The Reconnection - Eric Pearl

I’d heard about this book for years but hadn't really considered reading it until it was recently recommended to me by a friend and therapist who had performed this "technique" on me. Like all good book choices, the pleasure in reading it had a lot to do with timing – and it was definitely the right time for me.

Starting off on the right track with a sad (but then inspiring) story about a hopeless patient who goes to see a Chiropractor, we are taken on a journey of tremendous healing. I was hooked from the beginning and the book basically flowed like a novel from then on (as mentioned in a review on the first page).

Like the title says, it’s about reconnecting to a higher source and, like the previous book I mentioned, evolving to develop other senses - be it for healing, artistic expression, or anything else that needs a touch of the divine. The author doesn’t try to explain what this source is, resisting being bias to any religion or dogma (although he does reference scientific ideas) but rather encourages readers to be open to the magic of the universe and life, in a childlike way, to see what will be brought about.

Pearl also mentions a few times throughout the importance of looking at yourself as the answer and to stop trying to collect things (techniques, objects, etc.) which validate you and your abilities. We are all superior to most of these tools.

Focusing - Eugene Gendlin

Listen to your body, it is more truthful than your mind or emotions.

Someone recommended this book to me during a time of great confusion. I was grateful because, even though I didn't have much success with the technique, it helped me focus on my body - something other than my thoughts and emotions (for a change).

It introduces, from a little different perspective than meditation, how to get in touch with your body's sense or knowing. According to the writer, this will help you make better decisions and move through problems faster - after all, who knows better than you about you? Makes sense, but it's not easy to do.

One of the last chapters discusses the importance of listening, really listening, to yourself and others - and this struck a chord with me. How many of use do this?? (I've been practicing ever since).

The fact is: some of the information we use to drive our decisions and lives is outdated and no longer effective at bringing us happiness or down the right path. Not to mention, most of our minds are somewhat unhealthy these days and therefore somewhat useless at helping us along in life. We could benefit from going within, exploring the techniques in this book, and connecting to a new sense.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Like everyone, I want to be a part of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. This book was passed on to me, and I will most definitely pass it on to others.

Such exquisite little historical stories, soul-lifting and otherwise, told in a humble and graceful way.

Initially, I enjoyed the easy pace and cutesy letters, but as time went on – especially by Part Two – I had fallen in love with the tales, Guernsey Island, and its people, and was wondering if this novel would make it to one of my all time favourites!

There are moments I will never forget: doodlebugs and funny ears (this topic is interesting, believe me), how children wake their parents with little taps on the face (this melted my heart to think of - to remember), the Oscar Wilde bit (amazing!), the surprise of true love – and the false alarms along the way – and the humour of it all. So many wonderful tidbits of soul and memories. Reading this novel felt like remembering - when people and such wonderful women took care of each other, laughed, loved, and had so much character and wit. It reminded me of home.

Like the characters, this novel calms the spirits and reminds us that what matters most is belonging, like kindred spirits, and doing the right thing for one and other.

Chant and Be Happy - George Harrison

This book was recommended to me by someone I recently met at a Hare Krishna Temple visit. I enjoyed it, and was surprised to find out the role The Beatles played in bringing Hinduism to the West - specifically, the chanting of the Hare Krishna Mantra (Maha Mantra).

The Hare Krishna movement (ISKCON) started in NYC (Lower East Side) and developed further in San Fransisco until most of us in the West, at the very least, tolerated the ideas of Hinduism. The roots, of course, started in India.

Based on traditional Hindu scriptures, this movement worships Vishnu, and avatars, Rama and Krishna - it's called Vaishnavism.

My favourite moments were the conversations with George Harrison and the story of how he wrote the popular song My Sweet Lord (listen to the end, that's the Maha Mantra) as a gift to his guru friend, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (the founder). George claimed, despite his drug experimentation, riches and fame, and general abundant life, that chanting gave him a high beyond measure. Quite the claim!

I haven't tried chanting, but I am definitely curious to try this practice and Hinduism in general. Some call it a cult movement - but, like everything else, moderation is the key.

The Gargoyle - Andrew Davidson

I felt drawn to this book right off the bat. Then I noticed it on the "Top Ten of the Decade" table at Chapters and, since I'd also read a review that claimed "this could be the best book I've ever read", I decided to give it a go.

Possibly one of the best books I've ever read too!

POETIC, despite the somewhat grotesque subject matter (an ex porn star who becomes a burn victim and looses *certain* body parts). The writer makes everything seem beautiful and captures the essence of true love quite effortlessly.

I absolutely loved the side stories told by the burn victim's "lover" about past lives in Germany, Iceland, Japan, and Italy - these were all so beautiful! You will have to read the novel to discover for yourself just how so.

A work of art!

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher - Kate Summerscale

I don't usually read mysteries and I would have never picked this book up had a friend not recommended it. Even when recommended I thought, "Hmm, really - what could be so special about it - other than that fact that it won the Samuel Johnson Prize?".

This is a true story told like a novel. THE story that started the mystery genre and the novels that would come out of England in the late 1800's - including the famous Sherlock Holmes.

The beginning is captivating as the story unfolds to tell of a brutally murdered baby in a country home just outside of London. Mr Whicher is the detective whose keen instinct points him to the murderer very early.

Although I did appreciate Mr Whicher, that's not what made the book for me - it was the last few chapters that detailed the lives of the suspects. This was absolutely fascinating!! I could have a read an entire book on these characters (mostly, brother and sister of Road Hill House, William and Constance).

William, a Marine Biologist, captured me with amazing watercolours, drawings of marine life and his interest in the communication between sea horses. Constance, a not-so-nice girl (to put it light), went on to become a nurse, giving her time freely to lepers and those in need. Ironic.

A very interesting topic at the end, told by Constance - who went on to live to be 100 - was about the bowel obstruction that killed many of her family members due to her father's possible past with syphilis. The description of the hereditary teeth which suggested this was fascinating!!

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

I decided to read this novel after a few blogs listed it as a favourite for 2008 and Catching Fire (part two) for 2009. I was intrigued as to why.

What an interesting plot - something different, that's for sure. I thought it might be gruesome... It was not at all.

Basically, in a futuristic, fascist society, one boy and girl are taken each year from each village, based on draw results, to fight until death. The winner will have it all - money, fame and comfort for his/her family. Of course, like real life, emotions get in the way of pure ambition and survival.

The Hunger Games are very similar to our current reality T.V. shows - display it all and relish in others misfortune and misgivings in the spirit of entertainment and competition.

I like the idea of intellect, physical strength, emotions and morals battling it out. In the end, what matters most is still survival, though, and the one guaranteed to do this is not necessarily the one most prepped, pampered or endowed.

An easy and entertaining read.