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Everyday Influence by Bill Butterworth - A Review


My husband went to a men's conference a few weeks ago. He went with our pastor, who bought a few of the books that the speaker has written.  Not knowing that reading isn't my husband's favorite pastime, he generously offered to lend a couple to my husband.  Surprisingly, my husband read one of them right away (surprising because in 10 years of living together I think he has only read like three books, and they were all Animorphs).  The other one was a bit longer, and he told me I should read it.  I think he is hoping to be able to just ask me about it and not actually have to read it.

In all honesty, I didn't really want to read it.  I was not 100% sure if I was interested in the topic, and I have a small stack of books I have recently signed up to review.

But, it came down to my husband having asked me to do two things: clean the house and read Everyday Influence by Bill Butterworth.  Obviously, I was going to do the reading one.  Because I am a terrible housewife, and an avid reader.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the book. 

The point of the book is that everyone is influencing people, all the time.  The most mundane things can have a lasting impact on the direction someone's life takes.  In less capable hands, this could be a really preachy book, or just plain boring, but in the hands of Bill Butterworth, it was a great read.

The way that he writes is entertaining to read, at times hilarious, and other times heartfelt.  Reading his book makes you feel like a close friend, as he tells you his personal experiences, always with a sense of humor. 

Most of the book is talking about people that have had an impact on his life.  It is like an autobiography with purpose.  Through his life story, he is getting across the point that everything you say and do can matter to the people around you.

The book is influential (haha, I am so punny), and he backs up his points with scripture, which is always a plus.

My only complaint about the book is that there are a few glaring typos (not that my writing is without typos), like you're instead of your.  I am not really a grammar Nazi, but in published books, which have been went through by editors, I am always surprised to find mistakes.

I have never really given a lot of though to the influence that I might be having on people.  When I am discussing important things with the kids I think about the impact I am hoping it might have, but in all reality, it is what happens everyday that is most influential, not the big moments we think about.

This book is a good read for anyone, but I think it is especially helpful for parents, or people that spend a lot of time around other people who are possibly looking up to them.

You can buy the book on Amazon, for only $7.99 on Kindle, or $10.12 in paperback. 

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