From Tracie: When More Is Not Enough

Sunday, September 21, 2014

When More Is Not Enough

I read a lot of books - fiction, non-fiction, science-fiction, YA, biographies, self-help, fantasy, art books, mysteries, coffee-table books, children's books, classics. I read them all. And sometimes, I get to read a book written by a friend. Those are my very favorite kinds. So when my friend Amy Sullivan asked me if I would be interested in an advance copy of her new book When More Is Not Enough, I said yes right away, and downloaded it excitedly.
When More Is Not Enough Book Cover
When More Is Not Enough falls in the category of non-fiction. But more accurately, I think it could be described as a pieces of Amy's heart formed into words on the pages of a book. There just aren't numbers for that in the Dewey Decimal System, so we will go with non-fiction.

So. What is this book about? It is about raising kids who are givers. Teaching your children (and yourself) to invest in your communities and changing your focus from consuming to serving.

I don't know if you have ever read Amy's blog. Yes, she is a blogger. That is how we met. But if you have, you will recognize her voice in this book. Not in an "I've read all these stories on her blog already, and didn't really get any new information from this book that I couldn't have gotten for free on her blog" kind of way. But in an "Amy is a real person, who doesn't hold back even when the story doesn't show her in the very best light, and is still learning how to do this life thing just like you and me" kind of way. Never preachy. Often funny. Always honest. Very real.

book quote - see the needs of others

Can we talk about practical, non-fiction books for a second? Sometimes these books are not very...practical. You pick them up, hoping for some answers, a new perspective, maybe a few action plans, and ideas that can actually be implemented in your life in simple and straight-forward ways. But you usually get a lot of inspirational talk mixed with nothing that actually applies to your life in a practical way. When More Is Not Enough is an exception to this. Amy shares stories from her family's experiments with serving and giving, and quite a bit of inspiration, but she also brings it all down to a very practical level of ideas that will fit into your life.

She doesn't pre-presume you already have answers, or are prepared to live a life of service this very minute. Changing the focus of your family from the consumer-oriented success the world offers to the service-oriented heart God offers is not a quick change. It won't happen in one day. There will be mistakes, projects that are less than ideal, and a learning process that takes time. But if you keep trying, keep praying, find causes that cry out to your heart, identify your talents, and focus on projects you can do as a family, you will find your heart and your family changed in forever ways. She also included lists of practical resources and start-this-very-second activities to help you get started.

book quote - shake off comfortable and start to act

I loved When More Is Not Enough. I read it straight through in one sitting, but it is a book I will turn back to again and again for ideas and inspiration. And to re-read the story of the time Amy gave birth on the side of the road, because that kind of unexpected fun (fun? FUN!) never gets old.

I know you will love it, too.


One more thing about Amy and When More Is Not Enough. All the proceeds (yes, ALL) are being donated to Transformation Village, a housing development for women, children, and families in crisis in Western North Carolina. I want to encourage you to follow that link, and check out the work Transformation Village is doing. It is a really awesome idea, and one that I would love to see duplicated in towns and cities across the nation.

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Amy L SullivanWhen More Is Not Enough will be released on Amazon September 22nd.

About Amy L. Sullivan: For the past two years, Amy looked harder, loved stronger, and discovered more by fixing her gaze on something other than the person staring back at her in the mirror. Amy writes for oodles of print and online publications and loves speaking with groups of any size. Connect with her online at AmyLSullivan.com. You can also find Amy on facebook, twitter, google+, instagram, and pinterest. (<---you'll love her!)

55 comments:

  1. I love how inspirational this book sounds and goi g to check it out now. Thanks for sharing, Tracie :)

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    1. Janine,
      Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment.

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  2. What a warm and loving review, Tracie! Very inspiring.
    I love that the proceeds are going into a wonderful cause.
    I intend to do that when my book is published.

    I'd love to read and review Amy's book. Bless her!

    Thanks for introducing the book to me! ♥

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    1. Vidya,
      What a great review is right? Geesh, I'm blushing. Thank you, sweet, Tracie.

      Also, it's awesome to hear you are donating the proceeds from your book as well! How fun! What's your book about and where organization have you picked out? I'd love to hear more.

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  3. That sounds like an excellent read. I will have to pick up a copy!

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  4. I like that it's written in a way that is different from other books writing the same type of thing. You're right, practical is not always found in books where you're looking for answers applicable to your own life.

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    1. Mail4Rosey, You and Tracie are both right. Practical ISN'T always helpful. In fact, I looked and looked for a book that would help me teach my child about do-this-very-second-ideas regarding service. Too much of what I found left me thinking, awesome! But what now? It's my prayer that people find a way to use part of the book to love others better.

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  5. It sounds like Amy is a genuine writer, which means so much to me these days. It's amazing and so generous to donate all the profits. And giving birth on the side of the road? Wow!

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    1. Rowell,
      Yes, let me tellyou about having your parent off in front of an EMS crew on the side of the road!

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  6. Sounds like a great book! It is always exciting to find a new inspirational writer that is still down to earth and realistic. Sounds like Amy's got that. :)

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    1. Thanks for reading and commenting, Meredith!

      It's my hope that I come off in the book like a am in real-life. I definately don't want to portray myself as someone who has it all together!

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  7. I really need this book. We have been trying to raise kiddo to be a giver and there are times when she is. But, at the same time she gets that "I want" because shes juggled between too many families and certain values we have here don't carry over there. I'd really like to get her involved in more things.

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    1. Chrystal,
      Oh, I can tell you…we have been there. Our kids have four sets of grandparents and I get the juggling piece. It's tough, but good job, you for wanting to raise a giver. Honestly, that wasn't on my radar until my oldestt daughter was 8! Geesh!

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  8. I need to live a life more of service than I do... to lead by example for my son. This is such a great review!

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    1. I think we can all do better. I certainly know I can, and I agree, the review floors me. Thank you, Tracie.

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  9. This is a great book. Being generous of spirit is one of the greatest things we can teach our children.

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  10. I appreciate that her philosophy is not about changing your life in a split second. I'm glad it's a resource that can be referred to time and time again.

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    1. Liz,
      I would prefer change happend microwave style. Sadly, it takes a bit, but I've come to realize that lasting change does take time. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.

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  11. I love this. The world has gotten so selfish. It's nice to see a book that encourages giving.

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  12. This book sound amazing. I love the video that goes along with it.

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    1. Felicia,
      Ohhhh, I'm psyched you liked the video. I do too. So simple.

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  13. This sounds like a fantastic book! I'm going to check it out and stop by her blog.

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    1. April,
      Oh, thanks! I'd love to have you stop by!

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  14. This sounds amazing. I love a story with a lot of inspiration. I will have to check out her blog

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  15. Sounds like a really good book to read this winter. I have added it to my must read list.

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    1. DeDa Studios,
      Ha! This made me smile because I stack up on books for the winter too! Thank you for putting on your list!

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  16. This truly sounds like an amazing book. This is how I'm trying to raise my boys, less is sometimes more and we don't need as much as we think we do to actually be happy.

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    1. Janel,
      We are trying to do the same thing here too. If I'm honesty, I will say the adults need more help then the kids sometimes. Um, yes, I mean me!

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  17. Amy sounds like a down to earth kind of gal. This sounds like a good, practical read, and I do love that she is donating the proceeds to charity. Way to go Amy!

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    1. Thank you, Theresa! I'm all about practical myself.

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  18. I need to check out her blog! Thanks for sharing the information about her book!

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    1. Krysal,
      Thanks, and I hope you stop by the blog! I would love to have you.

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  19. Wow, so neat to see you friend in a book! I like the premise very much

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  20. This was a great review and it sounds like a great book. I will make sure I add it to my must read list.

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    1. Catherine,
      It WAS a good review! Geesh, Tracie. I'm overwhelmed. Thank you.

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  21. Sounds like a really great book, I will have to check it out and her blog!

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    1. Thank you Jeanine,
      I'm praying readers get a lot out of it!

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  22. This is one more potential add on to my book list. Thanks for sharing.

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  23. We read a lot in our family. I love when a book is so good you read it all in one sitting. I will look for this book when i go to the book store again. Thanks for sharing i cant wait to check it out.

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  24. This sounds like a really good book! I'm going to have to get me a copy and check out her blog.

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  25. Sounds like a wonderful book. It's important to teach children early and often about compassion and giving back to others.

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  26. Sounds like a great book that teaches some very valuable lessons to parents. If we ever start a family, I'll keep this in mind!

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  27. This book sounds fantastic, and I love where some of the proceeds are going. Thank you for sharing this!

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  28. I think my sister would enjoy this book. Her daughter is now in that learning stage where this could really help and my sister is a first time mom. It could be really inspiring for her!

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  29. Wow! How inspiring! She has inspired me to do something great in my community!

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  30. I usually have a hard time reading non-fiction books. When I read I want something that takes me away so I usually stick to novels. However this one sounds like a great book and I will definitely have to check it out.

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  31. This sounds like a great book! I wish more people would teach their kids the importance of giving instead of receiving!

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  32. This sounds so good, and I love the title. I love that she is donating the proceeds too.

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  33. This sounds like a really great book. I would love to check it out.

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  34. this sounds like such an important book, I really want to check it out!

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