A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller

Parade magazine recently interviewed Brad Pitt and as part of the piece he was quoted as saying, “I wasn’t living an interesting life …” Have you ever had moments in your life when you thought those same thoughts?

His comment reminded me of a book I just finished reading called – A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller. And much like other books in my life, this one came highly recommended by a friend. And I am highly recommending it to you.

Miller's book is inspiring, funny, touching and real! Donald learns (though the help of a couple of movie producers who want to make a movie out of his life), that his life is not very interesting. In fact, he discovers that his life is boring. The book outline is creative and fun to follow - set up like a movie. We learn about the Character, we learn about his weaknesses, his dreams and his self-imposed limitations. And then, we get to watch the Character become a hero as he dares to live a more interesting story. He breaks through his own fears and changes his life one day at a time.

One of my favorite stories in Miller’s book is when he decides he is going to hike The Inca Trail in Peru. He was out of shape and committed to hiking it without doing any research so he goes to the Internet for facts … to his dismay he bumps into phrases such as – excruciating pain and stay away. Alas, he goes on the journey and sees his life transforming into something better than it was before. With each adventure he embarks on (asking the girl out, joining the gym, finding his dad, and biking across America), he finds himself living a better life.

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years is a beautiful doorway beckoning readers to start living better life stories.

I laughed out loud many times with this book and I also cried ... Miller is a great storyteller and with every word and page of this book - I found myself inspired to live a better life!


Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Religion/Spirituality/General

It's Never Too Late .. 172 simple acts to change your life by Patrick Lindsay

It’s Never Too Late … 172 simple acts to change your life
by Patrick Lindsay

How I found this book - I was wondering and wandering around Barnes & Noble one night and I spotted the bike on the front cover of this book and was instantly ‘sold’. I find it amazing how powerful a book’s cover is and can be.

Why I like it - This book is a little gem and I keep it by my bed. At night, I like to fill my mind with positive thoughts and energy (this helps promote good dreams) and positive energy in the morning!

Lindsay’s book is filled with simple suggestions and thought provoking quotes that make you realize that time matters and that it’s never too late to … cuddle, to be a self-starter, to let go, to find your rhythm or to fall in love.

Why you might like it – This book is calming, it's message gives hope and inspires one to think and reflect on the glorious gift of life and the little moments that matter.

Patrick Lindsay (website)

Book covers - they matter!

In the old days, books were sold without a cover and buyers would bind them according to their own desires or needs. Now, the book cover has become one of the most important selling components to a book. Over half of booksellers feel the cover design is the most important component.

If you are accepted by a traditional publishing house, they will design a book cover for your book. If you use a POD (print on demand) publisher, you can hire them to design a cover, or you can submit your own design. When you self-publish you either hire a freelance cover designer or design your own.

The average person spends 8 seconds looking at the front cover and 15 seconds on the back. It is a fact, that the front cover of a book is what draws the initial attention from the buyer, if he doesn’t like the cover, he won’t look any closer at the book.

Read the rest of the article here: (READ) http://www.speakwithoutinterruption.com/site/2009/05/the-importance-of-a-great-book-cover-design/

I like how Mitch Albom's books are branded with the brown paper bag feel and red outline, I like the plaid on the "Life's Little Instruction Book" and don't forget about Richard Carlson's "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" covers ... after all, it's the small stuff that makes the big stuff.

Book covers - they matter!

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

"Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom
Random House / 1997
Memoir

**Inspiring, touching and unforgettable.

Life's Little Instruction Book by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Life's Little Instruction Book by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Rutledge Hill Press
1991

** The introduction to this book is an all-time favorite and reminds me that a book's introduction matters!

"Emotional Vampires" by Albert J. Bernstein, Ph.D.

I’m a big fan of our public library. My daughter (who is 8) loves reading chapter books and a few days ago, we made a trip to the library to grab more “Judy Moody” books. The place where these particular books are stored happens to be near the self-help books. I love self-help books and often find myself wandering down the aisle checking out the titles.

My fingers were doing the walking (you know the routine – run your fingers along the titles) until you find one that jumps out at you. My hand stopped immediately on the spine of “Emotional Vampires: Dealing with People Who Drain You Dry” by Albert J. Bernstein, Ph.D.

WOW! What a title huh? I simply had to check it out and bring it home!

It’s been a very interesting read and I enjoy the Author’s insights, humor and tips for dealing with and protecting ourselves from the people around us that can suck the joy out of living!

It's a new year - I figure we might as well arm ourselves with tools to combat the tough stuff and people around us! :)

For more information visit: http://www.albernstein.com/id55.htm

"Live Inspired" by Michelle Sedas

Book Title: Live Inspired by Michelle Sedas
Publisher: The Walk The Talk Company
Release date: November 2009
Website: www.michellesedas.com

Michelle, what inspired you to write the book?
I'm so thankful for my life and each breath I've been given. I don't want to waste a single thought on negativity. I wrote the book to inspire others to have this same attitude and to Live Inspired.

What is your favorite chapter/quote or page in the book and why?
I just love the quote from Sally Cofer-Lindberg, one of the Inspired Living Cafe community members, "Living inspired is born in the awareness that this is it! We have one chance at life. And the wonderful gift we are given every morning is the choice of how we are going to live that moment, that day." She just sums up Living Inspired so well!

Do you have other books you have written? If yes, what are they?
Welcome The Rain and coauthor of The Power of 10%

Is there a particular event that stands out to you that helped you become an author?
It has always been a lifelong dream of mine.

Was there a person in your life who believed in you more than you believed in yourself? If so, who was that person?
My father has always valued my work and has often encouraged me to write.

What advice would you give to writers wishing to have their works published? Write a lot and read a lot.

Who is your favorite author? Marisa de los Santos

What is your favorite quote?
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.” Viktor Frankl

What is your main goal with your book?
My main goal is to inspire others to find the courage to live the life of their dreams!

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Michelle - Thanks for the book and for the interview! You are inspiring and I really enjoy your positive energy and outlook on life! :)