Make a List

How a Simple Practice Can Change Our Lives and Open Our Hearts

By: Marilyn Chandler McEntyre

Narrated by: Ann Richardson

Length: 4 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

What if writing a list could literally change your life?

From the ancient book of numbers to the latest clickbait listicle, list-writing has been a routine feature of human experience. Shopping lists. To-do lists. Guest lists. Bucket lists. Lists are everywhere you look.

But what if our lists did more than just remind us to buy milk and take out the trash? What if the practice of list-making could help us discover who we truly are and even point us to our deepest joys, hopes, and desires?

In Make a List, teacher, writer, and wordsmith Marilyn McEntyre shows listeners how the simple act of writing a list can open doors to personal discovery and spiritual growth. Deepening her reflections with abundant writing prompts and real-life examples, McEntyre turns the humble list into a work of art - one that has the power to clear minds, open hearts, and change lives.

©2018 Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (P)2019 Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Personal discovery and Christian spiritual growth

I haven't realize that this audiobook was about personal discovery AND mostly about Christian spiritual growth. My Bad. Unfortunately that wasn't what I was searching for. However, the content is interesting and well written. Ann Richardson did a great job with the narration. I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I'm making a list!

Excellent ideas for greater insight into ourselves!

Ann Richardson did a wonderful job narrating.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

It’s not the grocery list that matters

This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would listen to another. I am an avid list maker (to the point many friends and family tease me about it ). She gives recommendations on list ideas that made me recognize ones I did not even realize I was making. It’s the lists that help you remember special events in life that I most enjoy. For example… I have made a list of funny things and favourite sayings my son has come up with ever since he could talk. It is so fun to share this with him now he is older and makes me smile when I remember those moments.
This is not a book about a grocery list or a list of things to do. This is much deeper than that. Thanks to this book, I am going to encourage my son to make lists as he goes through life.

This is the second book I’ve listened to by this narrator ( Ann Richardson ) and I would listen to another. Her voice is pleasant to listen to and her narration appropriate for this content.

There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

Exploring the Benefits of List-Making

I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I've had "Leave a review for Make a List: How a Simple Practice Can Change Our Lives and Open Our Hearts" on my to-do list for about a month now. I live my life around to-do lists. I know that I'll forget tasks and delay personal development if I don't keep track of what needs to be done. As a result, the premise for this book, which is written by Marilyn Chandler McEntyre and narrated by Ann Richardson, intrigued me. It's a Christian self-help guide dedicated to the benefits of writing lists, and it contains ideas for various lists that can be written. This book is interesting, and Richardson provides strong narration. However the content isn't particularly new or refreshing, and it becomes tedious towards the last half of the four hour and 38 minute duration.

Marilyn Chandler McEntyre is a Christian teacher and compulsive list-maker. Throughout Make a List, she divulges ways that she uses lists on a daily basis, and she discusses the numerous benefits she's reaped from this seemingly simplistic activity. She argues that lists can benefit makers throughout their lives. They can be used to broaden perspectives, get out of a rut, deal with loss, find a new career, check your heart and value life. The work is broken into three main chapters. At the end of each chapter, McEntyre includes a section titled "some lists to play with," where she presents ideas for various lists. Some ideas include: "When to harden my heart", "Valuable distractions" and "What I've decided about my diet". There is also an appendix which includes a large array of list ideas.

McEntyre's passion for list-making is evident throughout this work, and it's clear that she strongly believes that this activity can add value to anyone's life. This thesis is clearly stated in the first chapter. By the third chapter, it starts to wear thin. The chapters jump around in topic and application, and they become somewhat redundant. The list ideas are interesting, but they're oftentimes strange and off-topic. Some examples include "What baby's do with their bodies", "how to de-commercialize Christmas" and "what takes me close to tears". This work could've benefited from more structure and a truncated duration.

Ann Richardson does a fine job providing narration for Make a List. She has a soft, calming voice that never grows tiresome or grating. Although this work doesn't demand a great amount of emotional investment on the part of the narrator, Richardson seamlessly transitions between moments of excitement and solemnity when appropriate. She clearly enunciates words and never stumbles over pronunciation. She maintains a strong level of passion throughout the work.

Make a List can be motivating and inspirational. McEntyre clearly demonstrates how lists can be beneficial, and she shares a plethora of ideas for getting started. Unfortunately, this work is too long, and the concepts grow tiresome. The chapters have sections that drag on, and some of the lists are out of place. Fortunately, Richardson provides strong narration throughout. This work could be worth checking out if you're interested in Christian self-help books.

Listened to understand my wife better - LOVED IT

I received a promo copy of this book & my opinions expressed are my own.
I requested this book because for 19 years, I've watched my wife when she's stressed out, grab a pen & paper & make a list & then she calms down. I've done it occasionally, but this book examines WHY we make lists, and encourages you to make lists for everything so that you know who you are & what you actually want. I saw a review of the book on Amazon that rated it at 1 star because its "a Christian Book" and doesn't advertise that upfront. I am Christian, and while this sometimes sites scripture, and its apparent Marilyn is Christian, it is not an "exclusively Christian book," and I think the author would even encourage you to make lists about what is positive or Negative about Christianity, religion, etc.

Overall, this is a book about helping you examine who you are in a beautiful, imaginative way. I recently assembled a list of books I've read in the last year for someone & it was an exercise I should do more often. I'm ordering the Hardback book for my wife for Christmas.
Ann Richardson's performance was superb and personal. I like when I'm listening to an audiobook, especially non-fiction, to feel like a friend is having a conversation with me & that's how this felt.
The only 2 things I did not like about this book (Let me list them!!!)
1- She lists off hundreds of Lists you should try throughout the book, but I couldn't write them down, as I was commuting.
2- It's only broken into 3 parts. So even if I wanted to go back & listen, "what was that list at the beginning of that section?, I can't because the three sections parts are over an hour long each. Could have been divided into much smaller files.

That being said, It was good enough I guarantee I'll listen to it again & I'm buying the hard copy because 3000 books at home is not enough. (I really should make a list just so I know).
I'd be happy to listen to anything else by Anne Richardson and anything written by Marilyn in the future.

Lists can lead to many discoveries

Who know how being a list maker can add to enjoyment and discovery! Author Marilyn McEntyre shares her lifelong desire for lists and shows the listener how they have opened up her mind, opportunities, self-permission and exploration. Each section gives the listener 'lists' to consider and ultimately encourages the make our own lists.

Some of my favorite quotes from this title are "Anything worth doing, is worth doing badly". You don't have to become professionally trained to enjoy a new hobby, just do it! No regrets.

"If you're no longer being surprised, you've fallen asleep!" I love this one! Life life expecting to learn and be amazed by others and circumstances around you.

Ann Richardson is perfect for this title. Her delivery is gentle and encouraging. She understood the intention of the author. This made for a wonderful listening experience.

Mature Content: none

I was given a free copy of this title by the publisher. My honest review is voluntarily offered.

Wonderful adding to my list :-)

Having made lists from forever most likely in the womb on the best way out I had to listen to this book. I was not disappointed. I loved the way the book is divided into 3 parts. Part one Why do we make lists, part two The way of the list maker and part three Playlists ( a fun collection of lists to think about). The book is fun, and factual and entertaining. I also want to share a review I saw written by Benjamin Fefe. I found this so touching "I requested this book because for 19 years, I've watched my wife when she's stressed out, grab a pen & paper & make a list & then she calms down." I too have a husband that doesn't understand my list making :-)
I was gifted this book with the understanding that I would leave an honest review.