rocala Posted October 21, 2023 I have today finished "The Alchemist" by Paul Coelho, a very enjoyable read. I now have "The Spiral Dance" by Starhawk and "Poachers Pilgrimage: An Island Journey" by Alistair McIntosh awaiting me. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liminal_luke Posted November 29, 2023 On 8/11/2023 at 2:29 PM, oak said:  A long time ago, Jane Alexander was a member here and I remember her talking about her book. Love the title, Possessing Me. It seems to me that that´s what good spiritual practice does -- puts us in better possession of ourselves.  3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Darius the Clairvoyent Posted November 29, 2023 10 hours ago, steve said: *pic of IQ84" of Murakami I love that author. I think he has an amazing ability to create an immersive world.  Me myself, am now reading meditations (Aurelius), and am planning on rereading "Steppenwolf" (Hesse) and "the alchemist" (coehlo). Came to think about it, I might want to read Siddharta as well (also by Hesse). In addition to that, I ordered a version of the poetic Eddas (Norse poetry about gods, heroes, creation, and proverbs among other things). 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taomeow Posted November 29, 2023 (edited) . Â Edited November 29, 2023 by Taomeow Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taomeow Posted November 29, 2023 14 hours ago, liminal_luke said:  A long time ago, Jane Alexander was a member here and I remember her talking about her book. Love the title, Possessing Me. It seems to me that that´s what good spiritual practice does -- puts us in better possession of ourselves.   Yes, I remember her too...  1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unota Posted November 29, 2023 On my 'currently reading' shelf sits 'Selected Poems' by James Tate, 'The Metamorphosis' by Franz Kafka, and 'Braiding Sweetgrass' by Robin Wall Kimmerer. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oak Posted November 29, 2023 17 hours ago, liminal_luke said:  A long time ago, Jane Alexander was a member here and I remember her talking about her book. Love the title, Possessing Me. It seems to me that that´s what good spiritual practice does -- puts us in better possession of ourselves.   I ended up buying and reading the book because you mentioned her somewhere in a thread about Bruce Frantzis (?). Anyway thanks for that liminal_luke. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silent thunder Posted December 6, 2023 Compelled to seek this one out after a few minutes listening to an audio version. Stopped listening and heading to the second hand book store to find a hard copy. Victorian mythos/horror circa 1895 Â 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SirPalomides Posted December 6, 2023 13 minutes ago, silent thunder said: Compelled to seek this one out after a few minutes listening to an audio version. Stopped listening and heading to the second hand book store to find a hard copy. Victorian mythos/horror circa 1895   Yes, the King in Yellow stories are great! Something uniquely strange about them that isn't really well served by the later post-Lovecraft pastiches, at least the ones I've seen. In any case, a major influence for the "cosmic horror" genre. Be warned- as I recall, only 4-5 of the stories in this book are actually part of that mythos, the rest being less interesting IMO.  If you're interested in a complete collection of Chambers' weird fiction, you might be interested in this volume: https://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Sign-Other-Stories-Complete/dp/1568821700 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Darius the Clairvoyent Posted January 24 Back to the basics of basics (for european and western culture). I think I need a refresh in order to contribute to the discussions here.  This one needs no introduction: but to he honest i probally wont read it.  And then we have this one: Translates to something like «the ancients on the train,» basically a quick overview of greek philosophy for people with amnesia.  On the list: some esoteric book that i dear not mention and tao te ching, mainly for personal interrest but also for respect for this primarily eastern forum.  leggo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silent thunder Posted February 18 This one just leapt off the virtual shelf into my virtual hands. heading to my local second hand store later to seek it out in the tangible 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doc benway Posted March 6 I'm currently reading these two and thoroughly enjoying both. Big thanks to @liminal_luke for mentioning the slow read of War and Peace.  \    1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobB Posted March 29 Always a pleasure to receive a book you'd forgotten that you'd ordered! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doc benway Posted April 27 It took me a long time to get into this book - about a year and 150 pages. I am so glad I persisted as I am finding it magical and full of creativity and life! Just finished it with tears in my eyes and gratitude in my heart. Highly recommended! Â Â Â Â 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kojiro Posted April 27 Currently reading Narcissus and Goldmund, by Herman Hesse. A good novel definitely. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doc benway Posted June 16 This one did not sit on my nightstand, I read it in a day. One of the most beautiful books I’ve come across. A novel in verse about two young, wounded people. Breathtaking.     1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doc benway Posted June 30 Slowly working my way through a brilliant book that requires a bit of patience and effort but offers worthwhile rewards. A look at the nature of reality as seen through the eyes of one of the 20th century's most influential physicists.  1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kojiro Posted June 30 On 3/6/2024 at 9:53 PM, steve said: I'm currently reading these two and thoroughly enjoying both. Big thanks to @liminal_luke for mentioning the slow read of War and Peace.  \    did you like war and peace by Tolstoi? i read it years ago and it still is one of my favourite books ever 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doc benway Posted June 30 44 minutes ago, Kojiro said: did you like war and peace by Tolstoi? i read it years ago and it still is one of my favourite books ever  In short, yes, very much. I'm doing a slow read, one chapter a day, as recommended by @liminal_luke and am a bit more than halfway through. It took me a long time to get into the book. In the beginning I felt a bit like 'who gives a fuck about early 19th century Russian aristocracy/gentry?' Over time I've come to deeply appreciate and respect his masterful portrayal of the human condition through brief but very poignant vignettes - some serious, others farcical, at times quite theatrical or intimate and penetrating. It truly is a timeless novel despite being firmly anchored in time and space. Reading it slowly, something I've never done before, was a little frustrating at first but now an absolute delight as it has given me time to really absorb and reflect on his skill and insight. I generally blast through books, especially if I'm enjoying them. I'm glad I didn't take that approach with War and Peace. Of note for this forum, Tolstoy developed a deep appreciation for Daoist philosophy to the point of translating the Dao De Jing into Russian from English, German, and French translations. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kojiro Posted June 30 8 minutes ago, steve said:  In short, yes, very much. I'm doing a slow read, one chapter a day, as recommended by @liminal_luke and am a bit more than halfway through. It took me a long time to get into the book. In the beginning I felt a bit like 'who gives a fuck about early 19th century Russian aristocracy/gentry?' Over time I've come to deeply appreciate and respect his masterful portrayal of the human condition through brief but very poignant vignettes - some serious, others farcical, at times quite theatrical or intimate and penetrating. It truly is a timeless novel despite being firmly anchored in time and space. Reading it slowly, something I've never done before, was a little frustrating at first but now an absolute delight as it has given me time to really absorb and reflect on his skill and insight. I generally blast through books, especially if I'm enjoying them. I'm glad I didn't take that approach with War and Peace. Of note for this forum, Tolstoy developed a deep appreciation for Daoist philosophy to the point of translating the Dao De Jing into Russian from English, German, and French translations. it is a very good book. russian writers were among my favourites. Dostoievski was my absolute favourite in my 20s, I should read his masterpieces again, I hope I will some day. Have you ever read something from him? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cobie Posted June 30 (edited) 21 minutes ago, steve said: … Of note for this forum, Tolstoy developed a deep appreciation for Daoist philosophy to the point of translating the Dao De Jing into Russian from English, German, and French translations. Knew that, but thanks for posting it anyway.   Edited June 30 by Cobie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doc benway Posted June 30 12 minutes ago, Kojiro said: it is a very good book. russian writers were among my favourites. Dostoievski was my absolute favourite in my 20s, I should read his masterpieces again, I hope I will some day. Have you ever read something from him?  I've read The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment. I was deeply affected by Crime and Punishment but found Brothers to be a bit tiresome and overly theological for my taste. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
