Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books they received during the previous week. Warning: MM can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and huge wish lists! Mailbox Monday, which was started by Marcia (who now blogs at A girl and her books) is on blog tour—this month, it’s hosted by Amy at Passages to the Past. I’ve been very good about not buying any books this year; as you may remember, I’m on a book-acquiring ban until June. However, I fell off the wagon this week: first, I went to a book launch (and had to buy the book) and then I went to a library book sale...
In the end, I purchased three books: Carried by a Promise: A Life Transformed Through Yoga by Swami Radhananda (which I got signed by the author), For Keeps: Women Tell the Trugh About Their Bodies, Growing Older, and Acceptance edited by Victoria Zackheim (which has been on my wish list since 2008!) and The Sound of Paper: Starting from Scratch by Julia Cameron (because I love her books and couldn’t resist this one for only a dollar).
From the back cover of Carried by a Promise:
In 1977, when Mary-Ann McDougall—mother, wife and teacher—first heard Swami Sivananda Radha speak at Yasodhara Ashram, she knew she had found what was missing in her life. Her memoir, Carried by a Promise, is the unique story of a woman’s spiritual journey that follows her deepening commitment to Swami Radha and the extraordinary events that lead to her transformation into Swami Radhananda. Carried by a Promise offers a very human example of how a heartfelt promise to the Divine can carry us on the spiritual path. Above all, it gives an intimate look into the love between a guru and a disciple—a sacred connection that has the power to transform.
From the back cover of For Keeps:
We women often devote boundless effort to beauty and fitness, but usually by fighting our bodies rather than befriending them. So maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise that when we face injury, illness, or old age, we are often devastated—in truth, we feel betrayed by our own bodies. For Keeps is more than an acceptance of getting older—it’s about accepting who you are, period. By turns hilarious and heartrending, moving and irreverent, this extraordinary collection chronicles the transformative potential of the body’s wisdom. From adolescent awkwardness to eating disorders, mental illness to cancer diagnoses, twenty-seven gifted writers share their intimate stories of wrestling with their less-than-perfect bodies, a triumphant testament to the self-acceptance and peace available to use all.
From the back cover of The Sound of Paper:
Julia Cameron delves deep into the heart of the personal struggles that all artists experience. What can we do when we face our keyboard or canvas with nothing but a cold emptiness? How can we begin to carve out our creation when our vision and drive are clouded by life’s uncertainties? In other words, how can be begin the difficult work of being an artist? . . . With personal essays accompanied by exercise designed to develop the power to infuse one’s art with a deeply informed knowledge of the soul, this book is an essential artist’s companion from one of the foremost authorities on the creative process. Cameron’s most illuminating volume to date, The Sound of Paper provides readers with a spiritual path for creating the best work of their lives.
What did you find in your mailbox this past week? For other Mailbox Monday posts, head over to Passages to the Past.
In 1977, when Mary-Ann McDougall—mother, wife and teacher—first heard Swami Sivananda Radha speak at Yasodhara Ashram, she knew she had found what was missing in her life. Her memoir, Carried by a Promise, is the unique story of a woman’s spiritual journey that follows her deepening commitment to Swami Radha and the extraordinary events that lead to her transformation into Swami Radhananda. Carried by a Promise offers a very human example of how a heartfelt promise to the Divine can carry us on the spiritual path. Above all, it gives an intimate look into the love between a guru and a disciple—a sacred connection that has the power to transform.
From the back cover of For Keeps:
We women often devote boundless effort to beauty and fitness, but usually by fighting our bodies rather than befriending them. So maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise that when we face injury, illness, or old age, we are often devastated—in truth, we feel betrayed by our own bodies. For Keeps is more than an acceptance of getting older—it’s about accepting who you are, period. By turns hilarious and heartrending, moving and irreverent, this extraordinary collection chronicles the transformative potential of the body’s wisdom. From adolescent awkwardness to eating disorders, mental illness to cancer diagnoses, twenty-seven gifted writers share their intimate stories of wrestling with their less-than-perfect bodies, a triumphant testament to the self-acceptance and peace available to use all.
From the back cover of The Sound of Paper:
Julia Cameron delves deep into the heart of the personal struggles that all artists experience. What can we do when we face our keyboard or canvas with nothing but a cold emptiness? How can we begin to carve out our creation when our vision and drive are clouded by life’s uncertainties? In other words, how can be begin the difficult work of being an artist? . . . With personal essays accompanied by exercise designed to develop the power to infuse one’s art with a deeply informed knowledge of the soul, this book is an essential artist’s companion from one of the foremost authorities on the creative process. Cameron’s most illuminating volume to date, The Sound of Paper provides readers with a spiritual path for creating the best work of their lives.
What did you find in your mailbox this past week? For other Mailbox Monday posts, head over to Passages to the Past.
The Sound of Paper sounds like a good read for inspiration if not just because the topic is interesting.
ReplyDeleteFor Keeps really intrigues primarily because I think I could get some help or understanding about things from it. I recognized myself in parts of the short summary. Self-acceptance can be tough to achieve and I'd like to read what this book says about it.
Thank you for posting about these books!
Well, you're excused because you HAD to buy those books. How could you not buy a book at a book launch or help out your library like that? I'd say you're a good citizen!
ReplyDeleteAmy, I've read the first seven essays in For Keeps and it's really good so far. I think you'd probably enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteKathy, you're kind to let me off the hook, but buying books is an addiction! (I really really really don't need more books in my house at the moment.)
Don't you know..library sale books don't count when in the midst of a book-acquiring ban! It's for charity..you are helping the library out. You had to do what you had to do!
ReplyDeleteAvis, each of these sounds like an excellent book. I think I'd really enjoy them. Yoga, our bodies, and the creation (or lack of creation) of art are topics that interest me. And your addiction is not a bad one by any means (there's always room for another book!).
ReplyDeleteNow that's what I call a bargain a dollar!
ReplyDeleteMore book sales coming our way with spring... I have one in May coming up and can't wait!
Bravo you're back on the book buying for now ;)
I so get the book addiction - I really need to get help for mine. Have a good week :)
ReplyDeleteHow funny-- my resolution is to buy as many bargain books as possible! As a dedicated library girl, that is a big change for me and so much fun.
ReplyDeleteIt is so much fun that my blog is hosting a newish book haul weekly linky party called Bargain Book Bonanza. You are invited to link this post-- the more bargains the merrier!
Hope you don't ban bargain books till June! Yikes! bargain books are irrestible so buy more and come join BBB every week! See I'm not only addicted-- I'm enabling!!
;o)
All of these appeal to me --lucky gal!
ReplyDeleteLibrary sale books don't count. They are a win for you and for the library. I can never resist books for a dollar or less!
ReplyDeleteI like that cover of For Keeps! Avis, you couldn't have fallen off the wagon for better book choices!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your books! I received 3 books as well.
ReplyDelete