Becoming by Michelle Obama Reviewed by Elizabeth H. Cottrell 5 stars out of 5 This absorbing and compelling memoir not only told a remarkable story, but it also offered practical but inspiring examples of perseverance, resilience, courage, and vulnerability, all juxtaposed with human frailty and the challenges of dealing with those whose lives are so […]
Books and Reading
Book Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Reviewed by Elizabeth H. Cottrell 5 stars out of 5 What a strangely beautiful, wildly imaginative, and profoundly moving book. The narrator is Death, who—unexpectedly—has both a sense of humor and the capacity to be touched by poignant acts of love, generosity, and courage. The story itself—told from Death’s […]
Book Review: Let Your Life Speak by Parker J. Palmer
If you’ve ever struggled with wondering where to take your life next, Let Your Life Speak, by Parker J. Palmer, will be your guide and teach you to listen for your calling instead of struggling to attain goals that you were never meant to attain. This review has been pulled from Heartspoken’s archives and updated […]
Book Review: Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver
Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver Reviewed by Elizabeth H. Cottrell 5 stars out of 5 I sometimes quip that I read nonfiction because it makes me think and fiction because it makes me feel. This book made me think and feel, with several factors contributing to its excellence: an unusual and interesting premise, well-developed and complex characters, a […]
Learn To Set Healthy Boundaries
Giving is good…until it’s too much. Let’s talk about setting boundaries. This is updated from an earlier post, but the message is even more important than ever for those striving to live the Heartspoken life. It’s important to remember that while generosity and giving of ourselves is essential, if we don’t set healthy boundaries, we […]
Book Review: Grief Works by Julia Samuel (a helpful primer)
We cannot escape death and grief, so we must learn how to deal with them. Grief Works: Stories of Life, Death, and Surviving by Julia Samuel Reviewed by Elizabeth H. Cottrell 4 stars out of 5 [NOTE: this is a more detailed review than the one I posted on Amazon and Goodreads.] Grief Works was highly recommended […]
Interview With Christian Author Shelley Jarl
Who knew the story of Noah had so much to teach us about surrendering to God during our most trying times? Shelley Jarl, author, blogger, and Christian writer, is the administrator of the Faithful Bloggers Facebook group I’ve belonged to for a while. When she reached out to group members to help her promote her […]
10 Great Reasons To Keep A Reading Journal
Reading unlocks ideas and worlds Reading is my ticket to access wisdom, insights, experiences, and cultures I could never acquire otherwise. It thrills me to immerse myself in another time, another country, or another world without ever leaving my chair. My heart swells with hope and inspiration when I read motivational literature or when the […]