In The Seven Ss That Birth Your Dreams, author Irma Wilson offers readers helpful bits of advice grounded in her Christian faith—all starting with the letter “S.”
The book comprises eight chapters, one for each “S” (“Sacrifice,” “Success,” etc.) and another congratulating readers for perusing the themed chapters and, presumably, heeding the advice. Each themed chapter is followed by a page suggesting that readers practice the advice by writing, for example, affirmations or ideas for community service and then a page for notes or journaling.
Wilson pulls off a few neat tricks. While she’s open about her religion and incorporates Bible passages into the book, they don’t overwhelm; she’s never “preachy.” While explaining her theories on Solitude, Sacrifice, Success, etc., she offers a few personal anecdotes but mostly keeps the focus on readers and their paths to personal growth.
At a mere 80 pages, this is not a deep dive, but there is food for thought. In the section on Soul Mates, for example, Wilson broadens the definition beyond romantic partnership to ask about “your team, your support system, your village.” In the Sacrifice section, Wilson discusses volunteering but suggests that readers first assess their interests to find the best possible fit. “If you don’t enjoy what you do, it is a disservice to yourself and the people you serve.”
While the book is not completely free of errors, they don’t detract much from the text. (The title is a bit hard to say without hissing, but that can be easily fixed with an apostrophe.)
This slim book concludes with an author biography, references, reader testimonials, and an ad for Wilson’s coaching service and a CD that supplements the text. A longer book would offer more to readers upfront and allow them to avoid such additional costs. But this is a nice shot in the arm, a quick read that might help readers refocus with more confidence and live, as Wilson suggests, more “purpose-fully.”
Also available in hardcover and ebook.
