I received the audio book and thoroughly enjoyed the narrator. While there wasn't much new thoughts provided, it was a good reminder. A different kind of book to listen to as it was a collection of essays. It was heavier on Buddhism than what I thought it would be,

Charming but simple. Reads like a visit with an old friend on long walks.

Free ARC of Audiobook from publisher via NetGalley, but the opinions are my own.

I listened to the audio version of this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Instead of being packed with fluff, like most “self help” style books, this was full of little stories of hope, tangible call to actions, and littles gems to meditate on. It is a wonderful reminder to allow ourselves to love ourselves and be kind to ourselves. And we need to work on it everyday day. With some heartbreaking words mingled with hope and laughter this is a book to hold onto and refer back to when you need it.

Not much original thought here, though the delivery was quirky and fun. I resonated more with Anne Lamott and Shauna Niequist’s work. To be fair, I might have enjoyed this more as an eye-read vs. audible. Her random lists and musings would have seemed more like poetry and less like the narrator was reading from post-it notes stuck to her bathroom mirror in the night.

Thanks to NetGalley and Orange Sky Audio for an advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review.

Format: audiobook
Author: Bridgit Lowry ~ Title: A Year of Loving Kindness to Myself ~ Narrator: Vanessa Rhodes
Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars

This audiobook is partly Bridgit Lowry’s journal on her year of practicing loving kindness. Besides that, you can read about her personal experiences and reflections on the subject. Honest. A Year of Loving Kindness to Myself is an excellent resource on how to practice self-care, mindfulness, and all those simple little things to enrich your life. Lightweight and quick read, but a powerful one. It is not a typical self-help book, but you can learn a lot.

I know for myself that I will return to this audiobook. And probably more than just once. It’s a perfect gift for your friends, loved ones, or yourself.

Narration is very good. It’s like the author would narrate it herself.

Thanks to OrangeSky Audio for the ARC and the opportunity to listen to this! All opinions are my own.

The narration of this book about self-compassion is lovely, like an old friend is talking to you about her experiences and giving you wise advice. It's not a very long book; so I had the opportunity to listen to it twice.

Going through the author's year of loving kindness didn't take very long and felt a bit rushed; but that may have been due to the layout of the book. The year is only one part. The rest are thoughts and notes about life's challenges and lessons.

There are so many good takeaways for anyone listening to or reading this book. Some are ones we've heard before - practicing gratitude and accepting what is all while living in the moment. Things we know, but can always use a reminder. It's always nice to learn new ways to incorporate these things. Still, I think we all gravitate toward certain practices or suggestions based on how we are living at any given time, so different ideas will strike individuals differently.

For my part, Lowry's section and description on equanimity made me realize that is what I want more than anything in my life right now and it's something I never had clearly defined before.

She gives lots of examples of what she's learned as a sad person and how to live within this world as well as what we can take away from the struggles in our lives and live with more authenticity. A must-read for those who continuing their journey of self-compassion.

This collection of essays was easy listening but, at times, thought provoking. Pieces of Buddhist philosophy and advice on self-care and living a better, more content live mixed with everyday experiences of the author. The narrator was excellent. Also

I think that we. Should all love and be kind to ourselves, after listing to this book on auido i am going to try and love and be kind to myself. Today in this world it is all fast pass and stress, we forget to be kind to ourselves. We should stop and smell the roses before its to late.,..

Funny, relevant, warm, and a wonderful read! While I'm not a self-help book reader normally, A Year of Loving Kindness to Myself drew my attention and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this title. I wasn't expecting the laugh-out-loud humor (it truly is funny!), and gentleness in which this book flows is like being embraced in a delicate, warm hug.

I loved this book it was like someone took my thoughts and put them in an audio book. I loved the authentic voice for the book, she kept the book lively. The content was perfect. I am on the same journey myself and this book was just what the doctor ordered. Her insight was just what I needed to hear. If you are on the same journey yourself this is a great book to listen too. It was like a warm cup of coffee on a cold morning.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book more than I actually expected to. I thought it would be a three-star book, but for me, it's a strong four-stars.

Lowry's essays are infused with the perfect balance of humour and solemnity. She delves into tough topics and her writing voice is genuine and relatable. With this style of book, I am always looking out for sneaky attempts at pushing toxic positivity, but Lowry steers clear of this. Her words are warm and comforting, without coming across as glib.

I really enjoyed how she weaves spirituality into biopsychosocial issues. Her anecdotes are interesting and engaging.

As someone with a particularly nasty inner critic, this book was a breath of fresh air for me.

What a wonderful collection of reflections. This was very uplifting for me and helps me realize the need to continue growing in all aspects of relationships. Very well said.

I loved this! I related to so much of this book. I listened to the audiobook and so many insights were what I needed to hear at this moment in my life.

Brigid Lowry shares her personal experiences and coping mechanisms with her readers, in the hopes of inspiring them to lead a more tranquil, fulfilled and contemplative life. I would definitely say she succeeded as I listened to this audio throughout the course of one day and definitely felt the calm emanating from her words and the contents.

This was a very quick yet very rewarding and educational read. I did not find it to contain much new information for me personally but it remained a pleasant reminder to be more present, kind, grateful, and positive, throughout. I especially liked the affirmations that were littered throughout this, as well as the tips for simple and quick ways to return to yourself when times get tough and thoughts turn dark.

I appreciated the focus on the author's anecdotes a little less, I'm afraid to say. I anticipated, before beginning, a read focused on more general information and would have more strongly regarded a book that either contained these experiences alongside more of an in-depth analysis on the exercises that followed them, or focused on the abstract absolutely.

Filled with essays about life’s challenges, this audiobook will have you feeling uplifted and ready to take on self care. Somehow Lowry found a way to bring up heavy topics in a light hearted yet still meaningful way. Thank you Netgalley and OrangeSky Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I greatly enjoyed the audiobook production, but as far as the book goes it felt very familiar. In generalities, the book discusses ways to be kind to yourself - be patient, treat others with kindness, eat well, move your body, and feed your soul. While some of the anecdotes were comical and lighthearted, most of it was repetitive to other material I have read.

I listened to the audio version of this book and truly enjoyed the light hearted but very inspirational messages. It was a quick listen filled with gems that I replayed and wrote down to reference again later. The opening segment of the journal entries for each month of the year allowed the reader/listener to journey with the author and experience each season and the accompanying emotions and to grow with the author as well. The essays that were included after the year of reflection provided more context and the questions posed were great journaling prompts for anyone who wishes to dive deeper.

Thank you for this ARC! I am inspired and have a renewed sense of thankfulness. I will be posting a review on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes And Nobel, etc and my Instagram page @balancedbookshelf will feature a review as well. Please direct any questions to Kelsi.pilcher@gmail.com

Many thanks to Netgalley and OrangeSky Audio for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Title well chosen, this book was filled with love and kindness.
Though the essays weren't mind blowing nor thought provoking, at least not to me _ I'm sure it will be for many readers_ but they were a soft and kind reminder to be kind and loving to one's self, to treat myself as a precious gem, to be gentle and generous and to learn from the past without let in it cast a shadow on my current lives, to go out side, talk to people and hug trees.

A Year of Loving Kindness to Myself was a lovely audiobook! It was quick, digestible and thought provoking. Brigid Lowry is such a relatable and encouraging writer! This book left me feeling energized and capable!

Title: A Year of Loving Kindness To Myself
Author: Brigid Lowry
Publisher: OrangeSky Audio
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"A Year of Loving Kindness To Myself" by Brigid Lowry

My Opinion:

Wow, what good audio read. 'A Year of Loving Kindness To Myself' was well-written about this person deciding to live her life no matter what all she had gone through from her horrible childhood with some strange parents to being who she is today. It was good to see how she changed, which was good for her ... making life peaceful for her and accepting things the way the universe is... what can be done about it. The story is quite a good read, even short but having something go to say about life...'ideals, job, loving-kindness, friendship, grief, gratitude, self-care, sadness, fun, loneliness, two failed marriages, and let's not leave out some priceless poetry' that was well presented in the read. Month by month, she told the reader what was going on at that present time. I laughed at that speeding ticket...excepting it, paying the ticket, and going on with her life.

One thing enjoyed was how she spoke about staying out of other people's business managing hers was more than enough. Amen to that! The saying ... I have enough... I am enough when shopping...do I need this at this time? Why try to impress others... Let go of unnecessary stuff, do things myself, give away things I don't use and can't wear, research first, and present love and kindness to myself...

Looking after one shelf is essential, but one's family is important too, even the animals, and let's not leave out dear friends that sometimes one has to say no.

Staying busy can help keep one's mind free and get some joy out of life and fun. But after all is said and done, we all have troubles of some sort. Dealing with it well... know everyone does have some problems and how we handle it is well...? She learned she didn't have to apologize for being herself ... she is stronger and happier. After all, she had been through...' now a strong one, a funny one, the smart one, loving mother, the joyous grandmother, loyal friend, dreamer, seeker, optimist, writer, wow...moving forward...not a fixer project'...appreciating all that is around her. Doing healthy things...any things that drain you stop...May she get those green velvet slippers with roses on them...Wow, this was one read that I couldn't put down until the end... A good read for anyone wanting to love kindness for themselves.
There is a lot more left in this story that gives one a different way of looking and dealing with life, with this being a good collection 'of contemplative, wry, sometimes funny assays about living thoughtfully and with care amidst life's challenges.' So, pick up this read and start reading.

"A Year of Loving Kindness to Myself" would be a wonderful gift to give to a friend.