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My Beautiful Broken Shell: Words of Hope to Refresh the Soul

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Already a bestseller with more than 100,000 copies sold, Adams' comforting words are now accompanied by D. Morgan's exquisite watercolors that summon the very sounds and scents of the ocean. Words of wisdom and peaceful images bring encouragement to those buffeted by life's storms.

48 pages, Hardcover

Published March 15, 2002

2 people are currently reading
80 people want to read

About the author

Carol Hamblet Adams

8 books1 follower

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5 stars
94 (67%)
4 stars
29 (20%)
3 stars
11 (7%)
2 stars
4 (2%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
387 reviews5 followers
May 15, 2022
A friend of mine was given this book over 20 years ago after her divorce. It really touched me and stayed with me over the years. I love collecting shells, and I would think of it often. When I found it at an estate sale last weekend, I knew I had to buy it. I am thrilled to have it on my bookshelf.
Profile Image for Ian McHugh.
949 reviews5 followers
October 16, 2016
This book is a part of a genre which I would usually steer clear of but given the recent loss we have suffered, it seemed worth trying after it was passed to me by a friend. What I see in the verse here is not the celebration of the creativity of humanity - the creation of a meaningful personal metaphor to aid the healing process - but an insight into a selfish view of the world. The consistent use of the nominative case form of "I" brings the reader back to the personal anguish which the writer encounters. Little thought - or verse space - is given here to others so this becomes a self-centred book that consistently returns the suffering of "me" rather than the reflection on the suffering of "us". What sustained me through my loss was precisely that it was NOT "my" loss but "our" loss. A collective recognition that I am not alone in grief and that I have others to be thankful for and to.
Profile Image for Chris.
9 reviews4 followers
August 8, 2018
There is hardly any suffering, loss or brokenness that these words can't soothe. I've given this book many times over the years, and read it myself many times - for a diagnosis, depression or sadness, loss of a loved one (both physical and emotional), now trauma healing. After reading it again, I immediately ordered two more to give, finding it, as before, a perfect metaphor for this particular healing journey.
3 reviews
November 15, 2023
I don’t know how I have never read this before, but I am glad I have now. It is so beautiful, and I will be giving it as a gift to a loved one. We all experience brokenness because our world is broken. However, our Beautiful Creator cares and loves us so deeply. One of my favorite Bible verses is included in this book: Psalm 34:18.
Profile Image for Ashley Galo.
36 reviews1 follower
March 25, 2024
If you have loss and grief in your life and love the beach this is a short book for you. The illustrations are beautiful painted. This book brings hope and healing. I am going to the beach in a week and can’t wait to find my beautiful broken seashell.
Profile Image for andrea.
436 reviews
July 31, 2019
Excelent book for a beach lover who is struggling.
470 reviews86 followers
October 13, 2019
Feel good book with unscriptural message comparing us to broken shells who trudge on despite life's difficulties.
208 reviews1 follower
August 28, 2024
Read this beautiful book many times!
Profile Image for Dana Goodman.
Author 2 books36 followers
May 8, 2015
I picked up My Beautiful Broken Shell after sitting in the corner of a bookstore engrossed in the beauty of its poetic descriptions of brokenness. It can be read in a single sitting, but can be pondered for a lifetime. The illustrations are gorgeous and the whole book pulls you in and even makes you thankful for the adversity in your life. This book would be a lovely gift to someone who has walked the paths of heartache.
29 reviews
October 31, 2010
This little book is very special to me in that in times of stress it calls to me and soothes my weary soul...the first time I read it, maybe five years ago, I fell in love with it's gentle message, artwork, and overall sentiment. I purchased several copies and gave them to friends as gifts. Carol Hamblet Adams has touched many lives through her writing and restored hope...enjoy!
Profile Image for Ali.
24 reviews4 followers
July 10, 2012
The absolute best inspirational book I have yet to read! It's perfect for my life. Instead of trying too hard to "correct" the problems that life hands you, it gives a much more realistic impression of embracing the "brokenness". It's refreshing and a wonderful reminder that everyone is broken in some way.
Profile Image for Bethany.
301 reviews
June 8, 2014
Given to me by a dear friend, this is a book I will always treasure, for its content as well as its associations. It's a very short book, very quick read. Or you could sit with it for a day or more, reflecting and allowing it to reach you deeply.
Profile Image for Kim Hamilton.
773 reviews6 followers
November 27, 2016
This book was given to me by a dear friend after the loss of a boyfriend back in 2010. A very quick read, but the message stays with you forever. A wonderful, inspirational book that helped in my healing.
8 reviews1 follower
September 23, 2009
Will keep to read again. Short read. Allows you to appreciate your circumstances past and present, to be grateful for friends that surround you and reminds us to look forward.
Profile Image for Rita.
177 reviews
February 11, 2016
Words of Hope to Refresh the Soul. Beautifully written
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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