In this highly self-centered book, Alexandra Stoddard gives all kinds of advice about how to live an enjoyable life. It's too bad that most of it runs along the lines of, "Have a friend bring you some piñon incense from Santa Fe to burn in your fireplace. Once you do, you'll be hooked" (p. 13). The privilege and smug self-satisfaction are palpable...as is the author's perfect and complete unawareness of them.

I'm sorry for you if you are Stoddard's personal friend because she will be happy to use your imperfections to set off her own impeccable taste and style. In one passage she tells of her benighted friend who was so unorganized that she had three address books. Stoddard rushes to the rescue, with her recommendation for the very best filing system. Her friend responds with fawning appreciation; her life is now livable thanks to Stoddard's favorite planner pages.

There are many instances like this where Stoddard draws attention to her own style by using her so-called friends as a foil, but another deserves to be quoted in full:

"I will never forget going to a friend's house for dinner many years ago. We were served creamed chicken, mashed potatoes, and canned creamed corn. This colorless menu was unrelieved by being served on a beige plate! A sprig of parsley, even some cranberry jelly, would have whet my appetite. It takes a great deal to make me lose it, but that night even my imagination failed me. Dinner was so dull. I couldn't taste anything at all" (p. 70).

Oh, the horror! A friend invites you over, prepares dinner for you, but fails to make it colorful! Can anyone imagine a worse fate? Of course it takes a "great deal" to upset Stoddard's inner peace, but this colorless meal was most certainly beyond the pale of what any mortal should be forced to endure.

I recently reread The Pilgrim's Regress by C. S. Lewis and Stoddard is undoubtedly of the school of Mr. Sensible, whose advice on the art of happiness consists of "be in good health and have enough money to live comfortably" (my paraphrase). There are no words of advice for anyone who is not so happily circumstanced; Mr. Sensible, and Alexandra Stoddard, have nothing but a blank stare for anyone who does not share their affluence.

This is the worst book I have read this year and I can't believe no one at the publisher tried to tone back its unrelenting narcissism. Awful. ( )

This book is loaded with small ways to add beauty to one's life by creating spots of beauty in your personal space. This is not meant to be a profound, soul-enriching work, but it helps lay the groundwork for taking such good care of yourself that you have more to give. Anyone can implement Stoddard's suggestions, which range from simple (why didn't I think of that?) to genius (I would never have thought of that!). I've found this book to be so helpful that I've given it as a gift to family and friends. I bet you will feel the same way. Snatch up copies whenever you see one, and you will think of someone to give it to. I highly recommend this book. ( )

living with charm - so many good examples

Life is beautiful ( )