Rating: 
Summary: Walk into maturity
Review: After reading the other reviews, I just have to write my own--because I actually bought this book. I have read and re-read Simple Abundance and Something More, so I am a fan of SBB. This book is not as evil as has been reviewed. However, I must say, if you are a Christian who does not allow her children to read Harry Potter because it is "evil," then this book is not for you. SBB does discuss magic and witches in the sense of Glenda the good witch from the Wizard of Oz.What I do appreciate about the book is the encouragement to view my everyday activities in a different light. Enjoy my pillows, enjoy selecting my books for vacation, enjoy having a comfortable nightgown to sleep in. Think about what would give me pleasure, not just please everyone else. Let go of perfectinism. I look forward to reading the book over the next year. I look forward to apprectiating my senses more--which is the whole premise of the book.
Rating:
Summary: Sensory rewards.
Review: An inspiring and enlightening work that is very appropriate considering all the depression, anxiety, uncertainty and pessimisim we see all around us. This book is clearly written for women and truthfully I bought it for my wife. But, while she was reading it, I started scanning it and was drawn in. The author suffered a head injury that deprived her of sensory input. One by one, she regained her senses, but gained a new appreciation for life as she rediscovered the abundant joy to be found in simple everyday pleasures. It may sound trite, but I assure you, it's not. You can't help but become more aware of life's blessings when you read this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointingly Ordinary
Review: As a delighted fan of _Simple Abundance_, I eagerly anticipated Sarah's latest work. However, before you buy this book or even spend time reading it you should know that it is on a far lower par then her previous books for the following reasons: 1. The poor writing: Writing style is hurried and affected with frequent employement of exact same phrases [where in the world did her sudden addition to the word "Toots" come from?!], verbs [all her quoted sources either "admit," "note," or "confess"], and other shortcuts. Lacks creativity and is effortlessly contrived. Occasionally jarring incorrect grammar. Her publishing house needs to assign competent proofreaders for the next edition. 2. The illogical format: Though the books is divided into months, there are no individual dates for each essay! Not sure of the logic behind that and don't like it at all. 3. The preoccupation with the wonders of witchcraft: Why so much preoccupation with witchcraft, Sarah? Are you trying to ride the coattails of J.K. Rowling's success or have you really converted to wicca in the scant two years since SA came out? 4. Readers be warned: this book contains hundreds of applications for essential oils and almost as many ways to comfort yourself if you're single. That's great if that's you but tedious if it's not. By the December section, I was ready to scream if I read another mention of the author's divorce, her daughter, or the miracles of essential oils. This book manages to alienate anyone who's allergic to fragrances or in a relationship; if you opt for "unscented' or are happily coupled, Sarah can't relate to you very well it would seem. 5. What IS good about it: The book earned two stars from me because the cover painting is pretty, the green satin bookmark is handy, and the interior vintage photos are intriguing. Thank goodness I checked this one out of the library rather than wasting my money.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful reminder to savor life
Review: As a longtime SIMPLE ABUNDANCE (SA) fan, I was excited to hear that SB was coming out with a new day book. (I have been re-reading SIMPLE ABUNDANCE for a while now!). ROMANCING the Ordinary is lovely to look at and the essays are pure SB -- comforting and informative, as always. One of the things that made "SA" so helpful and appealing was its daily entries. While "Romancing the Ordinary" is divided into 12 months, there are no daily entries -- so you simply read the essays for that month as you see fit. I am not sure why the publisher didn't encourage Sarah to make an essay for each day of the year, just as she did for "SA". For that reason alone, I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5. However, I do love the concept of day books, and I think women need them more than ever now that life is so busy, and often fraught with conflict. Writers like Sarah give us comfort and advice, and permission to enjoy and savor life instead of merely rushing through it. Sarah gives us old wisdom, new thought, and some wonderful quotations along the way. We need more of this!
Rating: 
Summary: I am not her target audience
Review: At least, I don't feel as if I am. I originally picked up Simple Abundance off of a coworker's desk while rebooting my computer for the nth time in a morning. Someone then gave me their mostly unused copy and on a lark, wrote out my response to the daily entries in my online journal, which garnered positive feedback, including someone giving me this sequel of sorts. I'm not sure I would've stuck with either without the feedback. This made both well-worth my time. (And yes, my readers gave me a 3rd daily essay book "Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much", which is already quite different. And, since I'm able to keep up with daily journal entries, possibly inappropriate.) I recommend reading this either near a computer search engine (or a classic library) and researching some of the people she mentions. Searching for some of the artists, painters, explorers and otherwise interesting historical figures mentioned in the book made it a stepping stone to a richer experience, which seems to be the goal. I also recommend a fourm that gets feedback, be it blog (I'm no celebrity, and yet I have an interested audience), discussion list or a group that periodically meets in person. Romancing the Ordinary is, as mentioned, less cute-fuzzy optimistic (I was fascinated by how she faced life changes, whether or not I agreed with her choices) and more earthy/pagan/wiccan/(women-positive). I regard this as a step forward. Nonetheless, it is a sequel. The original is still a better place to begin.
Rating:
Summary: Stick with Simple Abundance
Review: Despite a few annoying affectations, Simple Abundance is a classic due to the fact that it really captures the joys and frustrations of the busy contemporary woman's life in all its nuances. I spent a couple of hours reading Romancing the Ordinary in a Borders a few days ago, and decided not to buy it. It's boring, to be blunt, and I was expecting more of a simple "to do" book to awaken the senses. Parts are downright pretentious. I really feel no need to own or read this book; I will continue to re-read passages from Simple Abundance for many years to come. I find it sad when talented nonfiction writers re-write the same book over and over again (think Natalie Goldberg, Julia Cameron). They should take a page from Anne Lamott and take some risks!
Rating: 
Summary: A Romance for All Seasons
Review: I found it impossible not to be drawn to Romancing the Ordinary, at first simply for its beautiful cover. What I found inside was even lovelier! The style os this book harkens back to Simple Abundance as it calendars the year month by month, offering recipes and cozy home remedies. Sarah's signature narrative is in full effect with her personal anecdotes and insight, where it feels more like an exchange with an intimate friend. Though there is a noted change in her tone--sometimes she's nostalgic, others she is inquisitive and even sassy!
There has been so much tragedy in the past year that I think many of us are finding renewed significance in our everyday ordinary. Sarah takes that sentiment to a refreshing new level. Embedded between fanciful ways of revamping the blah of everyday routine, are nuggets of wisdom and practical proposals.
The book's foundation focuses on her intriguing idea that we can live life fuller simply by beginning to re-appreciate the power of our natural senses. In addition to the five physical ones, she tacks on wonder and intuition. Sarah's theory of Romancing Life translates seamlessly into Romancing Yourself. A practice that begins with self-knowledge. She shares her own realization that, the more you know how to make yourself happy, the easier it will be to recognize who will make you happy. And in the meantime, why wait for that someone? Do it yourself. Now what woman can argue with that?
Rating:
Summary: Best book I've ever read
Review: I have never enjoyed a book as much as this one. I have given 3 of my sisters a copy along with all of my girlfriends. This book has changed the way I live. A must for all women over 35! I have also bought extra copies to give my daughter-n-laws when they get older!
Rating:
Summary: sarah has done it again
Review: I have read Sarah's Simple Abundance each year since it came out. Now I find this wonderful book of hers too. I am so glad she chose to refer to God more in this new book. I love Sarah's ability to write as we live. She knows what it is to truly see, hear, listen, touch, and smell our lives. Please don't just glance at your child, look into your child. Don't just see a flower, see the Creator who made it bloom. And as the seasons in life and nature change, we too change and grow. We cannot do it alone. Live your life, every moment, every breath.
thank you Sarah.
Rating: 
Summary: Selfish
Review: I haven't read the book, but just from the review it sounds awefully self-centered. "Helping others isn't always worth it"?? Since when do we help others so it will be "worth it"? Just think a little more about the inuendos that the review talks about...
| 
