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123rd out of 591 books
—
57 voters
It Was on Fire When I Lay Down on It
In his first phenomenal best-seller, EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN, Robert Fulghum reminded readers everywhere of some plain and still-true truths. Now, picking up where he left off, Fulghum turns our eyes to show-and-tell, weddings, his own ten commandments, and more insightful and unique observations on what our world is and was....
Paperback, 0 pages
Published
October 5th 1997
by Ballantine Books
(first published 1989)
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Great book and great author. He also wrote "All I need to know I learned in Kindergarten". This book consists of short stories that he takes from his personal life and are often humorous (especially the story about the mother of the bride), sad, or thought provoking. It is a quick read with each chapter only being 1-2 pages.
I found the author to be a deep thinker and jack of all trades and master of none. His bio says he has held over 20 jobs in various capacities.
I found the author to be a deep thinker and jack of all trades and master of none. His bio says he has held over 20 jobs in various capacities.
Occasionally, I get into a reading lull wherein I forget what a good book is like. Thank you, Mr. Fulghum, for showing me once again. Every chapter seems to hold some nugget of advice about daily living that everybody would do good to live by. I have the other two conversational essays of his, but I don't want to expend such great material just yet.
If you haven't read some of his work yet, I implore you to do so. It's written unlike any other book that I've read, having the flow and spacing of...more
If you haven't read some of his work yet, I implore you to do so. It's written unlike any other book that I've read, having the flow and spacing of...more
I had heard the title of this book floating are for years. An interesting title for sure - and I'm not sure why I never picked it up to read. However, I am so glad I finally did! It's a great "little" book about life, learning, lessons, people, family, serendipity, having fun, laughing, exploring, grace and much more. I highly recommend it for an uplifting read. It is also fun and funny - I found myself LOL reading as I rode public transportation. Its a book everyone can relate to - remember - a...more
This is another book I received through a BookCrossing trade. Before starting it I wasn't too familiar with Robert Fulghum. I knew that he wrote All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten (which I've never read), that he was a UU minister (which did earn him a few brownie points), and that he gave his books long and intriguing titles. So basically, I was interested in giving him a try.
It Was on Fire When I Lay Down on It is a collection of short essays and anecdotes about life. They're...more
It Was on Fire When I Lay Down on It is a collection of short essays and anecdotes about life. They're...more
"It's not the meaning of life, it's the meaning in life." Robert Fulghum has lived the life that is worth telling someone about, and I'm glad the story was shared with me. His ability to find the good in every thing and to be able to learn so much from simply watching others is a gift. By sharing with us we are given the chance to change how we think. My favorite part is that he never tries to push anything on you, he tries to explain his reasoning for the way he lives without forcing himself to...more
This is Fulghum's second book, following closely on the heels of his first, a bestseller. In fact, at the same time that Everything I need to Know was #1 on at least one best seller list, It Was on Fire was #2. This was the first in the list’s history that the same author had the #1 and #2 books on it at once.
Like his first, this is a collection of heartwarming essays, full of homespun wisdom and thoughtful reflections on life and living. It is a wonderful book to read over a Thanksgiving or Ch...more
Like his first, this is a collection of heartwarming essays, full of homespun wisdom and thoughtful reflections on life and living. It is a wonderful book to read over a Thanksgiving or Ch...more
Dec 27, 2010
Jeana
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Jeana by:
*Christie*
Shelves:
non-fiction-memiors
This is a sweet, hopeful book of little essays. It's the kind of book you can keep in your purse for when you have a moment (and just a moment, as most of the stories are quite short) and pull it out and be renewed. Some of the stories are definitely better than others. But there's a lot of different stuff in here and I think it's the kind of stuff you reflect upon as life goes on. Thank you, my friend Christie, for giving me this book and this part of you. I especially loved the John Pierpont s...more
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Another great installment. I love the story about Rosa Parks, it is emotional and profound. It stays with you for awhile after reading it.
1 like · like · see review
This is a very hopeful group of essays by the author of "All I Really Need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten." He shares insights from his life, people he randomly met, lists of things to be thankful for, and amusing stories. He made me laugh and cry and the laugh and cry. I found myself writing down pages that I want to read again, even though it is a library book. I really needed this book this month and I thought it was wonderful.
Have you ever heard of John Pierpont? As Fulghum explains, Pie...more
Have you ever heard of John Pierpont? As Fulghum explains, Pie...more
I liked this book for the short, stand-alone chapters. I rarely have big chunks of time to read so a book I can pick up now and then is a bonus. There were several laugh-out-loud stories that I had to share with whoever was in the room or car with me at the time. There were also a few nuggets of wisdom that I made a mental note to hold onto. What I didn't like (and why I gave it three stars) were the few crude bits that seemed out of place. Overall, however, it was an enjoyable book.
Fulghum has had an interesting life. He's been a minister, cowboy, salesman, teacher, writer, and amateur philosopher. This book is a continuation of the anecdotes and fables he so memorably presented us with in "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten." The vignettes are humorous and thought-provoking. In fact, I spent a lot of time staring off into space between them and trying to internalize what I had just read. I was afraid the writing would come off either syrup-y or preachy, b...more
I remember my mom found this book in my room when I was in sixth or seventh grade (I had stolen it from my grandparents house) and FLIPPED OUT. She never did give it back to me or bother to find what it actually was about (much less apologize). She just thought the title was naughty and reflexively banned me from reading it. Ha! I didn't mind much- I had already read it like 20 times.
This book wasn't amazing, but there were tidbits of wisdom in it that I enjoyed. It reminded me a bit of David Sedaris, except with no profanity. But short stories drawn from real life, with some humor. I did feel like Fulgum would have profited from axing a few of the stories, but whatever. I haven't yet read his Kindergarten book, written prior to this one, and I might just pick it up, sometime.
I am not much for light reading. When I sit down I want something I can sink my teeth into and really feel I am more intelligent and have been challenged after I am done. These are fun, great books. I can't help but laugh out loud every time I read them, and I have read them multiple times. They were some of my dad's favorite books and have continued to be mine.
These books, and "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" can be seen as the collected wisdom of Mr. Fulghum. He has a knack for squeezing the funny out of commonplace occurrences, and wondering why people don’t have more common sense. Mildly entertaining.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=761
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=761
I had this book sitting around for years. An intriguing title for sure - and I'm not sure why I haven't picked it up to read right away after I read his first book, "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten". However, I am so glad I finally did at right moment of my life! It's a great and quick reading about people, life, lessons, people, relationship, serendipity, laughing, exploring, learning, grace and much more. I highly recommend it for an uplifting and fun read. I was smiling fr...more
In my opinion this is the best so far- very funny and again the short chapters allow you to pick it up and put it down easily and if days go by you don't forget what was going on since each chapter is pretty independent.
I just picked it up this morning upon waking. I finished it before I left for work this afternoon. Funny how you read what you love the fastest. It is a lovely book by a very caring and observant man. Love Fulghum.
This is amusing, as are the rest of his writings. But the underlying theme of grace in action was beautiful, as well as mildly challenging. I wonder if I will live differently because of reading this?
This is one of my favorite all-time books. I read stories from it to my friends all the time. I would recommend it to anyone. His stories have some of the most brilliant hooks you will ever read.
heartwarming and endearing,this collection of essays about how problems can turn into opportunities is refreshing.there are also stories that help us appreciate life and be grateful for what we have.
I found this book at Goodwill. It was about why people do what they do, through a series of short stories. Only a few stories grabbed my attention. I disagreed with his philosophy on evolution.
Mar 04, 2013
Alfredo Gonzalez higuain
added it
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I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11492751
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11492751
I think my favorite thing about this book is that it reminds us that you're never too old to be a kid, and that's probably a pretty healthy way to be.
I absolutely loved the story about the MOTB! I shared it with so many of my friends knowing they could enjoy and relate to their own experiences. :)
This was the first one I read, and I fell in love with all of his books instantly!!! Which reminds me,I'm actually currently reading one............
It´s one of my fav books! I have the book about year and now I am not finished. I lost maybe two stories, I´ll read it when I´ll be sad...
This is the first time I have read this author but I really enjoyed his style as I foind it a lot like my own so reading was easy.
This is a great collection of essays to read before bed. They're humorous and touching. An enjoyable book through and through.
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“Then he read the words of the scroll slowly, first in Japanese and then carefully translated into English:
'There is really nothing you must be.
And there is nothing you must do.
There is really nothing you must have.
And there is nothing you must know.
There is really nothing you must become.
However. It helps to understand
that fire burns, and when it rains,
the earth gets wet. . . .'
'Whatever, there are consequences. Nobody is exempt,' said the master.”
—
40 people liked it
'There is really nothing you must be.
And there is nothing you must do.
There is really nothing you must have.
And there is nothing you must know.
There is really nothing you must become.
However. It helps to understand
that fire burns, and when it rains,
the earth gets wet. . . .'
'Whatever, there are consequences. Nobody is exempt,' said the master.”
“I often say that I don't worry about the meaning of life--I can't handle that big stuff. What concerns me is the meaning in life--day by day, hour by hour, while I'm doing whatever it is that I do. What counts is not what I do, but how I think about myself while I'm doing it.”
—
36 people liked it
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