How to Save Your Own Life: 15 Lessons on Finding Hope in Unexpected Places Audiobook, by Michael Gates Gill Play Audiobook Sample

How to Save Your Own Life: 15 Lessons on Finding Hope in Unexpected Places Audiobook

How to Save Your Own Life: 15 Lessons on Finding Hope in Unexpected Places Audiobook, by Michael Gates Gill Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Michael Gates Gill Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 3.83 hours at 1.5x Speed 2.88 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: December 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781481553414

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

18

Longest Chapter Length:

56:00 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:22 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

18:55 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

2

Other Audiobooks Written by Michael Gates Gill: > View All...

Publisher Description

The author of the New York Times bestseller How Starbucks Saved My Life perks up America with inspiring lessons on finding true happiness at any age and any stage of life.

Michael Gill’s lemons-to-lemonade memoir chronicled his transformative years working at Starbucks after losing his high-powered job, his marriage, and his health (he developed a brain tumor). In response to overwhelming requests from readers who wanted to know how they, too, could weather downturns, Michael Gill has distilled his experiences into fifteen meaningful lessons, including:

*Leap with Faith: Sometimes it pays to leap without looking and say yes without thinking (Gill accepted the Starbucks job immediately, on a whim).

*Let Yourself Be Helped: Pride is even more paralyzing than fear.

*Look with Respect at Every Individual You See: Gill was raised to avoid eye contact with those who were different, cloistered in a privileged world. Now he realizes the potential in all who cross his daily path.

*Lose Your Watch (and Cell Phone and PDA!): Our obsession with productivity produces madness, not gladness.

Offering living proof that extraordinary happiness is found in ordinary moments, How to Save Your Own Life provides empowering words and hope for anyone facing a reversal of fortune. True fortune, Gill discovered, lies not in fate but in discovering the innate capacity we all possess to rescue ourselves.

Download and start listening now!

"I really enjoyed this book. It is filled with common sense advice that makes you remember what is important in life with consistent reminders of what is not important relying on the life story of Michael Gates Gill. "

— Sean (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “[Michael Gill Gates’] gentle pacing and laid-back altruism give his narration an emotional depth. Vivid and powerful, these are ideas that most listeners will carry with them and want to hear again and again.”

    — AudioFile
  • “Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Gill managed to lose everything he had, then come back with a new appreciation for people and the ordinary moments of life. In his engrossing second book, he offers advice for weathering the downs…While other writers often weave too much ego into their message, Gill has created an engrossing work without boosting himself. Bound to please and encourage.”

    — Library Journal
  • “Whether or not you agree with his less-is-more premise, it’s hard not to be drawn to Gill and his message—he writes plainly and gracefully and is filled with a grateful, almost childlike wonder at how much he loves his simpler life.”

    — BookPage

How to Save Your Own Life Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.22727272727273 out of 53.22727272727273 out of 53.22727272727273 out of 53.22727272727273 out of 53.22727272727273 out of 5 (3.23)
5 Stars: 5
4 Stars: 5
3 Stars: 3
2 Stars: 8
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Felt like a neighbor that had a near death experience telling you how to live life simply. Parts were repetitive, especially the wonder at how one can live with a part time coffee shop job and in an apartment with lawn furniture for the dining room set, and descriptions of his former high-flying life. It felt like he was trying to reach beyond his first book but didn't have all that much to add. He did have some extended stories that I found interesting, mostly about his family. Those are done well, and I felt I could relate with them. Nothing really earthshattering or new here in terms of the "lessons". For some reason, I felt the need to drink more coffee while listening to this audiobook.... And a bonus, such as it is, on the audiobook -- Michael Gill sings! "

    — Jay, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The little book contains many of the life lessons Michael Gill learned after losing a high-powered advertising job, his marriage and his pala palatial home and ending up working at Starbucks. Since I live a fairly simple life, I did not find the book helpful, but for anyone who lives beyond their means, is more concerned about appearances than relationships, or who feels their job and social status define him or her, this would be a valuable read. "

    — Carol, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I came across this book at the Coral Gables Public Library while my daughter was auditioning at the Coral Gables Youth Center. The author came to Books and Books in Coral Gables not long ago but I was not able to go. I confess that I did not read this author's first book, How Starbucks Saved my Life but also have wanted to read it. Since I was not able to get the first book, I decided just to dive into the second. As I read the book, I couldn't help but wanting or dreaming about my favourite coffee at Starbucks since the references to the store are common. By the way, my favourite is Soy Chai Tea Latte. Did I enjoy the book or would I recommend it? Well, let's say that this book, I believe is not to be read all at once. I think it's the kind of book that is better read in sips, like "hot coffee". The author wants to share the lessons he has learned the hard way; how by losing everything he had, he was able to find the life that was meant for him. The best way is to read the lessons -chapters-, little by little, so you have time in between to think and analyze how it applies to your own life. I agree with the author about how rewarding it is to serve others. It made me think about that quote from Rumi that states: "Be a lamp, a lifeboat or a ladder". I believe we are here to learn from others and to help athem as well. This book is full of lessons to that effect. On the other hand, the book is quite simplistic. It did move me, aup to a point, and you can relate to the author in some ways but then in some many other ways, it really did not speak to me. Perhaps, because I am not part of that privileged class he talks so much about, although my family knows what it is like to lose everything and have to start all over. If you want a light, warm and inspiring read, then this is your book. "

    — cristina, 1/28/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " The 15 lessons are good, but are often filled with anecdotes from his life that are boring and only applicablefrom his point of view. "

    — Tyler, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I won this book from the first-reads program. While I appreciate the sentiment behind Gill's writing and I admire his growth, this book has a very specific audience--and I'm afraid it doesn't include me. I wouldn't mind if a few of our friends on Wall Street read this book, though. "

    — Cass, 1/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " For some reason, Michael Gates Gill's writing makes me hopeful and happy--even the hard stuff he relates. This is a tiny book but lots of big thoughts "

    — Jody, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Some new lessons and some reminders about what matters. I enjoyed this book! "

    — Cathey, 1/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 15 clear and simple tips, with detailed, close to the heart explanation. Read it with an open heart and it might be helpful. "

    — Azmir, 11/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " This book was dull and repetitive and well, boring. Could have been an interesting pamphlet perhaps. "

    — Elaine, 11/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Another easy read. Wanted to like this book but it didn't make much of an impression on me "

    — Joyce, 7/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Please see my essay on How Starbucks Saved My Life. "

    — Todd, 7/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A humbling read about what really matters in life. "

    — Musfiza, 7/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I found this book in the office - thought it may be fate! Decently inspirational. "

    — Elizabeth, 7/20/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Feeling very motivated from the first page onwards. "

    — Raden, 7/8/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Maybe his first book was good, I never read it, but this one didn't offer me anything I could wrap my arms around and use. The author's writing style is easy to read and I would consider reading his best selling first book in the future. From the back cover it sounded like it was pretty good. "

    — Matt, 3/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Mainly a continuation/retelling of his first book, How Starbucks Saved My Life. Just OK for me. "

    — Joanne, 12/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Awesome book. I liked the first one as well, but I've gotta admit, this one is a tear jerker.. "

    — Brittany, 4/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Inspiring, brought me to tears, make me laughed and always excited me when i read his every sentences in this book. "

    — Mohd., 4/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Awesome book. I liked the first one as well, but I've gotta admit, this one is a tear jerker.. "

    — Brittany, 3/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " For some reason, Michael Gates Gill's writing makes me hopeful and happy--even the hard stuff he relates. This is a tiny book but lots of big thoughts "

    — Jody, 1/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I found this book in the office - thought it may be fate! Decently inspirational. "

    — Elizabeth, 8/23/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " So far, so good. It's not my type of book, but his personality is hard to ignore or not like. He's a genuine guy, with a genuine message. I'd much rather tell people looking for inspiration to read this rather than "the secret." "

    — Jessilynn, 12/21/2009

About Michael Gates Gill

Michael Gates Gill is the author of How Starbucks Saved My Life and the son of New Yorkerwriter Brendan Gill. A former creative director at J. Walter Thompson Advertising, he now works at Starbucks and has no plans to retire. He lives in New York.