“There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot.” I was not ready or prepared for this story to be over. I could have finished i“There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot.” I was not ready or prepared for this story to be over. I could have finished it in a day but I stretched it across two, savouring it. The book is so satisfying and heart wrenching and the the prose so beautiful and startling, it cracks your ribs a little from all the gasping. JUST READ IT, TRUST ME....more
A vital read for anyone interested in women’s health, hormones and natural birth control and conception. Written like a well-informed, medically trainA vital read for anyone interested in women’s health, hormones and natural birth control and conception. Written like a well-informed, medically trained friend talking to you who wants the best for you, backed up by Lara’s research and clinical practice....more
This is an absolutely glorious read and I’m so sad it’s over! A really enjoyable escapist piece that tracks the lives of three female friends with manThis is an absolutely glorious read and I’m so sad it’s over! A really enjoyable escapist piece that tracks the lives of three female friends with many believable elements to the relatable narratives.
“She knows that they have lived through illnesses and lived through children and lived through no children and that they are a tribe, these women, with their battered bodies and their scars.”...more
Quite possibly the most formative book I’ve ever read that speaks directly to this hunger and discontent I feel and yet hide so well. I know I’m not tQuite possibly the most formative book I’ve ever read that speaks directly to this hunger and discontent I feel and yet hide so well. I know I’m not the only one.
BRB while I digest and process the life changing insights about moving from adolescence into adulthood (hint: it has nothing to do with your age and everything to do with your courage). ...more
An essential book for understanding the burden of White privilege and what it means to be personally complicit with unconscious bias, unaware actions An essential book for understanding the burden of White privilege and what it means to be personally complicit with unconscious bias, unaware actions and unintended oppression in a system of White supremacy against Black, Indigneous People of Colour. I found this a huge shake up for my own paradigm that really hasn’t been questioned in depth since birth. It’s called a challenge for a reason! I finished the 28 days in 28 days because I really wanted to commit to the momentum of mining my own psyche for my conditioning and bring all the ways I am participating and benefiting from White privilege to the surface. Layla has the right mix of informative, stern and non apologetic language — she isn’t holding your hand but rather guiding you to the light for you to do YOUR OWN WORK now and for the rest of your life when the book finishes and you decide how you show up in this world as an antiracism ally....more
A wholly informative and well-researched deep dive into the morals, ethics and plain facts of eating animals / flesh / meat. The perspective is from aA wholly informative and well-researched deep dive into the morals, ethics and plain facts of eating animals / flesh / meat. The perspective is from a journalist rather than a vegan or farmer, objective at times and transparently subjective at others, but also impassioned and with his heart in the right place. That is to tell the animals’ story (for they cannot); my jaw dropped more than a few times when I learnt the true horrors of factory farming, 99% of the world’s meat production.
“Our response to the factory farm is ultimately a test of how we respond to the powerless, to the most distant, to the voiceless — it is a test of how we act when no one is forcing us to act one way or another.”
A must-read for anyone that bleeds, lives with someone who bleeds or wants to know what it’s like to be a multi-faceted being if you’ve never had yourA must-read for anyone that bleeds, lives with someone who bleeds or wants to know what it’s like to be a multi-faceted being if you’ve never had your own ‘moon time’. This book deserves the highest praise! Claire is a ‘period whisperer’ and someone who has done the work to understand women's cycles intimately and scientifically so she can pass on that wisdom to you. I attended Claire’s period positivity workshop a few years ago and it taught me so much about the four seasonal phases in a woman’s life every month and how to harness each one best for your emotional, physical and creative wellbeing. I consider this self-knowledge to be sensual and empowering. This book is a perfect brush-up and companion to constantly refer back to as each new cycle brings new ups and downs. I am grateful for Claire’s work and this book is a great introduction to understanding the power of menstrual cycle tracking and reflecting as one of your mental health’s biggest allies. ...more
“An orgasm is a state, not just a momentary occurrence or a ‘peak’.”
“Orgasm is the accumulation of pleasure, not the release of pleasure.”
A fascinatin“An orgasm is a state, not just a momentary occurrence or a ‘peak’.”
“Orgasm is the accumulation of pleasure, not the release of pleasure.”
A fascinating read, or rather experiential, book on female desire and the orgasmic landscape. If you’ve studied tantra, it’s a deeper exploration and demonstration on specifically female orgasms and the feminine emotional body. If you are new to this, keep your mind open and be curious.
To get the most out of it, you will need to commit to the practices ‘or self pleasure tapas’ to have your own bodily understanding of the potential of orgasms and to cultivate how you wish to be a sexual, orgasmic woman in this world. Written by a man, and the masculine perspective in this case illuminates the feminine experience much like David Deida’s Dear Lover....more
A surprising revolution of a book; from self pity to solitude, disconnection to realisation about how the wheel of life goes, and how coming home to yA surprising revolution of a book; from self pity to solitude, disconnection to realisation about how the wheel of life goes, and how coming home to yourself is the ultimate goal. Sharp, smart, and a bit slow at times.
Some great quotes to consider:
“Sometimes it’s the things you say no to that define you.”
“Grief forces you to face yourself, and if you cannot do it, a part of you will be rendered unavailable to you… You must battle to keep that part of yourself, even if it feel worthless or even contemptible in the roaring high seas of loss. You must still fight to keep it.”
“To love oneself is to seek out the worst and most terrible parts.” ...more
I am utterly bereft. THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. It will get under your skin and into your very being; and is somewhere between Where The Crawdads Sing and I am utterly bereft. THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. It will get under your skin and into your very being; and is somewhere between Where The Crawdads Sing and A Little Life except set in Alaska in the 1970s. I KNOW.
Brilliant, transportive writing that you won’t forget anytime soon [Trigger warning: abusive father] ...more
An ideal novel to get lost in; forelorn love and longing, beautiful poignant prose and a clever back and forth mechanic to illustrate the overarching An ideal novel to get lost in; forelorn love and longing, beautiful poignant prose and a clever back and forth mechanic to illustrate the overarching narrative. I felt the descriptions of the Big Pond cabin so clearly and it was a very good page turner! There are depressing (for some) themes of marriage and also childhood trauma. I didn’t give it five stars because the last page still perplexes me! Who did she choose? ...more
I finished! Second time around and 12 weeks later; my creative self is much more nourished and in flow. The morning pages felt like a burden sometimesI finished! Second time around and 12 weeks later; my creative self is much more nourished and in flow. The morning pages felt like a burden sometimes and we’re often a saviour to express and release what was on my mind. Definitely worthwhile sticking to, and Julia Cameron feels like a friend coaching you to realise your potentials. There are parts that won’t resonate for everyone, so forge forward with what works for you and see where it takes you. ...more
HOLY MOLY — this book is a wake-up call! Reconciling the domestic and the erotic is not something I think about on a daily basis UNTIL NOW. It speaks HOLY MOLY — this book is a wake-up call! Reconciling the domestic and the erotic is not something I think about on a daily basis UNTIL NOW. It speaks of momgomany, marriage, longing, sex, pleasure, fantasies, and how to reframe freedom, desire and eroticism in a committed relationship. JUST READ IT and then proceed to get obsessed with Esther, too. ...more
One of the greatest fiction stories I have read in a long time! An American Marriage is flawless, the writing is so honest and sends electric shocks tOne of the greatest fiction stories I have read in a long time! An American Marriage is flawless, the writing is so honest and sends electric shocks to your soul. I found myself unable to forget the characters and the cadence of their words gets under your skin, reminding you that life is unpredictable but we are all the same human at the core. ...more
I finished this a long time ago but can’t begin to accept this book is over - Jude lives on in my existence, I cried from kindness reading this epic sI finished this a long time ago but can’t begin to accept this book is over - Jude lives on in my existence, I cried from kindness reading this epic story and cried from cruelty in moments of disbelief at how humans could be. This is the best fiction book I’ve read in quite a long time and I’m still in it. ...more
A pivotal book for womens’ health, understanding the yin / yang and sex / stress hormone balance in our life and how to optimise digestion and life alA pivotal book for womens’ health, understanding the yin / yang and sex / stress hormone balance in our life and how to optimise digestion and life alignment with Ayurvedic principles. This was recommended to me 8 (!) years ago and I wish I’d read it much earlier. ...more
Packed full of thoughtful and thought-invoking quotes and passing on lived experiences of not having to be a Productivity Powerhouse all the time; youPacked full of thoughtful and thought-invoking quotes and passing on lived experiences of not having to be a Productivity Powerhouse all the time; you can just be a human too. Beautiful sentiment to be a student of our days and that ordinary wonders are enough. ...more
“That new things will keep happening, that nothing is over yet.”
Actually 4.5 stars — I enjoyed this book for its luxurious escapism into sex & friend“That new things will keep happening, that nothing is over yet.”
Actually 4.5 stars — I enjoyed this book for its luxurious escapism into sex & friendship, observational remarks about the human condition, and I’m a sucker for any kind of unrequited love. ...more
“This new understanding that love was never everything you wanted or needed it to be. It was uncontrollable, it misbehaved. It tethered you but helped“This new understanding that love was never everything you wanted or needed it to be. It was uncontrollable, it misbehaved. It tethered you but helped make you free.” This was an engrossing and luscious read. ...more
Really practical, personal and light reading guide to moving. I totally agree that however long you think that packing and selling your life will takeReally practical, personal and light reading guide to moving. I totally agree that however long you think that packing and selling your life will take — add 50% more time. ...more
An exquisitely written and urgently needed read on soul as truth, nature as the ultimate wisdom and how to greatest serve the Earth with our brief timAn exquisitely written and urgently needed read on soul as truth, nature as the ultimate wisdom and how to greatest serve the Earth with our brief time on it. I met Rebecca when she guided a Soulcraft Intensive and she is the real deal — living and breathing this work. Her compassion, power, and grace eminates from these pages, beautifully woven with her own stories on lands and rivers, and experiences of soul encounter. Highly recommend for anyone on the journey to soul intitiation and living their ultimate truth and service to the world!
“Being soul initiated does not raise our status; it increases our soul responsibility.” ...more
Will you risk your current life and identity for the possibility of uncovering your most sacred of tasks, your unique Soul-infused service to the worlWill you risk your current life and identity for the possibility of uncovering your most sacred of tasks, your unique Soul-infused service to the world?
If the answer is YES ~ read this book.
It took me a year (slowly, thoughtfully) to digest and make my way through this tome showing the way for psychospiritual awakening and how we might begin to lead an ecocentric (note: not ego) life. The lessons in this book are timeless and timely. I know the idea of a lifechanging mythopoetic call is so great and terrifying; but we all are born to answer it, if we will.
A reason it also took me so long to read this book, was because a third of the way through I stopped to read The Red Book by Carl Jung as Bill Plotkin makes frequent references to it and it sounded intriguing. It is a beast of a book in its own right and a deep vortex into the underworld of Jung’s psyche and own soul unraveling. ...more
Hurrah! Finally finished. A long but BRILLIANT read, an almost necessity for anyone that sleeps ;)
Walker’s account of the silent sleep loss epidemic iHurrah! Finally finished. A long but BRILLIANT read, an almost necessity for anyone that sleeps ;)
Walker’s account of the silent sleep loss epidemic is touted as a recent phenomen of the last century that completely goes against human biology and 3 million+ years of evolution — it’s eye-opening, startling and confounding. He brings up SO many intersting points like the stupidity of early school start times and workplace dogma around the 9-5 grind. I love most his idea that the workday should be adapted to suit larks and owls with everyone only required to be together from 12pm-3pm: larks could start early morning and finish early afternoon and owls could start at midday and finish in the evening to suit their individual chronotype. ...more
A satisfying read about relationship entanglement and the undeniable pull of attraction between two people. I read this book in two days and the only A satisfying read about relationship entanglement and the undeniable pull of attraction between two people. I read this book in two days and the only reason I didn’t read it in one, is because I didn’t want it to end!
I really enjoyed Sally Rooney’s debut (even though I read her second book Normal People first) and would recommend it to anyone who knows the ache of being in love with someone despite common sense. The storyline is enthralling, and it parts I had to stop and re-read the beauty of a sentence told with such honesty and relatedness.
The passion was palatable and the hum drum beat of everyday life was refreshing. I love the sentiment in the last line: ‘You live through certain things before you understand them.’...more
A topical read in an ever saturated digital world about aligning technology and apps that you use with “Humans are not wired to be constantly wired.”
A topical read in an ever saturated digital world about aligning technology and apps that you use with your values.
I’ve been pondering dramatically scaling back social media and online time, and this book provided the right tools and insights to push me into the right re-direction of my energy and efforts. I loved the quotes on solitude especially.
I like Cal Newport’s approach to writing (highly recommend Deep Work) and his way of pulling together research and real life insights, it’s up to you however to make the changes to dramatically benefit from a life of less screens and more richer connection and clarity. I’m about to do just that! ...more
I honestly think this may be one of the most transformative books I’ve ever read - speaking directly to my curiosity to ‘this can’t be it’ by unravellI honestly think this may be one of the most transformative books I’ve ever read - speaking directly to my curiosity to ‘this can’t be it’ by unravelling the life you are meant to lead, if you are courageous enough to go after it.
Bill writes like a soul who has been there and done that, and come back with stories and revelations to prove his points. I love the concept that your first life is your ‘summer house’ and the life you are meant to live - one of freedom and living your life’s purpose - comes after you leave your first home.
Recommended reading for anyone who’s ever had a crisis of self (so basically everyone!) ...more
I am in deep Kierkergaard hole; rediscovering my admirations for his words and philosophies. I visit his grave in Copenhagen many years ago and now doI am in deep Kierkergaard hole; rediscovering my admirations for his words and philosophies. I visit his grave in Copenhagen many years ago and now do I only realise the irony of - how he would have hated that. ...more
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