It’s satisfying to know I reached my goal of reading 24 books this year. I like saying goodbye to 2014 with a tidy check-mark on my list.
Some of the books were ones I’d meant to get to over a long period, and others I simply stumbled upon.
One such book was “A Lady in France” by Jennie Goutet.
Jennie’s journey from a seemingly ‘normal’ home into a world of alcohol, world travel, and dual citizenship is much different than my own, but what resonated with me was her desire for self-reflection and personal growth.
Her adventurous spirit is so relatable to me, and her travels fascinated me. I think I lived a bit vicariously through her story telling of living and working in Asia and Europe.
Jennie describes her struggles and self-discoveries with honesty, warmth, and a bit of heartache. There was much I could relate to, though are lives were (and are) very different.
I thought about my own unwritten memoir as I read hers, and felt a kinship of sorts. It gave me a new nudge to pick up my pen again and fill in the blank pages I’ve been staring at.
Perhaps increased writing will be my 2015 goal.
It should be noted that in return for my honest review, I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Book Crash (www.bookcrash.com). I hope you know me well enough to know my review was not influenced by the charity.
Wishing you and yours a very Happy, Healthy New Year!
How about you? What goals did you meet in 2014? Or what goals are you setting for 2015?
Jan 12, 2015 @ 04:10:04
Hi Denise, Thank you (!!!) for reading my book and for your sweet review. I would love to read your memoir when you finish it. And if you want some cheerleading in the process, I started a Facebook group for Christian Women who blog, which you are welcome to join if that sounds like something you’d like. It’s here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/christianwomenbloggersunite/
I so appreciate your taking the time to read my words and write about them. Hugs.
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Jan 24, 2015 @ 17:57:52
Hi Jennie! How lovely to hear from you! Thanks for taking the time to visit here and leave your thoughtful response and resources. I’m so behind in the blogging world right now… I will save your suggestions for the right time.
Best wishes to you and your family!
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Jan 11, 2015 @ 13:28:39
Happy New Year and congratulations on reaching your goal! Blessings on you as you write in the New Year!
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Jan 24, 2015 @ 17:56:06
Hi Allen,
Happy New Year to you too!
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Jan 09, 2015 @ 23:20:00
I’m a little late, but happy new year Denise 🙂
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Jan 10, 2015 @ 08:27:13
🙂 That’s okay, I’m falling more and more behind on the blogging world.
Happy New Year…I am always happy to hear from you Lizabeth!
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Jan 09, 2015 @ 06:02:14
Life feels good when we can accomplish a goal. Congrats and all the best on your goals for 2015!
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Jan 10, 2015 @ 08:26:29
Thanks Kate! Happy New Year to you and your family, too!
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Jan 05, 2015 @ 11:19:49
Sounds like an interesting book, Denise. Congratulations on reaching your goal. 😄
I’m still prayerfully brainstorming goals for this year. I’m a recovering goal-junkie, so this exercise is tough for me.
Happy new year!
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Jan 10, 2015 @ 08:26:05
Love your new picture, Lori! I heard Jack Canfield say once that people who write their goals down and read them every day are 73% more likely to achieve them. Isn’t that amazing?
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Jan 11, 2015 @ 14:33:23
I like that statistic, Denise. Thanks for sharing it with me. I need to heed that data and write down my goals. Maybe if I do, I’ll clear some room in my head for all the other important things I have swimming around.
I lived with so much chaos in my mind, but I’m slowly taking back that ground. It’s a wonder how I got anything done when I was suffering with severe PTSD. Seriously. Healing is so, so good. 🙂
Miss you. Let’s talk soon.
Love, Lori
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Jan 03, 2015 @ 05:39:45
Congrats on your goal. It’s always such a great feeling to accomplish a goal you’ve set for yourself. I fell a little short of my reading goal but more importantly I achieved my writing goal and finished the first draft of my novel so I’m super excited about that!!!
Happy 2015!!
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Jan 10, 2015 @ 08:24:51
Whoop whoop!!! Go Arlene! That is soooo exciting! I’m really happy for you and can’t wait to hear the next updates 😉
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Jan 01, 2015 @ 16:00:37
Hi Denise,
Congrats for reaching your goal! Have a wonderful 2015! Wishing you love, happiness and peace.
I never set any goals as I believe life flows on at its natural pace. I pay a lot of attention to the present moment and had a satisfying year.
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Jan 10, 2015 @ 08:24:07
Happy New Year to you, Balroop!
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Jan 01, 2015 @ 11:22:25
Wishing you a Happy New Year as well, Denise.
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Jan 10, 2015 @ 08:23:32
Thanks, Paulette! I hope you, hubby, and dogs are off to a good start!
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Jan 01, 2015 @ 08:57:43
Hi Denise, Happy New Year! I did meet some goals this year. I grew my wedding business and had a great summer and fall season. I’m looking forward to more weddings in the year to come.
I wrote about Un-Resolutions on my blog today and I think that’s the way I’m going to go. If you have time, check it out.
I hope you write more if you feel the nudge. I love to write and hope to keep doing it!
xo Joanne
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Jan 10, 2015 @ 08:22:52
That’s so exciting about your wedding business, Joanne! I’m really happy for you and your success! I’m heading over to read about your un-resolutions now!
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Jan 01, 2015 @ 04:42:33
I have often felt some encouragement from reading the works of others. I followed a lot of poetry blogs last year (2014) and now I have my poetry collection out with a few beta readers! Joyous New Year, Denise.
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Jan 01, 2015 @ 07:56:38
That is really awesome, Karen! My stomach does flip flops at the thought of getting to the beta reader level. Exciting but oh so vulnerable! 🙂
Happy New Year!!
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Dec 31, 2014 @ 23:59:40
Well done on reaching your goal of reading 24 books last year Denise – that’s quite an achievement! Good review on ‘A Lady in France’, it sounds like a good read. So what goal have you set yourself for 2015 – your memoirs perhaps?
Happy and health New Year to you and yours!
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Jan 01, 2015 @ 07:55:43
Hi Barb, yes, it really was a good read. I thoroughly enjoyed it! No more reviews for me, though. That part I don’t enjoy! Hmmm…2015 I do hope to do more writing, though I’d like to complete my novel before attempting my memoir. How about you?
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Jan 01, 2015 @ 12:05:52
Nothing exciting like you Denise – my goal for 2015 is to lose some weight and get healthy!
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Jan 10, 2015 @ 08:21:47
Those are always in the back of my mind, too! 🙂
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Dec 31, 2014 @ 22:59:54
No I didn’t reach my goals, but then I didn’t really set goals. Only the intention to be more compassionate which I did. Now it’s time for more action to root my dreams in love and life.
Happy New Years Denise.
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Jan 01, 2015 @ 07:54:15
Hi Brad, being more compassionate is a goal we should all be striving for! Maybe harder to quantify than a number but still a great idea…so glad you mentioned it!
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Dec 31, 2014 @ 21:24:54
Well done, and all the best for another great year of words 🙂
My goal was to complete a year of bible college (seminary). Not easy but I got there 🙂
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Jan 01, 2015 @ 07:53:01
Wow!! Ali that is quite an accomplishment! I’m incredibly impressed! Good for you!
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Dec 31, 2014 @ 19:15:54
Congratulations on reaching one of your 2014 goals, Denise. Best wishes for the new coming year!
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Dec 31, 2014 @ 19:16:30
Thanks Eric!
Happy New Year!
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