Book Review: "Simple and Free" By Jen Hatmaker

 "Why do we pursue more when we'd be happier with less? In this updated edition of 7, now in hardcover for the first time, New York Times bestselling author Jen Hatmaker tells the story of how she and her family tried to combat overindulgence--and what they learned along the way about living a truly meaningful life."

So many issues bothered me in this book in discussing condensing one's life and simplifying the indulgences.

It reminds me of the sermon I just attended at last Sunday's Christian mass in which the priest discussed the idea of being 'Christian' and proclaiming oneself a 'Catholic' inside of the church walls but outside these same individuals lack empathy, compassion, love, and good Christian values.

What does it mean to be Catholic today?

In my view, when you start off a book discussing your wealth, prestige, closet clutter, and the like it rubs those of us who are in dire situations the wrong way. It looks selfish, narcissistic, and domineering and I know this isn't the author's intention but Simple and Free was more like the lifestyles of the Rich and Famous covering the first half of the book especially her wonderful luxurious life in Texas.

I can't discuss the latter half of this work beyond the 40% mark because I was too turned off to enjoy it any further since I can't relate to the other's problems with full closets when I have no clothes and what little I have is second hand, on my parlor floor, in my basement dry rotted, tattered, and torn but still hanging on by a thread 20 years later from what we call  -Sally's Boutique- aka -The THRIFT STORE.

Thank god for yoga pants that hold up from three pregnancies after 20 years  (Victoria Secret's clearance rack) because honestly I have zero fashion sense and zero care about keeping up with the Jone's or wearing the latest and greatest so I simply couldn't relate as a tomboy with three brothers who wears the jeans/pants in the family.

My idea: We should focus less on finances and debt and more upon doing what makes us happy even if that title is that of simply a stay at home mom. Titles don't impress nor does money but how you spend your time in volunteering, in giving back to a community, in helping your fellow man, woman, and or child is where it's at and where the central focus should be located.

I was hoping upon reading the premise that this book would be a great match as Jen does seem quirky, free spirited, & bubbly with a great sense of humor but when you're in poverty, left homeless from divorce, struggling to raise a family w/o income while seeking full time living wages since 2010 -it's just not that funny.

All in all this may be good for someone whose in the upper middle class to wealthy top 1% of the social sphere but it's not going to be a -one size fits all- story.

The fact that much of the writing seemed to ramble, was filled with journal notes, and was thrown together into a book made it less enjoyable than if it was written in a more formal way.

In closing, this is a book that won't be enjoyed by all but it's a reminder that we all aren't given the same advancements in life.

Thank you Jen Hatmaker, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.