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A Celebration of the Simple Life: Inspiring Thoughts from Amish Country
Celebrate the beauty of simple living and experience new appreciation for a slower-paced, more enjoyable life. Featuring the original poetry of Wanda E. Brunstetter, bestselling author of Amish fiction, and paired with dozens of devotional readings, this unique package will bring delight and warmth to your spirit.
91 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2010
About the author
Wanda E. Brunstetter
194 books2,394 followersNew York Times bestselling and award-winning author, Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written close to 90 books translated in four languages. With over 10 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nations most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.
Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.
When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.
Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.
When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 5, 2010
I received this book as an electronic early review copy from NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, just to review honestly.
A Celebration of the Simple Life is pretty much exactly as it sounds: A celebration of the Amish Plain lifestyle, and what they believe.
The author, Wanda E. Brunstetter tells brief anecdotal stories of her various visits to Amish country to see her various Amish friends and is intermixed with prayers to God to seek the same things in her own life, texts from the Bible, and some poetry. There are also a few pictures and paintings (I think) spread throughout the book showcasing Amish country and life.
I would love to see this book in hard copy, because I think it would be breathtaking. Unfortunately, the ebook kind of messed up the formatting so I imagine the book is much nicer in hard copy.
I think it is a sweet book and showcases the Amish life well. My criticisms though would be that it gets really repetitive really quickly. I feel like her anecdotal stories are so brief and vague that I had read the same or very similar one several times by the time I reached the end of the book, and the book is not very long at all.
I really wish Wanda E. Brunstetter would have gone more into depth with stories of her real-life experiences with the Amish and in Amish country. I would have connected better in that way. Instead, I always felt distinctly separate from what she was describing, and never felt immersed in her writing.
I think it's a nice book, perhaps a great gift for someone enamored with the Plain life. I also feel it would make a great coffee table book if you love the Plain life and wish to celebrate their lifestyle.
3 out of 5 stars.
A Celebration of the Simple Life is pretty much exactly as it sounds: A celebration of the Amish Plain lifestyle, and what they believe.
The author, Wanda E. Brunstetter tells brief anecdotal stories of her various visits to Amish country to see her various Amish friends and is intermixed with prayers to God to seek the same things in her own life, texts from the Bible, and some poetry. There are also a few pictures and paintings (I think) spread throughout the book showcasing Amish country and life.
I would love to see this book in hard copy, because I think it would be breathtaking. Unfortunately, the ebook kind of messed up the formatting so I imagine the book is much nicer in hard copy.
I think it is a sweet book and showcases the Amish life well. My criticisms though would be that it gets really repetitive really quickly. I feel like her anecdotal stories are so brief and vague that I had read the same or very similar one several times by the time I reached the end of the book, and the book is not very long at all.
I really wish Wanda E. Brunstetter would have gone more into depth with stories of her real-life experiences with the Amish and in Amish country. I would have connected better in that way. Instead, I always felt distinctly separate from what she was describing, and never felt immersed in her writing.
I think it's a nice book, perhaps a great gift for someone enamored with the Plain life. I also feel it would make a great coffee table book if you love the Plain life and wish to celebrate their lifestyle.
3 out of 5 stars.
April 6, 2011
Okay, so to get this out of the way right from the start I have to say that I hate this book...............on Kindle!!! This is one book that I wish that I had in my hand that I could flip through the pages and look at and read and re-read and hold and look at and look at again. Needless to say that it is one that I will find myself buying in the very near future.
Now, with the negative out of the way on to what I loved about this book. Absolutely every page! One of my favorite things I read in this is:
The nature of a flower is to wait patiently for spring.
Flowers don't worry or complain about every little thing.
The nature of a flower is an example to all.
When wind and rain threaten, a flower stands straight and tall.
Let the flowers be your example for having a patient attitude.
For when you face each day with patience, you'll be in a better mood.
There are so many uplifting things in this book. So many things I would love to have printed and hanging in different areas of my house. I am envious of the things that Wanda E. Brunstetter has written about in this book. I am intrigued of the simple life that the Amish lead and the great friendship that she has with them. The stories that she tells about their great faith is simply amazing. I want this book to lay on my coffee table so that when I am feeling a bit blah I can reach for it and read the uplifting stories that are in this great book!
A+++++ Wanda!!!
You can see my complete review at: http://lovemy2dogs.blogspot.com/2011/...
Now, with the negative out of the way on to what I loved about this book. Absolutely every page! One of my favorite things I read in this is:
The nature of a flower is to wait patiently for spring.
Flowers don't worry or complain about every little thing.
The nature of a flower is an example to all.
When wind and rain threaten, a flower stands straight and tall.
Let the flowers be your example for having a patient attitude.
For when you face each day with patience, you'll be in a better mood.
There are so many uplifting things in this book. So many things I would love to have printed and hanging in different areas of my house. I am envious of the things that Wanda E. Brunstetter has written about in this book. I am intrigued of the simple life that the Amish lead and the great friendship that she has with them. The stories that she tells about their great faith is simply amazing. I want this book to lay on my coffee table so that when I am feeling a bit blah I can reach for it and read the uplifting stories that are in this great book!
A+++++ Wanda!!!
You can see my complete review at: http://lovemy2dogs.blogspot.com/2011/...
April 27, 2011
A Celebration of the Simple Life By Wanda E. Brunstetter
This is a very nice devotional book, full of scripture, on topics of the celebrations of simple, everyday life. Wanda Brunstetter uses the Amish lifestyle as an example for the simple daily life devotions she writes, and chooses Bible quotations that relate as closely as possible to the topic of her devotions. She covers almost every topic of daily simple life that I can think of. She makes it a point to explain that we, who are not Amish can relate to the daily simple life of the Amish as well, using the Bible quotes to reinforce her point. Again, the Bible quotes are chosen as closely as she can get them to her quotations. This would make a beautiful coffee table book to pick up and read every now and then, or even daily. It would also make a beautiful gift to give to a special person, friend, family member, or whoever is special in your life. There is a nice page in the front of this book to write a special message to the person you are giving this book to. This book was provided to me to read in exchange for a review by NetGalley. The review can be positive or negative and of my opinion. I give this book a huge positive, and a 5-Star rating because the book is absolutely beautiful. A GREAT coffe-table book, or even a book to sit down with after a long day and just escape life and relax with the beautiful photos and devotions.
This book was provided to me in the form of an E-book, free of charge, via NetGalley in exchange for a review!
Laurie Carlson
This is a very nice devotional book, full of scripture, on topics of the celebrations of simple, everyday life. Wanda Brunstetter uses the Amish lifestyle as an example for the simple daily life devotions she writes, and chooses Bible quotations that relate as closely as possible to the topic of her devotions. She covers almost every topic of daily simple life that I can think of. She makes it a point to explain that we, who are not Amish can relate to the daily simple life of the Amish as well, using the Bible quotes to reinforce her point. Again, the Bible quotes are chosen as closely as she can get them to her quotations. This would make a beautiful coffee table book to pick up and read every now and then, or even daily. It would also make a beautiful gift to give to a special person, friend, family member, or whoever is special in your life. There is a nice page in the front of this book to write a special message to the person you are giving this book to. This book was provided to me to read in exchange for a review by NetGalley. The review can be positive or negative and of my opinion. I give this book a huge positive, and a 5-Star rating because the book is absolutely beautiful. A GREAT coffe-table book, or even a book to sit down with after a long day and just escape life and relax with the beautiful photos and devotions.
This book was provided to me in the form of an E-book, free of charge, via NetGalley in exchange for a review!
Laurie Carlson
September 29, 2010
Such a lovely little book, I only wish I could have held the real thing rather than an eBook. This is a wonderful devotional that I know I'd love to own. There are over thirty reflections under the headings "Attitude", "Responsibility" and "Christian Duty" on subjects such as "A Humble Attitude" and "Responsibility to Fellowship." Each reflection includes a poem from Wanda Brunstetter, a Bible verse, a note from Brunstetter relating the scripture to an example in the Amish lifestyle and a small prayer. This is all completed with absolutely stunning photography that will simply take your breath away; I simply cannot emphasise enough how beautiful these pictures are. Although I'm not a fan of Brunstetter's fictional work, she does have a wealth of knowledge about the Amish and I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Amish or loves reading novels about them or anyone who just wants to simplify their life. This would make the perfect gift or stocking filler as it isn't particularly large or expensive. I only wish I'd known about this when I was making my Christmas list!
November 28, 2010
A Celebration of the Simple Life
By Wanda E. Brunstetter
Published by Barbour
A Celebration of the Simple Life is an inspirational gift book featuring original works of poetry side-by-side with revelations and encouraging stories inspired by Brunstetter’s friends in the Amish community. This little treasure is filled with breathtaking photography and simple reminders about what’s really important in a life filled with faith.
This heartfelt book, filled with hope and promise, could only be improved by its protraction in the form of a daily devotional.
By Wanda E. Brunstetter
Published by Barbour
A Celebration of the Simple Life is an inspirational gift book featuring original works of poetry side-by-side with revelations and encouraging stories inspired by Brunstetter’s friends in the Amish community. This little treasure is filled with breathtaking photography and simple reminders about what’s really important in a life filled with faith.
This heartfelt book, filled with hope and promise, could only be improved by its protraction in the form of a daily devotional.
November 6, 2010
This was a delightful and insightful read. I haven't really read any devotionals before, but have been looking for one when I was asked to review this book. One reason I do is the added bonus of some teachings of the Amish are incorporated into the book. The author has really done a good job of this. I will be using this wonderful book all the time. A great present for anyone around Christmas time.
January 16, 2014
A nice daily morning read or that little something special right before bed.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews