Simply Tuesday: A Book Review

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When I first started reading Simply Tuesday by Emily P. Freeman, I have to confess that I was a bit disappointed. It was highly recommended by several bloggers, and I knew of several book clubs that were reading it together.

I’ve been wanting to read Simply Tuesday for a long time, and I was looking forward to reading something inspirational. Nevertheless, I wasn’t in the mood for a bible study, and the beginning seemed a bit “preachy.” Once I started reading, though, I was able to appreciate how beautifully written and well-thought out every bible reference was.

Who should read Simply Tuesday?

Simply Tuesday is written for anyone who wants to take a moment to enjoy life right where they are. It’s a calming book that makes you want to cherish every word. It is a slow read, and there are questions at the end of each chapter to facilitate discussion (or you could even use them as a reflection on your own life as I did).

While I did not read this as part of a book club, it would be the perfect book to read with a bible study or a group of friends. If you choose to read it alone, spend some time at the end of each chapter and really think about what you read. Is your life different or similar to the author’s? How could you incorporate what you read into your own life?

What is Simply Tuesday about?

“What if, instead of thinking we have to choose between our ordinary life and an extraordinary life, we begin to realize they’re the same thing.”

Emily P. Freeman makes references throughout the book to sitting on a bench on a Tuesday. The thought is that Tuesday is the most common day. There’s nothing unique about Tuesday, but life is filled with Tuesdays. We need to learn to enjoy and live for these Tuesdays. As the author said, “Most of life happens, not in brightness or in darkness, but in the medium light of a regular day.”

The book encourages you to focus on smallness. As an introvert, I love the thought of living a small life and accepting that life is bigger than I am. The prospect of slowing down and disregarding competition is comforting, but the book also points out that small things can have a big influence on our lives. For example, if you’re baking a cake but forget to include a teaspoon of baking soda, the whole cake may be ruined. The baking soda doesn’t compete with the flour, but it’s still important.

While Simply Tuesday encourages you to live simply and embrace your smallness, the author shares some of her own difficulty implementing these ideas. Her honesty is refreshing, and she makes the idea of living life where you are seem possible and appealing. She covers topics such as love, friendship, self-promotion, and encourages readers to apply these principles in their own lives.

Is Simply Tuesday worth reading?

At first, I didn’t think that I would enjoy Simply Tuesday. I originally planned on reading this book over a weekend, or a week at the most. I quickly realized that this is the kind of book that needs to be savored and read slowly, though.

Also, I wasn’t expecting the book to be as Christ-focused as it was. While I may read Christian books as part of a bible study, I don’t typically choose them for “pleasure reading.” However, while the book contained extensive references to bible stories, the bible references were tastefully woven into the book.

I would recommend Simply Tuesday to any woman who wants to take a step back and begin enjoying life’s small, day-to-day moments. That said, don’t try to read this book during a hectic period of your life! I would recommend reading this book over a vacation (read no more than a chapter a day), or even as part of a bible study (read no more than a chapter a week).

As you’re reading this book, really spend time reflecting on the different ideas presented. This is a book written to change the way you view life. Spend time taking notes or highlighting your favorite passages and refer back to them later. I ended up spending 20 to 30 minutes reading and thinking about the book each night before bed. It was the perfect way to end a day!

Have you read Simply Tuesday? What were your thoughts?

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