Jacqueline Leo

This is a clever and whimsical exploration of the role that the number 7 plays in our lives. As the dust jacket says, it is full of anecdotes and odd bits of information about 7 that will stand one in good stead for water cooler discussion.

I found this wonderful book to be far more than a collage of information relating to 7. It is an optimistic, engrossing exploration of life, set forth in an interesting step-by-step order. The chapters denote the critical elements of happiness – simplicity, happiness, love, learning, winning, life, and wonder.

7 begins, simply, by advising that our lives are the results of the choices that we make (actually, we are “prisoners” of those choices, for better or worse). We then learn that there are 7 character traits that define positiveness: optimism, kindness, curiosity, strong work ethic, empathy, self-awareness, and integrity. If we choose to be these things, the choice will define our life, as will the choice to not be any of these things (achieving negativeness).

The remaining chapters contain similar types of information, anecdotes, homilies, and a continuously happy and optimistic view of life. Indeed, the whimsy of focusing on a number and centering a book around the role that it plays in our lives is a curiously cheerful way to communicate life skill advice.

7 provides a veritable buffet of food for thought about life and happiness. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and thinking. This excellent book would make an ideal basis for discussing life in book club, church circle, or other group, male or female. The discussion would be every bit as entertaining and inspiring as is 7.… (més)

Being a huge trivia lover, I knew when I saw this book that I HAD to read it! I had never really thought of the number seven except for there are 7 days in a week, 7 wonders of the world, on the 7th day God rested and a few others, so I wanted to read what it all was about. So, I picked up this book and started reading. And couldn't put it down. I was fascinated from the first page. Some of these thing I already knew, but most of it had never occurred to me. Everything I was reading amazed me, and I kept saying "why didn't I already think about this"? I loved that the author added some photos and what the number means to Mehmet Oz, Liz Smith and others. I absolutely love this book and it kept me excited from beginning to end and I will definitely be reading it again, and again, and....… (més)

Seven by Jacqueline Leo
Rating: 3/5

Seven is an intriguing book about the phenomenon of the number seven, the appeal we feel for it, the psychology behind the appeal, and so on. Unlike some non-fiction, Seven is very readable and interesting, and is written in a way that doesn’t make it funny or witty, but doesn’t make it dry either. There is the perfect balance of information and interest to make it quite enjoyable.

Seven is filled with interesting stories, ranging from Tiger Woods’ religion to Josh Waitzkin’s martial arts experience to robot’s facial expressions. Seven has many lists of sevens that make a lot of sense—seven reasons why people still smoke, seven strategies for a successful start-up in a company, comparing the seven media items in 1956 to the thirty-five (at least) in 2008, and so on.
Seven is a thought provoking book that will hopefully give its readers insight into the psychological attraction to numbers, and also some valuable advice for day to day life.
Recommendation: Ages 12+. I would recommend reading a chapter here and there on a lonely boring rainy day (hey, it worked for me!) with a cup of hot tea at your side. Leave plenty of time for musing and meditation while you read this one, and be prepared to entertained by this read!

**Thank you to Anna from Hachette for providing my review copy!**… (més)