A Year of Loving Kindness to Myself: & Other Essays

by Brigid Lowry

A beautifully presented and uplifting book of contemplative, wry, sometimes funny essays about living thoughtfully and with care amidst life's challenges. If you're struggling to maintain grace and good humour amidst daily potholes and pitfalls, Brigid Lowry may be just the warm, wise and witty companion you need. Informed by contemporary psychology and Zen Buddhism, Brigid's essays offer reflections on everything from friendship to grief, and from gratitude to self-care. Give this book to a friend or gift it to yourself, A Year of Loving Kindness to Myself is all the encouragement you'll need to nurture you and those around you.

145 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2021

About the author

Brigid Lowry was born in New Zealand into a rather strange but very creative family. Here she learned a love of books, too many swear words and how to cook a decent omelette. Brigid's early, rather awful poetry was made into a small book by her father, a printer and typographer, and sold to kindly relatives for two and sixpence a copy. Thus her writing career was launched, but it took about twenty years for her to take it to a higher place. In the meantime she tried being a hippie, a waitress, a software tutor, a librarian, a mother, a wife and a primary school teacher.

At the age of thirty five Brigid returned to university and began to publish poetry and short fiction. Her first young adult book was Fizz & Max & Me, which was published in the Dolly Fiction series. As well as teaching her how to write dialogue, this book paid Brigid the grand sum of $3000 and inspired her to apply for an Arts Council Grant for funding to write a second young adult book. With the grant safely in the bank, armed with nothing more than a flimsy idea about a girl who wanted a nose-ring, Brigid wrote Guitar Highway Rose. Constructed in a quirky collage style, this book was a runaway success. It was shortlisted for a number of major prizes in Australia, and won the WA Hoffman Young Readers Choice Award.

Brigid's star sign is Aries, and she has a tattoo of an island, a palm tree and a planet on her left shoulder. She has an MA in Creative Writing and teaches creative writing here and there. Brigid is currently working on a new young adult book and has recently returned to live in her homeland, New Zealand, after living for 27 wonderful years in Australia.

Reviews

[Mary Canty-Holstine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must if you need an uplifting read ♥️ Will read again!

[Morgan | themanicuredreader]

Found this book as a rec after I loved “The Mindful Day” by Laurie J. Cameron. Some good tidbits in this one. A nice listen on audio.

[Angie Vanschoick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced listening copy of this from NetGalley in return for an honest review:

An easy way to practice loving kindness and accept yourself as you are. The greatest thing I took from this is that we all have flaws. It's the way we accept and process those flaws that determines where we go in life - for those of us who review and analyze and use those flaws to work on ourselves, we can move forward in a more positive and peaceful way.

Easy to digest, easy to listen to. I loved her voice while reading through all of this.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Year of Loving Kindness to Myself & Other Essays by Brigid Lowry
Released April 1, 2021

<3 There were some great reminders for those who identify as an ACODF. Its one of those books I need to pick up for reminders and validation. There are some serious topics relating to addiction and dissociation through the hobby of shopping--just buying crap not needed to fill a void that needs needs a mental health professional. I sent it to my kindle and had ALEXA read it to me. I found some essays quite relevant and I would recommend it.
#AYearofLovingKindnesstoMyself #NetGalley.

A beautifully presented and uplifting book of contemplative, wry, sometimes funny essays about living thoughtfully and with care amidst life's challenges. If you're struggling to maintain grace and good humour amidst daily potholes and pitfalls, Brigid Lowry may be just the warm, wise and witty companion you need. Informed by contemporary psychology and Zen Buddhism, Brigid's essays offer reflections on everything from friendship to grief, and from gratitude to self-care. Give this book to a friend or gift it to yourself, A Year of Loving Kindness to Myself is all the encouragement you'll need to nurture you and those around you.

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book more than I actually expected to. I thought it would be a three-star book, but for me, it's a strong four-stars.

Lowry's essays are infused with the perfect balance of humour and solemnity. She delves into tough topics and her writing voice is genuine and relatable. With this style of book, I am always looking out for sneaky attempts at pushing toxic positivity, but Lowry steers clear of this. Her words are warm and comforting, without coming across as glib.

I really enjoyed how she weaves spirituality into biopsychosocial issues. Her anecdotes are interesting and engaging.

As someone with a particularly nasty inner critic, this book was a breath of fresh air for me.

[Lorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of short personal essays offers a delightful infusion of goodwill that’s a perfect antidote to a busy, stress-filled life. Brigid Lowry writes with warmth, wit, wisdom, and whimsy. I didn’t learn anything that I didn’t already know, but sometimes it’s helpful to have a reminder about what’s most important in life and what we should let go of.

Vanessa Rhodes did a fantastic job with narration. She’s easy to understand, her pacing and emphasis are wonderful, and I love her warm voice and charming accent. I highly recommend this audiobook.

I received a free copy of the audiobook through NetGalley. I volunteered to provide an honest review.

[charlotte hesslewood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an audiobook arc through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I did enjoy this book, I found it to be very relatable and honest. It isn’t what I would usually read/listen to which is probably why I didn’t rate it higher but I did find it really comforting, it felt like a conversation with a friend in a way.

This book would be absolutely PERFECT for long journeys and rainy days, it’s nostalgic and hopeful.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a thoughtfully written book of essays. In the spirit of love, you can tell that the author poured into this writing with deep intent to guide readers through the many aspects of our lives. There is such a sincerity in Lowry’s writing that is showcased in her many reflections. She writes with clarity and calm that helps readers reflect as well on the very relatable topics in the book (loving yourself, acceptance, creativity and more).

[Kate S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished listening to A Year of Loving Kindness to Myself, and it was such an inspiring, uplifting experience. It’s a short audiobook, which makes it easy to fit into a busy schedule—and I know I’ll be returning to it more than once. Overall, I’d rate it 4/5 for its encouraging message and gentle reminder to be kinder to ourselves every day.

[Diana Coatney · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much wisdom in so little space

I loved this. Brigid’s gentle suggestions to look after ourselves and our families and our planet did not seem either preachy or trite. They just spoke to me about the kind of life I aspire to live.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming but simple. Reads like a visit with an old friend on long walks.

Free ARC of Audiobook from publisher via NetGalley, but the opinions are my own.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of Brigid’s writing and love everything about this pensive collection.
Honest, thoughtful and inspiring.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to keep and continue to return to. A salve for the soul.

[Rachel Gunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audio book on Spotify. Found it to be a lovely listen. This may be a re-listen during times of stress. Very uplifting stuff.

[Kourtney Zacharias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great audiobook/background noise for cleaning and house projects. Shorts chapters with great affirmations. I found it quite calming!

[Siegfried · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very refreshing and reflective. Everyone needs a little loving kindness.

[Kaitlyn Bentley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5! Probably would have enjoyed more if I read most of it instead of listening to it.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it! It was short and sweet with some good reminders about staying in the moment and being mindful. Also the narrator’s voice on audiobook was so soothing.

[Tamie Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a book!

I can read it over and over again. It was amazing being able to share the lens of the world with Brigid.

[Vicky Liu]

作者的話太文鄒鄒了
本想要找一本，每天看一小篇，可以一起實施或給予力量的故事。但這本目前不合胃口

[Lindsey Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely reminders 💜

[Katie Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5
While uplifting and thoughtful at times, it also felt repetitive and more spiritual than my personal preference.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this as an audiobook, which was provided by NetGalley in advance of its release. My preference would have been to access this as a physical/ebook as it felt like quite a ramble as an audiobook (but a comforting, soothing, and somewhat helpful exposé). The timing for me was good in receiving the messages she shares. Otherwise, I think it would be a bit of “more of the same” as expressed in many memoirs and self-kindness currently in release.

#AYearofLovingKindnesstoMyself #NetGalley

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. I related to so many things in this book. I listened to the audiobook and it was perfect timing with insights I needed at this moment in my life. I plan to share copies for Christmas.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect from this audio book but the short essays and main section were truly enjoyable and well composed. The narrated did a fabulous job and only added to the context. This is my first reading of Brigid Lowry and found myself in a rollercoaster of emotion while reading.... It's an interesting idea to follow a year and understand what ones life can cover in that long or rather short period of time. She explains well giving oneself grace and understanding failing and succeeding and the ebb and flow of experiences.

[Heather Dunnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a really solid start to the year, this was a lovely book full of hopeful reminders to keep me going