A very thought provoking book which really made me re-evaluate some of my actions and what I feel I "Should' do. This is based on Christian teachings; I was brought up with these values so it was very useful to address these again.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I'm not religious so initially found Quiet the Shout of Should difficult to read because it has a lot of Christian references. However, I persevered as I'm keen to work on my shoulds. I tended to read Crystal's stories and skip the religious sections.

Each chapter has a section on different areas where people may feel the pressure of shoulds. This means it could be a useful reference book when you want help in a specific area. I particularly liked the sections on flipping your messaging to something more positive.

Crystal Stine's book, "Quieting the Shout of Should" encourages the reader recognize how the pressures of society and social media affect us, leaving us feeling exhausted and weary. There are so many things we feel like we should do, and every day we come across more of those. In her book, Crystal Stine offers stories of how these shoulds have affected her life. With those, she encourages the reader to notice the shoulds in their lives and seeking God in the current circumstances.

I find that the concept of this book is good as it is a manual of sorts that helps to recognize the "shoulds" in our lives. However, the writing style was not one for me and I felt like I wasn't getting too much out of this book. But that is just me and I think this would still be a good read for someone else.

Quieting the Shout of Should
Crystal Stine
August 1, 2020

We all have those voices clattering in our heads, telling us who we should be, how we should act, how we should feel. What do we miss out on because we're busy doing those things we SHOULD do? Crystal combines personal stories with devotions to show us how to let go of perfectionism, worry, and control. With its verses and scripture, this book would make an excellent study for a Bible or church group.

Thank you so much Netgalley for this Advance Reader Copy.

It's sad for me to say this but this motivational book is not meant for me, from the first page I knew instantly.

I tried though to read it but I can't reach further. There is much information that I find misleading. Probably it's my fault for not realizing that most of the information comes from the bible, therefore it's for Christian believers and would be much appreciated by them.

Thank you, Netgally, for the advanced reader copy of this book. All views and opinions in this review are my own.

I have issues with "shoulding" on myself. "I should stay at work longer and catch up." "I should go home on time and see my husband." "I should get to bed earlier." "I should stay up and finish that project I need to turn in." "I should put more time into this ministry." "I should figure out way that I'm not spreading myself so thin." "Shoulding" on myself is exhausting. Even a success turns into guilt when a counter-should exists. I don't think I'm alone in this by any means. Truly, I think this is an epidemic, especially in the day of social media and connectivity showing us the greatest successes in others' lives which drives us to feel we should do more. Be more. Be better. When in actuality, most of us are exhausted behind the filtered selfie.

Obviously, this title jumped out at me. It seemed like it would hit all the right notes. But somehow, it felt a little discordant. And I'm struggling to identify why. Somehow, I just didn't feel like it scratched the itch.

I really liked the "Flip" sections where it gave a typical "I should (fill in the blank)" and flipped it to a prayer of gratitude instead. Crystal also uses a lot of Scripture, which I appreciated. I went into this thinking it was more of a self-help style and it fell firmly into the category of devotional or Bible study companion. Readability was pretty good as well. I almost wish there was more of the Rachel Hollis style of conversational writing to break up the so-so engagement between writer and reader, but it wasn't bad.

Here's where I think the book struggles, although it can be reconciled. "Quieting the Shout of Should" SHOULD have related back to the title concept. Repeatedly, I wondered where the author was going with a thought, section, or chapter. In what way would it loop back to the book's title? Often, I never did figure it out. Something needs to make it more linear in circling back to the book's overall message. Maybe it can be via titles at the beginning of each section such as a common "should" that we tell ourselves followed by the ways to combat it "I should work harder..." and the author rebuttles that. "I should pray a certain way..." followed by the author's rebuttal. The "Flip" sections at the end helped me identify "where the author was going with that" a few times, so having it closer to the original discussion may have helped. I just wasn't sure what point she was trying to make in reference to the key subject matter.

And this maybe a small gripe, but the writing came across a lot with a "you should do this" message, which seemed ironically counter-intuitive even though most of what she said was spot on. I do think it's the lack of linear structure to the overall book layout that made it feel this way. Because, again, she wasn't really saying clearly WHY you should do (fill in the blank) to quiet the shout of your shoulds.

I may have set my expectations for this too high, or I may have gone in with a preconceived concept that wasn't fair to the author. I just didn't feel like it hit the target I needed it to.

A lot of spelling errors that, I'm sure, will be fixed before going to print.

I'd rate this a G.
Points of controversy: this is a Christian, faith based book.

Quieting the shout of should takes on how social media and the people around us have a way to make us feel less than when we compare ourselves. We start seeing our free time as times we should be doing these projects like other women who have been successful, instead of focusing on the real goal and completing projects for ourselves and God. This book is helpful for the younger generation who seems so focused on checking in what others are doing and what others have; comparing social media pics of vacations and luxuries.
Stine tackles a couple of problems women face with comparison and social media briefly, including motherhood and female friendship. I was happy to see friendship between women included because it isn’t talked about as often as I would like in most books but it’s an insecurity with most women. Social media makes it seem like every woman has a close knit group or millions of girlfriends, when in reality there are women who don’t have many friends for various reasons. It draws criticism to oneself, why don’t I have a sisterhood, why didn’t I have ten people as my bridesmaids, why why why...
Stine prepared multiple activities through out her book and ending each chapter with questions. It makes it a helpful book to use in a book club or to use as self reflection in a journal. Each chapter is quick and easy and doesn’t drag on with multiple examples. She’s concise and to the point.
I was pleasantly surprised with each chapter, although not many new concepts were introduced it was a nice reminder to women that we need to stop society from determining if we are enough.

I recommend this book to women Christian book clubs and women who need a reminder that we are enough and our focus should be on the big man upstairs not the comparisons we make in our heads.

"Quieting the Shout of Should" is something that I struggle with every day. The pull of what you "should" do or even what you "should have" done is sometimes so strong is it hard to hear what you ARE called to do and be. I really enjoyed the space that is given to thoughtfully examine my own heart. Especially helpfully was the statements on how to "flip" the things we tell ourselves we "should" do.

The challenge is formidable in nature: write an entire book about a single word—go deep—and yet offer readers practical advice that isn’t for trivial play and handling. Stine does exactly this because she knows what she is doing in wielding from a treasury of personal experience that points back to Christ. This book is a resource that will benefit a wide audience. “Quieting the Shout of Should” isn’t about sorting one’s self out per se but in applying Biblical principles and promises that help reveal the misplaced “shoulds” of our days—which can offer much relief for the soul. I recommend this book because Stine acknowledges that in grappling with these issues, “anything other than giving it completely over to Jesus and relying on His help will leave us holding on to the tiny parts we think we can handle.” This is pivotal. Similarly, she calls the reader to be obedient to God—another win.

Stine also makes a subtle plea for recognizing sin in one’s life, though this theme could have been readily developed with an actual definition of repentance. Readers are urged to not keep their “sins buried” and to “turn back to God” but beyond that, I’m not confident that the average postmodern Christian who might pick up this book will connect the dots on their own that to turn to God is to leave sin and its effects entirely behind them. Granted, this isn’t a book chiefly about sin. However, to hold oneself under so many “shoulds” reveals a heart conditioned by pride, which has a sin component. Many want God to be OK with sin, as long as it is out in the open (I.e. as opposed to buried, making one a hypocrite.) Thus it is helpful in a Christian message for the act of repentance to be clearly articulated because repentance is at the heart of the gospel, even for those who are already incorporated into the church as the bride of Christ (Rev 2:5; 1 John 1:9). This is nonetheless a minor area for improvement; it is very good book overall and the discipled Christian will make the leap in this one area on their own.

Obviously aimed at younger women, this book is helpful for those of faith who struggle with the 'I should ...' dominating their lives. I am an older woman but have 'suffered' from this condition all my life so I did find it helpful and will probably re-read it over the summer to help myself stay calm over a very busy period in my life. Thank you for the words of wisdom and opportunity to read this book.

Do you ever feel the pressure of society saying, “you should?” You should have more followers on social media, you should be a better friend, partner, or parent, you should try harder at life. Author Crystal Stine walks the readers through how to begin Quieting the Shout of Should in our lives.

After reading the synopsis, I was so excited to get my hands on this book. Hearing a “Shout of Should” is something I think everyone can relate to. It’s an inner battle most humans have with themselves. We are usually fighting our consciousness to either leave us alone or we become the “Should’s” prisoner.

Crystal Stine guides her readers through her own personal journey with her “Shout of Should.” Stine lays out a floor plan on how we can navigate our own voices of Should. Through devotionals, book club discussion questions, and offering times of reflection, Stine becomes a wonderful guide out of the “Shout of Should” and into God’s everlasting love and life.

This book isn’t your typical self-help book. If after reading this review you are left thinking, “Yeah, I could use some help in quieting the Shout of Should in my life,” then this is a book for you. Are you looking for a group devotional for your church or youth group? This is a book for you. Have you been struggling with comparison, jealously, and perfectionism? Then this is a book for you.

Thank you, NetGalley, Harvest House Publishers, and Crystal Stine for this advanced reading copy.

EXPECTED PUB DATE: October 6, 2020

"When we spend time comparing ourselves to other women online and in our real lives, our hearts can become hardened even against women in the Bible. In that case, the Proverbs 31 woman isn’t viewed as someone to celebrate and emulate, but as a threat – someone who puts us on the defensive because we’ll never measure up, instead of a model of love and generosity." -Crystal Stine, Quieting the Shout of Should

PUBLICATION DETAILS: Harvest House Publishers; October 6, 2020; 224 pages; Christian, Self-Help

As a fan of Bob Goff and many similar Christian writers, I was excited to discover Crystal Stine (a new author for me to learn from). This book was a great find and gave lots of "how to's" for how to love more and worry less in challenging times. Thank you to NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers for a copy of this book for an honest review.

This book is like a manual of sorts. Dealing with the shoulds of the world through yourself and God. There are many shoulds such as what you should wear, how you should spend, where you should live, etc. There is a chapter for each and a journal prompt you can follow. It also gives you a proverb you can read in the Bible.

I found this book to be a balm to the soul. It is full of practical and easy to implement ideas on slowing down and quieting the soul. I highly recommend this very helpful book.

Our society demands higly effective, productive and successful people, so we live in constant "what should I do to be and make everything better" world.

As author says we are in constant fear, doubt, insecurity, comparison, pride and we are exhausted to make every piece of our lives parctically perfect. Take a deep breathe and start to love yourself.

Great self-help book, linked to our relationship to God and Bible but even if you are not a Christian, it provides many useful advices to self growth and love for ourselves in these stressful and uncertain times.

I enjoyed it.