If I Had My Life to Live Over [Hardcover]

Sandra Martz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2010

This companion volume to the award-winning anthology, When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple, illuminates the experiences of women, young and old, reflecting on the choices they have made. In these stories and poems we see how women's alternatives are both extended and limited by personal belief systems, ethnic and cultural identity, class and economic status, age, and gender. Whether exploring significant public events or small private choices, these word portraits resonate with authenticity and meaning.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lacking the eccentricity and distinctiveness of its bestselling predecessor, When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple (on women and aging), also edited by Martz, this new volume on the theme of the choices women make throughout their lives is simplistic at best. The language of most stories and poems here is uninventive and often cliched; themes are staid. "A child is growing somewhere / in this weary world, / an innocent unwary / of emotions shattered," writes Shirley Vogler Meister in a sing-song, rhyming poem about adoption; and the narrator of Stephany Brown's story, whose boyfriend promptly enlisted in the Army when at 16 she told him she was pregnant, says that "having his baby is still the best thing I ever did." Too many of these pieces have haunting echoes of a campaign for Family Values. Reading these pages, one would assume women no longer make choices other than having children vs. having an abortion, marriage vs. divorce, or which boy to date. A few excellent tidbits--Janice Levy's story about a Mexican woman entering the U.S. illegally and working as a maid or Pat Schneider's poem about a sister choosing to be a nun--are not enough to make this volume worth reading. 70,000 first printing.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

Embraced by readers worldwide, this popular companion volume to WHEN I AM AN OLD WOMAN I SHALL WEAR PURPLE illuminates the experiences of women, young and old, reflecting on the choices they have made. Whether exploring significant public events or small private moments, these word portraits resonate with authenticity and meaning. "Reading it is like spending a quiet afternoon, sitting on the deck, watching the sunset, drinking a cup of tea with honey." (Nebo)

A favorite gift book, a popular reading group choice, and a classic bestseller that "touches on every aspect of women moving on in life" (Small Press Review), IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER I WOULD PICK MORE DAISIES is about choices-choosing the safe path or daring to step out of one's comfort zone.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 205 pages
• Publisher: Papier-Mache Press; 1St Edition edition (January 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0918949254
• ISBN-13: 978-0918949257
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #308,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The writing is great and the message is universal., April 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: If I Had My Life to Live Over I Would Pick More Daisies (Paperback)

The women in this book could be my best friends. They face real issues and make the best decisions they can. Just like most of us, they sometimes wish that they could go back and do it all over. I especially liked the stories from women who were past their parenting years and trying to figure out what to do with the rest of their life. I bought copies for both my sisters: we can't afford to be like Nadine Stair and find ourselves at the end of life regretting all the things we didn't do.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It changed my life., February 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: If I Had My Life to Live Over I Would Pick More Daisies (Paperback)

I love this book. The first time I read the title poem, I knew it was the truth. The last thing I want to do is wake up in 30yrs and realize I could've had more fun. This book reminds you to Live each day for all it's worth.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If ... Learn and Enjoy!, June 23, 2002

By 

rannoon (Home) - See all my reviews

This review is from: If I Had My Life to Live Over (Hardcover)

What attracted me first was the title of the book .. it gave me a feeling of hope and freshness!

Each portrait reaches to your heart and to your soul... it is like when you look deep into someone's eyes and find the truth.. about relationships, simple daily routines, and above all that lingering feeling of love that signifies one's decisions and actions!
So many lessons and more advice.. so poeticly described and softly accentuated for us to see.. and hopefully learn!

I enjoyed it extremely.. I went over and over several parts ... sometimes smiling and others tearing.. it is a book that surprises you every time you read it...