Gracious Living in a New World: How to Appreciate Each Day More

by Alexandra Stoddard

In our rush for newer, quicker, better, we seem to be missing out on what we fundamentally crave, a calmer, gentler, sweeter, and more gracious life. Is it easy to achieve such a life?
Definitely not.
Is it possible?
Absolutely, positively, certainly, yes.
In today's world of modern conveniences (voice mail, electronic mail, facsimiles, etc.) the work day for most North Americans has not been shortened, as anticipated and promised by the creators of these technologies. In fact, the opposite holds true, with management often expecting that more work will be produced in less time. People today are juggling family responsibilities, jobs, and social obligations. In their haste to achieve it all, something is still lacking. In Gracious Living in a New World, Alexandra Stoddard offers her ideas for achieving a gracious lifestyle. Her inspiration stems from the experiences she shared with her husband, Peter, when they moved from New York City to a little cottage in a tiny sea-side Connecticut village. Alexandra Stoddard's message is positive and practical. It is also relevant to everyone. City-slickers and village dwellers alike will find relief and refuge amongst Alexandra's trademark colorful pages. But most importantly, readers will find the inspiration to live a gracious life.

Genres: Self Help, Lifestyle, Nonfiction

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

ALEXANDRA STODDARD is a philosopher of contemporary living and author of many best selling books, including the classic Living a Beautiful Life: 500 Ways to Add Elegance, Order, Beauty and Joy to Every Day of Your Life, Choosing Happiness: Keys to a Joyful Life, Things I Want My Daughters to Know: A Small Book About the Big Issues in Life, and You Are Your Choices: 50 Ways to Live the Good Life. Alexandra's newest book Happiness For Two: 75 Secrets for Finding More Joy Together, published in January 2008, is now in its second printing.

Reviews

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so the Self-Help and Inspirational/Motivational sections of the bookstore are about the last places you would find me...just after the Computer or Business sections, which would be even more unlikely. But I'd come across several quotes of Alexandra Stoddard's, always thought they were simple common sense, and thought I'd give it a try. I had been looking for something to just sort of kick me out of my doldrums and thought this might be it. I really worked hard to not roll my eyes over her sweet little cottage in Stonington and live in that wonderful little village, and found some of the book interesting...if I'd wanted to read a memoir. Alas, Ms. Stoddard's life and mine are very, very different. There are aspects of hers that sound lovely...but this is not my life. I'd hoped for inspiration, but didn't find it. Teach me. Towards the end I got impatient and thought that her "Grace Notes" (which I also started on the 1st of January) will be much more the ticket. Daily, short snippets with a good quote by mostly well known people to begin. I think I can handle that. So far as "Finding Joy in Changing Times" is concerned...well, I think I've done all of the right things that I can do for my life, and just have to remember all of those little things for which I am grateful...like not spending time reading "self-help" books. Great lessons can be learned in so many places, and what I learned here is...too many books, so little time, and why didn't I stop reading this before I became impatient? I give it an "I liked it" because I found some of it interesting. Not useful, particularly, but interesting. Godspeed your fabulous life, Ms. Stoddard. Enjoy.

[Danielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretentious dribble. You need a marble countertop and cafe curtains to live simply. Also don't forget your NYC apt in addition to your simple village cottage. Apparently this book is for the 1% because the rest of us are trying to just keep it together.

[Jade Stoltz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved reading books by Alexandra. Sandy is genuine, creative, witty and always inspires me to live life to the fullest. I would love to meet her someday.

[Jackie Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when it first came out. A Christmas gift from my Mom, it is signed and dated by the author: December 1, 1996. Today is 29 Aug 2023, and I am enjoying flipping through it again and seeing my underlining of favorite parts and notes in the margins written with a purple pen 💜

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so hard to rate! There were times when this book resonated so deeply with me. Then there were times where I adamantly disagreed with her Zen worldview! Still the good parts were excellent! Definitely worth reading!

[Cws]

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