“Lord of the Rings” trilogy books (not the movies). They created this marvelous world for me and a classic good vs evil drama. Just loved reading these wonderful books as a teen, and still love re-reading them today.
I’m not able to single out any one book. I am grateful for ALL the books that were my Way Out of childhood chaos. Books are still my ticket to cerebral adventures, recipes for inspirational cooking, and tools to broaden my spiritual mystical horizons. (and several stacks of clustered books along my bedside are part of the clutter that a recent post acknowledged. )
Tuesday With Morrie by Mitch Albom is the book that I am grateful for. Suddenly discovering that he had an unrecovered disease, Morries tried to live in acceptance and through his experiences, he shared with us the value of life.
Books have always been a part
of my life. Thanks to my parents,
who were both “book people”.
Some books have been more
transformative than others, but I have
gleaned something from all of them.
I worked in a notorious bookstore,
on and off from seventeen to my
early twenties. It helped pay my rent,
when I was patching together a
livelihood at seventeen. I not only
had access to all these amazing books,
I worked with some amazing people.
A few of them where beyond
knowledgeable about books and authors
and we’re happy to share and guide me.
During the holidays, I worked at the
front door, as a “security”/bag check
person. This was in my hometown,
and every person that I knew would
walk through those doors. I was so
young. It was wonderful and terrifying
all at once.
I recall we had this question recently. I do appreciate book ideas, my list is getting very long. This, too, is a good thing because list making is a hobby.
The book I truly appreciate is the one I am reading at the time. That book often speaks to me in ways I don’t plan.
The book I am currently reading is:
EAT A PEACH. The message I am receiving is that the restaurant business is hard work. This is similar to my life.
I’m not being facetious when I say “all of them!”. I’m a lifelong devourer of books. They give me worlds to live in, images to savor, characters to care about, insights to ponder, knowledge to learn from, glimpses of people and places I wouldn’t otherwise encounter, poetry to sit with in the morning to start my day, reasons to laugh or cry or heave a deep sigh of satisfaction at a good ending. All of them.
The Butterfly’s Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe (I learned much about monarch butterflies reading this)
The Last Bookshop of London by Madeline Martin
Winter Solstice by by Rosamund Pilcher
Collecting Confidence by Kim Gravel
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Anam Cara by John O’Donohue
So many books, too many to list so I will just share one: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. I have an illustrated copy that Ii pull from the bookcase often because the wisdom within is pure, simple, direct and always life giving.
Hmm, I had this book for many
years and I never read it. I don’t
seem to have it anymore, but
now I will have to get my hands
on it and give it a read. 🙏
Charlie, here’s a passage from “The Prophet” My copy was copyright in 1970 and it includes Gibran’s drawings. I truly cherish it!
Joy and Sorrow
Then a woman said, Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.
And he answered:
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.
All the Harry Potter books.
I loved reading to my children when they were younger – we would go to our local library weekly – loved The Berenstain Bears, The Giving Tree, of course Dr. Seuss, Frog and Toad books. I’m sure there are many others I’m forgetting.
Happy Friday everyone – I’m not feeling that great, out sick today.
I am with Kevin on this one – the Bible. I seem to be rediscovering the incredible way this inspirational literature impacts my life and speaks directly to the core of my very being. The patterns that show up in the first page and permeate the entire Bible, through to the last pages. The wisdom books and how they are incredibly unique. It is so easy to take it for granted, but it truly is profound when I have taken the time to fully immerse myself in its prose and mystery.
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
Tao Te Ching
“Lord of the Rings” trilogy books (not the movies). They created this marvelous world for me and a classic good vs evil drama. Just loved reading these wonderful books as a teen, and still love re-reading them today.
I’m not able to single out any one book. I am grateful for ALL the books that were my Way Out of childhood chaos. Books are still my ticket to cerebral adventures, recipes for inspirational cooking, and tools to broaden my spiritual mystical horizons. (and several stacks of clustered books along my bedside are part of the clutter that a recent post acknowledged. )
Tuesday With Morrie by Mitch Albom is the book that I am grateful for. Suddenly discovering that he had an unrecovered disease, Morries tried to live in acceptance and through his experiences, he shared with us the value of life.
Books have always been a part
of my life. Thanks to my parents,
who were both “book people”.
Some books have been more
transformative than others, but I have
gleaned something from all of them.
I worked in a notorious bookstore,
on and off from seventeen to my
early twenties. It helped pay my rent,
when I was patching together a
livelihood at seventeen. I not only
had access to all these amazing books,
I worked with some amazing people.
A few of them where beyond
knowledgeable about books and authors
and we’re happy to share and guide me.
During the holidays, I worked at the
front door, as a “security”/bag check
person. This was in my hometown,
and every person that I knew would
walk through those doors. I was so
young. It was wonderful and terrifying
all at once.
I recall we had this question recently. I do appreciate book ideas, my list is getting very long. This, too, is a good thing because list making is a hobby.
The book I truly appreciate is the one I am reading at the time. That book often speaks to me in ways I don’t plan.
The book I am currently reading is:
EAT A PEACH. The message I am receiving is that the restaurant business is hard work. This is similar to my life.
I’m not being facetious when I say “all of them!”. I’m a lifelong devourer of books. They give me worlds to live in, images to savor, characters to care about, insights to ponder, knowledge to learn from, glimpses of people and places I wouldn’t otherwise encounter, poetry to sit with in the morning to start my day, reasons to laugh or cry or heave a deep sigh of satisfaction at a good ending. All of them.
The Butterfly’s Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe (I learned much about monarch butterflies reading this)
The Last Bookshop of London by Madeline Martin
Winter Solstice by by Rosamund Pilcher
Collecting Confidence by Kim Gravel
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Anam Cara by John O’Donohue
So many books, too many to list so I will just share one: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. I have an illustrated copy that Ii pull from the bookcase often because the wisdom within is pure, simple, direct and always life giving.
Hmm, I had this book for many
years and I never read it. I don’t
seem to have it anymore, but
now I will have to get my hands
on it and give it a read. 🙏
Charlie, here’s a passage from “The Prophet” My copy was copyright in 1970 and it includes Gibran’s drawings. I truly cherish it!
Joy and Sorrow
Then a woman said, Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.
And he answered:
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.
Kahlil Gibran The Prophet pp. 22-23
Too many to count! Books are teachers, comedians, warm blankets, spotlights, sign posts, old and new friends, and cherished companions.
This!
I am truly grateful for all books……they provide all things important to life.
the Myth of Normal
Trauma, Illness & Healing
in a Toxic Culture
Gabor Mate, MD
with Daniel Mate
Agreed. A neighbor gave me this
to read recently. So good.
All the Harry Potter books.
I loved reading to my children when they were younger – we would go to our local library weekly – loved The Berenstain Bears, The Giving Tree, of course Dr. Seuss, Frog and Toad books. I’m sure there are many others I’m forgetting.
Happy Friday everyone – I’m not feeling that great, out sick today.
Hope you feel better soon,
Michelle. I still have some of
the books I read as a young
teen. Just looking at them
gives me such a good feeling.
Thank you Charlie.
Take care, MIchele, relax and don’t forget to breath. Sending loving energy your way.
Thank you Carol.
Loving Kindness your way Michele.
Thank you Joseph.
I am with Kevin on this one – the Bible. I seem to be rediscovering the incredible way this inspirational literature impacts my life and speaks directly to the core of my very being. The patterns that show up in the first page and permeate the entire Bible, through to the last pages. The wisdom books and how they are incredibly unique. It is so easy to take it for granted, but it truly is profound when I have taken the time to fully immerse myself in its prose and mystery.
The Holy Bible
Journal of George Fox
Journal of John Woolman
Anam Cara, by John O’Donohue
A Book Of Hours, by Elizabeth Yates