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"Don't Forget to Sing in the Lifeboats": Uncommon Wisdom for Uncommon Times
Uncommon times call for uncommon wisdom. It’s inspiring to hear from people who’ve graduated from the school of hard knocks, yet kept a sense of humor. People like Twain, Voltaire, Oscar Wilde. People who've said the thing so well that we all wish we'd said it. People who've been there, done that, and refuse to sugarcoat what they've learned. People who know, as Sherry Hochman puts it, that "Every day is a gift—even if it sucks."
From Kathryn and Ross petras, curators of craziness (and surprising smarts), comes a timely collection of reassuring
"Why is there so much month left at the end of the money?" —John Barrymore
"October. This is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to speculate in stocks in. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August, and February. " —Mark Twain
"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much." —Mother Teresa
"When one burns one's bridges, what a very nice fire it makes." —Dylan Thomas
"If you think you have it tough, read history books." —Bill Maher
And "Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats."
From Kathryn and Ross petras, curators of craziness (and surprising smarts), comes a timely collection of reassuring
"Why is there so much month left at the end of the money?" —John Barrymore
"October. This is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to speculate in stocks in. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August, and February. " —Mark Twain
"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much." —Mother Teresa
"When one burns one's bridges, what a very nice fire it makes." —Dylan Thomas
"If you think you have it tough, read history books." —Bill Maher
And "Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats."
389 pages, Paperback
First published May 20, 2009
181 people are currently reading
1755 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
April 11, 2022
A compendium of fine quotes!
August 13, 2017
A book of quotations, with no further narrative. But they're great quotations, for tough times!
December 31, 2014
Full of great quotes. You'll always be able to find a relevant one to your situation. It may shed a new perspective on what's going on, may make you reconsider things or just might make you laugh which is what's needed sometimes
February 26, 2020
When I get a little money,
I buy books; if any is left,
I buy food and clothes.
- Desiderius Erasmus
I buy books; if any is left,
I buy food and clothes.
- Desiderius Erasmus
September 24, 2024
Kathryn and Ross Petras’s Don’t Forget to Sing in the Lifeboats is an inspiring collection of quotations that feels like a much-needed daily go-to when navigating everyday life. As someone who finds comfort in wise, insightful and sometimes witty idioms, I was drawn to what this book had to offer, and after each time I picked it up, I felt uplifted, entertained, and more resilient.
The book’s premise is simple: a collection of quotes from famous thinkers, writers, leaders, and artists, all centred around the theme of surviving adversity with grace and humour. This isn’t just a compilation of inspirational platitudes. The Petras siblings did an excellent job curating a diverse and meaningful range of quotes that provide clarity and encourage perseverance. The title itself is based on a quote by Voltaire, and it perfectly encapsulates the tone of the book: even when life feels overwhelming, there’s always a different perspective we can embody, even one born of irony.
What I love most about this collection is its balance of practical wisdom and light-heartedness. Some may find similar books feel too dense or overly sentimental, but this one strikes a great balance. The quotes range from deeply philosophical musings to quick quips that’ll make you chuckle. There’s advice here for everyone, whether you’re looking for something profound to reflect on or a brief laugh to ease your stress. In many ways, the book feels like a reminder to take a step back, breathe, and find perspective even in the most difficult of moments.
One of my favourite quotes in the book comes from Walt Disney: “You may not realise it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” To me, this quote speaks to the idea that setbacks, failures, or harsh experiences can often lead to significant growth, learning, and ultimately, success—even if it’s not immediately apparent. Often, when something goes wrong and we face rejection or failure, it pushes us to reconsider our approach, work harder, or take a different path. In the moment, it might feel like a setback, but over time, these challenges can lead to personal growth or open doors to opportunities we wouldn’t have otherwise explored.
There’s a lot to be said for the structure of the book, too. The quotes are tagged with thematic labels that help guide you through different aspects of adversity, from fear and failure to courage and perseverance. This structure allows the reader to dip in and out depending on their current needs or mood, making it a great book to keep by your bed or even when you’re out and about. It’s a small, but chunky book, so carrying it isn’t much of an inconvenience.
If I had to point out any downside, it’s that the format, by its nature, doesn’t allow for much depth. These are quotes, after all, so they’re brief by design. While that makes the book easy to digest, it can sometimes feel like you’re left wanting more—more explanation, more context, more personal insight. However, I don’t see this as a major flaw since the book isn’t intended to be a deep philosophical text; it’s a pick-me-up, something to skim when you need a burst of positivity.
The illustrations scattered throughout the book are a nice touch. They’re simple and charming, and provide a creative complement to the text every so often. Sometimes it’s helpful to aid interpretation with visual representation, and although it’s subtle, this book does it well.
Overall, Don’t Forget to Sing in the Lifeboats is a lovely little book filled with pearls of wisdom, both deep and humorous. I found it to be soothing and stimulating. It’s a great antidote to the stress and chaos that life often throws our way. Whether you’re going through a difficult time or simply looking for a few words to brighten your day, this collection will likely have something for you. The Petras siblings have done an excellent job of compiling words that remind us of our resilience and offer perspectives of various forms.
The book’s premise is simple: a collection of quotes from famous thinkers, writers, leaders, and artists, all centred around the theme of surviving adversity with grace and humour. This isn’t just a compilation of inspirational platitudes. The Petras siblings did an excellent job curating a diverse and meaningful range of quotes that provide clarity and encourage perseverance. The title itself is based on a quote by Voltaire, and it perfectly encapsulates the tone of the book: even when life feels overwhelming, there’s always a different perspective we can embody, even one born of irony.
What I love most about this collection is its balance of practical wisdom and light-heartedness. Some may find similar books feel too dense or overly sentimental, but this one strikes a great balance. The quotes range from deeply philosophical musings to quick quips that’ll make you chuckle. There’s advice here for everyone, whether you’re looking for something profound to reflect on or a brief laugh to ease your stress. In many ways, the book feels like a reminder to take a step back, breathe, and find perspective even in the most difficult of moments.
One of my favourite quotes in the book comes from Walt Disney: “You may not realise it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” To me, this quote speaks to the idea that setbacks, failures, or harsh experiences can often lead to significant growth, learning, and ultimately, success—even if it’s not immediately apparent. Often, when something goes wrong and we face rejection or failure, it pushes us to reconsider our approach, work harder, or take a different path. In the moment, it might feel like a setback, but over time, these challenges can lead to personal growth or open doors to opportunities we wouldn’t have otherwise explored.
There’s a lot to be said for the structure of the book, too. The quotes are tagged with thematic labels that help guide you through different aspects of adversity, from fear and failure to courage and perseverance. This structure allows the reader to dip in and out depending on their current needs or mood, making it a great book to keep by your bed or even when you’re out and about. It’s a small, but chunky book, so carrying it isn’t much of an inconvenience.
If I had to point out any downside, it’s that the format, by its nature, doesn’t allow for much depth. These are quotes, after all, so they’re brief by design. While that makes the book easy to digest, it can sometimes feel like you’re left wanting more—more explanation, more context, more personal insight. However, I don’t see this as a major flaw since the book isn’t intended to be a deep philosophical text; it’s a pick-me-up, something to skim when you need a burst of positivity.
The illustrations scattered throughout the book are a nice touch. They’re simple and charming, and provide a creative complement to the text every so often. Sometimes it’s helpful to aid interpretation with visual representation, and although it’s subtle, this book does it well.
Overall, Don’t Forget to Sing in the Lifeboats is a lovely little book filled with pearls of wisdom, both deep and humorous. I found it to be soothing and stimulating. It’s a great antidote to the stress and chaos that life often throws our way. Whether you’re going through a difficult time or simply looking for a few words to brighten your day, this collection will likely have something for you. The Petras siblings have done an excellent job of compiling words that remind us of our resilience and offer perspectives of various forms.
February 4, 2019
3.5/5 This book was filled with cute quotes, funny saying, and bits of great advice. I enjoyed reading many quotes from an array of different people. Some quotes really made me laugh and some were genuine advice to follow. My one complaint is the format: each quote was given a category "ex. "Life Lesson," "Balance," "Rules to Live By, "Try, Try Again," etc), but there was no real structure to how the quotes were organized. I would have much preferred for all the quotes from each category to be grouped together, so that I could flip right to the section with the quotes in which I was particularly interested. Because of the lack of structure, I instead read the book from front to back, each quote in the order it was printed. Aside from that, this book was a fluffy, fun read with some great quotes!
March 7, 2021
I quite enjoyed this cute book, but I had to knock two stars off due to principle, after encountering a quote from Woody Allen. How one decided to publish a book with his name among such people as Marlene Dietrich , Albert Einstein, Bob Dylan, and other inspiring people, is beyond me. It is utterly tasteless to include him.
Edit: I now realize this was published in 2009, so I suppose it was different then, although still a 3 star book.
Edit: I now realize this was published in 2009, so I suppose it was different then, although still a 3 star book.
February 26, 2022
Un libro con muy buenas frases, además de ser fácil de leer es de esos libros que se pueden aprender mucho y de diferentes temas.
La motivación es muy importante en nuestra vida y en este libro podemos encontrar la inspiración que quizá nos hace falta por momentos.
Recomiendo este libro a todos aquellos que les gusten las frases motivadoras, pues este libro es completamente solo de frases y sin duda más de alguna puede ayudarte a encontrar la inspiración que necesitas.
La motivación es muy importante en nuestra vida y en este libro podemos encontrar la inspiración que quizá nos hace falta por momentos.
Recomiendo este libro a todos aquellos que les gusten las frases motivadoras, pues este libro es completamente solo de frases y sin duda más de alguna puede ayudarte a encontrar la inspiración que necesitas.
March 24, 2021
I really truly enjoy reading these 2 insatiably curious writers!! They are a treat to peruse and chuckle/think with. I gave them 4 stars instead of 5 simply because there is only one great thought per page and this wasn't necessary. Created the illusion of a book but it's really just a (highly enjoyable) booklet at best. Still worth have though!!
March 5, 2022
تحميل كتاب لا تنسى ان تغني في قوارب النجاة pdf كامل
تحميل كتاب لا تنسى ان تغني في قوارب النجاة pdf كامل اهلا بكم متابعي موقع منبع المعرفة في موضوع جديد حول تحميل كتاب لا تنسى
https://www.lesite24.com/2022/03/05/%...
تحميل كتاب لا تنسى ان تغني في قوارب النجاة pdf كامل اهلا بكم متابعي موقع منبع المعرفة في موضوع جديد حول تحميل كتاب لا تنسى
https://www.lesite24.com/2022/03/05/%...
December 26, 2020
Was given his book as a gift as I love quotes. There were a few good ones in here, but it was a weird mish mash of quotes that didn’t seem to have much rhyme or reason. Some of them left me shaking my head. Meh.
August 7, 2017
يحتوي الكتاب علي عدة حكم تفاؤلية لطيفة.
September 19, 2018
A great quote book that I can refer to at times if I’m ever feeling down or need encouragement. Many of the quotes were new to me as well.
May 15, 2020
Some good ones, some stupid ones. Best as a library check-out. I write the ones I love in a journal and have learned I do not need to own the whole book!
August 26, 2020
A wonderful coffee table pick up - for any seasons of life when you need to dig deep to find humour in life's unanticipated situations. Thanks for brightening our days!
December 29, 2020
Lots of good quotes
April 7, 2021
هاي
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2021
Great quotes from some of the best minds in history!
June 19, 2021
A lot of great and inspirational quotes!
Read
January 13, 2022yes
Read
January 19, 2022hi
January 20, 2022
قرارا
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2022
I want read the book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2022
عايزه لقراءه
February 3, 2022
تحميل
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2022
Good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews