Swami Soup

by Valerie Gilbert

Tap dance with Valerie on her raucous journey up steep inclines and down sudden drops with pedophiles, weird witches, day court, night nurses and plain old crazy New Yorkers at her side. Her insight and silliness will tickle your funny bone while lightening your load with irreverent and magical perspectives on the sad, the wonderful, and the inexplicable.

Genres: Audiobook

294 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2014

About the author

My fourth book, BRILLIANCE BREWING, is now out from Black Opal Books.

I am a healer and mystic from New York City. I teach psychic/spiritual development/personal growth and write about what I know through the lens of memoir, with liberal doses of humor and irreverence. I am an activist. An outspoken truth-teller. And I encourage you to be the same. Welcome to the world of RAVING VIOLET.

Reviews

[Eniko]

Loved this book. Ms. Gilbert's experiences and opinions are masterfully told in her own awesome voice. I could listen for hours and did. The stories were various and a great mix, some made me laugh out loud, some made me think as they told great truths, and some were I was nodding my head saying YES that's right. I can't pick a favourite part, they all have something to offer to the heart and mind of those willing to listen AND hear the messages behind them. I totally recommend this audio experience with 5 stars. Looking forward to more.

[Susan]

Swami Soup by Valerie Gilbert For folks who have enjoyed Raving Violet, Ms. Gilbert returns with more tales of her mystical life in New York city. From quirky neighborhood characters, to her adventures into spiritual education, to commentary on our modern world, she ventures into it all. The book is a mix of humor and awe at the world around us.
Once again, Gilbert entertains us with tales of her adventures through the mystics of New York. I find this part of her books so interesting because it is so very different from my own life. In this book, she focuses on dream symbology and synchronicity and how she applies them to her life. While I am not a believer in either myself, I do find it interesting how she uses both techniques to help guide her in both minor and major decisions.
She also chats about some of the fun characters around her neighborhood, and some of the not so fun ones (like the guy who didn’t like her dog at the local park). She went on at length about a mysterious elderly woman who also frequents the park whose past life seems to contradict with her current affairs. While I felt the author was a little focused and a little harsh on the woman’s looks, I like that she included her in the novel because she is just such a walking contradiction.
At one point the author takes a jibe at George R. R. Martin’s book, A Game of Thrones, which is one of my favorite epic fantasies. But she later redeems herself by waxing eloquent about the film Babette’s Feast, which is an excellent film. She ventures onto Craig’s List for the first time, with near-disastrous results. Through narrating, the author has had to update her skills to successfully operate her home recording studio. Also, it has broadened her reading; since she was in her teens she has pretty much stuck to reading spiritual books or those dealing with mysticism. It’s always good to see people step outside their safe reading zone.
Gilbert is refreshingly honest about her fears of dentists, doctors, and surgery. She speaks bluntly about her medical issues and her deep fears, and how the required surgery forced her to face and conquer those fears. I enjoyed her tackling it with humor.
My one criticism is that on occasion she would get a little preachy. By her own word, she is a mystic. So why I can see why she would want to get the word out about her believes on the spiritual realm and where the human species is headed, my eyes did tend to glaze over a it during these sections. They were sprinkled through out the book instead of being all clumped together. So pretty soon, the book returns to more interesting tales of NYC living.
Narration:  The sound quality on this book was very good. Gilbert gives a god performance with a clear voice and the occasional accent. Her previous two books have a bit more emotion and I think I prefer the slightly more animated narration on those two books.

[Eileen Dandashi]

You would think a biography/memoir would be semi-boring, right? Not with Valerie Gilbert. I’ve never been to New York, but I must say she leads an unusual life.

I got her pain when her animals died. I see it all the time when I read comments on Facebook. I, too, have lost a dog. Animals are the most wonderful, loyal creatures and find a place in your heart nothing replaces. Valerie talks about her animals, her friends, and losing them –heart-wrenching pain.

She also spoke of a obdominal operation she had. If you’ve ever had one, you’ll relate to all she says, and she’s so irreverent about the whole process. She had me smiling about her pain. I loved the fact she asked her senior neighbor for help from walker to laxatives. Funny girl, Valerie!

I got a real kick out of her deciding to do audios and the frustation in sound proofing her apartment on a street which never is silent. I laughed right along with her when she described some of her experiences with production. I would never do it justice talking about it. Quite the comedian, she is. Shortly after, I was listening to a romance, smirking at some of the things she mentioned. This girl is a hard-core New Yorker and lays it on the line with just about everything. She can be a bit crude, but then she says something to melt your heart, leaving you smiling.

I also enjoy her mystic and magical attitude and approach to life. She always finds the silver lining to a painful experience and she gives us some wonderful words of wisdom which resonate on my heart-strings.

When listening to Valerie’s voice, you feel you’re sitting in an easy chair, listening, sipping a glass of wine. Her monologue, rambles at times with thoughts, people she meets and what goes on in her mind, yet she has a purpose, and you receive the message.

Ordinarily, I don’t read memoirs, let alone listen to them. But truly, Valerie has a talent and attitude entertaining and memorable. Love her work and I’m so happy to have met her.

Valerie, just a word to you, your prince charming better be good to you. You deserve someone special to share your life. Oh, if you read this, WHERE did you get the title of this book and why??

[Teressa]

I listened to the Audible version of this book.

"Great Stories From Valerie Gilbert"

I really enjoyed listening to Valerie's stories. It was as if she were speaking to me, the listener rather than at me which is something I especially like when I listen to memoirs. I also loved the fact that she narrated her own book. She came across as down to earth, empathetic, and at times just plain funny. There were times where she was put in a position to help people and when she did she was taken advantage of. This showed her vulnerable side.

I liked her viewpoints on the Universe and life in general and feel that we share the same ideals in this aspect. She's a spiritual woman on her own journey. She knows who she is and what she wants. I admire her for this and to me, this makes her an artist who's continually evolving because that's what we do.

As I said before, I love when an author reads their own memoir. It makes it more real to hear their words in their own voice. The audio sounded great. There were a few places where she accidentally repeated a sentence but with that said, at least she knows her words were heard and enjoyed. I'd definitely listen to more books by her. She's a strong, inspirational woman.

This audiobook was gifted in exchange for an honest review.

[Lauren]

This book is an absolute hoot and a half! I laughed from the beginning to the end. The author narrates the book on audible, so you really seem to get to know her. The author has an amazing voice and hearing her tell her own life story is an amazing gift to the reader. The book is focused on her life, and bounces from story to story. We learn about her pets, ex husband, homes, goals (won or lost) hopes, dreams everything. The story is mostly comedic, there are some low moments but she always bounces right back (Story wise, she is human and gives the reader the real ability to relate to her). This is by far my favorite book from her. My favorite parts- her fighting with the cheap bottle of booze to celebrate, loving and missing her sweet babies, screaming at traffic. The entire book screamed out to me and left me happy and glad I had the chance to read it. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

[Jan]

Starting with a difficult experience with the medical community and hospital staff, you really wouldn't expect to enjoy this book or be prepared to find it giggling insanely funny. But it is. When it moves on to a beloved pet in her last days, you think that it would be maudlin. But it most certainly not. This book is the product of the author's journaling through some tough times, lessons learned and shared, chronicles of friendship, and the place that a faith needs to hold in one's life. Just because she is a New Yorker and a professional entertainer, don't think that you can't relate, or learn something, or laugh out loud!
The audiobook is read by the author, and that makes it super wonderful.

[Valerie Gilbert]

Well, as the author, I have to give this book a big round of applause! My writing is personal, intimate, and I explore the ins and outs of applying philosophy and spiritual concepts to my very real life, in great detail. No platitudes here. Just experience, with wit and playfulness.