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Live What You Love: Notes From An Unusual Life
An inspirational follow-up to A Trip to the Beach describes how the authors transformed their own lives and explains how self-trust, personal adjustment, and daily acts of commitment can bring new fulfillment to one's own life.
199 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2005
13 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 3, 2008
More times than not, when I walk out of my library, a book on a shelf out the door catches my eye. I picked this one up yesterday and knew I had to read it. A quirky grouping of anecdotes from a great couple living an "unusual" life. I read it easily in about 2 hours. A terrific book for anyone contemplating taking the plunge to live their dreams. Some parts of the book could have been written by me. Others inspired me to keep on the unconventional path we have set out upon. Good read for anyone!
November 8, 2021
(I rarely give a book a 1-star rating)
This is an odd little book, as it states on page 187. It’s more than odd, it’s bad. There’s just so much WRONG here I couldn’t express myself freely without getting kicked off Goodreads, so I’m opting out of providing a thorough review.
So I’ll do the polite thing and say nothing at all, but if you do want to see my full review, message me, and we’ll talk.
Wow, publishers should not be allowed to publish THIS.
This is an odd little book, as it states on page 187. It’s more than odd, it’s bad. There’s just so much WRONG here I couldn’t express myself freely without getting kicked off Goodreads, so I’m opting out of providing a thorough review.
So I’ll do the polite thing and say nothing at all, but if you do want to see my full review, message me, and we’ll talk.
Wow, publishers should not be allowed to publish THIS.
April 22, 2012
It's really more of a 3.5- I loved the theme of the book and the overall message. It was an easy read. The only reason its not a higher review is because it was very specific to their lives and jumped around in time (and who was speaking), it was a bit confusing.
April 20, 2015
I found that this book was really encouraging and powerful. It reminded you that in life it is important to make the most out of any situation. I took out of this book that life is supposed to be fun and we should live it that way.
May 18, 2012
Nothing special.
July 1, 2019
Interesting, but the description of their relationship to their restaurant staff is problematic.
Read
March 17, 2025Finished March 2012
October 31, 2011
Ok, this is NOT my usual reading material. I've never been into this kind of schlock. So, consider this if you read the rest of this review.
This is the third book by the authors, and the second inspirational book. The remaining of the trio being a cookbook.
I've never read the first book, so I can't compare it to that.
The book is divided up into chapters based on a theme, and not in chronological order. It is a collection of little vignettes on living your dream.
Sure, this book is chock full of inspiration. But nothing on practical. It's a picture of a couple who worked hard to get where they are, and without taking anything away from that, were also blessed with considerable luck along the way.
But for what it is it's well put together, the sections are short, and to the point, and the layout is attractive and clean.
Like I warned up front. Not my cup of tea. But if you are into it, give it a try. There are worse books out there.
This is the third book by the authors, and the second inspirational book. The remaining of the trio being a cookbook.
I've never read the first book, so I can't compare it to that.
The book is divided up into chapters based on a theme, and not in chronological order. It is a collection of little vignettes on living your dream.
Sure, this book is chock full of inspiration. But nothing on practical. It's a picture of a couple who worked hard to get where they are, and without taking anything away from that, were also blessed with considerable luck along the way.
But for what it is it's well put together, the sections are short, and to the point, and the layout is attractive and clean.
Like I warned up front. Not my cup of tea. But if you are into it, give it a try. There are worse books out there.
January 15, 2008
The power of amateur status. As an amateur you don't know enough to know what to be scared of, so you just do it.
"We didn't know we couldn't survive. We just pushed forward together."
Saying yes to something you've never done before. (This book convinced me to photograph a wedding for the first time.)
Little threads make big patterns.
Tie dreams to reality
4 things to think about when chasing a dream:
Passion, People, Location, Money
"We didn't know we couldn't survive. We just pushed forward together."
Saying yes to something you've never done before. (This book convinced me to photograph a wedding for the first time.)
Little threads make big patterns.
Tie dreams to reality
4 things to think about when chasing a dream:
Passion, People, Location, Money
February 19, 2010
This totally showed how we have to address life's trials and continue to stay focus on what we dream and believe will come true. It is not bad to take risks but what matters is how we stand on the ground and feel and learn how to take one step at a time until we can make bigger ones and able to walk or run. Quoting from the book: "Sailors learn to read the water to see the wind. Knowledge of what to do is only a liitle bit of brain. The rest is how it feels".
July 21, 2011
This is the second time I read this book. I loved it the first time, but this time around it just blew my mind. Maybe it's because I was still a teenager with no life experience the first time around. This time I'm actively building my own business and I can definitely relate much better. I get it on a whole new level. There are no words to explain what an inspiration these people are. They know how to live life. Truly amazing.
January 20, 2014
The book is about life experiences and learnings. The authors talk about their life experiences as a couple and business parterres; their struggles in life and how they strive through.
The book is easy to read with short stories and a checklist at the end of each chapter for readers to reflect on their own experiences and achievements.
The narrative style of the book inspired me to at least jot down my little success stories even if I don’t write the next bestseller
The book is easy to read with short stories and a checklist at the end of each chapter for readers to reflect on their own experiences and achievements.
The narrative style of the book inspired me to at least jot down my little success stories even if I don’t write the next bestseller
October 5, 2015
A beautifully published book - the paper quality, photos, genuinely warm vignettes and stories, with lovely colors and quotes throughout. Definitely uplifting, this book is less a how-to and more of an inspiration for following your dreams and living the life you imagine. The Blanchards (whose other books I have not read, but will look out for) clearly live life to the fullest and have been able to make this philosophy work for them. If only I had a little extra money....
March 12, 2008
Loved it,just like I loved their other book,"A Trip To The Beach". Except, be warned, if you are anything like me, this book can be dangerous! It will make you want desperately to up and leave your normal, ordinary life, and take off to live the dream of an extraordinary, passionate, fun-filled life!
April 2, 2008
I LOVED THIS BOOK! The author(s) are a married couple and you feel like you can do anything after you read the book. It made me want to pursue all the things that I have been wanting to do and just don't. I think that reading books like this help keep peoples dreams alive. I think some people could read it and find that it was unrealistic but I thought it was great!
September 19, 2008
Started this last night after dinner and just finished. Obviously, a very quick read. Cute book with nice thoughts on life. The stories were not in chronological order, which kinda bugged me since I'm so orderly :). But, liked the book enough to put their first book, A Trip to the Beach on my To Read list. It's about how the authors picked up and moved to Anguilla - sounds good to me!
October 7, 2008
Great follow up to "A Trip to the Beach"...it really shows that you don't need to have a large bank account and a silver spoon in your mouth to go out and live the life you dream of - loved it! (But you should truly read "A Trip to the Beach FIRST, otherwise you might find yourself a little less connected to the stories in this book...BUT both are must reads!)
March 18, 2009
Simple in expression, delightful in substance, and valuable in direction. As the Blanchards share little stories of their lives, they clearly convey sound ways to strive for living what you love. I adored it, and still found it valuable in aiding my pursuit of a well-lived life. I look forward to "discovering" more of their books.
August 13, 2011
One of the good inspirational books, but can be read just to "pop" into the lives of those doing what they love. Reminds us to find the things we love to do, so we can think about doing them! And it makes me want to go eat at their restaurant too. Their real life stories don't just tell the glorious story, but the messy bits in how they get to their glory. Short, browsable read.
July 26, 2011
This was a powerful book for me written by tremendous people. I highly enjoyed it and will probably read it again soon. It's a perfect mixture of faith, motivation, and practicality and just... Good reasons to live your dreams. You'll ask yourself "why not?" and actually believe in the power of that question.
September 5, 2007
The Blanchards' books are great because they show how anyone can do whatever they want for a living - even without knowledge, a business plan or a lot of money. It takes time and patience to learn what you need to learn, but you too, can live the dream.
November 12, 2007
Very insperational at the time I read it, but nearly 2 years later as i write this, I could not recall much of it now, only they followed what they loved and opened numerous business that became minorly successful.
February 24, 2008
I think I saw this book on Shalae's blog or maybe Mandy's. I am encouraging my hubby to read it too:) What I like the most is that it is so easy to pick it up and just read a page or two.
Great book!
Great book!
September 9, 2008
I picked this book up at Half-Price Books (in the discount bin) and thought it looked interesting. It is a super-quick read that is full of inspiring stories and anecdotes for following your dreams and living an extraordinary life.
August 17, 2009
I am trying to savor this short book but so far, I'm halfway through in one sitting! I love the child-like attitude of the Blanchards and how they put new meaning to "Just Do It". I am so motivated and ready to plunge into whatever is next for me.
January 28, 2009
If you were left wanting more after reading "A Trip to the Beach," this book will give you what you're looking for. It also shows you how you can achieve what you want in life with persistence and hard work.
August 8, 2009
Pure inspiration. How to literally live what you love. Taking from basic principals the roots of having a fulfilling life. Enjoying work, where you are living, the people that surround you and living simply and comfortably, not necessairly extravantly. Plus Dave and I are quoted in the book...:)
December 22, 2010
This book is phenomenally written. Not only are Robert and Linda awesome entrepreneurs, but they are great at passing feeling through their words.
I was really captivated by the book and went on to write a post on my blog that's gotten something like over 180,000 views. lol Nuts.
I was really captivated by the book and went on to write a post on my blog that's gotten something like over 180,000 views. lol Nuts.
April 6, 2012
An inspiring, honest, all round plucky account of one family's life changing decision to follow their hearts. Always. Come what may. It serves as a reminder that when you keep your heart open and your family close, the best kind of adventure will come a-knocking.
November 25, 2014
Eh. It was easy to read but just an OK book. The stories about their lives and businesses were interesting & amusing, but it's not something I would highly recommend. Just a little book to pass the time during my lunch break. Glad I picked it up for free.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews