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Hidden Treasures
"Hidden Treasures" is the story of 3 women finding their way through the CHAOS of being a mother, student, employee, and wife. Along the way they stumble onto some treasures that allow magical things to occur as they follow the simple routines set out by the FlyLady; finding peace and joy in all they do. This joy is available for all who venture into this wonderful, never ending story.
- GenresSelf HelpNonfiction
226 pages, Paperback
First published November 27, 2013
55 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
September 27, 2014
There's been an opening for a long, long time for someone to write a novel like this, recounting the transformation that can be brought about in the life of a person practising the Flylady system. I even considered writing one myself, but never did anything about it; it just isn't the kind of thing I do. But I am so glad that someone has finally tackled the job, and made a great success of it too.
The theme of a person in trouble turning her life around is always popular, and with good reason. The problems faced by the book's protagonist, Courtney, and the writer of the diary she finds, Gina, are on some level familiar to most of us; we've either suffered from them ourselves or known someone else who has. In these days when every print and electronic medium urges us to acquire, acquire, acquire, the problems that can result from their influence are just as life-destroying as alcoholism or a gambling addiction. Hidden Treasures is a message of hope to everyone who's ever struggled with clutter or seen his life spin out of control.
Not only that, though. Unlike the problem fixes in most novels, Flylady is not fiction. Ms Cilley, the Flylady, is a real person, and all of the things described in Hidden Treasures - the books (Sink Reflections and Body Clutter), the email service, the Flylady Calendar, the Flylady System itself - are real, and apart from the books and calendar, can be had freely at no cost whatever by anyone who wants them, just by going to Flylady.net and signing up for them. That fact makes this book unique in my experience.
The theme of a person in trouble turning her life around is always popular, and with good reason. The problems faced by the book's protagonist, Courtney, and the writer of the diary she finds, Gina, are on some level familiar to most of us; we've either suffered from them ourselves or known someone else who has. In these days when every print and electronic medium urges us to acquire, acquire, acquire, the problems that can result from their influence are just as life-destroying as alcoholism or a gambling addiction. Hidden Treasures is a message of hope to everyone who's ever struggled with clutter or seen his life spin out of control.
Not only that, though. Unlike the problem fixes in most novels, Flylady is not fiction. Ms Cilley, the Flylady, is a real person, and all of the things described in Hidden Treasures - the books (Sink Reflections and Body Clutter), the email service, the Flylady Calendar, the Flylady System itself - are real, and apart from the books and calendar, can be had freely at no cost whatever by anyone who wants them, just by going to Flylady.net and signing up for them. That fact makes this book unique in my experience.
December 28, 2013
Loved this book - read it in one night, couldn't put it down. As someone who already knows Flylady principles, it was a reminder and inspiration to jump in where I am (as Flylady would say). I enjoy when things are fun. I hate work that feels like work. Like the characters in the book, I struggle with staying organized and often feel defeated. I have conquered some things. I always dress to shoes but I don't get rid of clutter and I often lose momentum. The characters in the book reminded me that I can always jump back in and start where I am. For people that Flylady is a new concept, the book does a great job of making you understand.
August 31, 2016
As a stumbling fly baby, a lot of things snapped into place that I hadn't figured out from the Sink Reflections book and the email. Hidden Treasures sets out the system in a way that will helps those of us who need the complete picture of how it works. It's also helpful to have an example of how taking it babystep by babystep can work. Thank you!
April 23, 2015
Wonderful and kind
Wow, I am not quite sure what to say. This book is beautifully written. It is a very quick and fun read. That's the surface part. Underneath is the Flylady, and her brilliant and loving system of helping people recover from chaotic homes filled with so much clutter that we despair of ever unburying ourselves. If this you or someone you love, share this book. I got this to read for free from Amazon's kindle unlimited program. I think I am going to have to buy it!
Wow, I am not quite sure what to say. This book is beautifully written. It is a very quick and fun read. That's the surface part. Underneath is the Flylady, and her brilliant and loving system of helping people recover from chaotic homes filled with so much clutter that we despair of ever unburying ourselves. If this you or someone you love, share this book. I got this to read for free from Amazon's kindle unlimited program. I think I am going to have to buy it!
August 22, 2014
A Life Changing Book
A Life Changing Book
I would recommend this book to anyone who feels so frustrated with the way their home and life is. Baby Steps! You will see!
A Life Changing Book
I would recommend this book to anyone who feels so frustrated with the way their home and life is. Baby Steps! You will see!
December 17, 2021
This is a novelized FlyLady self-help book with poor formatting. I have the ebook version. The formatting is practically non-existent. There are no page breaks in any of the introductory information (such as the title/author information on one page, copyright/disclaimer on another, and the start of the book on another), and there are no page breaks between chapters. The chapter number and title are bold, but that's it. At the end of the book, there's not even a line break between the last sentence and "The authors" (which is in normal typeface). The table of contents feature does work, fortunately.
Now to the content of the book. I borrowed it through Kindle Unlimited because it mentioned FlyLady (Marla Cilley), who I am very familiar with from years ago. I don't know if I read her book, Sink Reflections, that is heavily referred to in this book, but I did read lots on her website, got her e-mails for a long time, started a Control Journal, and even bought some of her products (I still have a FlyLady magnet on my fridge). I was curious how she would be interwoven into a novel.
This book feels like a testimonial within a testimonial (there's a diary that our protagonist is reading that takes up so much of the book I feel I know the diary-writer, Gina, better than the protagonist, Courtney) with another semi-testimonial interwoven in the diary and one mentioned near the end. It is heavily laden with FlyLady terminology and direct lines from the e-mails and book. It sounded way more like a FlyLady work than a novel mentioning some of the FlyLady tools in the narrative.
Midway through the book, I looked at the authors because I was starting to get offended on the FlyLady's behalf. It seemed the book was trying to capitalize on her work, and that didn't sit right with me. Paddi Newlin is the FlyLady's sister, and Jessica Oliver is Paddi's daughter (so the FlyLady's niece). That made me feel a little better, as I'm assuming (hoping) that they got the FlyLady's permission to use that much of her work in this novel.
The third author is "K. R. Hartley," or Ken Hartley. This is part of Ken's Amazon author profile: "He is a Certified Speaker, Trainer, and Coach with The John Maxwell Team as well as an Advanced Certified Human Behavior Consultant with Personality Insights and Dr. Robert Rohm." Hartley's profile goes on to list his inspirational speaker experiences and says, "He loves to encourage and challenge people to overcome limiting obstacles and step into their God-given destinies."
That's when it hit me: This is an inspirational "speech" in the guise of a novel. I suppose that shouldn't bother me, but I didn't get that feeling from the book's description. Reading the description again now, I see it, and the Best Sellers Rank in the Amazon listing has it in Self-Help as well as in Family Life Fiction. I'm sure it's fine for a lot of people (especially those who haven't heard of FlyLady and will likely look her up after reading this book), but for those of us wanting to read to escape, Hidden Treasures almost felt like a lecture, or (at the very least) an encouragement to get up and do a 15 minute decluttering or cleaning.
About the story itself, it was interesting. I always like reading testimonials, but not usually a few hundred pages of them. There were some continuity errors (for example, Gina's son Ethan is referred to as Nate a number of times and Nathan once, and Courtney's mother-in-law's visit seemed to jump a week or more). Also, there were some proofreading errors, but not so many that it threw me out of the story.
I will say that the last few chapters were good, and the story was wrapped up nicely. That redeemed the book some in my eyes, but I still was left with a bit of restlessness instead of enjoyment that I usually have after reading a novel. If I wanted a self-help book, I would have sought out a self-help book.
Now to the content of the book. I borrowed it through Kindle Unlimited because it mentioned FlyLady (Marla Cilley), who I am very familiar with from years ago. I don't know if I read her book, Sink Reflections, that is heavily referred to in this book, but I did read lots on her website, got her e-mails for a long time, started a Control Journal, and even bought some of her products (I still have a FlyLady magnet on my fridge). I was curious how she would be interwoven into a novel.
This book feels like a testimonial within a testimonial (there's a diary that our protagonist is reading that takes up so much of the book I feel I know the diary-writer, Gina, better than the protagonist, Courtney) with another semi-testimonial interwoven in the diary and one mentioned near the end. It is heavily laden with FlyLady terminology and direct lines from the e-mails and book. It sounded way more like a FlyLady work than a novel mentioning some of the FlyLady tools in the narrative.
Midway through the book, I looked at the authors because I was starting to get offended on the FlyLady's behalf. It seemed the book was trying to capitalize on her work, and that didn't sit right with me. Paddi Newlin is the FlyLady's sister, and Jessica Oliver is Paddi's daughter (so the FlyLady's niece). That made me feel a little better, as I'm assuming (hoping) that they got the FlyLady's permission to use that much of her work in this novel.
The third author is "K. R. Hartley," or Ken Hartley. This is part of Ken's Amazon author profile: "He is a Certified Speaker, Trainer, and Coach with The John Maxwell Team as well as an Advanced Certified Human Behavior Consultant with Personality Insights and Dr. Robert Rohm." Hartley's profile goes on to list his inspirational speaker experiences and says, "He loves to encourage and challenge people to overcome limiting obstacles and step into their God-given destinies."
That's when it hit me: This is an inspirational "speech" in the guise of a novel. I suppose that shouldn't bother me, but I didn't get that feeling from the book's description. Reading the description again now, I see it, and the Best Sellers Rank in the Amazon listing has it in Self-Help as well as in Family Life Fiction. I'm sure it's fine for a lot of people (especially those who haven't heard of FlyLady and will likely look her up after reading this book), but for those of us wanting to read to escape, Hidden Treasures almost felt like a lecture, or (at the very least) an encouragement to get up and do a 15 minute decluttering or cleaning.
About the story itself, it was interesting. I always like reading testimonials, but not usually a few hundred pages of them. There were some continuity errors (for example, Gina's son Ethan is referred to as Nate a number of times and Nathan once, and Courtney's mother-in-law's visit seemed to jump a week or more). Also, there were some proofreading errors, but not so many that it threw me out of the story.
I will say that the last few chapters were good, and the story was wrapped up nicely. That redeemed the book some in my eyes, but I still was left with a bit of restlessness instead of enjoyment that I usually have after reading a novel. If I wanted a self-help book, I would have sought out a self-help book.
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December 31, 2013PERFECT! LOL!!!
If you are familiar with Flylady and want new inspiration, or if you want to take the next step... OR If you have never heard of Flylady... Wherever you might be in your journey... I highly recommend this lovely story.
I found this book very easy to read and I became engaged in it immediately. I expect I identified with it a bit too much. It has definitely inspired me to take my routines to the next level.
Thank you for the wonderful gift. I will be reading this story over again!
If you are familiar with Flylady and want new inspiration, or if you want to take the next step... OR If you have never heard of Flylady... Wherever you might be in your journey... I highly recommend this lovely story.
I found this book very easy to read and I became engaged in it immediately. I expect I identified with it a bit too much. It has definitely inspired me to take my routines to the next level.
Thank you for the wonderful gift. I will be reading this story over again!
March 3, 2015
A lifetime system
Hidden Treasures is a great story about how FlyLady can change lives. FlyLady is for every one that is a perfectionist. We fail at keeping our houses and life in in order. Thanks to her 3 women in this book learned they were good enough. A must read for people living in chaos.
Hidden Treasures is a great story about how FlyLady can change lives. FlyLady is for every one that is a perfectionist. We fail at keeping our houses and life in in order. Thanks to her 3 women in this book learned they were good enough. A must read for people living in chaos.
April 13, 2014
This book is one of the finest I have read. Not only is it inspiring, it is heartwarming. I recommend that anyone who feels overwhelmed with life read this book!
this book is not only inspiring, it is heartwarming. I recommend this book to anyone who feels overwhelmed with life!
this book is not only inspiring, it is heartwarming. I recommend this book to anyone who feels overwhelmed with life!
June 3, 2014
A wonderful book. If you are a FlyBaby (a follower of FlyLady) you will enjoy it all the more, as you will recognise the jargon used and sentiments felt. If you aren't, it will prod you towards investigating such a ray of hope...
August 22, 2014
As a story it's hard to understand unless you know about Flylady, if you want to learn about the Flylady system you won't get it from this book but if you know about Flylady this is an ok but predictable story written by Flylady's sister, niece and employee.
July 11, 2014
Amazing Story
I have been a Flylady fan for years. This book puts it all into perspective with a wonderful story woven in. A MUST read for everyone!
I have been a Flylady fan for years. This book puts it all into perspective with a wonderful story woven in. A MUST read for everyone!
October 21, 2014
Great illustration of how Flylady can change a life
For those who have not yet met FlyLady this is a wonderful introduction and will hopefully make it clear that you are not alone
For those who have not yet met FlyLady this is a wonderful introduction and will hopefully make it clear that you are not alone
January 8, 2015
Exactly what I needed!
This has given me the boost I've needed to get my own home and life under control. Reading the journey of Gina and Courtney was icing on the cake!
This has given me the boost I've needed to get my own home and life under control. Reading the journey of Gina and Courtney was icing on the cake!
August 18, 2014
Several years ago I was drowning in clutter and overwhelmed by the stress of adopting one baby then finding out I was pregnant and then finding out my Dad had incurable cancer and then becoming the victim of harassment at work. I was avoiding dealing with my life because I felt incompetent for the task. Then I discovered Pam Young and Flylady and realized that not only was I not the worst in the world at handling life, I was one of many and there were people with a simple system of babtsteps who had already dug themselves out of the same traps I was in. I laughed at how impossibly simple their answers were but laughed even more when they worked. I started by shining my kitchen sink and ended up by raising two wonderful young men and publishing three novels and keeping a home and enjoying my job. And through it all, Flylady and her encouraging sayings have become a part of my self guidance system.
This book turns the way Flylady helps us into a story with characters we can identify with as they make the now familiar journey from chaos to joy. It may not be meant as a self help book in the same way Flylady's books are - but it is one, as well as being a quick and delightful story in its own right.
Unless you were born organized you should find Flylady - and this story is an entertaining way to do so.
This book turns the way Flylady helps us into a story with characters we can identify with as they make the now familiar journey from chaos to joy. It may not be meant as a self help book in the same way Flylady's books are - but it is one, as well as being a quick and delightful story in its own right.
Unless you were born organized you should find Flylady - and this story is an entertaining way to do so.
September 9, 2015
If you are a FlyBaby you could well get great enjoyment out of this book.
However, if you're not, nor are you in need of housework motivation, then this book fails on a stand-alone basis.
It desperately needs to be proofread, and the layout (in the Kindle version I read) was convoluted. The conversations of the characters sounded forced and the plot was predictable in the extreme.
But, it does deserve two stars rather than one as fans of Martha Cilley, aka FlyLady, will appreciate the subject matter and terminology. And Ms Cilley herself is indeed a wonderful person worth learning about more.
However, if you're not, nor are you in need of housework motivation, then this book fails on a stand-alone basis.
It desperately needs to be proofread, and the layout (in the Kindle version I read) was convoluted. The conversations of the characters sounded forced and the plot was predictable in the extreme.
But, it does deserve two stars rather than one as fans of Martha Cilley, aka FlyLady, will appreciate the subject matter and terminology. And Ms Cilley herself is indeed a wonderful person worth learning about more.
December 29, 2015
I'm rating this with respect to what it is, which is a light read illustrating the FlyLady system. It is sweet and simple, and a fun, quick read for people who already follow FlyLady. The story lines are pat and neatly wrapped up.
I found the switches between the diary and the "present" jarring. The diary would go on for pages and pages at times, and when I got back to the "present," it was sometimes difficult to remember where the story had left off. (The present story, on the whole, was underdeveloped.)
Bottom line--it's quick and easy, and worth a read if you like FlyLady. If you don't already know the system and don't want to know it, it's probably not worth your time.
I found the switches between the diary and the "present" jarring. The diary would go on for pages and pages at times, and when I got back to the "present," it was sometimes difficult to remember where the story had left off. (The present story, on the whole, was underdeveloped.)
Bottom line--it's quick and easy, and worth a read if you like FlyLady. If you don't already know the system and don't want to know it, it's probably not worth your time.
March 5, 2016
I've followed the FlyLady system off and on since 2002 (mostly off), so when I saw this book mentioned in a testimonial after recently re-signing up for the daily emails, I decided to check it out. It is a pretty cool story, though it really is, as someone else noted, a book-length FlyLady infomercial. This fact makes some things implausible enough to nag at me while I was reading. That, along with several editing oversights, led me my rating of 4. Nonetheless, I do think I understand the process better after having read this book, and that may just make me more of an "on" FlyLady follower than I've ever been previously. :)
June 20, 2014
meh, good little book about a perfect world when using the FlyLady system can save your house, your marriage, your self... and you might also earn money by landing your dream job. Getting into a routine can make all your wishes come true and happiness will just be handed to you. Yeah, pretty unrealistic. But, it does encourage baby steps and makes you really believe that anyone can make the FlyLady system work for them.
January 22, 2014
Organization/letting go of clutter is a problem that many experience• Years ago. I found a book titled The Fly Lady which helped me and many others as well. This was written by members of the Fly Lady's family. Written as a novel., it was a reminder that change is possible with routines and persistence!
June 15, 2014
I loved this book. I have been reading and attempting to be a Flybaby for years and struggle with it still. After reading this book, it makes more sense to me, and I am once again working on flying (Finally Loving Yourself) which I really needed. If you struggle to balance life, home, kids, etc, it is worth the read. Well written and gives life to the characters. I am reading it again.
September 11, 2014
Treasures no longer hidden
as a working mom, I thought I would never get a handle on my housework and then I found this wonderful community of people just like me! the key has been to set your intention on creating routines. one routine at a time has changed my whole perspective.
as a working mom, I thought I would never get a handle on my housework and then I found this wonderful community of people just like me! the key has been to set your intention on creating routines. one routine at a time has changed my whole perspective.
July 1, 2015
I could not put this book down once I started reading it yesterday. Didnt stop until I was done:) This book touched me to my core. Its been a very long time since a book has resonated with me on such a deep emotional level. I laughed until I had tears and I also had tears of sadness and pain throughout reading this book. Highly recommend this book to any woman!!
June 19, 2015
Loved this book!
This is an excellent illustration of the Flylady system in action. It puts all the parts together in a cohesive whole. It's nice they show three different personalities using it.
I agree with other reviews that this is a Flylady book. I don't believe it was intended as anything else. I'm delighted they wrote it. I got a lot out of the examples.
This is an excellent illustration of the Flylady system in action. It puts all the parts together in a cohesive whole. It's nice they show three different personalities using it.
I agree with other reviews that this is a Flylady book. I don't believe it was intended as anything else. I'm delighted they wrote it. I got a lot out of the examples.
May 19, 2014
Campy but timely. Yes, it's predictable, and could have used some real editing to cut the repetitive parts. But if you read Sink Reflections a long time ago, this book is enjoyable and can give you some fresh inspiration.
June 14, 2017
Love it!
Read this book in one day. Identified with the characters and was cheering them on. Perfect read as we enter the holidays and approach the time of resolutions. Check out the Flylady website for the world's best organizing tips.
Read this book in one day. Identified with the characters and was cheering them on. Perfect read as we enter the holidays and approach the time of resolutions. Check out the Flylady website for the world's best organizing tips.
August 17, 2015
I've been flying for many years (since 2006) and this book brought up lots of emotions. Was good to be reminded about how awful things were in my Pre Flylady days. And delighted to be given a fresh 'kick in the pants' to do even more and fly higher! :-)
June 2, 2017
Amazing book
This is an amazing book that brings home the Flylady's philosophy to jump in regardless of where you are. The reade is drawn into the story and the system. I highly recommend this book.
This is an amazing book that brings home the Flylady's philosophy to jump in regardless of where you are. The reade is drawn into the story and the system. I highly recommend this book.
December 28, 2013
Cute story with some organiational advice too! Now I want the Sink Reflections book too!
January 2, 2014
Truly inspirational!
I think this is well written. Hard to put down. Loved the surprise twists the plot takes. Great book I highly recommend it!
I think this is well written. Hard to put down. Loved the surprise twists the plot takes. Great book I highly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews