Gift Shop of Gratitude: A Journal to Explore the Journey of Your Life

by Peter Lovenheim

Overview

WRITE YOUR LEGACY
Visit a museum, a national park, a castle in Europe, or even the local zoo these days, and you’ll likely be directed to “exit through the gift shop.” A gift shop can be a metaphor for life. And that’s how award-winning journalist Peter Lovenheim found the inspiration for this book as a gift shop of gratitude.

Through the lens of twenty common gift shop souvenirs, you are prompted to recall and organize all the things in life you’re most grate­ful for. Consider the snow globes and ball caps, the T-shirts, postcards, and jewelry—and let them bring to mind the people, places, and life experiences you hold most dear.

After reading a chapter about the evolution of scented candles, what do you remember about the aroma of your mother’s cooking? Do key chains prompt memories of a friend or mentor who opened important doors for you? Does a bobblehead recall a beloved teacher or athletic coach?

This special book will surprise and delight you with the memo­ries it evokes. Then, by journaling your answers in the Gratitude Pages to these thought-provoking prompts, you’ll create your own personal memory book.

• Perfect gift for parents and grandparents to chronicle their family legacy
• Evokes cherished memories that can be shared for generations
• Become the co-author of this book about your own life
• Create a treasured family heirloom for children, grandchildren, and those 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781722506957
Publisher:	G&D Media
Publication date:	11/12/2024
Pages:	188
Sales rank:	736,636
Product dimensions:	4.90(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Peter Lovenheim is an author and journalist whose articles and essays have appeared in The New York Times, Parade, The Washington Post, and elsewhere. He teaches nonfiction writing at The Writers Center in Bethesda, Maryland. His previous book is In the Neighborhood, winner of The First Annual Zócalo Public Square Book Prize.

Editorial Reviews

10/21/2024

In a world geared towards consumerism, journalist Lovenheim (author of The Attachment Effect) encourages readers to view material goods through a new lens, sharing his imagined “Gift Shop of Gratitude” as a creative way to recognize life’s special gifts. He visualizes the shelves of his own life’s gift shop stocked with items that hold special meaning, whether that’s a deck of cards infused with the faces of loved ones “to remember the people we are most grateful to have had in our lives” or a bookmark noting his favorite play, all tokens of life’s most treasured moments.

Lovenheim draws from his visits to gift shops around the world, encouraging readers to create their own make-believe souvenir store, with 20 different knickknacks he deems important symbols. Those range from snow globes, which he suggests readers use to imagine the memorable places they’ve traveled, to the ubiquitous t-shirt, viewed as a cherished memory of a special experience. Every chapter offers lined pages at the end for readers to assign their own memories to Lovenheim’s spotlighted souvenirs, as he lovingly probes each one for its special meaning: collectible spoons are treasured for “the companionship along with ” while baseball caps prompt Lovenheim to ask readers “what groups or organizations have you been part of that gave a meaningful sense of belonging?”

The intimacy of this slim volume is remarkably wrought, cropping up in Lovenheim’s chummy reminiscences of the souvenirs he’s purchased over the years and in his heartwarming messages sprinkled throughout, such as his imaginary postcard, scribbled with a note to his children that reads “you’ve made my life a wonderful time. I’m so grateful you were here.” He includes history of various knickknacks as well, including how popular puzzles were during the Great Depression and the invention of the first music box in 1770. Readers will enjoy this unique take on the meaning behind our memorabilia.

Takeaway: Encouraging guide to recording memories inspired by gift store items.

Comparable Titles: Michael Hitchcock and Ken Teague’s Souvenirs, Bee Wilson’s Consider the Fork.

Production grades Cover: A Design and typography: A Illustrations: N/A Editing: A Marketing copy: A

BookLife Reviews

A snow globe evokes some cherished encounter with nature. Pictures on a deck of cards remind us of the people we hold dear. A saying on a coffee cup gets us thinking about some of the maxims that have guided our life. In this warm hearted, charming book Peter Lovenheim asks his readers to draw upon the ordinary offerings of the gift shop—the key chains, stuffed animals, tote bags, scented candles—to enhance and deepen their memories—and their gratitude. And though it won’t take them long to finish the book, it may be a while before they exit the gift shop.” –Judith Viorst, Bestselling author Necessary Losses and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

KIRKUS REVIEW: RECOMMENDED
Journalist Lovenheim offers strategies for the daunting task of practicing gratitude with a highly specific series of metaphors. In 20 short, quippy chapters, the author reminds readers that, despite their troubles, they all have a lot to be grateful for the book’s unique premise—equating each type of gratitude to an item in a gift shop—offers readers a useful method for locating immaterial thankfulness in a materialistic world. For example, snow globes, he asserts, represent fond memories of inspiring natural wonders, bobbleheads represent mentors who’ve helped one succeed, and baseball caps represent teams and groups that have support in one’s life, Lovenheim also encourages readers to embrace more abstract objects of gratitude, such as outlets for self-expression and encounters with beauty. However, the author is not one to sugarcoat uncomfortable notions, so he urges readers to address challenges as jigsaw puzzles (“these puzzles depict difficult situations—losses and assorted troubles, some of my own making—that in my life I had to work through and resolve”) and keys to open “doors of opportunity.” The specificity of the objects and their meanings feels unique among books on this topic. The items sometimes rely on distinctions that, at first, appear inconsequential: What, for instance, is the significant difference between the playing cards picturing “people I’m most grateful to have had in my life” and the “mentor” bobblehead? On the other hand, the delightful examples from the author’s own life may make it easier for readers to reflect on theirs. Each chapter helpfully ends with a journaling prompt and lined pages upon which readers may begin to build their own imaginary gift shop. A warmly rendered work that combines aspects of self-help books, memoirs, and therapeutic journals. –KIRKUS REVIEWS

"This book about gift shops is a gift in itself."—San Diego Jewish World

As I explored each chapter, I couldn’t help but imagine what a treasure it would have been if my late grandparents had filled out these pages, leaving behind a unique glimpse into their lives for future generations. “Gift Shop of Gratitude”certainly offers readers that opportunity—to craft a meaningful keepsake for their loved ones.—The Rochester (NY) Beacon

"A creative way to recognize life's special gifts. Remarkably wrought...[with] heartwarming messages sprinkled throughout." -BookLife

"Fascinating, fun and informative...ideal for gift giving to a loved one...unreservedly recommended for personal and family collections." -Midwest Book Review

Peter Lovenheim is a gifted storyteller with a curiosity that’s contagious. I smiled the whole time I read Gift Shop of Gratitude. More importantly, I found more ways to experience gratitude. That is the true gift of this book.–Pauline Steinhorn, author, Dreaming of the River (forthcoming)

Who knew that semolina was the first fake snow in snow globes? As Lovenheim weaves in details about the origins of 20 everyday gift shop items, he inspires readers to recall treasured moments of their lives, building a precious legacy for their family. The idea of a book about gift shops may sound a little precious, but it turns out to be precious in the best sense of the word. - Marc Silver, author,Breast Cancer Husband: How to Help Your Wife (and Yourself) Through Diagnosis, Treatment, and Beyond

Gift Shop of Gratitude is an utterly charming work of lucid prose that is itself an indispensable gift to any reader who needs reminding of the bounty of life, the richness of friendship, and the magic of memories. Gift Shop goes well beyond its clever conceit and proactively engages readers, calling upon them to pause and take stock of their lives, to recognize the grace of every day, and the critical importance of being thankful. It addresses the substance, not the souvenirs of life, and for that, readers are sure to be most grateful. - Ted Gup, author, A Secret Gift and The Book of Honor

The doors are always open at 'Gift Shop of Gratitude" where treasured memories wait to be found everywhere you look.  Peter Lovenheim's delightful book and life journal made me smile and had me counting my blessings in no time.  His words are a gift and a reminder that our lives are rich, indeed, when we recall them with wonder and gratitude. - Christianna Rickard, author, A Legend in Straw: The Spirit of My Uncle, Ray Bolger

"You will savor this clever book, an interactive exercise that prods you to reflect on the abundance in your life. Peter Lovenheim's wisdom and guidance illuminate the power of the choices we make and remind us it's never too late to stock our personal 'gift shops' with people and experiences that will bring enduring happiness.- Gina Vild, co-author with Sanjiv Chopra,The Two Most Important Days: How to Find your Purpose and Live a Happier, Healthier Life

Peter Lovenheim’s Gift Shop of Gratitude works both as a wonderful reminder to cherish the people, events, and places that impacted our lives and as a workbook that encourages us to remember and honor them. Peter has become one of my bobbleheads. - Bill Creed, Award-Winning Documentary Film Editor and Producer

Like a special friend, Peter Lovenheim slips in the side door of our mind to gently and humorously guide us—using familiar gift shop items as prompts—to recall the treasured moments, dearest friends, and favorite places that have made our lives richer and more meaningful. - Elaine Heveron, Author Notes from Paradise

In his uniquely warm style, Peter Lovenheim asks us to take a break from the trials and tribulations of life so we can recapture some of the things that have enriched us. The gifts from our past are too often forgotten, but as parts of the mosaic that defines us, they deserve an occasional visit. We all need to visit our own unique gift shop of memories!”-- Charles P. McDowell, author Final Moments: Conversations with the Angel of Death

“Peter Lovenheim has provided a lasting gift. This book will lift your spirits by helping you develop and nurture the vital attributes of appreciation and gratitude.” -Tom Hamburger, former staff writer atThe Washington Post

From the Publisher