TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES by Ben Feder is about "One Man's Journey from the Boardroom to Bali and Back." Feder is a Harvard Business School graduate and formerly CEO of Take Two Interactive (publisher of Grand Theft Auto) and this debut memoir chronicles events surrounding his decision to take a months-long sabbatical in order to foster self-improvement and rebuild family relationships. TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES is another text about personal growth and living in the moment; however, it also shows how family members reconnected and even goes further to addresses environmental concerns and cultural differences. Sadly, we cannot all stop work and head to Indonesia's Bali with "just about the friendliest people on Earth," but do take advantage of overseas assignments if offered. In the meantime, one can learn from Feder's observations about the value of yoga, meditation and drawing as we continue our own journeys to balance personal and professional lives.

The title says it all. TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES recounts the transformative sabbatical in Bali that CEO Ben Feder took to save his marriage and family. The author is the ideal guide for the trip — funny, intelligent, thoughtful, spiritual — as he learns that there is more to life than success in business. Upon return to New York, he continues with meditation, painting and yoga ... practices he adopted to heal his battered psyche and body. One wonders: Could the Feders adopt me for their next family adventure? Five stars.

NetGalley and Radius Book Group, thanks for the advance copy. Opinions are mine alone.

This was an interesting journey. A man takes his whole family on a sabbatical from work and New York. They visit several places but live for months in Bali. He works to learn yoga, meditation and mindfulness. He quotes a number of different people. Then he returns to New York and somewhat explains his journey integrating back into work. I felt like the book just ended. I know he is still alive but it isn't complete or doesn't express any resolution. While appreciating that his life is ongoing and I learned some new things and had new ideas, I deducted a star because it felt like a non ending.

This was an amazing book that takes the reader from the busy streets of Manhattan to the busy streets of Bali.... a book that is based off a true life transformation of a family
Lo

This is a fantastic story of what an extended sabbatical could hold. The book is very well written and is a fascinating to read. It gave me pause to evaluate my own situation and consider what I might really want in this life!

I had a publisher provided copy from
Netgalley.com

Not a huge fan of this book and I wish I could explain why. It wanted to be too inspiring and maybe I just don’t relate too well to yoga and meditation... I skimmed a lot of it and wanted more. More talking about what they saw, how they relaxed... I feel like the page turned and months had past.

Take Off Your Shoes by Ben Feder is a well written memoir of the author's struggles within the corporate mindset and a refreshing sabbatical that he led his wife and four children on in Bali. This book has a way of easing into your heart and soul. There were times where I felt that Feder's struggles and internal battles were a reflection of my own life, and there were other times where it was harder to relate. I have a hard time imagining just leaving my job and responsibilities for eight months to travel to the other side of the world and just enjoy finding myself. Reading Take Off Your Shoes did make me want to plan my own sabbatical. I actually found myself initiating discussions with my boyfriend about taking sabbaticals, or imagining life after retirement.

I found that the book moved slow in places and sped along in places, mirroring life's own movements within our souls. The author is not sharing because he is an experienced writer, he actually admits that he struggles with the writing, which makes him easier for me to relate to him.

His struggles with yoga (and mountain biking) made me laugh at first, but I so have been there... I do not think I have ever achieved the sense of peace and harmony that Feder manages with yoga and meditation, but his experiences certainly encourage me to keep trying. I like that he is real. Feder isn't afraid to show you his vulnerabilities.

What was really fascinating was his integration back into the corporate world and how he fit back in and didn't fit back at the same time. This is the one area where I wished it was longer and more expansive. By the time I got to this section in the book, I was invested in what happened to Ben (Feder) and his family. I would love to know more from his wife's perspective too on how she acclimated back into her new job. This section is the most important section for the reader because now we are looking for tips and pointers on how to change our lives if an extended sabbatical is not possible. I found valuable takeaways in this part of the book and am so thankful I had a chance to read it.

A sincere thank you to author Ben Feder, NetGalley, and publisher Radius Book Group for allowing me to review this book. As always, my opinions are my own.

This was a refreshing book to read, a respite from the fast-paced corporate world of money and deadlines. Feder reminds us of the things that matter - a sense of family, an awareness of our place in the world and our responsibility to give back to it. His style is engaging, his storytelling captivating. I would love to see more down the road, maybe after the next sabbatical!

This was ok - enjoyed some aspects but overall I felt that the message was a bit of a cliché. We would all like to unplug and get back to what primitively makes us happy, but it is simply not feasible for most people.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES in exchange for an honest review.

I was really looking forward to this book. I don't read a ton of nonfiction, but I was fascinated by this concept because I run two small businesses and things get hectic. When the world gets crazy who wouldn't imagine themselves escaping to a far away place to recoup, regroup and reevaluate your motives and goals. That is exactly what this book is about.

Ben is in the daily grind in New York, a CEO of a large company, he is working busy days, traveling, and attending business meetings. His wife urges him to take some time off, a sabbatical. The book follows his explorations to another country, refinding himself, rediscovering his family and developing a realization of what is important in life.

I really related to this book on so many levels. There were parts that were a bit slow moving, but all in all, it was eye opening, informative, raw and thought provoking. It was motivational and real all at the same time. He became grounded and shared his experiences openly and honestly. I really enjoyed this read and found it fascinating and enlightening.

Not my typical read, but I really enjoyed it! Definitely gives me the urge to slow down & enjoy each day as it comes. I found this book to be refreshing and relatable.

I enjoyed this book, and was glad to receive a copy in exchange for an honest review. Ben’s adventure reminded me a bit of Liz Gilbert’s trip to Bali. His struggles to meditate and live a more meaningful, mindful and connected life were believable, especially in the trend in our American society. So many Americans are trying to slow down their pace and it’s commendable that Ben recognized this and took measures of his own.

I loved this book. It chronicled only one person's experience, yes, and it it was a white man of privilege, yes, but the lessons he and his family learned, the ideas he was thinking through, the small steps he took to make big changes in his own thinking were things that I could relate to, even if I am not in a position to take half a year off and move to Bali. I am inspired to try meditation now, and I think it will make a difference in the quality of my life. I'm so glad I had a chance to read it!

Many hard-working business people dream of quitting their jobs and travelling the world to reset their mindsets. Ben Feder was fortunate enough to do it by taking a “leave of absence” from his CEO position. After extensive research considering where to go for their sabbatical, he and his wife packed up their four children and headed to Bali. Initially struggling to cut ties with work, Feder sought new activities and methods of meditation to renew his thoughts. He read books dedicated to changing his thinking and went on bike rides up volcanoes in Java. Fortunately for them, the Feder family can afford more luxuries than the average travelling family: many side trips, a daily cook, and frequent specialty camps and classes.

Some chapters felt incomplete, as though the author was leading up to something dramatic, and then just gave up on it, wrapping it up in a nice little bow without much detail about how it resolved.

Overall, a nice overview of one family’s experiences abroad to expand their horizons. I will still recommend this book to people looking for a nice travel memoir.

Did you ever just want to run away ? or just stop and smell the roses? seize the day ? that's what this family did. I didn't realize this was a true story when I requested it and I was not sure that I would like it . But I really enjoyed it. Very well written. Beautiful descriptions. And just gives you a good perspective on how life should be. But most people probably aren't willing to make the changes to turn their life into bliss. But this family did. Quite the experience.

Although Ben's narrative at times dragged a bit, in the end I was thoroughly happy that I read the book and wholeheartedly recommend it. His return to NYC demonstrated the tremendous growth of his whole family. I have lived in quite a few countries and have found that you never come back the same person. That is the essence of the book and he tells it with an openness and honesty that is refreshing. Read the book, Get excited. Then look for your own Bali. It is out there. You will grow.

Eat Pray Love for a middle aged man 1% and lacking in writing quality etc. Appears to be a vanity writing with not much insight... not particularly realistic for the average family

I really enjoyed Ben Seder's memoir about the sabbatical he and his family took. They left their busy Manhattan lives and lived in Bali and traveled through Africa and Asia for nearly a year. Prior to the sabbatical Ben was a top executive in New York City and he realized the frenetic pace of his life (and the lives of his 4 young kids and his wife) was overwhelming and lacking in connection.

While on their sabbatical each member of their family dealt with certain struggles and learned much about themselves as individuals and as a family. I enjoyed reading about both Ben's life as an executive and their adventures while traveling. He's clearly an intelligent individual and I appreciated that he weaved in some research he'd done on the brain and it's ability to adapt and change..

My biggest complaint though was the lack of detail in some spots. Ben gives the minutae in some places and totally jumps over big events at other points. He describes the house they live in while in Bali in great detail but when it comes to their return to "regular life"in NYC he speeds up and barely discusses how reentry feels. So the book is a bit uneven in that aspect, but still very interesting, well-written and it kept my attention.

Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Ben Feder did what many people talk about or dream of doing. His journey from corporate New York City to Bali is intriguing. I found myself relaxing as he unwound from his years in the corporate world to a more relaxing, more introspective lifestyle. Equally interesting, to me, is the reintroduction/adaptation to life back in NYC for both Mr. Feder and his family. Take Off Your Shoes would make a good book discussion selection.

I was drawn into this book from the beginning. The authors willingness to be vulnerable and his genuine skepticism made the story feel very real for me. It was interesting to hear how the sabbatical effected his wife and children in addition to himself. I felt like I took this journey with him and his family (although I don't think I ended up as relaxed:) The book is a quick read - I read it in a couple of days and it definitely provides fodder for reflection. My favorite take-away was a question that was shared with the author by a friend and mentor. The mentor shared with Ben a simple self-inquiry practice. When your thoughts turn unconstructive or you are simply spiraling deep into a story you are telling yourself, pause and ask yourself, "Is it true?" Are you 100% certain that your thoughts or the story you are telling yourself is true? "Most people believe their own thoughts. That doesn't necessarily reflect reality....What evidence do you have to provide beyond doubt that it's true....if you can't find that evidence ...then imagine how you'd feel if you told yourself a different story."

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early release in exchange for an honest review.