Review by Lucille27 -- From Drift to SHIFT
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Lucille27
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Review by Lucille27 -- From Drift to SHIFT
[Following is a volunteer review of "From Drift to SHIFT" by Jody B. Miller.]
From Drift to Shift, by Jody B. Miller, is a book that presents a series of interviews from distinct personalities, all linked because of one factor: the will of changing your life. Jody B. Miller refers to these changes as shifts that we should do, as individuals, to regain order in our life. However, the final goal of these changes is to improve yourself, become happier, more comfortable with who you are, and love the life you live. The author presents and expresses her own thoughts through the interviews, creating a common thread for the book.
What I like about this book is how Miller presents the interviews. She organizes her chapters in different sections, and, by doing this, she creates a path. As readers, we can follow her logic. She presents what she considers is a shift, how, and when to make it. Furthermore, she includes how to keep going after it. Each of the interviews is placed in one of these chapters. Also, I liked that Miller presents her comments throughout the interviews. It is not just the answer of the person and another question. On the contrary, Miller starts developing her idea, and she includes the quotes of the people when needed. It makes the book very easy to read. Finally, I like the variety of people she presents in the book.
What I dislike about this book is the tone it can have at some points. It feels a bit like it presumes moral superiority, like saying that if they could do it, then everyone can. This is not a bad idea per se. However, at some points, it seems like there are people who cannot be changed; thus, it seems to imply that they are less. I disagree with this point of view. Nevertheless, I do not think it is something the author did deliberately. This would be one of my major complaints. I would also have preferred if there was a deeper discussion on the stories told. It felt that these stories were related to Miller and how they shaped her. That was an amazing advantage of the book. However, I would have liked that she gave a step further. How? Maybe relating these stories to broader contexts and different situations, not just about herself.
The book was professionally edited with just a couple of typos, not affecting the reading. It also contains appendixes from the people interviewed and a list of resources. I think this book does not attempt against anyone’s personal beliefs. On the contrary, I think it allows different expressions to coexist and be explored. I think it just presents one instance of borderline profanity, and the cursing is always censored.
I would rate this book 3 out of 4 stars because I enjoyed reading it and I think it can be a long-term reading, yet I feel it lacks some kind of rigor. At some points, I felt it dealt with themes like depression and illnesses very lightly. I understand we have to overcome trauma and difficult situations. However, I feel a group of experts should always surround us through our hard times. It can be a bit overwhelming to tell someone that only with a lot of determination they will overcome every obstacle. That was not the message this book was trying to convey, yet I feel, sometimes, it happened. Nevertheless, I feel this is a wonderful book and has important resources that can help people change the course of their lives. I would recommend this book to a young-adult audience and people in their adult life, mostly if they are searching for a change. This would also be suited for people who feel a lot of discomfort about how their life is going. We could all use a bit of that during these chaotic and pandemic times.
******
From Drift to SHIFT
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
From Drift to Shift, by Jody B. Miller, is a book that presents a series of interviews from distinct personalities, all linked because of one factor: the will of changing your life. Jody B. Miller refers to these changes as shifts that we should do, as individuals, to regain order in our life. However, the final goal of these changes is to improve yourself, become happier, more comfortable with who you are, and love the life you live. The author presents and expresses her own thoughts through the interviews, creating a common thread for the book.
What I like about this book is how Miller presents the interviews. She organizes her chapters in different sections, and, by doing this, she creates a path. As readers, we can follow her logic. She presents what she considers is a shift, how, and when to make it. Furthermore, she includes how to keep going after it. Each of the interviews is placed in one of these chapters. Also, I liked that Miller presents her comments throughout the interviews. It is not just the answer of the person and another question. On the contrary, Miller starts developing her idea, and she includes the quotes of the people when needed. It makes the book very easy to read. Finally, I like the variety of people she presents in the book.
What I dislike about this book is the tone it can have at some points. It feels a bit like it presumes moral superiority, like saying that if they could do it, then everyone can. This is not a bad idea per se. However, at some points, it seems like there are people who cannot be changed; thus, it seems to imply that they are less. I disagree with this point of view. Nevertheless, I do not think it is something the author did deliberately. This would be one of my major complaints. I would also have preferred if there was a deeper discussion on the stories told. It felt that these stories were related to Miller and how they shaped her. That was an amazing advantage of the book. However, I would have liked that she gave a step further. How? Maybe relating these stories to broader contexts and different situations, not just about herself.
The book was professionally edited with just a couple of typos, not affecting the reading. It also contains appendixes from the people interviewed and a list of resources. I think this book does not attempt against anyone’s personal beliefs. On the contrary, I think it allows different expressions to coexist and be explored. I think it just presents one instance of borderline profanity, and the cursing is always censored.
I would rate this book 3 out of 4 stars because I enjoyed reading it and I think it can be a long-term reading, yet I feel it lacks some kind of rigor. At some points, I felt it dealt with themes like depression and illnesses very lightly. I understand we have to overcome trauma and difficult situations. However, I feel a group of experts should always surround us through our hard times. It can be a bit overwhelming to tell someone that only with a lot of determination they will overcome every obstacle. That was not the message this book was trying to convey, yet I feel, sometimes, it happened. Nevertheless, I feel this is a wonderful book and has important resources that can help people change the course of their lives. I would recommend this book to a young-adult audience and people in their adult life, mostly if they are searching for a change. This would also be suited for people who feel a lot of discomfort about how their life is going. We could all use a bit of that during these chaotic and pandemic times.
******
From Drift to SHIFT
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Zonas de quema by Jorge P. Newbery
