Gracious Living in a New World: Finding Joy in Changing Times

by Alexandra Stoddard

In today's fast-paced world, as we juggle family responsibilities, jobs, and social obligations, we seem to be missing out on what we fundamentally a calmer, gentler, sweeter, and more gracious life. In Gracious Living in a New World , Alexandra Stoddard offers a rich assortment of ideas for achieving a gracious lifestyle. As a busy professional and dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother who revels in the energy of the city and basks in the tranquility of the village, Alexandra is uniquely poised to help us smooth the frayed edges of our lives. Positive and practical, her path toward gracious living does not require money or "extra hands" around the house. When we give ourselves and others positive time and space, our life expands to gracious "We are surrounded by opportunities for living with grace—our own hands and our own hearts are all the tools we'll ever need."

Genres: Self Help, Lifestyle, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

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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