Maria Shriver's book is part devotional and part memoir. Her diverse life's experience have led to many reflections of how to make yourself and the world a better place.

Recommended for individual study.

I bet you were wondering, why a book from Maria on Tuesday- isn't that the day for Christian and/or kids books? Yup, you would be right! But this book fits perfectly into those categories! Maria may be a devout Catholic, but the book really espouses Christian family values, like taking care of others, keeping God in your life, respecting parents and elders, and remembering what IS important in life. While Maria is looking back on life and it's struggles and seeing what it has taught her, the book could also be a great gift for an upcoming graduate, to remind them of what life SHOULD be about, and how they SHOULD approach 'adulthood'.

I loved how she took the perspective that we are who we are BECAUSE of the decisions we have made. We are not defined by them, but we take what happens and LEARN and grow from it, choosing to be defined by what happens, or finding the other path that leads to us finding where we want to be. That is a huge lesson for any of us to learn. Sometimes the struggle MAKES us, but we should not be held down by it. This is a book you just might find yourself rereading when issues arise, and seeing common sense and faith to lead you (Maria provides applicable prayers in each chapter, some Catholic, some not). It would also make a great Mother's Day present, as Maria speaks about how motherhood is the ultimate in forming us- how we nurture, grieve when we have to let go, but thrill with each new adventure our fledglings make.

Ultimately this is the book you weren't expecting, but you really NEED!
And one you need to give, so pick up a couple of copies!

I'VE BEEN THINKING by Maria Shriver was listed today as the number one non-fiction hardcover in The Wall Street Journal's list of best-selling books for the week. This is a very heartfelt work from Maria Shriver in which she examines her feelings about life, fortitude, family, gratitude, and blessings. In exploring life journeys and the choices we all face, Shriver offers ideas like: "I think about how I can turn that negative thought into a positive thought. Or as Maya Angelou says, change the way I think about it." In other sections, she draws further on more inspirational quotes from an incredibly wide range of people like John Wooden and Rumi. In some places, however, I'VE BEEN THINKING may seem overly religious due to including favorite prayers and an emphasis on Shriver's own deep faith. There is still much to contemplate and consider, including the often under-appreciated value of failure and making mistakes. As Shriver notes, "I hope the thoughts expressed here will give you material to meditate on – inspiring you to think, write, and reflect on what makes life meaningful to you."

I like Maria Shriver and have read some of her other works. I liked all the quotes by famous people in this book, but I felt it was a little bit to religious for me.