Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Review/Giveaway: The Second-Half Adventure


A WINNING READINGS GIVEAWAY!

Title: The Second-Half Adventure: Don't Just Retire - Use Your Time, Skills & Resources to Change the World
Author: Kay Marshall Strom
Genre: Christian nonfiction living/personal growth
How to enter: Leave a comment on THIS post right here! If you're a subscriber or a follower, leave a second comment for a second entry.
Entry deadline: February 25, 2010
Restrictions: Open internationally!

That's right, enter right here for this giveaway. This is my review copy, so it has been gently read.

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I may not be a baby boomer, but I've worked long and hard enough that I am looking forward to retirement! Ahhh - the days of sleeping in, catching up on my reading, and freedom to travel the world! Throw in a few golf lessons on a Hawaiian course, some of those Seniors trips that the YMCA puts together, and it sounds heavenly!

But there have been those off times, too. I had a six-month period of unemployment a few years back, and somehow I managed to cram every moment of it with activities of one sort or another - stressing myself in order to keep up with things. There's just this inherent need of mine to be needed - to make a difference.

That's where this book comes in.

The Second-Half Adventure, written by Kay Marshall Strom, is a 208-page paperback produced by Moody Publishers. List price is $14.99.

Here's how the publisher describes the book:
A social worker from New England...a Texas airline pilot...a homemaker from
California...a lawyer who has lived everywhere...a quilter in Oregon. What do
they have in common? All are on the adventure of their lives. Like many others
among the 77 million baby boomers, these men and women don't want to retire from
contributing when they retire from their careers. So they are using their time,
skills, and resources to make a difference. Written in cooperation with
Finishers Project, an umbrella organization that encompasses more than 100
mission organizations, this book will help baby boomers discover a second-half
adventure that fits them and counts for eternity.

And I just noticed the author lives a hop, skip, and jump away from me here in Oregon. Okay, so it's a good 1.5 hour away, but when we live in a town you'll miss if you blink, and our county seat town doesn't even have a Costco yet (it's coming, though...), Eugene is like a huge metropolitan area. Back to Kay Marshall Strom - she's authored 34 published books and also speaks at seminars, retreats, and special events throughout the world. Find out more at www.kaystrom.com.

This book is a great resource for those who may be approaching retirement age but don't want to retire from life just yet! As life expectancy increases, more and more people are finding themselves with unfilled time on their hands. And the author offers the challenge - and inspiration - to make the second half of our lives the most meaningful. Why not? We've acquired skills, honed talents, are more financially secure, and have tons to offer.

Not only does the book bring up the challenge and highlight some of the things boomers have to offer, it provides lots of examples and practical advice. It addresses common barriers such as finances, knowing God's will, and spouse issues. And it offers areas and ways in which we can make a difference and grow God's kingdom.

The author includes one of my favorite quotes: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." (Quote attributed to Jim Elliot, who lost his life in Equador - some of his story is found in End of the Spear, a movie I highly recommend.) And no matter our age, this is certainly a truth we can live by.

There's a great list of website resources in the back of the book. Here's the most important one: finishers.org. If you want to make a difference in the lives of others, but are not sure where to start - where your skills and your passion will be put to best use - start here. The Finishers Project matches adults up with mission opportunities - short- or long-term.

Thanks to the author and Pump Up Your Book Promotion for the review copy of this inspiring, interesting, and useful book.

41 comments:

Nancye said...

This looks like an interesting book. Please enter me.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Follower

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Anonymous said...

We are on the verge of retiring so I would love to win this book.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am a follower of your blog.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me.
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

following...
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

moonstar said...

i would love to have this book.

moonstar said...

i am a follower.

EVA SB said...

This sounds like an interesting book. Please count me in.

EVA SB said...

I'm a follower

Elizabeth said...

This sounds like a great book! Thank you.

Jennifer Wilson said...

Sounds like a neat book. I'm not that age, but love reading about missions!

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Jennifer Wilson said...

I follow google friends connect.

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

HORTON111@AOL.COM

I RETIRED LAST YEAR...MIGHT BE JUST THE BOOK FOR ME

sweetsue said...

I would like to win this for my step-dad who recently retired.
smchester at gmail dot com

sweetsue said...

I follow on Google Friend Connect.
smchester at gmail dot com

Misusedinnocence said...

Cool giveaway, would be perfect for my Dad. :)

misusedinnocence@aol.com

David Johnson said...

Please count me in, thanks.

Jessica said...

I would like to read this and then give it to my parents to read.

PaintedPony17@yahoo.com

Pat said...

This sounds like a wonderful book!
pkildow at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Sounds like just the book for me! Thanks.

Cheryl B said...

This looks interesting. Please enter me.
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com

Cheryl B said...

I'm a follower & email subscriber:
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com

chromiumman said...

sounds like a great idea

chromiumman (at) mail (dot) com

squiresj said...

I am a baby boomer. But I am disabled so retirement is not even a thing as I've been disabled for 15 years.
I know what you mean about a small town you blink and you don't see it. I live in one of those. Also my doctors are 1 1/2 hours away from here.
jrs362(at)hotmail(dot)com

Renee G said...

This sounds good.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

erma said...

I'd love to read this book.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

Nickolay said...

I could use some help in this area. Thanks for the chance

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

Nickolay said...

follower

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I like this book's cover!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

lex.redding@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Subscriber.

lex.redding@yahoo.com

Kathy P said...

following your blog as klp1965

Maja said...

followr

Unknown said...

I would love to win this book. It sounds great. garrettsambo@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Looks like a good read to me

Anonymous said...

follow blog

ardy22

disneyfanheather said...

Sounds really interesting!

disneyfanheather said...

Following your blog!

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

I would love to read :
Second-Half Adventure: Don't Just Retire - Use Your Time, Skills & Resources to Change the World
zestywonderland@gmail.com

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

I subscribe & follow!
zestywonderland@gmail.com