Monday, June 20, 2011

Mailbox Monday (June 20)

Mailbox Monday buttonMailbox Monday is a 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 Brooke at The Bluestocking Guide.

Only one book came into my house this past week, which, considering there is currently no postal service in Canada, is more than I expected. (It was sent by courier.) The book is Fire Monks: Zen Mind Meets Wildfire at the Gates of Tassajara by Colleen Morton Bursch. I’ll be reviewing it for a TLC Book Tour in July.

From the inside flap of the book:

In June 2008 more than two thousand wildfires, all started by a single lightning storm, blazed across the state of California. Tassajara, the oldest Zen Buddhist monastery in the United States, was at particular risk. Set deep in the Ventana wilderness east of Big Sur, the center is connected to the outside world by a single unpaved road. If fire were to enter the canyon, there would be no way out.

Disaster struck during the summer months, when Tassajara opens its doors to visitors and the grounds fill with guests expecting a peaceful respite. Instead, the mountain air filled with smoke, and the monks broke from regular meditation to conduct fire drills. All visitors were evacuated, and many Zen students followed. A small crew of residents and firefighters remained, planning to defend Tassajara. But nothing could have prepared them for what came next. When a treacherous shift in weather condtions brought danger nearer still, firefighters made the flash decision to completely evacuate the monastery. As the firefighters and remaining residents caravanned out the long road from Tassajara, five monks turned back, risking their lives to save the monastery. Fire Monks is their story.

Sounds fascinating, right?

What did you find in your mailbox this past week? For other Mailbox Monday posts, head over to The Bluestocking Guide.
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17 comments:

  1. Mary (Bookfan)June 20, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    It does sound fascinating - I'll watch for your review.

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  2. AnonymousJune 20, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    That is really interesting - fire monks. Hope you enjoy it and I hope your postal service gets over their strike thing. Must be frustrating!

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  3. Martha@Hey, I want to read thatJune 20, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    Okay, I've been gone a while so did I miss why you don't have postal service? Yikes. I hope it's back soon. You did end up with a really interesting sounding book. I sort of remember when this happened and I'd like to find out more.

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  4. AnonymousJune 20, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    Oh, that is unexpected. Those five monks must have deeply loved that monastery. This is an incredible story.

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  5. SerenaJune 20, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    sounds like an interesting book. Happy reading.

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  6. bermudaonionJune 20, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    I hope this strike doesn't last too long! I'd be going crazy. Your new book looks interesting.

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  7. Aisle BJune 20, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    Now that is true devotion however I'd be the one ranting and raving at the monks to GO! Sorry my buddhist nature is not Zen and I tend to be hot tempered when lives are endangered.

    Let me know how this one fares :)

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  8. Jennifer | Mrs Q Book AddictJune 20, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    This one sounds really interesting! Enjoy!

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  9. SukoJune 20, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    Enjoy your new book, Avis. It certainly has an original title. Hopefully, the cover's original, too.

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  10. AnnaJune 20, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    I'm looking forward to your tour post. It does sound very interesting.

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  11. StaciJune 20, 2011 at 9:53 PM

    I so can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one!!!

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  12. Beth(bookaholicmom)June 20, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    I have never hear of this book but it sounds very fascinating! I will keep an eye out for your review for sure!

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  13. Teddy RoseJune 21, 2011 at 2:16 AM

    I rec eived two books by courier. I do wish the strike would end. Although, we once had a garbage strike here in Vancouver in the summer, a few years back. That was much worse! Fire Monks looks really good.

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  14. DonnaJune 21, 2011 at 4:08 AM

    As I was reading the description, I started to wonder if this book is a novel. Almost sounds like one to me. I hope you enjoy it.

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  15. Leslie (Under My Apple Tree)June 21, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    Sounds interesting, hadn't heard of this book before.

    Hope your mail service resumes soon.

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  16. Holly (2 Kids and Tired)June 23, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    Wow, this one sounds really good. I'm not familiar with the book or the author.
    2 Kids and Tired Books

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  17. KathleenJune 27, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    I live in California (about an hour and a half away from Big Sur) and remember this story well! Sounds like a fascinating read.

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