Books Archives - Room for Joy

Seven Tenets of Essentialism from Greg McKeown

Posted on October 14, 2021October 14, 2021 by Joy

When Greg McKeown’s new book, Effortless, hit the shelves, I couldn’t wait to read it. Who wouldn’t want to read a book promising to “make it easier to do what matters most”? I checked it out of my local library and spent two weeks devouring every word. Immediately, I knew I had to go back and read Essentialism again. If you aren’t familiar with Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, it is the million-copy international best seller that McKeown released in 2014. I first read it in 2018. At the time, I was decluttering my house and reading all the Read more…

Reading Roundup: Fiction Challenge of 2020

Posted on January 28, 2021January 29, 2021 by Joy

At the beginning of 2020, I partnered with a friend for a year-long fiction reading challenge. She and I love to read, but we tend to favor non-fiction. In an effort to broaden our reading repertoire, we committed to reading at least six novels in 2020, and we held each other accountable. (Mostly, she kept me on track because I’m a slower reader!) Here’s a recap of the books we read: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah The Great Alone is the story of Ernt Allbright, a troubled Vietnam veteran who moves to Alaska with his wife and daughter for Read more…

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Ten Takeaways from Kristen Welch’s Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World

Posted on November 30, 2020November 30, 2020 by Joy

Let me start with a story about something that happened in my own life while I was reading Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch. One afternoon, I was sitting on the sofa, taking a little rest after doing my chores for the day, when I received a text from my 13-year-old son: “The bus driver missed our street AGAIN.” He had been spending an hour on the bus every afternoon because the driver consistently missed the turn on to our street, only coming back at the end of her route to drop him off last. I Read more…

Book Review: Let it Go by Peter Walsh

Posted on October 4, 2018January 13, 2021 by Joy

Let it Go by Peter Walsh is a valuable resource for anyone who needs to downsize. Whether you are moving to a smaller home or trying to declutter your current home, Walsh offers a step-by-step plan that frames downsizing as a positive change rather than a difficult chore. He also gives helpful advice for those who are downsizing their parents’ home. You may remember Peter Walsh as the professional organizer on the TLC show, Clean Sweep. In his charming Australian accent, he challenged homeowners to empty a room onto the front lawn, separating their belongings into piles labeled KEEP, SELL, Read more…

Book Review: Margin by Richard Swenson

Posted on March 1, 2018January 13, 2021 by Joy

At the beginning of 2018, did you choose a “word of the year” for yourself? I like to choose a word, verse, or motto to help me set my intention for the year. A few years ago, I picked the word “margin.” I don’t remember exactly where I first learned about the concept of margin, but I had seen the term pop up in several articles and blog posts about minimalism. I was feeling stretched thin at the time, and the idea of margin in my life was enormously appealing. I craved space. Space to breathe. Time to think. Energy Read more…

Favorite Children’s Books for Little Readers

Posted on December 7, 2017December 7, 2017 by Joy

I’ve had a little reader in my house for about ten years. When my oldest son was a toddler, he was always bringing me books to read with him. He developed a love for books before he could even talk, let alone read. Now my youngest is in first grade, and I’m savoring every fleeting moment that we spend snuggled on the sofa, reading a book together. I thought it would be fun to compile a list of our favorite children’s books since it’s Christmas time, and any of these would make a great gift for the little reader in Read more…

Liane Moriarty’s Latest Novel: Truly Madly Guilty

Posted on September 21, 2017January 13, 2021 by Joy

One day, a couple of years ago, I went to the library by myself. This was a noteworthy occasion because I usually go to the library with two little boys and leave with a huge stack of books about trucks, animals, and dead presidents. On that particular day, I decided to wander into the grown-up section, and pick out a novel for myself. I chose What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty. It was the best book I had read in years! When I found out she had written several other books, I vowed to read them all. Liane Moriarty is Read more…

Book Review: Unbroken

Posted on June 1, 2017January 13, 2021 by Joy

Ever since Laura Hillenbrand’s book, Unbroken, became a movie in 2014, I’ve wanted to read it (then see the movie!). I recently found a copy on the shelf at my local library, but was almost deterred by its size. I don’t often read 400-page books, and was afraid it would take me a month to finish. I checked it out anyway, then went home and read it cover-to-cover in three days. I could not put this book down! Even though I knew how the story would end, I was in total suspense, reading frantically, and constantly wondering, “What’s going to Read more…

Book Review: The More of Less

Posted on April 12, 2017January 13, 2021 by Joy

A few years ago, I discovered Joshua Becker’s blog, Becoming Minimalist. At the time, my husband and I were anticipating a move, and preparing to downsize to a smaller house. Becker’s posts have inspired me again and again as I’ve walked the path from de-cluttering to downsizing to embracing minimalism. Now, truth be told, anyone who walked into my home would not describe it as “minimal,” but that’s ok. If I’ve learned anything from Joshua Becker, it’s that minimalism looks a little different for everyone. His latest book, The More of Less, describes his minimalist experience. It all started with Read more…