Remember when Book Club discussions were a big hit around here?
In 2018, we kicked off the Club with Invitation to Solitude and Silence by Ruth Haley Barton, followed by Adam McHugh's The Listening Life. 2019 found us gathered 'round Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan, The Next Right Thing by Emily Freeman, and wrapping up the year with Anne Bogel's I'd Rather Be Reading.
Then came 2020. Need I say more?
One of my favorite reads this past year was Anne's Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life. I'm betting this beloved author never dreamed how her brainchild would come at just the perfect time, its debut intersecting with the pandemic's stressful descent on our daily life rhythms and changing things up in the most unsettling of ways.
Honestly, I can't imagine a better volume to kick off 2021. Don't Overthink It is my selection!
Anne offers a bounty of practical thoughts on freeing ourselves from that 'analysis paralysis' that holds us hostage from making decisions and moving forward. She talks about information overload and perfectionism and gives concrete steps on 'what to do when your brain gets stuck on the bad stuff.'
Pandemic fatigue lurks as a real and present danger for all of us and her common sense strategies to limiting your options so to ease your decision making process is brilliant and leaves you wondering why you never thought of these steps before.
Each chapter closes with a few simple questions to clarify your challenges and responses to what you're discovering about yourself. This is a must read, for such a time as this, for sure.
Lord willing, we'll kick off our Sunday Evening Book Club on January 10th. Go ahead, put this title on your Christmas List right now. Or better yet, give Santa a helping hand and grab your own copy, wrap it up all pretty, and tuck it deep into your own stocking. I'm guessing your library has a copy to lend, too.
And yes, as an Amazon Associate, I may get a small financial benefit if you use these links below.
Mark your calendar! Details to come. With all the life experience you've gathered this year combined with Anne's much needed direction, I know our conversations will be fascinating and informative, packed with 'aha' and 'oh you too' moments ... all combined to be incredibly helpful as we venture forward.
Buy Kindle - $9.60
Buy Paperback - $11.59
Buy Paperback - $11.59
Book clubs! In person, online, love 'em, hate 'em, read the whole book or just the good parts, with food or without?
Linda
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This sounds like the perfect book for these pandemic days!
ReplyDeleteYes! I can't wait to read it again ...
DeleteThis is perfect, Linda! I got this book around when it first came out but haven't read it yet. I'll look forward to joining you.
ReplyDeleteI've never been in an in-person book club except for Bible studies. But I've enjoyed the online ones I have partaken of. Other readers bring out things I missed. And it's fun to know other people also got some of the same insights I did.
Oh I'm so glad you'll be with us, Barbara. As an avid reader, I know you'll contribute much to our conversation!
DeleteLinda, this sounds like the perfect book for all that we have been through. I might just buy it for myself and wrap it up!
ReplyDeleteA brilliant idea! That way you KNOW there'll be something in your stocking you will love!
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I've never been part of a book club before exactly. When I was in high school my friends would pass a book for us to read and then we would talk about it. I think currently I would join a book club online. This pandemic has been very tiring. Many of The schools here have returned to distance learning. Sigh... Calgon take me away!
ReplyDeleteWell, I hope you'll join us, Regina! If you click on the links to the Book Clubs we've already been through, you'll get a good idea of what our conversations look like.
DeleteSo enlightening, fun, soul-searching, thought-provoking!
What a God send for these times, Linda! I will order it, as I want to participate in the conversation.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Oh yay, Martha!!!
DeleteSo glad you're joining us ...
I'm having trouble again getting my comment through, Linda. I keep getting an error page when I click on Publish. I'll try again... I'm so glad you're doing a book club again! As an overanalyzed, I'm looking forward to some tips. :) Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteHey Trudy! I'm so sorry you've had trouble recently with leaving a comment. Thanks for your perseverance in returning. Your visit always matters ... and yes, I think you'll like the Book Club!
DeleteMaybe try leaving a comment on a different device and see if that helps? I'm rather clueless with this stuff ...
* sigh *
Make decisions as you can
ReplyDelete(and of course, those you must),
but make them with a master plan
to lean on God in trust
that's He's the maker of your days,
the Guard of your frail heart,
and though world writhes and screams and says
that all's falling apart,
make your choices as directed
by One who knows the score,
and love for Him will be perfected
each day, a little more
'till you step from beneath His wing,
rightful heir, Jesus' kin.
Um ... well ... simply wow, Andrew. This is stunning, sacred, and deeply moving. I'm so appreciative you've left your imprint here today ... Christ's imprint.
DeleteGreat choice, Linda! I listened to this book a few months ago, but I know I missed a lot. I do better with reading a book than listening to a book, so I'll look forward to your discussion of it here.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear your insights, Lisa!
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This sounds like a great book! I overthink all the time anyway but it seems like it will be especially relevant for now. Look forward to learning from the discussion!
ReplyDeleteLearning, yes! We all continue to travel forward together. Less overthinking = more peace.
DeleteSounds like a good book. I will take a peek at it. I have never been in a book club. No time to be honest. Still work PT outside the home and grands and life and well, you get the picture I am sure. I stay so busy throughout the year with our Ladies Bible Studies that I find it hard to read other books unless it's summer time when I take myself a sabbatical from teaching the ladies. linda, this book looks so good and I did listen to the trailer. I do find myself overthinking at times and hard to make a decision. I THINK too much is my problem. Saving this to check into the book. Thank you for posting. Happy Week to you dear lady. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteCyndi, hi! I think maybe this kind of Book Club just might fit the bill ... you drop in whenever you'd like, you can jump right into the conversation or simply relax and enjoy what's going on!
DeleteOOPS! Cindy not Cyndi!
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I'm a self-proclaimed Queen of Overthinking so this sounds like the perfect book for me! I'm adding it to my shopping cart right now.
ReplyDeleteYay! I hope you'll join us for our sessions, Lisa. I have a feeling your presence will be a real plus ...
DeleteWonderful pick for the first book of 2021. I'm in!
ReplyDeleteCool, Laurie! I'm so glad!!
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Just wanted to stop by and say "Thank You" for stopping by my place and leaving me a nice comment. Best of luck with your book club. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteSandra, I'd love for you to join us as we all chat about the book together!
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