud and then, how the stars align to make it happen.
The book is about the power of wishing and stating what you want outloud and then, how the stars align to make it happen.
One day I wrote a list of what I wished for in a partner. I buried it with all my other journals. I was very specific.
A couple of years later after meeting my husband I found that list. It matched him perfectly.
I was curious about how that was possible and this book seemed a familiar story but as it happens with most memoirs these days, secondary characters are blown out of proportion, are not credible and become annoying.
I hope her wishes keep coming true.
A couple of years later after meeting my husband I found that list. It matched him perfectly.
I was curious about how that was possible and this book seemed a familiar story but as it happens with most memoirs these days, secondary characters are blown out of proportion, are not credible and become annoying.
I hope her wishes keep coming true.
Noelle Oxenhandler is a Buddhist whose life has been characterised by an approach to the material world she calls "spiritual poverty" and in this year of wishing she explores the relationship of the spiritual to the material, to abundance. Noelle's three wishes are for a love, a home and a reconnection with her spiritual community. Really this book is beautiful and challenging. Beautiful because her writing is beautiful, especially her sense of place. Challenging because it relates to ...more
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