Member Reviews

There’s really good energy associated with this book. It is able to deliver practical and useful content about how to manage overwhelm in an optimistic manner. I found the tips practical and the anecdotes easy to relate to. Highly recommended!

Was this review helpful?

This book had a lot of really great things to say! I thought that the author broke down the "Lazy Genius" concepts into bite-sized chunks that could be taken as far or as little as the reader desired in their own lives.

While I don't think the author intended for there to be a specific demographic of readers for this book, and that it would be more general information for the consumer, there definitely is a bit more of a lean toward middle-class moms. Many of the personal anecdotes were full of "mom-ish content" instead of more generalized stories. While I don't think this is a detriment to the book, I do think it could dissuade readers who don't fit this demographic from implementing some of the concepts into their lives.

Personally, I did find the content to be similar to various other self-help/self-betterment books that I have read previously, so it was hard to take too much away from this one on it's own. The one thing that did have me chuckling throughout the book was that of the footnotes at the end of each chapter, they always left me with a laugh!

Thank you so much to WaterBrook & Multnomah for this advanced copy on NetGalley! 🤍

Was this review helpful?

The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi is a good reminder to prioritize the things in your life that matter to you and what is important to you may not be important to others and that’s okay. This book gives practical ideas that help you figure out how to be a genius about the things that matter but lazy about the things that don’t. Kendra shares things from her podcast as well. I enjoyed this book and look forward to using some of her tips.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Instant classic! Work smarter not harder.

Jam packed with simple yet effective ways to do things better.

Thanks for the copy for reference!

Was this review helpful?

Kendra's "The Lazy Genius Way" is refreshingly practical and personal, offering systems that you can adapt to fit your life instead of overwhelming you with to-do lists. Her approach is relatable and heartfelt, making it easy to apply her tools to my own routines. It's not just about efficiency; it's about finding what works for you and feeling understood through Kendra's genuine voice and insights.

Was this review helpful?

Great read! Work smart is pretty much the moto of the book. The thirteen life hacks are pretty usual and applicable in your daily life!

Was this review helpful?

The book is targeted towards suburban, middle-class, Christian, stay-at-home moms, I didn't fit this demographic and did not relate to all of the stories. The author shares 13 principles for living, illustrated by real-life situations the author has experienced. While I found some of the principles helpful, I could not fully appreciate the book as a whole. What I do like is that Kendra explains what to do but helps the reader decide how to prioritize.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Approachable. Helpful. Makes me feel like I can overcome the feelings of overwhelm, that I can break down tasks. Good strategies to keep in mind - I'll return to this. Thanks for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

Kendra Adachi writes a book for organization and productivity in a wonderful way. Adachi's advice is clear and concise. I tried the batching method, and it has helped me with running my household. I recommend for individuals in charge of household management-personal or professional. I look forward to reading her second publication, The Lazy Genius Kitchen.

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This book right here gave me permission to do things the way I need to. I appreciate the advice and the optimistic outlook from the author. A well-written, easy to follow book.

Was this review helpful?

Although I think the optimal target audience for this would be a Christian mom, I enjoyed the overarching message of this book, which is to put effort into things that matter to you, and don't beat yourself up over things that don't (plus find shortcuts for them so they don't take up all your time)! I like the idea of automating the daily things you do so there's less decision fatigue.

"When you fill your life with things that are not essential to what matters, you unintentionally add noise, and managing noise is part of why you're tired."

I liked how the book broke things down into small, actionable steps so that it doesn't feel overwhelming to implement all these changes. I definitely fall victim to wanting to do the "all or nothing"/"go big or go home," but in so doing, I tend to not end up achieving some of the things I've been meaning to do for ages (e.g. drink more water/stretch every day). She suggests 30 seconds a day and while that does sound/feel ridiculous, it's achievable, and you can keep moving the goalposts as you achieve them.

Some things I plan to hopefully put into practice:
-Keep in your closet only fixed decisions you're happy making, no matter how many items you have or how well they go together.
-Pick one easy recipe you'll keep making for lunch until you get tired of it. Then choose another.
-Name what really matters. Remove what's in the way. Keep only the essentials.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In a world that constantly shouts at us with a cacophony of ‘shoulds,’ Kendra Adachi’s The Lazy Genius Way emerges as a soothing balm, offering a refreshing perspective on productivity and personal well-being. This book is not your typical self-help guide that prescribes a one-size-fits-all solution to life’s challenges. Instead, it’s a heartfelt invitation to embrace what truly matters to you and to let go of the rest.

Adachi’s prose is engaging and relatable, weaving together personal anecdotes with practical advice that resonates deeply. Her 13 principles for living a more fulfilled life are are strategies that encourage readers to approach daily tasks and long-term goals with intentionality and ease.

One of the book’s most compelling aspects is its emphasis on individuality. The ‘Lazy Genius’ is is someone who is smart about their choices, focusing their energy on what brings joy and value to their life. This approach dismantles the guilt often associated with not adhering to societal expectations of productivity and success.

Adachi’s principles such as ‘Decide Once’ and ‘Start Small’ are particularly impactful, offering a framework for making decisions that align with one’s values and taking actionable steps without feeling overwhelmed. The ‘Magic Question’ she proposes is a tool for discernment that can be applied to various aspects of life, from organizing a home to prioritizing relationships.

While the book is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone looking to streamline their life, it does come with a caveat.

Readers may find the references to Christianity unexpected and/or off-putting if that isn't what you believe in.

Also the examples provided are predominantly centered around home life. However, the underlying principles are universally applicable and can be adapted to fit any lifestyle or belief system.

The Lazy Genius Way is a call to action to live authentically, to honor your unique path, and to do so with a sense of humor and self-compassion. It’s a guide for those who want to get stuff done without losing themselves in the process. For anyone feeling the weight of the ‘shoulds,’ Adachi’s book is a gentle reminder that it’s okay to be a person again.

A book that empowers you to reclaim your time and live by your own definition of what it means to thrive.

Was this review helpful?

I am not a very organized person, or at least, I didn't used to be one. Things have become better in the past 2 years where I have started making conscious efforts to keep things clean and tidy. I have found that I am able to think better and have one less thing to worry about in life. This book came at a perfect time for me. It has some very useful, although simple, principles allowing me to deepen my practice of organizing things. I liked the author's tone and how she gently talks about all things essential.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. This doesn't impact my opinion in any way.

Was this review helpful?

The book was not for me. I hoped for a selfhelp/ slef fulfilment nonfiction book but I got the feeling it was written for christian moms. I sadly did not get much more out of it that 13 vague principles.

If you fall in the target audience, this book would be so much more fulfilling since the chapters and their examples would be more relatable.

Was this review helpful?

I love the practical ideas in this book that seem so simple but can be so life changing. I am thinking of all the different ways I can take the concept of deciding once and apply it to as many areas as possible.

Was this review helpful?

This book came at the perfect time, especially given the dumpster fire that 2020 has been. Kendra gives us the tools to sift through the onslaught of other people’s opinions and focus on what matters to us. She’s an expert permission-giver, and this book is a lifeline for anyone drowning in “shoulds”. I think we can all benefit from some perspective, and this book gives it in a practical, interesting and fun way.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book. Does a good job of helping determine what is important to you so you know where to focus your energy.

Was this review helpful?

I am officially a lazy genius convert! I learned about Kendra a couple months ago on the Office Ladies podcast and have since devoured a ton of LG content (The Lazy Genius Way, the Lazy Genius Kitchen, countless episodes of the Lazy Genius podcast, you get the idea)!

I feel like Kendra’s approach has been so helpful in my daily life and I love the overall message of being a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t. The Lazy Genius principles break down exactly how to pinpoint what matters and how to approach a variety of topics/issues. Kendra provides helpful real-life examples, actionable techniques, and does so in a funny and relatable way.

I often find myself putting these principles into practice (especially decide once and asking the magic question), and can’t wait to continue to Lazy Genius my whole life (starting slowly of course haha)! This is a book I can see rereading again and referencing often as I go through different seasons of life to see how to tackle new challenges.

Was this review helpful?

This was an interesting and practical book that I really enjoyed! Entirely my fault for reading it while I was sick, since it really made me want to change so many of my routines, but instead I continued to lay on the couch and nap every other hour… I do feel like it followed a logical progression and the principles made a lot of sense and it is definitely a book I can see myself reaching for at times when I need some guidance.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book. I thought it was funny, witty, and insightful. I’d like to check out the authors podcast too.

Was this review helpful?