I'm a bit of a personality type fanatic, an enneagram enthusiast who has read multiple books on the subject. The Enneagram Letters is completely different from anything I've read and there's so much that makes it stand out from the rest. While many other books are academic and informative (typically my jam), this is personal and reflective. A mix of meditative essays, poetry, and calls to action, The Enneagram Letters reads like a (well-written) journal. While other enneagram books focus on "you are one type and only one type and it doesn't change throughout your life", The Enneagram Letters acknowledges that we're human and can relate to and pull from the basic instincts and fears of ALL types throughout life. This is not a book meant to help you determine your enneagram type. Rather, it encourages us to recognize parts of each type in us. This was a freeing message that allowed me to discover more about myself and others while reading. When I approached the book with this exploratory lens my mind opened and my heart softened in new ways.

Each of the 9 core chapters is focused on common thoughts/experiences of a specific enneagram type but calls out "To the part of you that... (insert core fear of that enneagram type)", thereby encouraging us to recognize ourselves in each enneagram number. In each chapter I found myself thinking, "the author must be this type!" only to have the same thought in the next chapter dedicated to another type. It helped solidify its message that we are complex humans and more than any one number. As someone who regularly questions her type, even after tons of research and self-reflecting, I loved this freeing message and was so surprised to receive this in an enneagram book when they're typically so focused on honing in on your type.

I got emotional during readings from multiple types, recognizing my fears and thoughts in its words. I also was able to see parts of myself in types that I've historically struggled to understand because they felt so foreign to me. This was a beautiful way to empathize and see ways that we are all similar, despite different experiences and tendencies. I highly recommend this, especially for those familiar with the enneagram who are looking for a more reflective reading experience.

This is such a unique and needed take on the enneagram! It is so restrictive and inhibiting to label ourselves as one thing when the full life experience and individual encompasses ALL the things! All of the enneagram types fit everyone at some point in time and learning about them all (in a poetic way) is super helpful in this journey. This is the number one book on the enneagram I would recommend due to the way the information is provided and being able to see yourself in each enneagram type.

As a long-time fan of SaraJane Case, I knew I had to request a sneak peak of this book. As always, she didn’t disappoint. This book is a perfect companion to other Enneagram books, as it offers a deeper, more personal approach and perspective. I love SJ’s poetry and essays, and found I could relate to many of them - not just my particular number.

This is an excellent book!

I plan to go purchase a hard copy for myself, as well as some close friends for holiday gifts.

I'm a big fan of Sarajane Case and this book did not disappoint. It is different than traditional Ennegram books in that this has only a brief description of each Enneagram type followed by poems and stories that are similar in nature to the traditional traits of that particular type. The thinking behind this is that we are not pigeon holed into one number, and that we can find parts of ourselves in all of the Enneagram. Being a type 9 I always see myself in every other type, but I wonder if my type 8 husband would see himself in any other type? I think not. However I did see myself in several of the poems and letters and I felt seen and heard, which is always a good thing.

This book will be a very good resource for those who like the idea of the Enneagram, but dislike the idea that they can only be identified by one type.

Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I liked this book. I enjoyed reading it even if at times I felt called out. The overview of the Type Six was something I felt very accurate as a type six myself. It out into words many of the ways I feel my mind works. It also shed some light on behaviors that I want sure where they stemmed from.

The poems were all very real. I was able to see myself reflected in them. I enjoyed reading them.

On presence is probably my favorite of the poems. I just related to it a lot.

"How many steps ahead is your mind from your body?”

I really enjoyed reading things. I think it gave a good dive into the signs. And I really enjoyed the poems that the author created to really delve deeper into that.

“And are you tired from all the scanning that tells you there is something to fear?

Or are you so comfortable in preparing that it doesn’t even feel like preparing anymore?”

Thank you to NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review!

The book examines the idea of using the enneagram as a whole, that is all nine types, rather than just your own type that you identify with.

Each chapter is about a different enneagram type and the part of yourself that fits into that particular type, so you are meant to read and relate to each type in every chapter.

It was full of very insightful, helpful and practical messages, (once I got used to the new agey voice).
I thought, for example, the grandparents in Florida story was a touching analogy in demonstrating reactions to authority.

A worthwhile read. You can see that the author put a lot of time and effort into this book.

“Through her poetry and personal essays, Enneagram expert Sarajane Case encourages her readers to embrace all nine personality types within themselves in The Enneagram Letters.“

Husband (E1W9) and I (E7W6) listened to sections of this together, and spent most of the time poking each other in the ribs.

“Did you hear what she said to YOU?”

We’re children.

***

I have a love/hate relationship to the Enneagram.

I love that it has helped me know my favourite people more deeply.

I love that it gives me vocabulary for some of my weirdness and a path to balance.

I do NOT love the idea of being laid bare for all to see.

I had the same feelings with this book.

Mirrors are helpful.

And hurtful.

“Happiness isn’t the only special thing. That sometimes grief holds magic for you just the same. We find ourselves in some of these darker moments. When we fight for happiness above all, we lose the truth of who we are. For me, I believe my seeking of happiness was even the source of much of my suffering. In the pursuit of happiness, I sacrificed things too early out of fear they would bring me down. I made reckless choices, all for the temporary feeling at the expense of long-term stability.”

Ouch, Sarajane. Ouch.

The unique thing about this particular Enneagram book involves Sarajane’s encouragement to ‘live outside your number’.

Less, “Meh, it’s just who I am.” More, “Is this serving me?”

7.5/10

Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing and Audio for this revealing ARC.

Sarajane gave a different take on a common topic. There are numerous books available on Enneagram giving "helpful hints" and recommendations on how to respond better based on your type.
If you are looking for more details or scholarly information about Enneagram this book is not for you. But where this book is different and successful is connecting to the personality and daily experience of the Enneagram types. As an Enneagram 5 myself, I often struggle connecting to the lived experience and emotions of the different personalities. This style of poetry and literary form helped me connect to and feel the emotions we, as individuals, experience daily related to our personalities. I feel comfortable this learning will help me better interact with others moving forward.
I appreciated the less scholarly approach to experiencing and understanding Enneagram.

This is a collection of poems or letters written with each enneagram typed person in mind. For each enneagram type, a person would tend to have certain personality traits and ways they deal with the world. Because of this, there are both strengths and weaknesses associated with each type. The author writes according to what the reader might fear or feel insecure about most of all, based on their enneagram type. A compassionate collection of writing to comfort and inspire reflection.

Each chapter begins with 4-6 common traits/habits/things about a particular number (a brief introduction, if you will), before moving into 8-10 short letters, ending with a conclusion that is slightly longer than the letters.

I appreciate that each chapter holds something for readers regardless of enneagram number, as it's laid out as 'to the part of you that feels it must be perfect (chapter one, enneagram one), for the part of you that fears being unlovable' (chapter two, enneagram two), etc.

There were two letters within the chapter corresponding with my enneagram number that brought tears to my eyes and were very touching. I did not connect with the other chapters in the same way, but still appreciated them. I read two letters from another chapter to a friend who identifies as that type and she was moved by them, so I'd imagine readers will most connect with the chapter that is their own and perhaps find a line or two in others that jumps out, brings a smile, makes them thing, etc.

I scope out many books on the Enneagram, and this one sure doesn't disappoint! This short book stand out among the rest because it highlights poems and essays written for every type of the Enneagram. I found so much comfort reading my type and that is the beauty of this. Instead of giving me information about what my type, the essays and poems do that work, and in a more impactful way.

Such a awesome take and look at this topic. The author brought a sense of understanding to the Ennegram. I recommend this to anyone interested in the Ennegram system .

Sarajane's poetry and writing style is beautiful and moving. I have been studying the Enneagram for a little over five years, and I'm always looking for new ways to keep the conversation going with my family and friends. I appreciate the simple descriptions for each Enneagram type preceding the poetry sections. I also appreciate that you don't have to be an expert in the Enneagram to read this and gain insight into yourself and others. That being said, if you're well versed in the Enneagram this book is still very much for you. I read sections of this book to my husband and friends and was thrilled at the conversations that followed. I learned so much!

I was skeptical, as someone who doesn't like poetry or pretty much any writing described as beautiful or lyrical. It turns out, when said writing is aimed directly at you it hits differently. I probably just have a personality clash with most poets!

I saved lines from this book because they were so dead on. Most enneagram books give practical advice, which I've heard many times over by now, and I loved getting ideas to contemplate instead. I was also very impressed with how Sarahjane could inhabit all the types and get the reader to do so, too.

I’m sure the authors other book, The Honest Enneagram is more what I’m probably looking for. This self help book read like an Instagram post and the poems had no real depth. I found the language to be lazy and came away from this not learning about anything I didn’t really already know about the Enneagram. I’ll give The Honest Enneagram a go, but The Enneagram Letters is a pass for me.

This book is a collection of essays and poetry about the author’s life experiences as it relates to each enneagram type. Each of the nine chapter gives a description of the corresponding enneagram type, followed by several essays and poetry. If you are new to enneagram, there are tests you can take (free online) to find out your enneagram type.

I am primarily a Six and One, so I immediately skipped to those chapters. I liked the introduction to each type, but the essays and poems felt a bit disjointed at times. They felt like meditative, flowing thoughts than anything. The essays were relatable and have good messages towards the end. I liked the conclusion that in reality, we can’t really be boxed in or defined by our personality types, and we are more than just these numbers. These are guides meant to help us grow and heal. This is a good read for those who like poetry and know more about their personality types.