Books
Book Reviews
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A Beloved Book – A Review of The Boys In The Boat 12.12.23
Here is a review of "The Boys In The Boat", a book that I would highly recommend. As George Clooney says, "It is a feel good story. And the world needs a feel good story right now."
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Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero With a Thousand Faces”
A summary of "The Hero With A Thousand Faces" This is such a powerful and ubiquitous concept that I thought I would summarize the 12 steps of the hero’s journey. Do not read the book yourself unless you are ready for some very dense reading.
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Review of “The Book of Joy “ 2.27.23
One of my book clubs recently decided to read “The Book of Joy – Lasting Happiness In A Changing World.” Written by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the book attempts to answer the question: How do we find joy in the face of life’s inevitable suffering? After identifying many obstacles to joy, including fear, stress, anger, grief, illness and death, the authors make the argument that the ultimate source of joy is within each of us. What do the authors mean by this? One could mistakenly interpret their statement that we should focus on ourselves to create happiness and joy. They make it very clear that paradoxically, if…
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Discussing “From Strength to Strength” by Arthur Brooks
A Discussion of Arthur Brooks' Book "From Strength to Strength - helping people find greater happiness as they age and change. Given at Christ Church Episcopal.
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Review of Narcissist and Goldmund 4.18.22
A review of a novel by Herman Hesse.
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Review of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
A Review of the novel "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"
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Happiness is a Choice
As another delightful weekend at The Homestead with wonderful long-time friends comes to an end, I feel compelled to share some wisdom from a book I read a few years ago. In fact, a friend who was with us at The Homestead a few weeks ago recommended the book – “Happiness Is A Choice You Make” by John Leland. She had heard John Leland speak at a conference on the importance of social connection. She was so impressed by his talk, she bought and read his book. After her recommendation, I have done the same. The following is a review and some key take-always. A writer for the New York…
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Two Thriller Novels – A Review
When I included the category “Curated – books” for this blog, I envisioned book reviews on books like David Brooks’ The Second Mountain and Scott Peck’s The Road Less Traveled, or even Jeanette Walls’ The Glass Castle, all of which I will summarize and review one day. I never thought I would include a review of a murder mystery or spy thriller. It has been a long time since I’ve picked up a mystery/thriller to read for pure entertainment. The last such book may have been a John Grisham novel years ago. While visiting Jack’s in-laws, the Holloways a weekend ago at their beach house in Sandbridge, Virginia, I noticed…
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Life of The Beloved
Reading a post on instagram this morning reminded me of Henri Nouwen's book "Life of the Beloved". We are "like bread at the table, taken, blessed, broken, and given." If we cannot accept and love ourselves as broken, yet chosen, how can we love others? And suffering, although an unpleasant and painful wilderness, is the journey most of us require to develop perseverance, empathy, gratitude, and love.
