Beta Reader Thoughts about Why Life Stories Change Book

Why Life Stories Change

Date: July 3, 2023 Author: Brent M. Jones

 

Primary audience: Anyone interested in personal growth, self-reflection, and understanding how life experiences shape their identity.

Genres: Non-fiction, Self-help, Personal Development, Spiritual Exploration

Themes: Personal Transformation, Embracing weaknesses, The role of prayer and faith, Happiness, and gratitude

Word Count: 12k

 Purpose: The purpose of this book is to encourage readers to reflect on their own life stories, understand the significance of their experiences, and find meaning in their successes and failures. It aims to guide readers toward personal growth, self-awareness, and a deeper understanding of their identity and purpose.

 

COMPARISONS & OVERALL INTEREST

  1. Did you like this book, and would you recommend it to friends? Yes, I did. I found the messages presented in the book to be eye-openers. Especially the message about how life story changes with time allows us to grow personally and develop. I also liked how it talks about how various life experiences change our story.

  2. Do you like other books in this SAME GENRE, and if so, how did this one compare in terms of entertainment or application levels?  Yes, I enjoy reading self-help books.I found this book very interesting as it offers a new perspective on life that us humans don’t really think about much. 

  3. Was it too similar to anything else you’ve read or different enough to hold your interest? No, it’s not. This is my first time reading with all the themes listed connected.

  4. Do you feel you are the target audience for this book—do you read this genre frequently? Yes, I think the target audience for the book is a bit broad, and this will allow many different people to read the book. However, chapter 13, discusses how prayer influences our lives and that section might lessen the target audience to people who are Christians.

CONTENT & ORGANIZATION

 

  1. Were you “hooked” by the opening of the book? Yes, it does. I didn’t really know what to expect before reading but the starting the book with the poem was great. That was my first time reading that poem, and I found it quite interesting because I’m always saying, “Everything happens for a reason.” and I’m sure a lot of readers will probably have a similar reaction.

  2. What new-to-you insights and observations spoke to you most—and why? Chapter 8 was probably my favorite while reading because it discusses the influence of music and art on your life. The reason I liked this chapter is because it emphasizes the emotional connection that music and art create and how they contribute to shaping our identities and understanding of the world around us.  This is something I can resonate with 100% as I was born and raised in Jamaica, which is a country where many different genres of music have originated from. The majority of the music is so rich and pure, and it builds in me great 

 

Chapter 9 is also great as it discusses missed opportunities and how experiences shape our understanding over time. I love the stories that were shared.

  1. Is the manuscript well-structured and organized?  Yes, it is.

 

VOICE & STYLE

  1. Is the manuscript’s tone or narrative voice appropriate to the subject matter?  Yes, it is.

  2. Are there any audience-estranging biases or unintended prejudices coming through? No, there isn’t.

  3.  Is the manuscript geared toward a specific religious denomination or a very specific/niche secular group? Not necessarily however, there are references to “prayer” which I would consider something that Christians do, and others who are not affiliated with the religion might be a little turned off by that, but that can be easily mended by stating something in the description.

  4. Is it only relevant to that unique audience, or could some sections be adjusted to expand the audience? No, anyone can read it.

Grammar: The grammar is good.

Writing Style:  The writing style is reflective and introspective, focusing on the author's experiences and observations. It combines storytelling with philosophical exploration to dive into various aspects of life, identity, and personal growth.

Overall thoughts: I enjoyed reading this book. It really helped me to reflect on my past experiences, both strengths and weaknesses and to find meaning in the events that have shaped my life identity. Since this is a self-help book, I suggest you incorporate some exercises or prompts at the end of each chapter that could help readers apply the concepts discussed to their own lives.

I wanted to thank you for allowing me to beta-read your book. If you have any direct questions that you would like me to answer, I would be happy to help in any way I can. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need further feedback or assistance.

Once again, thank you for the opportunity to beta-read your book. I am excited to see where this story goes and I wish you all the best in your writing journey.

Best regards,

Jennell

About the Author Section from Why Life Stories Change: Are We a Result of Choice or Circumstance?

Author Brent M. Jones wrote Why Life Stories Change: AS YOU LOOK AT YOUR OWN LIFE STORY, YOU SEE YOURSELF DIFFERENTLY. The book presents small changes in his life and suggests that you will also see events in your life differently when you recall them because your new experiences bring more clarity and meaning to the prior ones. 

He tells us that there is no one whose story he is familiar with as much as his own, and the same is true for you. This seems obvious, but it is surprising how the story changes almost every time we tell it. Connections that seemed so important at the time will now appear less significant. Coincidences become more apparent. As the story changes as we retell it we find that it changes us. 

Brent is a personal and career development coach, consultant, and mentor. He brings with these skills decades of experience and leadership in helping many find true happiness and pride in their work.

Brent has consulted, advised, and lent his knowledge to everyone, from individuals needing guidance to large conglomerates requiring expert consulting. His work has included many global contacts. His works are innovative, adaptable to real-life scenarios, and genuinely actionable for job seekers at any level.

Brent urges every mentee to follow their passion and build personal success by listening to their inner voice because - it's been there all along, and Brent is the perfect mentor to draw it out.

Why Life Stories Change: As your look at your own life story, you see yourself differently

“The events of our lives can be reshaped over time, resulting in positive changes in our self-identity”

Why Life Stories Change: As You Look At Your Own Life Story, You See Yourself Differently states who we are in all the events in our life, especially those we connect with. We choose the events that connect each time we tell our life stories. We do just that by putting together the narrative of who we are in our own life stories.

We can pick which of the events we connect with, what we conclude about them, and then weave and reweave them into our story. As my story changes with the retelling, it changes me. I become different because of how I see the story.

The narrative includes our experiences and those we have known. A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, and all those lives influence us.  


A poem by an unknown author suggests that:

"Some people come into our lives for a reason, some for a season, and some for a lifetime.”

Compare: Some see the poem this way

Some believe that God sends the people that are needed into your life, and others who may come bring challenges and darkness.

Why Life Stories Change - Book Focus

Your Life’s Narrative shapes who you are. The Story you tell yourself Matters. Your life story is your reality, Reinvent Yourself by relooking at your life’s narrative. Create your narrative as you look back, Connect the events of your life. Stories change with retelling.

Books Table of Content


Poem

How you see yourself changes

Our life story creates our identity

Many lives make up our humanness

Summers by the river

A job change for my father

Reflections on my story

Lessons on music and art

I had the experience but missed the full meaning

Do mistakes define you?

A missed intellectual opportunity?

Is it my weaknesses that become the connections in my life story?

Prayer, music and retiring

Conclusions change

About the author

Connected Events Matter

Amazon Details

Why Life Stories Change - Comments by the Author


Do we see our life experiences differently over time? Of course, we see things differently as we gain new insights and learn from new experiences. It isn’t surprising that the conclusions about past events would change with added new experiences. But the question as to whether that change of perception changes who we are requires some thought.

It isn’t that things become more clear with new examples and experiences. It is whether you perceive the difference. The change happens with the unique perspectives right in front of your eyes or, in some cases, slowly as more experiences follow.

New experiences change our perception of past events, and by doing so, we reinvent ourselves.



Why Life Stories Change: As You Look At Your Own Life Story, You See Yourself Differently