Make a List: How a Simple Practice Can Change Our Lives and Open Our Hearts

by Marilyn Chandler McEntyre

What if writing a list could literally change your life? ​ From the ancient book of Numbers to the latest clickbait listicle, list-writing has been a routine feature of human experience. Shopping lists. To-do lists. Guest lists. Bucket lists. Lists are everywhere you look.​ But what if our lists did more than just remind us to buy milk and take out the trash? What if the practice of list-making could help us discover who we truly are and even point us to our deepest joys, hopes, and desires?​ In  Make a List  teacher, writer, and wordsmith Marilyn McEntyre shows readers how the simple act of writing a list can open doors to personal discovery and spiritual growth. Deepening her reflections with abundant writing prompts and real-life examples, McEntyre turns the humble list into a work of art—one that has the power to clear minds, open hearts, and change lives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Productivity, Christian, Audiobook, Religion, Writing

202 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Marilyn Chandler McEntyre is a fellow of the Gaede Institute for the Liberal Arts at Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California, and she teaches at UC Berkeley. Her other books include Drawn to the Light: Poems on Rembrandt's Religious Paintings, In Quiet Light: Poems on Vermeer's Women, and Patient Poets: Illness from Inside Out.

Reviews

[ladydusk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really a 3.5.

Just read here and there, on occasion. I like McEntyre's writing style and her thoughts often challenge me to consider what I think on a given topic. I'm not much of a list-maker, personally. I read it because of the author. That probably affects the lower ranking, too. Just not as engrossing as some of her other books *for me.*

[Dre · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a chronic list-maker, I was immediately drawn to "Make a List" by Marilyn McEntyre and could not wait to read it. And I'm so glad that I had the opportunity. Not only does the book highlight the many reasons we make lists (or should, if we don't already), it offers so many suggestions of lists to keep.

"Make A List" is made up of three parts, explaining (1) why we make lists, (2) how we go about making these lists, and (3) "play lists" or fun lists everyone should make. Though there are several types of lists peppered throughout the book, I like how each part focuses on a different aspect of list-making. Reading along, I was encouraged to make lists of my own, inspired by the author. Many were fun, others were necessary, and quite a few were thought-provoking. Just reading the types of lists the author suggests, readers can tell she is a compassionate person. This made me admire the author even more.

I highly recommend this read to anyone who loves journaling and list-making as a form of self-reflection. I also encourage anyone that reads to do so with a beautiful journal and fountain pen at the side of them, as I did. Just make sure to take your time while reading it. Devour the words bit by bit, because reading about list-making for too long might start feeling like a chore instead of the eye-opening experience it should be.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

⭐⭐⭐🌟

[Benjamin Fife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to understand my wife better - LOVED IT
I received a promo copy of this audiobook & my opinions expressed are my own.
I requested this book because for 19 years, I've watched my wife when she's stressed out, grab a pen & paper & make a list & then she calms down. I've done it occasionally, but this book examines WHY we make lists, and encourages you to make lists for everything so that you know who you are & what you actually want. I saw a review of the book on Amazon that rated it at 1 star because its "a Christian Book" and doesn't advertise that upfront. I am Christian, and while this sometimes sites scripture, and its apparent Marilyn is Christian, it is not an "exclusively Christian book," and I think the author would even encourage you to make lists about what is positive or Negative about Christianity, religion, etc.

Overall, this is a book about helping you examine who you are in a beautiful, imaginative way. I recently assembled a list of books I've read in the last year for someone & it was an exercise I should do more often. I'm ordering the Hardback book for my wife for Christmas.
Ann Richardson's performance was superb and personal. I like when I'm listening to an audiobook, especially non-fiction, to feel like a friend is having a conversation with me & that's how this felt.
The only 2 things I did not like about this book (Let me list them!!!)
1- She lists off hundreds of Lists you should try throughout the book, but I couldn't write them down, as I was commuting.
2- It's only broken into 3 parts. So even if I wanted to go back & listen, "what was that list at the beginning of that section?, I can't because the three sections parts are over an hour long each. Could have been divided into much smaller files.

That being said, It was good enough I guarantee I'll listen to it again & I'm buying the hard copy because 3000 books at home is not enough. (I really should make a list just so I know).
I'd be happy to listen to anything else by Anne Richardson and anything written by Marilyn in the future.

[Conrade Yap · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the important things we do to help us remember is to make a list. We have shopping list; book list; grocery list; stationery list; school list; homework list; blog list; name list; and so on. Once we have the necessary items on the list, we would be assured that even if we forget some items in our heads, we have a dependable list written down somewhere. Most of the time, these lists are simply to help us remember stuff. What if the lists could do more? What if the lists:

Mirror something about us;
Works as an educational device;
Help us listen to ourselves;
Enable us to love;
Teach us how to let go of anxieties;
Facilitate our practice of prayer;
and many other uses?

What's really interesting is how the author is able to turn such an ordinary list activity into a device to practice spirituality. Part One is about the purposes and pleasures of making lists. This is the part that we are most familiar with. McEntyre takes us through the process and teaches us to discover small little opportunities for personal growth. She brings together a list of ideas with regard to the use of list making. Besides the practical lists, there are also lists to help us express our emotions. Why are we upset? What are the things we need to let go of? Why am I afraid of? What makes forgiveness so hard? What gives me joy? What could I pay more attention to? What are the risks worth taking? What are the things to do when down? Lists could even work out as a better "punching bag."


There are lists for poems, for instructions, for litanies; for writing down thoughts to help us make sense of our feelings and our reactions to things around us. McEntyre guides us along with her own lists of things she had written. On more than one occasion, such lists inspire the creation of other lists as well. Just like the way we use Microsoft Word's bullet features, lists help us put down long thoughts in short pointers.

My Thoughts
Allow me to list some of the powerful ways this book has inspired me.
- Write down a list to help me remember
- Write down my feelings about a particular person or about a specific event
- Making sense of big projects with bite-sized points
- Discovering details in the most ordinary and mundane things
- Thinking in small spurts rather than being bogged down by details

In a communications culture that are increasingly limited within a tweet of 126 characters; a text message; or a FaceBook quip; we should be quite comfortable about the concepts mentioned in this book. We have heard of the classics such as "Ten Commandments;" "Nine Attributes of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit;" "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People;" "Five Love Languages;" "Four Quadrants;" and all kinds of list-driven books. Even pulpits could be reduced to a 3-point or multi-point sermons. We all live by some kind of a list everyday, consciously or unconsciously. The difference is how long or short the list we live by. This book is based on a simple idea but practiced with lots of creativity and insight. It is not just a book about doing things. We could use lists like a microscope to zoom into greater details about something; a telescope to outline the broad picture of where we want to go; a stethoscope to detect the emotional pulses of our heart; a gyroscope to anchor ourselves on a big idea while we let ourselves loose in brainstorming topics around that idea; etc. We can even create prayer lists. The lists are endless because ideas have no limits. Do not be deceived by the simplicity of this book. Putting the ideas into practice would lead us to places we have never known or gone before. That's the power of lists.

Dr Marilyn McEntyre is a Professor of English at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. One of her books, "What's in a Phrase?" was a winner of Christianity Today 2015 Book Award.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of William B. Eerdmans and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

[Jeff Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clever publishing concept and an uncommonly wise and at times whimsical book exploring and modeling the ways in which the practice of list making can open up the hearts of the list-makers. The author of the wonderful book "Word by Word" (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2016), among many others, serves up here examples of lists she has made around topics like:

* Playing with possibilities
* Noticing what we might have missed
* Spaces for sorrow
* Getting at questions behind questions
* What marriage teaches

and much more. In a selection titled "(Making a List) To Identify Complicating Factors" in Part I of the book ("Why Make a List?"), McEntyre writes beautifully:

"We all know people whose particular grace is a simplicity of spirit or expression that offers welcome without judgment, discretion without evasion, and a quality of intelligence that has nothing to do with credentials. Some I have known and admired are fully capable of grasping complexity and ambiguity, but somehow manage to come 'back to center' with ease and grace and steady trust that the center holds" (p. 49).

That paragraph alone (though there are many others in "Make a List" that stand out) strikes me as illustrative of the author herself and the help and insight that this book brings into the life of its readers. Highly-recommended reading, whether you know the prior works of Marilyn McEntyre or not. But long-time readers of her books or students in her classrooms at universities in California will not want to miss "Make a List: How a Simple Practice Can Change Our Lives and Open Our hearts."

[Diane Busch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the list prompts and many catalysts for thinking, writing, and discussing. As a list maker myself, I was pleased to read that lists are important and not trivial. This book gave me even more purpose and focus for my lists, which are many.
It was a surprise blessing that she interjected scripture and faith into some of the book's content.

[Corvid · Rating 2 out of 5]

I skimmed it, I loved the "Lists to Try," that was my favorite part.

[AshleyJean6 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Definitely one to own and re-read. It's witty and wise and reads like a short story collection. But it's also instructive, brimming over with ideas to start writing yourself. Hallmark of a good book; it made me think both differently and deeply.

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun to flip through but nothing transformative.

[Terri Milstead · Rating 2 out of 5]

I largely skimmed this one. I will go back to it...probably...for ideas of lists to make but I wasn't too compelled by the author's descriptions of types of lists and examples of her own.

[Kate Belt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this little book, though it is not the fast read I anticipated because I kept pausing to think about my own responses. The prompts provide inspiration to pen a list that becomes a poem, a song, a prayer, a letter, an essay ... . I especially like the concept of list making as a spiritual practice, but I think that the book would be equally inspiring to anyone open to this technique for list making, journaling, or life review.

[Bill Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deceptively insightful Title

As you adventure from cover to cover, the author takes you not only on the simple journey of how list can be impactful to your every day life, but how they can help to guide you with insight to such questions as "who do I think I am?", "What do I truly want in life" and perhaps with time, compassion and an open mind lead you to understanding the story of your life and how it matters.

[Carole Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would have thought list-making could plumb such depths? Here’s a list (ha) of my favorite “whys” from McEntyre’s reasons to make lists:
• To clarify your concerns
• To name what you want
• To decide what to let go of
• To discover subtle layers of feeling
• To claim what gives you joy
• To dispel a few fears
• To explore implications

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: An exploration of the human phenomenon of why we make and like lists, how we can turn lists into a life-giving practice, and a plethora of ideas for lists wee might create.

Have you noticed how we like to make lists? From to-do lists to grocery lists to brainstorm lists to lists of favorites to guest lists–these are just some of the everyday lists we create. I know from blogging that we enjoy reading others’ lists. These posts always draw greater numbers of viewers. Perhaps it is the curiosity of how my list might compare to theirs.

Marilyn McEntyre, whose book Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies, would be on my top ten list of non-fiction works, is the author of this book that should be a delight to any list-maker. For one thing, each of her reflections on lists and their role in our lives includes a list of list ideas. Her first section, on Why Make a List? is a list of reasons for making lists. A few of these: to discover subtle layers of feeling, to name what we want, to clarify your concerns, to decide what to let go of, to get at the questions behind the questions, and to play with possibilities (there are more).

You may be getting the idea that McEntyre sees far more in lists than a practical function of getting things done. She writes:

When you make a list, if you stay with it and take it slowly, take it seriously but playfully, give yourself plenty of permission to put down whatever comes up, you begin to clarify your values, your concerns, the direction your life is taking, your relationship to your inner voice, your humor, your secrets. You discover the larger things that lists can reveal.

She believes lists are mirrors into our interior lives, ways we may learn, ways to listen, perhaps even to the Spirit, ways of loving, letting go, and even praying (after all, as she later observes, what is a litany but a list, usually a long one!). Lists can be a reflective and formative practice leading to greater self-understanding, and when we gift them to others, as she will talk about, a way of expressing love.

The second part of her work is on The Way of the List-maker. She explores how we might refine the kinds of lists we make, particularly along the lines of greater specificity and depth, from the basic to do list, to lists that clarify our values, to lists of words and phrases that have evocative power in our life, to a list of laments. She observes that some of our lists may even turn into a kind of poem. She talks about love lists where we enumerate what we love about another.

The third part is titled “Play Lists” which might be a play on words. She begins with a master list of lists that very well could be a playlist for list-makers. But I also think the aim of this section, as she has mentioned elsewhere is to make list-making playful, a kind of mental play that might take us into undiscovered country. She suggests “why” lists beginning with one of my favorites, why read. An interesting one, autobiographical in character is “What tennis teaches.” Another one is “What’s fun after fifty.” To give you an idea of lists she suggests after each reflection, here are some that follow “What’s fun after fifty”:

Fun I never thought I’d have
Slightly guilty pleasures
Why it’s fun to spend time alone
“Fun” I don’t have to pretend to have anymore
Deepening pleasures.

As you can see, this is both fun and serious, in the sense that these lists take us into what matters in our lives.

Finally, an appendix offers a grab-bag of additional lists. One that I think very appropriate for those who speak of “adulting” is a list of “What every adult should be able to do.” “What’s worth waiting for” is worth reading and meditating upon. Some are amusing, especially for those of us who have been there. One of the items on “Times to practice trust” is “When the DMV licenses your daughter.”

What makes this book so good is not only the great list ideas, perfect for a retreat day or other reflection time, but also the insights from McEntyre’s own life of making and reflecting upon lists. She often gives words to realities in our own lives we haven’t yet named. Yet she also gives plenty of space in her list suggestions to name our own realities, to listen for the unique ways we may hear both our own inner voice, our true self, and the invitations of the Spirit. Here’s a book to put at the top of your “to be read” list!

[Michele Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one who lives by a list, I have come to appreciate the satisfaction of a neat column of check marks at the end of a day, the faithful reminder to pray or to do or to go, and the convenience of a resource close at hand:
“Didn’t we buy slippers for her last Christmas?”
“Yes, I think so, but let me check the list . . . “

List making is a utilitarian practice that keeps me (mostly) on the rails. However, in Make a List: How a Simple Practice Can Change Our Lives and Open Our Hearts, Marilyn McEntyre has elevated list writing to a creative endeavor, a writing exercise that is partly spiritual formation, partly imaginative play, and partly a recording of the music of one’s own soul. Putting the pen to paper or the fingers to the keyboard, the list maker asks questions, poses possibilities, and frames her desires.

In Word by Word, McEntyre chose fifteen words and challenged readers to discover them anew as “little fountains of grace.” In Make a List, she argues for the life-changing benefits of gathering our words into lists that inspire and challenge.

A List Is a Beginning
When McEntyre began making a list entitled “What Love Looks Like,” she found that the practice opened her understanding of the monumental definition of love found in I Corinthians 13:

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.”

She remembered her grandfather reading to her and her husband brewing coffee.
She pictured a volunteer chopping carrots in a soup kitchen.
Making a list is the beginning of a wider understanding of an idea that may have become tired or hackneyed, so obvious that you have stopped “seeing” it.

A Mental Exercise Turned Outward
Throughout the book, there are “Lists to Try,” a concept I appreciate, for perhaps every list would not be meaningful to every list maker, but it’s okay to try–in the same way we might try the New York Times crossword puzzle or try juggling three tennis balls in the living room.

A list can solidify a nagging sense of unrest into a concrete “diagnosis.”

What are my concerns in this season?
What can I let go of?
What am I afraid of?
A list of possibilities is the first step toward meaningful change.

Disturbing the Smooth Surface of the Obvious
For six years I have been maintaining a gratitude list, pondering and then scribbling three gifts each day into a small journal. I’m pleased to note that the practice has changed the way I look at the world, but later this year, after I have recorded my 7,000th gift, I want to let that practice rest for a time so I can “try” some new lists. Maybe I will argue with myself in list form or begin compiling a collection of reasons why my faith matters to me. It may be that I will make a case for continuing some of the things I am already doing while at the same time listing some things I want to try.

When a do-list becomes a collection of intentions and hopes, the world becomes larger and the heart opens wider. In a busy life in which action so often precedes thought, the practice of making a list rearranges what we think we know and invites us into a life beyond the obvious.

Many thanks to William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which, of course, is offered freely and with honesty.

[Carmen Sisson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was not at all what I expected. I found myself skimming over page after page of the author’s political beliefs, religious beliefs, thoughts on marriage and child-rearing, anecdotes about her husband, free-form poetry disguised as lists, etc.

Consider this: She and I have common political and religious beliefs, and yet I still found it all to be overwhelmingly grating. If you’re not Christian and liberal with a deep interest in environmental issues, social justice issues, and an activist mindset, I imagine you will really hate this book. All those things are of interest to me, but not when I’m reading a book to figure out how to use lists to navigate a midlife crisis.

I’d say a good 70 percent of this book deals with the author’s thoughts, beliefs, anecdotes, and feelings, and 30 percent deals with suggestions for lists and ways they can be used.

Sadly, the numerous list ideas are also lacking, with maybe a third being relevant to personal growth (what do I want, what do I not want, why am I angry, what would I rather be doing, etc.) and others sounding like journalism homework or junior magazine assignments to come up with story ideas (10 ways to help the planet, 20 things I learned while volunteering, 12 reasons to limit a child’s screen time, 10 movies to watch on a rainy Saturday, why children enchant us, etc.)

I’m sorry but this was definitely not my cup of tea. Also, just a note on tone: It reminded me of author Julia Cameron mixed with Anne Lammott mixed with astrologer Susan Miller, with a dash of Thoreau.

I like all those people just fine, but I still didn’t get much use from this book. I respect the author’s effort, but I can’t recommend it to anyone else.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lists can be dry. Lists can be demanding. Lists can be monotonous. Lists can be revealing. Which of those statements do not belong?

Marilyn McEntyre notes that all are possible. In her book, Make a List, she concentrates on the last. In her book she concentrates on what do they reveal. The book is written in three parts:

* Why Make a List?
* Listing as a Way of Life
* Her personal lists

Each part has several short chapters where she reveals some of her lists and usually ends with a challenge to make your own list. Some of the chapters includes titles like:

* To get at the questions behind the questions
* Wanting what you want: Lists that identify unidentified desires
* Why Read?

Each chapter shows how a list can lead you deeper into knowing yourself, knowing your friends and family, and knowing issues which surround us.

The fault of this book is the repetitiveness. McEntyre has more than enough topics to get you on the right track to make your lists. For me, once I got the idea of what she was doing and then pointed me to the types of subjects which a list could be used for, I was set. When there was up to twenty subjects per part, I started to glaze over.

If you expect a book about how to make ToDo lists more effective, this book is not it. But if you are looking for a way to be introspective, Make A List can be a good guide.

For more of my notes, see my book blog.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always do to-do lists. Lists of Christmas presents to buy. Lists of things to take on vacations. Lists of groceries to buy. I did a list of names when I was to chose my younger daughter. I also have a list of dreams and this Marilyn McEntyre would understand. For her, lists can be much more complex than our daily to-do lists. They therapeutic and a tool for self-discovery.

Lists serve a surprising variety of purposes. Here are a few reasons to make them:
To discover hidden feelings
To name what you want
To clarify your concerns and fears
To notice what you might have missed
To unburden our sorrows
To claim what gives you joy and what you are grateful for

The author presents “rules” or suggestions in list-making to make lists useful, beautiful, and fun.Lists can be a way of opening up “play space". There is a whole section that is an invitation to play with lists.

The book ends with an appendix which suggests several original lists. A good one is "Why children enchant us". I have three children and my list will be endless.:)

This is an entertaining book with several good ideas to inspire us.

I received this book as an eARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Mv · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would listen to another. I am an avid list maker (to the point many friends and family tease me about it ). She gives recommendations on list ideas that made me recognize ones I did not even realize I was making. It’s the lists that help you remember special events in life that I most enjoy. For example… I have made a list of funny things and favourite sayings my son has come up with ever since he could talk. It is so fun to share this with him now he is older and makes me smile when I remember those moments.
This is not a book about a grocery list or a list of things to do. This is much deeper than that. Thanks to this book, I am going to encourage my son to make lists as he goes through life.

This is the second book I’ve listened to by this narrator ( Ann Richardson ) and I would listen to another. Her voice is pleasant to listen to and her narration appropriate for this content.

There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

Story 5/5
Narration 4/5

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really goes into the different types of lists we all make. Personally I make lists and then only get about halfway through them if I'm lucky. More often then not I completely forget about the list and don't ever go back to it.
Make a list also really opened my eyes to how I can make different lists that aren't just about what I need to do. I can't wait to make some of them as well, especially ones dealing with my fears and anxieties and how I can help out in the world.
I loved seeing all the prompts and I plan to return back to this book as the year goes and work through the prompts and learn more about myself and becoming more aware of things around me.

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[Lucy (The Countess of) Monte Cristo · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a digital copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!*

Also: For more of my reviews, check out my blog: Miss Lucy's Reading Corner

I really like the message behind this book. Since the later part of last year, I have gotten into the habit of making lists. With that being said, I really loved the beginning of the book, but somewhere in the middle it started to drag. That is why I ended up giving this book three stars instead of five.

Although I didn't enjoy the entire book, I would recommend it to anyone who's lost their "vision" (they don't know where they're going in life). Making a list, such as writing down your goals can be life changing, and this book is perfect for you if you're in need of that.

[Ida · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love making lists so much, I can't even tell you. I have found a kindred spirit in Marilyn McEntyre, who believes there's nothing like a good list to set things to rights. One of the best things about this book is that it contains lists of suggestions for lists.

This isn't just about getting organized or getting things done. McEntyre advocates list-making for personal growth, discovery of the world, and spiritual enlightenment. Suggested lists include:
When to speak out
Things I've wanted for more than five years
Books I would re-title
Why it matters who manufactured my sofa

The author speaks of her own spiritual beliefs, but not in a dogmatic way. And a few of her lists are aimed at helping her understand other religious beliefs. This can be a valuable book for anyone of any religion or no religion.

[Tamara Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marilyn McEntyre is a favorite author and her new book had me at the word "list". Here's a quick blurb from the longer review I wrote for Englewood Review of Books:

"Helping us pay attention to language, Scripture, relationships, and communities is what Marilyn McEntyre does best. In her newest book, she resurrects the lowly list as an instrument of personal discovery, relational growth, and spiritual peace. In a world hunting for life-changing tips and techniques, McEntyre offers, instead, a life-giving practice available to anyone willing to keep handy a scrap of paper and a pencil. I can imagine groups of friends going through the book together over a period of time as well as an individual reader like myself."

[Suzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having made lists from forever most likely in the womb on the best way out I had to listen to this book. I was not disappointed. I loved the way the book is divided into 3 parts. Part one Why do we make lists, part two The way of the list maker and part three Playlists ( a fun collection of lists to think about). The book is fun, and factual and entertaining. I also want to share a review I saw written by Benjamin Fefe. I found this so touching "I requested this book because for 19 years, I've watched my wife when she's stressed out, grab a pen & paper & make a list & then she calms down." I too have a husband that doesn't understand my list making :-)
I was gifted this book with the understanding that I would leave an honest review.

[Donnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listing as spiritual practice--to help one better get in touch with self and higher questions.

Especially like "Things to let go of" on page 22, in particular "last week's casserole/because really no one is going to eat it." Ah, the leftover casserole, jello, apple pie, cookies, frozen yogurt, etc. that clutter my refrigerator and shelves that should not be eaten by me, at least, yet feel too tangible to toss.

KR--is that you on page 132?

[Cindy van Wyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the idea of this book more than the actual book. It's a cool concept and McEntyre gives some great examples of lists to make and why, but honestly, it was simply too long. The rambling and rambling and more rambling made an avid list-maker never want to hear about lists again. Honestly? It should have been a blog post.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many different creative ideas of lists to make along with delightful invitations of lists to make as well as plenty of examples of lists she has created. My notebook contains many lists and I know that the number will grow and I will learn more about myself and everything else as I create more lists and add to the ones I've started.

[Jaymie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to make lists, consider a guided journal or a planner. If you want to know WHY list making can be beneficial, along with many list examples, then this would be helpful. This could be a good resource for writers or even as a self-help book.

[Alycia Canfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

I get it.. Yes I really do... List list list... I understand writing list. and I don't mind that... and this was well written and a great read but she takes it to a whole new level. If you're unorganized buy it... if you need help buy... but if you know what your already doing your fine.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

People who find keeping a journal a daunting idea may find a more accessible format as they read McEntyre's ode to list making. As a confirmed journal writer, I appreciated her creative ideas for lists to expand my heart and soul. A book to refer to for inspiration.