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title: Grit for the Oyster: 250 Pearls of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers

authors: Suzanne Woods Fisher, Debora M. Coty, Faith Tibbetts McDonald Joanna Bloss


pages: 260

genre: self help/inspirational

published: 2008

rated: 4 out of 5

This unique, confidence-building devotional draws readers to a closer relationship with God while offering pitchy practical guidance from highly successful inspirational writers like Terri Blackstock, Phil Callaway, Liz Curtis Higgs, Dr. Gary Chapman, James Scott Bell, and many others.

Grit for the Oyster is a self help book for aspiring writers. When I first began reading this one, I was kind of skeptical. I don't usually read self-help books. So I kind of wondered if I would enjoy it, if this book would be interesting and if it would hold my attention. And the answer to that is 'Yes'. This is a great little book. It made me smile, and it also made me ponder a few things.

After each chapter, there is a Relection, a Prayer and Pearls of Wisdom all relating to the chapter. It does quote the bible alot and there's bible references throughout.

The authors each take turns talking about writing and giving advice to writers.
Then there's quotes from other writers as well.


One chapter is titled 'Cyber Sabbath'. I found it very insightful. It's a chapter about how easily we can neglect our children while we spend time online.

That's when I knew something had to change. I needed a Cyber Sabbath: A full day each week to unplug the computer and fully focus on the faces before me. No writing assignments. Not even one Google. Just rest from the cyber world in the same way God took a rest after creating our world.

How could I accomplish the seemingly impossible feet? Planning is the key. I found that it doesn't necessarily have to be on a Sunday, but it should be a day that corresponds with the needs and availability of my family. Each Monday, I study my calendar of scheduled events and earmark my Cyber Sabbath for that week.


And unlike your kids, its a sure bet your computer will be there when you get back.

Grit for the Oyster is a great book. I do recommend it, especially for writers. It's got some great advice to offer.

We, too, have a world around us that is waiting to be noticed. Look for inspiration in the places in which God puts you. Ordinary places. Ordinary people.

Develop eyes and ears to see and hear life on a deeper level. Once you begin you'll be amazed at the sources of inspiration you'll encounter.

Special thanks to Dorothy over @ Pump Up Your Book Promotion

title: A New Earth : Awakening to Your Life's Purpose


author: Eckhart Tolle

pages: 309

first line: 'Earth, 114 million years ago, one morning just after sunrise: The first flower ever to appear on the planet opens up to receive the rays of the sun.'

'Building on the astonishing success of The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle presents readers with an honest look at the current state of humanity: He implores us to see and accept that this state, which is based on an erroneous identification with the egoic mind, is one of dangerous insanity.'

I've found several of my favorite books through Oprah's Book club. Her latest book selection is 'A New Earth : Awakening to Your Life's Purpose'.

'How to be at peace now? By making peace with the present moment. The present moment is the field on which the game of life happens. It cannot happen anywhere else.'

I don't usually read self help books, but this one seemed interesting enough and even my sister as raving about it. In addition to reading the book, I logged on to view the web-discussions between Oprah, Tolle and other readers.




This is the type of book that really gets you thinking. I found it inspirational and fascinating. Tolle talks about religion, spirituality, the ego. He refers to the ego as the 'voice inside your head'. This voice and these thoughts are our conditioned thought processes. You have to realize the awareness behind these thoughts. This awareness is the real you.



Tolle speaks of how the ego can run your life and way of thinking. That 'little voice inside your head' is constantly going without you even realizing it is there. If you are aware of your ego, and realize that is not the real you, you will begin the process of 'awakening'.






Tolle touches on many different topics and after each chapter you need to sit back and reflect. This isn't the type of book you can get through in a week or so. I've been reading this book since mid-March. Each night I would read a few pages before going to bed.



With the risk of sounding corny or even gullable, this book has changed the way I view myself and others as well. To the point where my husband has noticed the positive change in me and commented on it. I told him, it was in large due to this amazing book I was reading.




It may sound far-fetched to some, but if you read this book and really reflect on it, it makes perfect sense. Tolle often refers to religion, and quotes the bible throughout the book.





I highly recommend this book, I cannot give it a rating. It's the kind of book that either will change your life, if you are ready, or it won't help you at all if you are not ready for that change.

'Nothing ever happened in the past that can prevent you from being present now; and if the past cannot prevent you from being present now, what power does it have?'

Oprah's Book club