A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman

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Summary: A Year by the Sea is healing!
Review: I like this Joan Anderson - she has a lively, eccentric senseof humor & blithely puts herself in hilarious costumes &places. She does, however, put herself in some awesome meditational reaches. She's read a lot so the wise thoughts of others surface at appropriate times to walk her through her bottlenecks of fear into a broader consciousness. A deeply healing read & well worth it!...

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Summary: From one unfinished woman to another!
Review: Faced with an empty nest, a cusp in her marriage & a vacant soul this woman chooses solitude in a cottage by the sea. Here, with no one to take care of other than herself, she begins to hear her own song. With words as her trade, she records her adventures in taking elemental care of her small world, earning her keep & reinventing her relationships with husband & children. Her days are filled with meditating, practising self examination & reviving her forgotten soul. A wonderful read with lots of chuckles & tear drops.

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Summary: A Year by the Sea
Review: This series of journal entries trods the fine line between self-congratulatory self-pity and personal introspective travel with success and finesse. The emotional travails and dilemmas of a woman with the courage to honor a wrenching need for change at midlife are handled with sensitivity and depth.

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Summary: Joan Anderson: The Wise Friend I've Been Waiting For
Review: I am fortunate to have plucked Joan Anderson's "A Year by the Sea" from the myriad of books in the "Women's Issues" section of a Milwaukee bookstore. I was on a cherished break from mothering two toddlers. I sat in a chair in the bookstore, began to read and two hours vanished. I completed the book at home, well into the night (giving up precious sleep). I have often wished and pleaded for a wise woman mentor to help me through the delicate and confusing issues of wifehood and womanhood. Where does the constant giving end? Where do I began? Joan became that woman mentor/friend through her book. I am eager to read it again and write down the wisdom she offers. Peace without answers, peace in not having answers...this is the greatest gift I have received from "A Year by the Sea". I am telling all of my female friends to read this one!

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Summary: Why isn't this on the top ten best sellers list?
Review: WOW! Joan Anderson's eloquent descriptive text left me totally breathless. I read at least two books each month and her writing style tops them all. Without being corny, cute or commonplace as the tendency of so many of today's authors, her vivid scenes liken her to a camera with a wide angle lens and provide the brick and mortar for a wonderful story. This book should be read by all women. Not to say they would be able to do what she did -- get away for a year on their own -- but, in essence, her story does encourage the average woman to dig way down deep into a her soul for questions and answers she may seek. Joan and I have different interests and motivations, but when it comes to souls ... we're on the same plane. Great job, Joan. When is your next novel coming out?

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Summary: Stay at home mom escapes to the Sea.
Review: I read this book almost a year ago and still remember the feelings of escape I experianced while reading about Joan. I became her in my own desire to escape to Cape Cod. It would be impossible for me to actually follow her actions at this time in my life having two small children, but at least I could experiance the desire to through the author. At least now I know A Year By the Sea is not implausible! Thank you Joan!

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Summary: males and females, open your hearts and your senses to life
Review: I recently attended a storytelling evening given by the Marion Foundation with author Joan Anderson. I had no intention of purchasing Joan's book, but came away with such enthusiasm that I did indeed purchase her book, A Year by the Sea... When I opened the book a few days later, I devoted the entire day to completing it...I see this book as a wake up call to males and females to open your hearts and senses to life and its wonders. I could identify with Joan as she speaks about taking risks, laughing at oneself, really looking at nature and taking time for oneself! Life can be exciting and fulfilling when we take time to wonder at the world around us. These are the messages I came away with; I see her book not necessarily about her relationship with her husband, but with herself. I want to pass these messages along to my mother who needs to look around her at the wonders of life, to laugh, to take risks and to love herself.

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Summary: Wonderful
Review: She captures the uncertainty that all women who have been in a marriage or have been a mother for a long time experience. Some of the writing is absolutely beautiful. She doesn't particularly strike me as someone I would be personally close to but her journey is familiar.

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Summary: A sensitive book filled with words that touched my heart.
Review: Every once in a while you find a book that makes you take notice. This one does that and more. I found my head nodding, often saying to myself, she read my mind! Her words touched a place deep within me and have remained with me even now. All of us can appreciate what she encountered and each of us can learn from her discoveries. A wonderful reading experience I recommend to all women.

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Summary: maintaining selfhood within a relationship
Review: This story addresses an issue that haunts a number of relationships in our society--how to maintain selfhood within a relationship. I found the issues clearly stated and the text well written.