Mourning the Dream: An Illustrated Mythopoetic Inquiry by Susanna Ruebsaat is a not the kind of book you skim while you wait for the dentist or doze over at the beach. This is a book you read slowly, taking lots of time along the way to chew on all the beauty and depth offered through this rich offering of philosophy, poetry, personal reflection, drawing, and photography. As a self-described partially-sighted person, Ruebsaat offers a deeply personal exploration into the symbolic meaning of shadow, darkness, and learning to see.

Take your time with this one, friends. It is rich, and you don’t want to miss any of the beauty.

Link-Love:

Susanna Ruebsaat’s Website
Canada Citizens Forum interview with the author on YouTube

#MourningTheDream

___

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Buddha and the Bard: Where Shakespeare’s Stage Meets Buddhist Scriptures by Lauren Shufran really brought me back to my undergrad days as an English major when I really fell in love with studying Shakespeare. I really enjoyed this exploration of the teachings of Buddha through the lens of Christian-influenced Shakespearean literature.

If you’re looking for a fresh view of Buddhism or have an affinity for the Bard, you will not be disappointed in this book!

Link-Love:

Lauren Shufran’s Website
Lauren Shufran on Instagram

#TheBuddhaAndTheBard

___

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Revelations of the Aramaic Jesus: The Hidden Teachings on Life and Death by Neil Douglas-Klotz is a fresh look at the teachings of Jesus through an ancient Aramaic language-informed study of the words Yeshua chose. Douglas-Klotz brings a depth and breadth of meaning to the familiar lines in the gospels by exploring the multiple meanings Aramaic words hold and expanding our understanding.

I was really impressed by the blend of scholarship and contemplative reflection Douglas-Klotz offers in this book, which opened up my understanding of so many familiar passages to make room for mining the depths. I know I will be returning to this book and deepening into the reflections offered again and again.

Link-Love:

Revelations of the Aramaic Jesus Website
Neil Douglas-Klotz’s Website
Neil Douglas-Klotz on Facebook
Abwoon Network Website

#RevelationsOfTheAramaicJesus

___

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

You’ve Got the Power! Four Paths to Awaken Your Body’s Archetypal Energies by Lavinia Plonka is a fantastic invitation into working with the archetypes of Warrior, Teacher, Healer, and Visionary. By chapter three I was already recommending this book to others who are interested in embodied living.

As a proponent of holistic body theology, this book is right up my alley. If you’re interested enough in body theology to be a visitor to this website, then you’ll want to pick up a copy for yourself.

Link-Love:

Lavinia Plonka’s Website

#YouveGotThePower

___

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

White Knuckle Love: A Memoir of Holding by April Stace is achingly beautiful. Among the shattering moments Stace shares, both in her own life and those she witnesses while companioning others, I found space to touch my own moments of grief, doubt, and pain––and hope. What I love most about memoir is this ability to connect our lives with others however seemingly different from our own.

If you have ever asked the big questions, found your belief system shifting underneath you, been hurt or hurt someone, had your life turn out differently than you planned, suffered a loss, or a million other things––this book is for you. This book is for all of us.

I will be returning to this one again, and soon.

Link-Love:

April Stace’s Website

#WhiteKnuckleLove

___

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Life Compass Living: A guide for growing up and growing old together by George H. Fuller, Jr. is a step-by-step guide to approaching both everyday life and life’s challenges and transitions with intentionality as well grace and preparedness. The book moves with energy and despite its thickness is a quick read.

I found the overall intention of the book to be inspiring and likely to be especially valuable for those preparing for or experiencing transitioning to caregiving roles for aging parents. Although the content is intended to have a broader application, caring for aging parents or dealing with the unexpected serious illness of a family member is probably the most useful setting for these steps.

I suspect that a book is not the best vehicle for this content and that it would be more useful redesigned as a workbook to accompany a multi-day workshop or class to guide people through the practical application of each phase in their real-life situations. Despite that, I expect this book will be a valuable resource to return to in the future and will be adding it to my bookshelf.

Link-Love:

George Fuller’s Website

#LifeCompassLiving

___

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Brother John: A Monk, a Pilgrim, and the Purpose of Life, written by August Turak and illustrated by Glenn Harrington, is much more than a simple picture book.

In this moving and beautifully illustrated essay, Turak invites the reader on a journey through the pain and struggle of facing our worst fears and inadequacies to a gentle and compassionate realization that the purpose of life for each of us is at once the most challenging and the most obvious path forward. Turak uses the story of his surprise interaction with Brother John one rainy Christmas Eve to guide the reader toward self-revelation. Though the book is only a few pages and takes little time to read, its characters and message are thought-provoking, challenging, and inspiring enough to stay with the reader long after reaching the ending.

This book has already become a favorite and takes a prominent spot on my bookshelf where I know I will be returning to it time and again.

Link-Love:

Brother John on Amazon
Brother John Website
Brother John Trailer on YouTube
August Turak on Facebook
August Turak on Twitter

___

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.