Charlene Baumbich

I requested "Don't Miss Your Life" from the Library Thing Early Reviewers group because of the word "Laughter" in the title. The book lives up to its title. I giggled. I tee-heed. I snorted. I laughed out loud. Then I laughed so hard that tears ran down my cheeks. I laughed so frequently while reading "Don't Miss Your Life" that my husband asked to borrow the book when I was done with it.

Charlene Baumbich lives up to her reputation for humor. Better yet, the "Grace" in the title is fully show more accessible, and especially in the last few chapters. I made notes all over the first three-fourths of my copy, but for the last fourth, I could only read and drink in the assurances that we all have been given the ability to live, love, laugh and share our gifts, however small, with others.

Baumbich relates hilarious stories from her own life that are very freeing, and I found it easy to relate to her. I know that the next time I want to give up and drop out, or the next time I trip and fall down, I will think of Charlene, and I will choose differently. Because how could I take myself too seriously or stay angry when I'm brimming over with grace, laughter and happiness? Oh, I'll still get mad or huffy, but I won't live there for long with the memories from "Don't Miss Your Life".

I didn't just read the book, I inhaled it, I wrote all over it, and I laughed, chuckled and giggled my way through it. I was sorry when I got to the last page. Guess I'll have to look up her back list - I'm addicted to humor now. show less

I hate giving such a terrible review for this book because I feel that the author is genuine and pretty awesome, but this book, which has been material for her talks and speeches given over the past several years makes for a much better presentation than a book. I felt like it was all over the place and too ... chatty ... for a book. It was almost too much like a good friend talking to you to be palatable. Too much of a good thing... I think that if I had experienced the same material in a show more conference room with other ladies it would have been a better experience. My advice? If the subject seems interesting, try to see her. Otherwise, you'll be forcing yourself through these 200 pages. show less

First, let me say I spent a little longer reading this guide due to the creative writing of the author. So many things I wanted to high-light, yet I immediately knew I would probably be sharing this book with someone else and was hesitant to do so. For example, "Like a coonhound that picks up the scent of it's desire, she went on high alert, ready to track, chase, and corner this really live trail. She was prepared to keep me treed until she got what she wanted" I chuckled, went tback to show more read this again and then just laughed at such a decription of a person and then had to read it to my husband, who wanted to hear it twice also! Many examples of this throughout.

The author, Charlene, tells story after story. She recounts something that happened while planning a loved one's funeral. I had lost my dad and brother 3 1/2 years ago and it still is the bleakest moment in my life, but as I read this story I just let the grip loosen on my book and laughed, just laughed for her story, and really laughed FOR ME, that felt wonderful.

The book reminded me I could pray for the simplest of things such as another best friend.

I felt the "need" this author has to want me to really live a quality life. I closed the book feeling what a true gift I have in today. I am sure I will recommend this book as I know many who could use this message and I believe I will refer back to this book as well. show less

Don't Miss Your Life is like a long conversation with a really funny girlfriend who is frequently "over the top" but has great insight into life and really listens to you when you need to talk. It is written from a Christian standpoint and I truly hope that this, in itself, will not turn some people off to the message of the book. It is told using lots of anecdotes and inspirational quotes, as well as Scripture, to get you thinking about your own life.

One of the main devices that Baumbich show more uses is something that she calls the Memory Portfolio. The MP is:

"Your invisible, utterly personal, wholly accessible, always-ready-for-new-entries, combination diary and scrapbook of sensory-loaded captured moments."

By using your past - or losing it, if need be - the MP helps you to look back at what you enjoyed and what you were good at before your life got bogged down. It's purpose is to wake you up... to who you really are, to what is pulling you down or holding you back and to what you is consuming all of your time and energy.

This book made me laugh and cry and think a lot about my life. I read it fairly quickly and I really want to take some more time with it. After a series of traumatic, life-changing events, I find myself stalled out. So it is from this perspective that I can say that I found Don't Miss Your Life tremendously inspiring and hilariously funny. I do have to agree that the author went a little too far with the chattiness and the asides, the "Moment of Truth"s. However, these were small distractions when taken with the whole of the book.

(Review based on complimentary Advance Reader Copy from the publisher.) show less