When I started reading this book, I was expecting ...
357585
When I started reading this book, I was expecting a smutty BDSM book. I was so wrong. The series "Finding Anna" is about Brianna, the heroine, that was sold into slavery until Stephen saved her. Could any man be as loving, caring and patient as Stephen? What an angel this man was. He practically put his own life aside to help Brianna recover. All four books are different stages of what happened to Brianna, flashbacks, her recovery and how Stephen helped her through all her ordeals. This series was dark and emotional but well worth reading.
1080608
We are all affected by other people's choices and behavior. We would do well to realize this every time we have a decision to make.

When I saw the chance to read and review Cynthia Ruchti's book, Ragged Hope, Surviving the Fallout of Other People's Choices, I jumped at the opportunity. It sounded like a book I really needed to read. I was excited for it to come.

When it did though, it fell short of my anticipation. I was expecting a book with some clear cut ideas on how to survive other people's choices. I looked forward to reading a book that gave me ideas in forging ahead when someone else's choice made my life difficult. Because that happens...a lot.  Instead this book was chapter after chapter talking about other people's poor choices, and how they affected others.

I actually could have dealt with that and loved the book, after the initial disappointment. I was doing just that, enjoying the book, until I posted a small portion of the book that really stood out to me, and someone commented that the quote was actually from Corrie ten Boom and not Cynthia Ruchti. I was further dismayed when Cynthia did not credit Corrie ten Boom at all, anywhere. I admit, I became a little cynical, wondering what else was a quote from someone else.

I did like the Scripture verses/passages at the end of each chapter.  And the cover of the book is beautiful. The chapters are short and are a quick, easy read.

I give the book 3 out of 5 turning pages. Please remember, I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of giving a review. All opinions are my own, and your opinion might be different, so you should check the book out for yourself.
1462776
When I first heard that this book was going to be released I thought that it would focus on Rani rebuilding her guild, her life in court and the problems that arise.  I found that to be incorrect.  There are only a few occasions when the Glasswrights' Guild is even mentioned.  This book takes place two years after the previous one and the condition of the Guild is the same as at the end of the previous book.  I was surprised that there weren't a few members of the guild around to help Rani.
I was also looking forward to how Rani was learning to deal with life at court.  This did not happen.  She does deal with a King's Court, but not in Morenia, so I was a little disappointed in that respect.
The method of storytelling did change.  The first book was entirely set in Rani's point of view.  In this book there were four different points of view, but the changes helped the reader to understand the events better.  However, I did enjoy the story, it just wasn't what I expected it would be about.  I do eagerly await the third book about Rani, The Glasswrights' Journeyman.
2578063
I kept expecting there to be a single event that would tie each smaller story together in a big way (murder, suicide, accident, etc.) but the book remains relatively subtle throughout. I was dying to know the resolution to many of the stories, and instead of being upset that the reader doesn't get to know, I'll chalk it up to the author's talent of describing characters in a way that doesn't require a linear conclusion....but I do admit at times I was thinking "and then what?". The reader is expected to connect a lot of dots. This book is definitely about the journey and not the destination, because there isn't any in the end, but it doesn't have to be a bad thing.
4899170
When I first started reading this book, I said uh-oh, I know where this is going. To my delight I was wrong. It was interesting and kept my attention.
3472770
I expected to read about the countries and cultures not - (got up, got ready, hit the road, got up got ready, hit the road, got up, got).  Well you get the idea.  I'm sure it was much more exciting than they made it sound.
2450168
For some reason I thought that it was going to be insightful. But maybe because I was expecting something that would be out of this world in the sense of picking up more information or information that I haven't heard of before.

Don't get me wrong I did learn very important key points that I will try to implement into my own life. The book has the key points in there. You just have to read it and pick up what you need.

Goof journeys
2958168
This was a surprise. I was expecting one thing and got something quite different. Although it did not meet my expectations, I think that is not the fault of the story or the writing.
2087845
When I started this book, I had hoped for some practical ideas of what it looks like to meet and live as a 'slow' church. I am currently a part of a group that is trying a different way (for us at least) of approaching living as the church. I expected some theological ideas as background, but it turns out that most of the book is that background with only a little about the 'how' (with the exception of the excellent final chapter).
259389
Want to read the rest of this series now. I wasn't expecting this book to be quite as grasping as it was
470689
This was not really what I expected, as it comes across as written by and for children.  I was expecting an adult
version, maybe looking back as a child.  Anyway, I did not finish the book.  After reading the first several pages,
I then just glimpsed through the balance of it.
3439349
I was expecting this book to be a rather bland take on a typical self-help theme, something along the lines of being providing excuses for those who are willing to put in the necessary hard work needed for excellence.

Wow.  That was incorrect.  Ben-Shahar starts by debunking the perfection as a goal (and perfectionism as a attitude), replacing it with the concept of "optimalism", optimizing outcomes against the constraints of reality.  He does this fully and from many angles.  And thus finding happiness outside of perfection

And then he takes the concept further linking it to deeper philosophical, emotional, and psychological concepts.

I had thought that the notion of abandoning the drive for perfection would be contradictory to my overall approach to life.  Instead, I learned that the converse is true.  And that has made this the most eye-opening book I've read in years.
4706068
Just when I thought I had the whole thing figured out, it took a turn that I definitely wasn't expecting.
3379154
This book was not what I expected.  But I actually enjoyed reading it once I got started.  It is very light reading.
3824492
I had no idea what to expect when first choosing this book. I was happily surprised.
4430787
This is not a bad book, it just didn't meet my expectations.
4970015
I have heard this book recommended by a number of people, so I thought I would read it--my disappointment comes from the fact that I expected it to be something of a "how to"--it is really just a report of this lay Brother who "practiced the presence of God."  Inspiring, yes, but not what I expected.