A Year of Inspired Living: Essays and Guided Journaling for Self-Reflection

by Kelly Martinsen

As publisher of Natural Awakenings Long Island magazine , each month Kelly Martinsen writes a letter to readers that sets the tone of that issue's unique editorial theme. Four years ago, within two days of publishing her first letter, 'You Only Regret the Things You Don't Do,' a reader called to thank her for the thought-provoking piece that spoke deeply to her. Month after month, topic after topic, responses to Martinsen's editorial letters grew and readers were connecting with her words in life-changing ways.

A Year of Inspired Living is a monthly chapter book with weekly sub-chapters, compiling and expanding on Martinsen's letters leaving the last page of each week for the reader to write their own letter. Chapter topics love, commitment, faith, challenges, death, freedom, middle age, children, cancer, dog poop and more. Written in a familiar voice, A Year of Inspired Living speaks with wisdom, tongue-in-cheek self-effacing humor, and raw honesty to help readers reach into the hidden corners of their lives and develop a greater awareness of their own personal relationships and journeys. To help them reap the maximum benefit of their experiences, a reflection question and blank page follows each weekly entry, guiding and inspiring them to record their own life-story.

144 pages, Paperback

Published December 5, 2017

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you ready to dig deep? To laugh? To cry? To get real with yourself? This is not just a book to read, it's a book to work through. Don't get scared, you need this. We need to laugh and reflect, to cry and meditate on ourselves, our lives and our families. Kelly Martinsen brings so many different topics to light with this book and each one is so beautifully presented throughout the book. My favourite part is how she "keeps it real". She doesn't hide behind paper and pen, she opens up herself to the reader. It's like having a best friend to journal with all year. To share your passions, your thoughts, ideas and fears. It's heartwarming and eye opening at the same time. I can't wait to journey through this book all year. Ok..I must confess, I couldn't just read January and stop. I had to just take a peek at the next month, and the next. You will see... you just want to know what's next. A great way to start the New Year is to "get real", "write it down", and become a new YOU.
I was so graciously gifted this book by NetGalley for an honest and open review.

[Ann T · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and HCI Publishing for an ARC of this book in return for my honest opinion.

I skimmed the first few months hoping that inspiration would come but gave up by March when it was evident it was not a book for me. I couldn’t connect with the author or her purpose for the book. To me it seemed more like excerpts from the authors journal unravelling parts of her personal stories and the lessons or perhaps inspiration she has learned from them, with a few well chosen, apt quotes from wise people such as Mother Theresa.

I felt that the pages of writing starting each month could have been cut to a paragraph, with the lovely quotes intact. I also felt that the monthly question posed was scratching the surface of what an inspired life could be for me, rather than digging deep and really asking more heartfelt, questions.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to view this book.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!! I was fortunate enough to score an advanced copy. It was as if the author was talking directly to me. I couldn’t put it down. I binge read this in a few days. I plan to re-read and do my journaling. I’ve already started practicing the authors suggestions and feel different - better. I urge you to read and share with everyone. It will change you for the better. I highly recommend this book to everyone. We can all improve and change the way we view items. Live - Love in the moment and try to make the best of every day. We are all works in progress. Namaste

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a sweet and simple guide to start living in a more thoughtful manner. I did end up doing some of the activities in the book and they were helpful, but I don't think I would follow the ebook version for an entire year. I'm sure the book would be more accessible in a paper format.

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly don't know how to review A Year of Inspired Living. It was magical and inspiring, heart-warming and moving. I loved it and would recommend reading it for sure. I've read it several times and loved it more each time I read it.

Honestly, don't know what else to say about the book but it was magical and read it!