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Books matching: meditation on relationships

19 result(s)

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Showing 1 - 10 of 19 
  1. #1

    I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
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    'I'm Thinking of Ending Things' by Iain Reid follows a young woman on a road trip with her boyfriend to meet his parents, contemplating ending their relationship. As the journey progresses, unsettling events unfold, including mysterious phone calls from her own number and a sense of foreboding. The narrative builds tension through eerie moments and a creeping feeling that something terrible is on the horizon, reminiscent of classic horror elements.

    Reid's writing style in this psychological thriller is described as atmospheric, disturbing, and mind-bending. The story keeps readers engaged with unexpected twists and a sense of unease that lingers throughout the book. The author skillfully weaves a plot that blurs the lines between reality and perception, leading to an ending that leaves readers questioning what is real and what is imagined.

    The road is mostly empty. It’s quiet around here. Vacant. More so than anticipated. So much to see but not many people, not many buildings or houses. Sky. Trees. Fields. Fences. The road and its grave...

  2. #2

    Modern Lovers by Emma Straub
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    "Modern Lovers" by Emma Straub follows the intertwined lives of two generations of families living in Brooklyn. It delves into themes of growing up, relationships, and nostalgia, focusing on the challenges of transitioning from youth to middle age. The story revolves around a group of aging hipsters, former bandmates from college, who are now facing mid-life crises while dealing with their pasts and presents. The narrative is character-driven, exploring the dynamics between the characters and their families, with a backdrop of modern-day issues such as gay marriage, trust fund struggles, and the pressures of middle-class teenagers.

    In June, the book club was at Zoe’s house, which meant that Elizabeth had to carry her heavy ceramic bowl of spinach salad with walnuts and bits of crumbled goat cheese a grand total of half a block. ...

  3. #3

    Touching The Void by Joe Simpson
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    Touching the Void by Joe Simpson is a gripping non-fiction account of a disastrous mountaineering expedition in the Peruvian Andes. The book recounts the harrowing tale of two climbers, Simon Yates and Joe Simpson, who successfully summit Siula Grande but face a life-threatening situation on the descent when Simpson breaks his leg. The narrative is filled with suspense, personal willpower, and the sheer determination to survive against all odds. Simpson's writing style is described as immediate, truthful, and compelling, providing a detailed insight into the physical and emotional challenges faced during the expedition.

    I was lying in my sleeping bag, staring at the light filtering through the red and green fabric of the dome tent. Simon was snoring loudly, occasionally twitching in his dream world. We could have bee...

  4. #4

    Fever and Spear - Your Face Tomorrow by Javier Marias, Margaret Jull Costa
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    Fever and Spear, part of the series Your Face Tomorrow by Javier Marías, delves into a complex world where characters navigate through a gray London setting, working for an unnamed organization with unclear motives. The novel explores themes of trust, betrayal, memory, and the blurring of fact and fiction, all while drawing inspiration from Shakespeare, Cervantes, and Rilke. The protagonist, Jaime Deza, engages in lengthy conversations with an ex-MI6 agent and reflects on the Spanish Civil War, intertwining personal history with espionage.


  5. 'How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind' by Pema Chodron is a comprehensive guide to meditation, focusing on facing reality, transforming negative emotions, and developing a personal meditation practice. Pema Chodron's writing style is described as practical, understandable, and peaceful, making complex concepts accessible to readers. covers various meditation techniques such as Tonglen, Shamatha meditation, and transforming afflictions into wisdom, providing exercises and practices that can be incorporated into daily life.

    There are very few things you need in order to begin a meditation practice. In fact, all you need is you. Sometimes people think they need to sign up for a retreat or buy tons of meditation-room suppl...

  6. #6

    The Autobiography of My Mother by Jamaica Kincaid
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    "The Autobiography of My Mother" by Jamaica Kincaid is a deep and intense meditation on race, gender, family ties, and the lasting impacts of colonization in the Caribbean. The West Indian narrator reflects on her bitter life experiences, including the absence of her mother, a distant father, and a difficult marriage to a colonialist. The protagonist, Xuela, navigates through her grief, autonomy over her body, and exploration of the meaning of love, all while questioning her identity and relationships with others amidst the backdrop of a postcolonial society.

    The narrative unfolds with a sharp and exact writing style that delves into the character's innermost thoughts and challenges readers to contemplate the historical context that shapes the story. Kincaid's portrayal of Xuela as a flawed yet introspective protagonist highlights themes of grief, autonomy, feminism, and the impact of absent parents, all while maintaining a sense of dark fatalism that underscores the character's journey of self-discovery and resilience.

    My mother died at the moment I was born, and so for my whole life there was nothing standing between myself and eternity; at my back was always a bleak, black wind. I could not have known at the begin...

  7. 'Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness' by Sharon Salzberg delves into the teachings of Buddha on practicing lovingkindness, sympathetic joy, compassion, and equanimity to find happiness. Sharon simplifies Buddhist psychology into a way of living that resonates with readers, providing concrete instructions for meditation practices and real-life applications. emphasizes the power of lovingkindness in transforming lives, fostering genuine compassion, and discovering inner peace through the Buddhist path.

    WE CAN TRAVEL a long way and do many different things, but our deepest happiness is not born from accumulating new experiences. It is born from letting go of what is unnecessary, and knowing ourselves...

  8. #8

    Proxies: Essays Near Knowing by Brian Blanchfield
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    Proxies: Essays Near Knowing by Brian Blanchfield is a collection of twenty-four essays that explore personal experiences intertwined with critical theory. The essays delve into themes like domestic violence, abandonment, and queer relationships, capturing Blanchfield's struggles with poverty and family dynamics. The narrative often weaves theories and personal anecdotes together, though some parts come off as overly complex or superficial, intended to impress a more academic audience.

    The writing style of Proxies is described as having a verbose musicality, making it feel like a mix between popular essays and literary criticism. Blanchfield's work frequently touches on queer experiences and relationships, providing insights into broader social issues. While some essays shine with clarity and depth, others can become torturous and slow. Overall, the essays are a mix of intimate revelations, theoretical explorations, and reflections on the author's life, creating a rich tapestry of modern experiences and emotional truths.

    Br’er was a trouble word in early 1980s North Carolina, for a working class white boy who knew from picture books what rabbits and foxes and bears were, who knew too that “brother” was a nonfamilial t...

  9. Claire Hoffman's memoir 'Greetings from Utopia Park: Surviving a Transcendent Childhood' delves into her upbringing in Fairfield, Iowa, surrounded by the Transcendental Meditation movement led by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The book portrays her journey from a believer in the magical promises of meditation to a skeptic as she navigates the financial struggles and disillusionment within the TM community. Hoffman's writing style transports readers back to her childhood, blending personal experiences with insights into the TM movement's culture.


  10. #10

    Birds Art Life: A Year of Observation by Kyo Maclear
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    'Birds Art Life: A Year of Observation' by Kyo Maclear is a meditative and personal exploration of the author's relationships, emotions, and reflections intertwined with observations of birds and nature. Through a series of essays divided into months, Maclear delves into themes of marriage, parenting, introversion, and the pursuit of justice amidst societal challenges. The writing style is described as lyrical, thoughtful, and introspective, with the author using birds as vehicles to convey her personal experiences and insights rather than focusing solely on ornithology.

    “Please don’t be alarmed, I am wearing a sweater-vest,” the musician said as he led me into the building. I climbed the creaky narrow staircase behind him. The sweater-vest was part of an ensemble inc...

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