Read This Fine Book Then Take A Look At your Own Life
359681
Anything I might say in this review will not do it justice.  The subject matter is slavery---any kind of slavery.  It covers a period in American History that we should all be a bit ashamed of.  The Native American's plight as well as the African Americans' slavery are woven into a novel that will absolutely hold you spellbound.
  There is also such a human interest faction that may lead you to view your own life and freedom as never before.
The main characters, Samuel and Harriet go through so much pain seasoned with periods of happiness.
  What is life?  Where do we fit in?  How do our decisions mold our lives or the lives of others?  These are just a few of the questions you may ask yourself after finishing this wonderful work.
  I was given a copy of 'These Colors Don't Run' in exchange for my honest review.  That had no bearing on my rating and I would give it 6 stars if possible.
2937673
Don't miss it.  We all need to read it and try to understand ourselves.
1780550
This is a book that you will want to read and re-read to remind you that there is no reason to not live the life you want to live
3199945
This story of a changed life will make you look at your own life and examine the things that are important.  I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
1609261
Saving our Pennys should be a must read on many people's reading list. It's a book that will teach you about yourself and your life and help you answer a question; "What are you doing with your life here?"

It follows the life of a school teacher as he begins another year of school in the fast lane of life where everyone's goal seems to be getting to the end of term, submitting all the paperwork and just surviving. There is a wonderful analogy of a steam train going full steam ahead to its ultimate destination, regardless of the individual desires of it's passengers.

But our teacher wants more, he wants to remember why he began teaching, he wants to be free of the fear and dread that each day brings as it weighs him down in ever more exhaustion. A fellow teacher offers him the chance to make that change, to step off the train and make a conscious choice to live.

Taking baby steps, movement occurs, enlightenment happens. There was a wonderful moment when he opened the eyes of his students, and one I wish to write down here. If you live to be 100 years old you will be given 36 500 days. "Use your days, be sincere, be genuine, take nothing for granted, treat others well, treat yourself well, be great" How many days of your life have you lived? What have you done with your life?
This review is based upon a free copy of the book provided by the authors.
2289959
Inspirational, makes you take a step back, relate to, and examine your own life.  Well worth reading!  Valid and meaningful suggestions that can apply to many, if not all, who are faced with similar circumstances or issues.
3758227
Read it.  You won't be disappointed and it will cause you to review how you look at your own abilities.
1849547
With all of the reviews of this book, it is difficult to add anything worthwhile. For me, I believe that this book is all about how time by yourself, a walk, hours in the bathtub, or finding a peaceful spot can help you heal from the trials and tribulations or the ups and downs of life. You also come to realize that everyone has problems in life, and gives you insight into what is really important, and that you are not alone with your problems.

No one can really escape the hardships of life, whether it be the death of a loved one, illness, or a difficult relationship. Time alone allows you to clear your mind and accept whatever is in your way to moving on with your life. Sometimes it is even helpful to meet and chat with strangers who will share your burdens, or tell you their own. Basically, in this book the main character comes to terms with life without a psychologist, but on his own personal journey.

This book can be read superficially, or deeply, and I would recommend it highly, especially as a book club book.
1035738
Everyone in the world faces a crossroad in their life at some point.  The decision you make, whether you know it at that time, will change your life forever.  When tackling this book, keep this in the back of your mind and identify your own crossroads.  Honestly, I wasn't looking forward to reading this book.  It reminded me of dramatic "chic lit" and I wasn't sure I wanted to tackle over 500 pages.  I am glad I did as Shriver Lionel did a masterful job of telling two stories with common benchmarks that would have happened regardless of the decision made.

I found Irina's character to be spineless at times which is more than made up for by strong male characters in Irina's life.  I loved how the stories intertwined and you truly reflect on your own life.

This is a book you will talk about with your friends.  You'll find yourself discussing your own crossroads and find yourself in a phenominal book discussion.  The chapters are not short and you will find yourself wanting to read two chapters at a time.  If you are like me, you may find yourself dedicated to spending more time at one seating than you planned.  With that said, I do recommend this book and look forward to reading his other novels.
618850
It was wonderful! Read it for yourself. It will make you a better person.
62252
How Proust Can Change Your Life is a pleasure to read and to ponder.  Its observations, though hardly original,  seem especially worthwhile at a time when tweets pass for conversation and Facebook postings are a way to stay in touch with friends.  Proust and his disciple Alain de Botton advise us to slow down; to take time not only to smell the coffee but savor a croissant or two along with it each morning as you languorously pore over your daily newspaper.  Rather than looking for Mr. Right, become him--and start by listening to others rather than nattering endlessly about yourself. Note the beauty in the every day, and acknowledge the irony that one is never more alive or aware of life as when one's own health is threatened by illness.

These are but a few of the bon mots found in Proust Can Change Your Life--a delightful literary "self-help" that really is helpful. If not ground-shakingly original, they are life-shakingly worthwhile.  In addition to all of the above How Proust Can Change Your Life ponders how great literature can impact our lives and how real creativity is a way of seeing and feeling an experience more deeply and more profoundly than most.  Very worthwhile--the sort of book I'm sure I will be returning to.
65553
This book takes you where most of us have never been.  If your read this book keep an open mind and absorb what you read, grasp what is being taught, and you will come away with a new outlook on not only your own life but life as a part of a larger entity.  Don Scott
2102699
Sure, I'm biased. I wrote the foreward to Before You Die -- Live. I think it's a fabulous book. But here's two compelling reasons why I think you should pick up a copy for your Kindle or personal library this very minute. First, it's filled with easy to read short vignettes to inspire and delight you, to show you how perfectly ordinary people set about making their dreams come true. You'll be amused, moved, entertained. Hey, that's reason enough to buy a book, right? But, secondly, and most importantly, it will kick you in the tush and remind you the importance of HAVING A BUCKET LIST. See? You can't check off what you haven't written down. Only when you make your list can you start realizing your dreams. Life is short. Way too short. Don't waste a minute. Live your life to the fullest and you can start right now. Grab your copy and before you die, live.
3244182
We all arrive to adulthood with a wide variety of regrets, disappointments and things we would like to change about how we've gone along the path of life. Robin Hemley has taken a look at the placed along his path he would like to try again at -- moving from early experiences, like kindergarten through prom and frat membership and more. The book is a look into the present and into the past and what makes us who we are -- and how much of that is (or is not) up for change. A thoughtful read that might be great for a bookclub discussion.
1839144
This book provides an interesting view of life that could be useful to many people.
1088282
This is a wonderful, and insightful book. I have read it and savored every word. It makes you take a different look at life as it presents itself to us. It also helps us see life from someone else's point of view and experiences. It really does broaden our prospective.
4942169
I'm not a big fashion person, but after being compelled by my fashionista girlfriend to read this book, I cannot help but feel that I should be. Firstly, to be honest, I had to set aside my man card to even pick it up as the book is clearly written for the opposite gender. Nonetheless, being a straight male, I still found value between its covers. I believe that issues of self-worth and self-esteem and how we go about coping with them in our personal ways is a universal theme and the author sincerely touched on these themes and beautifully tied them together with how once chooses to dress themselves.

Though, at the beginning, I thought this book was going to be a shallow diatribe on how the petty woman could reconcile her inner demons with what she wore on the outside - I discovered that this book was so much more. Yes, it is a guide that helps one find one's own 'style' - however it goes much further than that. 

The reader is also taken through a journey with the author as she shares intimate personal stories and real life lessons and how these can be applied to not only make us better people, but also face our deepest fears (or whatever life throws our way), conquer them and even show the world that we can confidently carry outselves after the fact. 

Surprisingly to me (as I am an engineer and seldom really give it much thought), this can be done by expressing ourselves through our attire decisions. It is no secret that what you wear has a direct reflection on the kind of person you are and how you feel about yourself. However, she also offers a very well thought-out step-by-step 'dress yourself' method that ties it closely to how you truly want to be seen - by others and yourself. If your life's a wreck, Lakeysha offers you a good read that you can carry with you for the rest of your life.