Oryx and Crake - Margaret Atwood

My newest hobby is finding connections to my next read from my last, and that’s how I found Oryx and Crake – from a similar word in The Forty Rules of Love that made me instantly think of this Margaret Atwood novel. Also, while looking for another novel by Shafak, being totally in love with the last one, I came across another future read: Curiosity which just happened to be misplaced beside Shafak’s other novels. I love coincidences.

Not being totally excited about the topic of this novel – a dystopian future world – I was reluctant at first to start it. I decided to give it a chance, and started enjoying it a little more by the time I got to page 23. It was the quote at the beginning that ignited my interest and kept me plugging away, determined to find out what the author hopes to transpire:

“I could perhaps like others have astonished you with strange improbable tales; but I rather chose to relate plain matter of fact in the simplest manner and style; because my principal design was to inform you, and not to amuse you.” Jonathan Swift, Gulliver’s Travels.

From this you get the direction and focus of the novel. Wanting to have open eyes, I’m going to read the rest of this novel and, hopefully, will enjoy it. But I have discovered through the process of wanting to have open eyes that the future, which has not happened yet, depends on our thoughts and actions. If this is really the case, shouldn't we all be reading more books about utopia?

I appreciate the knowledge so far, and look forward to writing more about this novel as I continue on. Who knows, reality could be stranger than fiction after all.

The Forty Rules of Love - Elif Shafak

I have a new ability: I seem drawn to the right book at the right time - it’s almost as if the book is yelling “Yoo-hoo, over here”... well, not exactly like that, but that’s the only way I know how to explain it. If only everything in life was so clear.

My eyes settled on The Forty Rules of Love when I was at St. John’s Airport, just as my Dad ran off to grab a coffee. I grabbed it right off the shelf and didn’t think for another moment about whether it was worth my time – I knew it was!!

This novel is pure and simple magic and a pleasure to read from start to finish. To-date, I can’t think of a story that has inspired my mind and heart and flowed in such a way as this one did. I made little stars along the way to mark where I must go back and read again the poetic little scriptures that seem to hit the nail right on the head.

About the poet and scholar, Rumi, Elif Shafak takes us on a journey through time to Konya, Turkey, and the Anatolia/Asia Minor area in the thirteenth century to Rumi's moment of enlightenment, love and connection to his spiritual advisor, Shams of Tabriz. Sham's is a wandering, dancing dervish who practices Sufism.

There is so much more to this book than I can explain. Like Shams of Tabriz says, “There are different levels of wisdom, truth, and vision to everything” (he was speaking about the Qur'an).

There’s also a parallel story of modern day love between the writer of Sweet Blasphemy, Rumi and Sham’s story, and a married woman who’s writing a report of the novel for work. This contrast was nice and made the rules of love easy to apply to the world we live in today.

The fortieth rule made me cry and, although it closes off the novel nicely, in a way it brings us right back to the beginning, letting us know that there may be lessons but no rules, and this may be the hardest lesson of all. We are responsible, if not entirely for our path, for our spiritual growth and actions and how we view all things.

“Fret not where the road will take you. Instead concentrate on the first step (Faith). That’s the hardest part and that’s what you are responsible for. Once you take that step let everything do what it naturally does and the rest will follow. Do not go with the flow. Be the flow.”

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!