Book Review
How do you find joy when your life is filled with sadness?
How do you find meaning when you’re surrounded by the mundane?
How do you go from ordinary to extraordinary?
It all begins with gratitude.
Selections From One Thousand Gifts – Finding Joy In What Really Matters is a small book filled with exquisite photography and profound insights from Ann Voskamp and her best-selling book One Thousand Gifts, which graced the New York Times best-seller list for over 30 weeks.
It’s the perfect gift to give yourself and someone special in your life. It’s a book you’ll treasure for years to come.
Central to the theme of the book is a challenge that stems from a dare a friend once gave Ann:
Can you list a thousand things you love?
A thousand blessings?
A thousand gifts?
It’s a challenge that changed Ann’s life. It’s a challenge that will change our lives too.
Along the way, we will discover God’s blessings and God’s grace as He awakens and transforms us. As Ann observes:
Fullness of joy is discovered only in the emptying of will.
And I can empty because counting His graces has awakened me
To how He cherishes me, holds, me, passionately values me.
I am full of His love.
I can trust.
I can let go.
Surrender that gives thanks for what is given –
That is joy!
And so, we are encouraged to begin our own journey of transformation – our own journey of a thousand gifts.
Figuring Life Out – A Video Excerpt From One Thousand Gifts
If you are reading this post in a format where you cannot see the video, click here.
Ann Voskamp
Ann Voskamp is an award-winning author who writes for Dayspring and Christianity Today and travels for Compassion International. She’s also a homeschooling mom of six who once upon a time left the university she was attending – on full scholarship – to marry her high school sweetheart, her father’s hired farmhand. You can read more about Ann and her amazing life at:
- A Holy Experience
- One Thousand Gifts
- Interview With Author Ann Voskamp
- One Thousand Gifts Author Hasn’t Let Success Change Her Even As Her Book Is Changing Lives
More Great Resources
If you enjoyed this review, here are a few more books you may enjoy:
- Live Like You Mean It by T. J. Addington
- Same Life, New Story by Jan Silvious
- Where Will You Go From Here? by Valorie Burton
For more great books, visit Create With Joy – Book Reviews!
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Shelton Interactive for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review, nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Twitter: breathoffaith
says:
Color me jealous- I would have loved a copy to review! 😉 Beautiful…Nice job as always!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks Dawn – the more I have learned about Ann, the more amazed by her I am! I read the first chapter of One Thousand Gifts today (online) and am looking forward to ordering and that reading the rest of that book! The gift book, Selections, is beautiful. I will have to add it to MY list! 🙂
This sounds like a wonderful book! I once had to write 100 things I was thankful for…what an exercise!
I had never heard of this book until I noticed a few blog hops re: 1000 Gifts. I have to say, I’m intrigued and hope to get my own copy (hope it’s available for download on Kindle)!
Thank you for the lovely comment you left on my blog… much appreciated. I love this site too and so glad to have found it recently.
Wendy
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks Wendy – I love your site too and look forward to getting to konw you! 🙂
Found you through Finding New Friends Weekend Blog Hop. Thank you for the reminder to be still and discover the blessings of every moment in our lives.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Welcome Jennifer – I love your blog! 🙂
I came over from Blogoholics just planning on following via Linky and leaving a comment and ended up finding the perfect gift for my mom for Mother’s Day – I bought it from Amazon before even leaving this comment so I could make sure I had it before this weekend.
What a lovely review of what sounds like a lovely book. I know my mom is going to really enjoy this and I’m looking forward to snatching it from her and reading it for myself.
Thank you!
Barbara
Basia’s Bookshelf
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Dear Barbara
I’m so glad that you are giving this book to your Mom – she is going to love it! I’m also smiling at your ulterior motive! If you ladies are journallers, you may want to look for a new journal as the perfect accompaniment as you may want one by the time you finish reading this book! 🙂
This looks like such a wonderful and impressive book!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks for stopping by Marie – it’s a beautifully written and photographed book – I hope you have a chance to check it out! 🙂
This book looks gorgeous! As a fan of 1000 Gifts, this looks like something I would really love to have on my shelf. Thanks for the nice review and showcasing some of the pictures. I didn’t realize there was photography – it really enhances the content!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks Jen for your feedback! This is truly a gorgeous book – Ann takes beautiful photography! And after reading the first chapter of 1000 Gifts, I am really looking forward to reading the original! 🙂
Looks like a book everyone could benefit from reading!
BTW: I found you through Book Review Wednesday!
Thank you for sharing about the beautiful book and Ann Voskamp!
What a beautiful, inspired book! There aren’t enough books that encourage us to be grateful! thank you for sharing on NOBH!
Sounds like an awesome book to keep by the bed….Love this, “And so, we are encouraged to begin our own journey of transformation – our own journey of a thousand gifts.” We change so much in life over time, and its great knowing God is there with us every step of the way!
Stopping by from FBF on Chasing Joy 🙂
Twitter: Chasing_Joy
says:
This sounds like a good book. I like the idea of 1000 gratitudes. I may do this on my blog. Thank you for sharing.