GETTING WISER: 101 Essential Life Lessons And Inspiring Stories

by Michael S. Lewis

348 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2022

Reviews

[Vanessa Knechtel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect this book to affect me the way it did. I picked it up out of curiosity and ended up reading it slowly, sometimes only a chapter at a time, because it made me think so much about my own life. Michael S. Lewis writes with a quiet wisdom that doesn’t try to impress or persuade. He simply shares experiences his own and others’and allows their meaning to unfold naturally. What struck me most was the humanity in every story. Whether he’s writing about athletes, patients, or friends, there’s a deep respect for each person’s journey. The reflections on faith, loss, resilience, and purpose felt especially honest. Nothing felt forced or overly sentimental. Instead, the book carries a gentle emotional weight that stays with you. By the time I finished, I felt calmer, more reflective, and strangely grateful. This isn’t a book about winning or achievement it’s about paying attention, showing up, and living with integrity. I know I’ll return to it again when I need perspective.

[Ananika Pandey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels like it was written by someone who has truly listened to people over a lifetime. There is a softness and patience in the writing that is increasingly rare. Michael Lewis doesn’t rush his stories, and he doesn’t rush the reader either. Each chapter feels like an invitation to pause and reflect. The way he writes about dignity especially in moments of illness, aging, and death is deeply moving. These passages never felt heavy or depressing; instead, they felt grounding and honest. The book also does a wonderful job of honoring different beliefs and worldviews without judgment, which made it feel inclusive and thoughtful. I finished this book feeling more aware of how I speak to people, how I listen, and how I define a life well lived. It’s not loud inspiration it’s the kind that settles quietly and changes you over time.

[Zoey Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read many books that try to teach life lessons, but very few do it with this level of humility and sincerity. The Ball’s in Your Court doesn’t tell you what to think or how to live. Instead, it shows you real lives, real choices, and real consequences, and trusts you to find your own meaning. The blend of sports, medicine, psychology, and personal reflection works beautifully. Even if you’re not a sports fan, the stories feel universal. They’re really about character, perseverance, compassion, and self awareness. Some chapters made me smile; others made me stop and reread certain lines because they felt quietly profound. This is a book for people who enjoy reflection more than hype. It’s thoughtful, gentle, and deeply human.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I appreciated most about this book is its honesty. Michael Lewis writes as someone who has seen success, loss, uncertainty, and growth and has taken the time to think deeply about all of it. The stories feel personal without being self centered, and wise without being preachy. There are moments in this book that feel almost like quiet conversations late at night, when people speak honestly about what matters and what doesn’t. The reflections on faith, morality, and purpose are handled with great sensitivity, especially in a time when those topics are often polarized. This book reminded me that a meaningful life isn’t built from big moments alone, but from daily choices, attentiveness, and kindness. It’s comforting without being simplistic, and inspiring without being unrealistic.

[Bella Jasdron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book slowly, not because it was difficult, but because it deserved to be read that way. Each chapter felt complete on its own, like a small meditation. Michael Lewis has a gift for noticing the details that reveal who people really are, especially in moments of pressure or vulnerability. The stories involving patients and end of life reflections were particularly powerful. They are written with such respect and compassion that they never feel intrusive. Instead, they offer insight into courage, acceptance, and what it means to live with intention. This book left me feeling more thoughtful and more present in my own life. It doesn’t promise answers but it offers something better: clarity, perspective, and quiet wisdom.

[Felicity Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book you race through it’s one you sit with. Michael Lewis’s writing is calm, reflective, and deeply sincere. The stories range from sports to medicine to philosophy, yet they all circle back to the same question: how do we live well? What makes this book special is its emotional restraint. There’s no dramatization, no forced inspiration. Just real experiences and honest reflection. I often found myself thinking about people in my own life while reading mentors, friends, family and reconsidering how I show up for them. By the end, I felt a quiet sense of reassurance. Life is complicated, imperfect, and fragile but it’s also meaningful if we pay attention. This book gently reminds you of that.

[Allie Oosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book felt like sitting down with someone wise who isn’t trying to teach you anything, yet somehow teaches you a great deal. Michael Lewis has a remarkable ability to reflect without ego. He acknowledges privilege, struggle, doubt, and growth with equal honesty. What resonated with me most was the emphasis on service service to patients, students, teammates, and society at large. The stories of educators, public servants, and physicians are especially moving because they highlight quiet impact rather than grand gestures. These are lives shaped by consistency, care, and ethical choices. I closed the book feeling more grounded and reflective. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t shout its importance but stays with you.

[Donald Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book deeply comforting in an unexpected way. It doesn’t offer easy optimism or neat conclusions. Instead, it acknowledges complexity of people, careers, belief systems, and life itself and treats that complexity with respect. Michael Lewis’s background in medicine adds a unique depth to his reflections, particularly when he writes about suffering, healing, and mortality. These passages are written with extraordinary sensitivity. There’s a sense that every story matters, no matter how small it might seem. This is a book for readers who appreciate nuance and sincerity. It encourages you to slow down, listen better, and think more carefully about how you live, and I’m very glad I took the time to read it.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reads like a lifetime of observations distilled into thoughtful, accessible reflections. Michael Lewis doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, and that’s exactly what makes his writing so compelling. He shares moments of success alongside uncertainty and loss, allowing the reader to sit with both. The sections on mentorship and influence stood out to me. They reminded me how much impact one person can have simply by believing in someone else. The writing feels deeply personal but never self-indulgent, and the emotional moments feel earned rather than exaggerated. If you enjoy books that encourage introspection rather than quick motivation, this is a wonderful read.

[Corrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved taking my time and reading this book which was very digestible and filled with golden nuggets. I appreciated the relatability of many of the lessons shared. There were many aspects that resonated with my life’s journey.