Summer Book Reviews...

After a heavy day

I am keeping it light here

giving a few reviews of some of the books

I read this summer

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for lighter reading... 

"The House at Riverton"

by Kate Morton

I thoroughly enjoy her books

for a time of escape into the past 

these are the books to read

intricately woven story lines

interesting characters

and hidden truths

the perfect escape

these books find a permanent home on my book shelf

I just have to get my hands on 

"The Distant Hours"

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The Wisdom Club pick for the summer was...

"Mutant Messages from Down Under"

by Marlo Morgan

This book causes quite a stir when it came out back in 1991 and the question of it's authenticity was raised.

I am not here to say whether it is fiction or non fiction

what I want to tell you is what I got out of this book.

Right away in the authors note to the reader at the beginning she writes...

"My suggestion is that you taste the message, savour what is right for you and spit out the rest; after all, that is the law of the universe." pg xv

So that is exactly what I did, I looked for my message and found it.

This is a story about an American woman in Australia who ends up on a 4 month walk about with an Aboriginal Tribe in the Out Back. The people call themselves "The Real People" and invite her to take part in their way of life so that she can learn from them and take their message back to the Mutants...us.

"I was found acceptable and worthy of learning the knowledge of the true relation ship of humans to the world we live in, the world beyond, the dimension from which we came, and the dimension where we shall all return. I was going to be exposed to the understanding of my won beingness." pg 45

I enjoyed this easy read right away,

then somewhere in the middle I felt I was reading a child's fairy tale and then towards the end she grabbed me back into the story.

Here are a few of my favourite quotes:

"They showed me how vital it is to accept, be truthful, and love myself so I could do the same with others" pg 64

"In stead of living the truth, Mutants allow circumstances and conditions to bury universal law under the mixture of convenience, materialism and insecurity." pg 77

"All humans are Spirits only visiting this world. All spirits are forever beings. All encounters with other people are experiences and all experiences are forever connections. Real People close the circle of each experience. We do not leave ends frayed as Mutants do. If you walk away with bad feelings in your heart for another person and that circle is not closed, it will be repeated later in your life. You will not suffer once but over and over until you learn. It is good to observe, to learn, and become wiser from what has happened. it is good to give thanks, as you say, to bless it, and walk away in peace." pg 93

"...the only true influence you have on anyone else is by your won life, how you act, what you do." pg 105

"If I simply lived the principles that appeared to be truth for me, I would touch the loves of those I was destined to touch. The doors would be opened. After all "it" was not my message I was merely the messenger." pg 117

I enjoyed this book, Not one of my top choices, but I am glad I read it, and I think I have a space for it on my shelf : )

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My favourite read of the summer...

"A Thousand Sisters"

by Lisa J Shannon

Back in 2005  Lisa Shannon was watching an episode on Oprah that changed her life. The shows topic was about the women in Congo, the worse place on earth to be a woman.

the show stayed with her and before she knew it she was organizing a run to raise money for sponsorship becoming the founder of Run for Congo Women.

But that was not enough for her.

She decided to go to the Congo herself and interview the women and children of this war and this book is her story.

This book touched such a personal place inside me, a place where those I love, from Colombia, live.

Like Ana Maria

I met Ana Maria for the first time almost 5 years ago...a shy quiet beautiful little girl. her mother was one of our first women whom we helped to open her own shop out of her house.

When I was back at the centre this spring Ana Maria was one of my constant companions in the "studio".

Now a beautiful  young teenager...like a diamond in the rough. She holds something precious deep with in her and I wonder if she will ever have the chance  to bring that inner beauty out to the world.

When I sent  gifts down with Jorge in the summer I 

received this one back from Ana...

the most precious gift of all

a hand written note that said:

"You cannot imagine how much I miss you.

The truth is I do miss you and remember you every day.

The few moments that we spent together I realized that you are a super special person. I would like you to stay here forever. The necklace you gave me

I will keep as a treasure and the photo too,

they are a symbol of love

I love and miss you very much.

I will never forget you. I will always have you in my heart."
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I have no quotes to share from this book as there was just too much to share
too much that mirrored my own heart.
How that no matter how you primp up a poverty stricken country you can not hide the unmistakably mark of generations of poverty.
How most times then not when wanting to share the passion of  your heart for this place, on the other side of the globe, how you want to reach out and make a difference, the person who you are sharing with glazes over and seems miles away from the conversation.
How the stories....how the stories work their way into your heart, how the faces, how the pleading looks in their eyes cause you to never be able to look away again....
and the smiles, the endless smiles in the mist of the misery...
This book is one I highly recommend
to anyone who has the courage to look.
A home on my shelf it finds and a place in my heart.

"A Thousand Sisters"
My Journey in to the worst place on earth to be a Woman
by Lisa J. Shannon
Thank you Lisa
I stand with you

Love and Light

enter my end of summer giveaway here