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Wow. What an amazing book and an amazing story. This book was suggested to me by my therapist, who is also a past-life regression specialist. It had been on my shelf for years, but needing to get in touch with my spiritual side, I decided to give it a read. I was hooked from the first page and was thoroughly engaged throughout. When Dr Weiss hypnotised Catherine and took her back to where her symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks, as well as the beginnings of her sensations of choking and fear of the dark and enclosed places, it brought my recurrent nightmares of drowning, dying in childbirth, being injured in an automobile accident where my abdomen was severed to my mind. I wondered about my own past lives and I desire to delve more deeply to discover the beginnings of my own issues and symptoms. I found Catherine's past lives fascinating and could see parallels between her experiences and my own memories of past lives.

The wisdom from the Masters in between her lives was incredible. Could it be that it really exists? I had a near death experience several years ago and was suspended between this life and the next in the most glorious of places; among the stars in an iolite-colored sky, being held by a golden string in the presence of the Goddess. It was the most beautiful and peaceful place I have ever known. I don't fear death anymore.

I have always said that the difficulties I'm going through in this life are just something I need to experience and learn this time around. I've always said it in an offhand way, semi-believing it, but could it be true? I would like to think that it is and that if I learn the truth about my previous lives that the problems in my current life could be resolved or at least understood and I could experience a cessation of my emotional and psychological issues.

This book inspired me to look deeper inside myself and at humankind. I don't doubt it does the same for whoever reads it. You will be moved and will grow from reading it
  
Twenty-One Truths About Love
Twenty-One Truths About Love
Matthew Dicks | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
4
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dan Mayrock is an obsessive list maker who has quit his job as a teacher and opened a bookstore. But now he's in financial trouble and afraid to tell his wife, Jill. Jill was previously married and Dan feels he can never quite live up to Jill's late husband. And then, Jill gets pregnant. Now Dan feels even more pressure to be the best he can be for Jill.

The shtick of this book is that it's told entirely in list form. No dialogue, no narrative, nothing. Just lists. It did wear a little thin at times, but it was an interesting way to learn about someone's life. You learn about Dan's finances, feelings, and amazingly, a lot about his past.

For me, what really got me about this book is that I just couldn't warm to Dan. I think most people find this book heartwarming and cute, but I found him--and it--annoying and whiny. He doesn't want to tell his wife about his financial problems with the store, so he concocts some ridiculous scheme to "help" the family instead. It was just too much for me. Man up, tell your wife, and take responsibility for your actions. I didn't find it cute, and if I was his wife, I would have kicked him to the curb.

It's a shame, because a lot of the book was filled with really funny and spot-on observations about life. I especially loved Dan's ruminations on teaching and meetings. They were incredibly true to life. There are a lot of humorous and touching moments in this book, but I could never really push past the fact that he was a spineless liar.


"'Let's start off with an icebreaker' are words no human being has ever wanted to hear."


Overall, I enjoyed pieces of this book, but found myself skimming others. I liked the idea of it, but could never warm to Dan and since the whole book was his lists and life, it was hard to enjoy without liking him. I need a book from the POV of his older Bingo buddy, Bill. Now he was a cool dude.
  
The Sun is Also a Star
The Sun is Also a Star
Nicola Yoon | 2016 | Children
8
8.5 (16 Ratings)
Book Rating
Natasha is a Jamaica-born teenager who believes more in science than true love. She and her family are also about to be deported back to Jamaica. Daniel, the son of Korean-born parents, is a dutiful son who dreams of becoming a poet. Daniel loves words and the idea of fate. When he meets Natasha, he's convinced she's his. His fate, his true love. Natasha isn't so sure, but she can't help but admit that this handsome, intelligent boy is something special.

What follows is an amazing story of two young people: most of it occurring across the day they meet. Told from the alternating perspectives of Natasha and Daniel, but interspersed with bits and pieces of history, facts, and small insights into the people with whom they come into contact on their one magical day, this is a beautiful, lovely, and touching story. Daniel readily admits in the novel that he's a cheesy guy, and yes, the story may be a bit cheesy at points, but boy, it draws you in immediately, and it's just... great. I really loved Yoon's first book, [b:Everything, Everything|18692431|Everything, Everything|Nicola Yoon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1450515891s/18692431.jpg|26540216], and I think this one may be even better. How does she do it?

Daniel and Natasha spring to life in front of you, as you frantically flip pages, wondering what will become of these two people. The bit players in their life take on a life all of their own, thanks to the little insight you receive via their own chapters. I am just awed at how well this woman writes teenage characters - spirited, real, flawed, lovely characters. I read the second half of this book in one sitting, because I just had to see how it ended, and find out the fate of Natasha and Daniel.

Indeed, the racial and immigration plotlines of this novel could not seem more timely, what with the Presidential Election and the current tumult America is undergoing. I wish this book was required reading of every citizen.

<i>"If people who were actually born here had to prove they were worthy enough to live in America, this would be a much less populated country." ~ Natasha</i>

This is not just a potential love story; this is a book that will make you think and make you cry. It's a love story of teens, it's an ode to New York City, and it's a tribute to both science and poetry. I highly recommend it.