Publishers Weekly
Just a month after her wedding, 31-year-old Walker was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; two years later, she was bitter, isolated, and addicted to both pain medication and self-pity. In need of help beyond drug detox, Cami takes the advice of a South African healer: give away something every day, for 29 days. Walker soon learns that being mindful of giving also means being open to gifts from others, and that gratefulness and mutual generosity is the key to a better, more rewarding life. Glimpses into Walker's day-to-day difficulties-work, family life, constant therapeutic treatment and addiction recovery among them-crop up among the stories of her daily gifts, grounding the work (based on Walker's Web site) in personal details. But the meat, an admirable reworking of The Secret (in that it should actually help someone, at least gift recipients), speaks largely to those already initiated into the cult of positivity.
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Library Journal
Walker presents a story that gets to the core of the emotional pain and loneliness that people feel when suffering from a serious disease like multiple sclerosis (MS), which she was diagnosed with at age 35. Readers will instantly connect with this narrative of her journey to find an alternative to withering away in her apartment. Through the help of a spiritual leader, Walker begins to heal herself emotionally by giving away 29 gifts in 29 days. Her story unfolds nicely, and the reader is left with a good picture of what it's like to live with MS. Walker turns what could have been a book about self-pity into a great read about pain and a creative way to get on with life.
From the Publisher
"In the African village, the relentless challenge of physical survival causes people to dig deep into the well of their psyches to offer gifts of the heart-to family, community, spirit. These are the simple gestures which flow over the barrenness of daily living and the lack of creature comforts. Cami and Mbali have joined forces to help us realize that the spirit of the village lives in the simplest of kind-hearted and well-intentioned gestures, wherever they are offered. The message of this book has never been more relevant, more needed, more valuable."—Malidoma Patrice Somé, author of Of Water and the Spirit
"29 Gifts is luminous, vivid and transformative. Reading and living its words will contribute to the world in mighty ways!"—SARK, national bestselling-author of Succulent Wild Woman and creator, PlanetSark.com
"Cami's message echoes the truth that generosity of the heart is designed into the very fabric of our being. Reading 29 Gifts makes it obvious that each one of us, right where we are, surrounded with exactly what we have, is a perfect vehicle of givingness. Her intimate story, and those of others, illuminate how the power of giving is where genuine healing, meaning, and happiness are found."
—Michael Bernard Beckwith, author of Spiritual Liberation: Fulfilling Your Soul's Potential
"Maybe you've caught the buzz on 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life. Since Walker's appearance on the "Today" show two weeks ago, her inspirational story is making the rounds at light speed. Why are people so intrigued with this? Because her message is perfect for these uncertain times. For those of us immersed in pity parties because things aren't going our way, Cami's book offers a way to transform our lives and help the people around us. The best part: It doesn't have to cost a dime."
—Tampa Tribune
"Not only is this book a bestseller in the U.S., it's become a whole spiritual movement."
—Daily Mail (UK)
"Walker describes the transformative experience of giving, and though it can be perkily Oprah-esque, its sincerity is evident and the benefits the author reaped are real."
—Cleveland Plain Dealer
"Much more than a story about M.S.-it is a story about the power of giving...The experiences from [Walker's] 29 days of giving will give you much food for thought."
—MSWorld.org
"29 Gifts stands out among other 'inspirational' books because Walker doesn't hold back. She describes her disease and symptoms in vivid detail. And it's that bravery which makes the process ring true. Following Walker's journey, one realizes that most of us give many little gifts each day. But without the right mindset, they seem like little tasks instead...Read all at once or at leisure, 29 Gifts is worth your time. Not only does it put a face on MS, it puts a face on perceptions and the power of the mind to overcome adversity."
—Deseret News UT
"It's all very uplifting, potentially of genuine value in teaching people to look outside themselves and the daily grind of their lives."
—InfoDad.com
"Walker presents a story that gets to the core of the emotional pain and loneliness that people feel when suffering from a serious disease like multiple sclerosis...Readers will instantly connect with this narrative of her journey...Her story unfolds nicely, and the reader is left with a good picture of what it's like to live with MS. Walker turns what could have been a book about self-pity into a great read about pain and a creative way to get on with life."
—Library Journal
"A delight...Well written...At times hilariously funny, at times very sad, and at all times it had me spellbound...It is a book full of wisdom."
—Cape Times
"[An] inspiring story of giving."
—Books for a Better Life, winner of the MS Awareness Award
"If you like reading a book for content, then you will really like this book...Cami's book was certainly an inspiration to me. I plan to start my 29 days soon."
—Albany Herald
"The story of how even small gifts-a perfect conch shell here, three dollars there-helped give Walker a grateful heart and taught her not to be overwhelmed by illness."
—Energy Times
"[Walker's] story is moving and inspirational; this book is likely to appeal to those striving to live a life of gratitude."
—Metapsychology Online Reviews
"A poignant and insightful account of the transformative power of acts of kindness."
—Saginaw News
"Glimpses into Walker's day-to-day difficulties...crop up among the stories of her daily gifts, grounding the work in personal details...An admirable reworking of The Secret (in that it should actually help someone, at least gift recipients)."
—Publishers Weekly
"It reminded me a lot of Michael J Fox's book, since it was more about the journey rather than the author...29 Gifts is a great read. The author's tone throughout the book is extremely friendly and upbeat, even while recounting her darkest moments...This is the practical component of The Secret... One of the many things I found great about this book is that while it exudes positivism, the author, Cami Walker, is a realist...The relative simplicity of the 29 gifts movement is refreshing...A fantastic book."
—Blogcritics.org
"Walker's a plucky writer, and it's hard not to be inspired by her story...Can '29 Gifts' work? Well, at the very least, it makes you more aware of the good in your life, and it shifts the focus from yourself to others."
—Boston Globe
"This holiday season, why not embrace the spirit of giving with your own 29 days of kindness?"
—Oprah.com
"An insightful and moving story."
—Orange County Register
"In this season of giving, 29 Gifts cuts to the very heart of the thing: giving to enrich and share rather than receive. If it doesn't change your life, it will at least make you think."
—January
"The perfect gift for anyone who needs a feel good story...I enjoyed the read. It made me give a few gifts myself."
—Book a Week with Jen blog
"I really love the idea of the 29 gifts, and the book did a good job of getting me to stop and think about how one's attitude toward the world colors one's experience of it."
—Roanoke Times
"A remarkable and inspiring book...I highly recommend it as a gift for someone struggling with depression, a major illness or wanting to heal on any level...Let this review be one of my 29 gifts to you and let this book be a present to someone in need."
—L.A. Intuitive Healing and Spiritual Growth Examiner
"Takes the reader smoothly into the day-to-day world of a young bride (Walker) who gets a devastating medical diagnosis just weeks after her wedding...Walker's work transcends the 'inspirational and spiritual' genre, as this book is well-written to the point of approaching true eloquence...Don't wait to buy this book."
—Sacramento Book Review
"Walker's book gives new meaning to the phrase 'giving is better than receiving'...The lessons of 29 Gifts are applicable to everyone, healthy or not. It is an easy, enjoyable read-but more importantly, it opens a reader's eyes to the ultimate gift: giving to others."
—Momentum
"[Walker] has written her book in such a way that readers from just about any faith path should be able to take away something of value...Walker is brutally honest about the physical, psychological and emotional impacts of MS in her life. She does not candy-coat her symptoms or the challenges they present. Yet her book offers hope-especially for people trapped in a mindset of scarcity."
—Curled Up With A Good Book
