Arab News

‘I Used to Have a Plan’

- HAIFA ALSHAMMARI

“I Used to Have a Plan: But Life Had Other Ideas” is a captivatin­g book by New York-based author Alessandra Olanow. Her book was published in 2020 and talks about a self-discovery journey and resilience.

Through her beautifull­y crafted stories and storytelli­ng, she takes readers on a journey of self-discovery and invites them to learn through the unexpected experience­s that shape their lives.

Through the pages of this book, Olanow shares her personal experience­s of how she managed to overcome life’s unpredicta­ble circumstan­ces. With her honesty and interestin­g narrative, she speaks about the lessons learned on her life journey. From her profession­al experience­s to her personal relationsh­ips, Olanow’s story exudes authentici­ty and reminds the reader that life rarely follows a straight path, which makes life realistic and beautiful at the same time.

One of the strengths of

Olanow’s book is her ability to describe the depth of emotions and how she talks about her personal struggles during some of the hardest moments in her life. She expresses her opinions and reflection­s on life’s challenges by encouragin­g the readers to reflect as well on their own journeys, motivating them to overcome their obstacles too. Moreover, regardless of the ups and downs she encountere­d, she explained how she maintained a sense of hope and resilience. Additional­ly, the book is enriched with evocative descriptio­ns of the places the author has lived and traveled to. Whether she was exploring the busy streets in one city or immersing herself in the serenity of nature, her ability to paint a colorful picture through her words takes readers to these places, allowing them to travel with her in thoughts.

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