Gift from the Sea in Thomas Jefferson Education a book a week for the next year

Jan 31, 2014 Celeste Batchelor rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction

I am extremely thankful that I read Gift from the Sea. It came into my life at a time when the seasons of life are changing, shifting really, from comfortable to uncomfortable. As my children grow up and move on, I stare straight into the unknown of the nest emptying, feeling apprehension and sadness.

I know it will come.

I know it MUST come.

But still, the growing up of one's children, especially in a homeschooling family, forces a mother to come to a screeching halt in her most prized and time ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 14, 2014 Angie Libert rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: family-homeschool

It is always refreshing to read a book that reminds me of the seasons of life and the blessings that come in each of those seasons. This book reminded me a lot of Thoreau's writings, but I enjoyed that this author's means of simplicity were a lot more practical for most people, especially mothers. I also loved the reminder that my daily quiet time is valuable, not only to myself, but also to my family and my community.

Favorite quote: "My life cannot implement in action the demands of all the pe ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 25, 2014 Teri rated it really liked it

Shelves: nonfiction

I had no idea I'd appreciate this little book of meditations so much. Glimpses that put life in perspective. This is one of those books to buy for all the women in your family. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 31, 2014 Stan rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2022

The written word is a beautiful thing. It preserves at least a part of the personality of the writer. It gives us a chance to know that person—even if she has been gone for many years; not the things she did necessarily, or the material things she accumulated, not her appearance, or the sound of her voice, but the thoughts and ideas she had, and her way of expressing them. I'm not talking about our modern-day, production-line writers who pump out novel after novel—exciting, suspenseful page turn ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 05, 2011 Christy Peterson rated it liked it

Shelves: self-help

I was sick as I read this, so I can't say I really liked it but I know I probably should have. I read it pretty fast, not much pondering involved. I just seem to have heard all the general ideas before from church leaders and my favorite education mentors, which is actually the reason why I read this book.

Essentially this is a record of the author's "vision quest" and a reminder that I should do one. Ironically, I sigh, ahhhh, the time... I know if I made the time, I would "own" the writings an ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 09, 2014 Courtney rated it did not like it

I actually hated this book. Hate. Not only did I not care for her style of writing but I found this book to be terribly selfish. Like the stream of consciousness narrative of a whiny woman who spent her years in angry and bitter resentment of the time her family took away from her being able to “find herself”.

She has moments when she is almost brilliant, but those times are almost immediately cast aside for more selfish “introspective” drivel.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh had tragic and heartbreaking th I actually hated this book. Hate. Not only did I not care for her style of writing but I found this book to be terribly selfish. Like the stream of consciousness narrative of a whiny woman who spent her years in angry and bitter resentment of the time her family took away from her being able to “find herself”.

She has moments when she is almost brilliant, but those times are almost immediately cast aside for more selfish “introspective” drivel.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh had tragic and heartbreaking things happen to her and her family. She had to live through things no parent should ever have to live through and no doubt it shaped her view. But if I were sitting next to her while she wrote this I would take her by the shoulders and shake her. I would say, “Look Anne, I know you are tired. You are exhausted. I get it! But you aren’t going to find peace by cutting yourself off from the people who love you the most. By all means, write your poetry, get published if you can, but for heaven’s sake please don’t think that it is the only thing that can refresh you or make your life worth living! Drop your kids from soccer and dance. Get out of the PTA. Have your kids help around the house and teach them how to cook for the family. Spend more time TOGETHER instead of living your separate lives in the same house. A week in isolation every year is not going to compensate for letting the ‘distractions’ take over your life. Distractions are just that, distractions. They aren’t necessary! Get rid of them! Focus on your husband and your kids and stop being so self-centered!”

With over 1 million copies sold, this book must resonate with at least a few women, and if you have found it helpful and gleaned only positive things then that is wonderful! No doubt a few of you will read this book and think that I completely missed what she was trying to say. That’s fine. It’s possible that I’ll read it again in a few years and think that this original criticism is extremely sharp and uncalled for. Today however, through the filter of my own life, there is very little that I can appreciate from this book. ...more

Like · see review

Jan 03, 2010 Kl rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2014-52-book-challenge, mentoring-in-the-classics, 2020-rc, 2021-reading-challenge

I really enjoyed this book. What a great way to start the new year! This will be a book I read again and again.

1 like · Like · see review

Oct 27, 2009 Jey rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2009, relationships-2015

An okay book, but I sensed a humanist undercurrent that I couldn't quite pinpoint. Some words of wisdom combined with tons of feminist ideology. ...more

Like · see review

May 24, 2010 Trace rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2010-book-list

Another re-read for me. A friend gave me this book years ago. It's a gem. But I can't recall reading it since I've become a momma. I'm looking foward to savoring it from this perspective. Of course it will leave me wanting to plan my own escape to the ocean... which we may just have to do this summer!
...more

Like · see review

Jan 29, 2014 Shannon rated it really liked it

Shelves: paused

I loved this book. It returns to my shelf every few years and sparks very different feelings in readers it is eminently discuss-able. It is about roles, choices, motherhood, how we view and participate in society. I think whether you agree with her choice or not, reflecting has value.

Like · see review