Heather F. (AZmom875) -
Helpful Score: 5
I read the 2 reviews here on PBS before pulling this book off my TBR shelf. I found both book reviews to be helpful and accurate. This book is about a Woman with MS who was wallowing in pain and self pity. Her friend and spiritual guide suggested she do 29 days of giving. This is the Authors experience, written about how her life changed when she started consciously giving. She does wallow at times, it is about her, I think it was supposed to be about her and her experience. It is NOT a list of 29 things that you can also do, but the 29 things she did. You can do the same journey but you will need to discover your own path. I do have to agree that this book is full of WOO woo. Cami Walker is very spiritual, in that she embraces it all from all religions. Sometimes that turned me off that she got so weird. She has alters in her house to her ancestors, she gets a massage with quail eggs, she has divination session involving rocks, shells and quills. In the end, I applauded her determination and her transparency. Did it inspire me to do a 29 gift giving? No. It did inspire me to make a few changes, in my life and reach some goals.
This book is a very fast read. I read it in two hours.
This book is a very fast read. I read it in two hours.
Helpful Score: 3
I just reread this book for the second time. This book falls under the category of self help books. The 29 gifts is a challenge to give 29 gifts in 29 consecutive days - very purposefully. It's origins in Cami Walker's story are in African traditions.
Most of us in our lives give to ourselves and to others on a continual basis. This book focuses on doing so mindfully with the attitude of giving rather than of obligation. I also like the fact that the book talks about balance - not giving so much that you yourself are depleted. This shift in attitude is where the "self improvement" comes in.
This same message can be heard through numerous other traditions, faiths, and teaching. This was an enjoyable way of being reminded.
Most of us in our lives give to ourselves and to others on a continual basis. This book focuses on doing so mindfully with the attitude of giving rather than of obligation. I also like the fact that the book talks about balance - not giving so much that you yourself are depleted. This shift in attitude is where the "self improvement" comes in.
This same message can be heard through numerous other traditions, faiths, and teaching. This was an enjoyable way of being reminded.
Helpful Score: 2
Of the 29 gifts, at least 20 were "pay and walk away" kinds of gifts. If you really want to change a life: share yourself, share your time, share your experiences. The author was so wrapped up in her own poor-pitiful-me brokenness that, even on the 29th day, it still seemed to be all about her. Also, wayyyyyyy too much woo-woo in the book for my sensibilities. If you buy/read the book, skip her 29 gifts and go to the end of the book or go to the blog where others shared their experiences.
Bottom line: good idea, bad book.
Bottom line: good idea, bad book.
Stephanie S. reviewed 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life on + 168 more book reviews
I can understand how some would find this book flaky or a tad goody-goody. Some of the reviews I read prior to reading the book said precisely that. However, I think your enjoyment of the book will all depend on your approach--not only to the book itself--but towards life as a whole.
If you are skeptical of alternative medicines or therapies, unwilling to try meditation or apply something as simple as cognitive gratitude or humble free-form prayer to your day even when all else has failed, then this book is not for you.
Most likely eyes will roll and you'll become annoyed. However, just a slightly more open-minded approach might help readers benefit from what this book is offering.
I enjoyed it. Cami Walker was desperate in her search to learn how to live with a terrible MS diagnosis, especially as she grew weaker and weaker and her young body betrayed her. A healer suggested she try giving "29 gifts in 29 days". It didn't matter what the gifts were, only that they were given mindfully, and without expectation of getting anything in return. She went into this "prescription" hesitantly and skeptically. She felt (as many of us do) that she had nothing of valuable to give. But she took a chance, and gave small things in small ways. Thereafter she found, first, her outlook improving, and then gradually her health as well. The power of positive thinking put to the task.
I struggle with gratitude some days, and it really takes a willful adjustment of my thinking to turn that around. So, the stories that the author shares in this book were inspiring to me in their sheer simplicity. Maybe you will agree. It will depend on your approach.
*** 1/2 Three and a half stars!
If you are skeptical of alternative medicines or therapies, unwilling to try meditation or apply something as simple as cognitive gratitude or humble free-form prayer to your day even when all else has failed, then this book is not for you.
Most likely eyes will roll and you'll become annoyed. However, just a slightly more open-minded approach might help readers benefit from what this book is offering.
I enjoyed it. Cami Walker was desperate in her search to learn how to live with a terrible MS diagnosis, especially as she grew weaker and weaker and her young body betrayed her. A healer suggested she try giving "29 gifts in 29 days". It didn't matter what the gifts were, only that they were given mindfully, and without expectation of getting anything in return. She went into this "prescription" hesitantly and skeptically. She felt (as many of us do) that she had nothing of valuable to give. But she took a chance, and gave small things in small ways. Thereafter she found, first, her outlook improving, and then gradually her health as well. The power of positive thinking put to the task.
I struggle with gratitude some days, and it really takes a willful adjustment of my thinking to turn that around. So, the stories that the author shares in this book were inspiring to me in their sheer simplicity. Maybe you will agree. It will depend on your approach.
*** 1/2 Three and a half stars!
Janice O. (shyllei) reviewed 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life on + 42 more book reviews
If you are looking for a book to help you in your life to think of other people, then this may be the book for you. I found it a bit cynical and sad that it took turmoil for someone to just do what is nice. I don't need a book like this to help me as I already do this in my life. Except someone decided to put it on a website and sell things too.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life on + 1452 more book reviews
I am not much for self-help books but this one is rather biographical. Shortly after she is married the author discovers that she has MS. As she copes with this difficult disease she finds herself losing her temper, crying, becoming addicted to the medications she is taking and feeling sorry for herself. Finally a friend suggests a strategy to focus on the positive - 29 days of giving. Gifts must be given without hope of receiving return but rather spontaneous and from the heart. All is not easy and this is not a cure all but it eventually helps the author begin to really live her life in spite of her disease. Eventually she begins to work again but not at the levels she worked prior to her diagnosis and finds happiness in her life. It's an interesting process that merits trying. The author includes stories from others who have become involved in 29 days of giving.
