Let's take a moment for me to orient you to what's here
On the pages linked to this one there are dozens of book reviews.
To make finding what will interest you easier, I have first given you two browsing pages (the Book Shelves) -- one for fiction, the other for non-fiction. If you hover your cursor over the title, my rating of the book appears. Then there are two pages of reviews (right .... one for fiction, one for non-fiction). I've arranged all the books in each category in alphabetical order.
I approach my book reviews from the perspective of my subjective experience of reading the book. There is a bit of a synopsis of the book there too, but you will figure out how I feel about it.
Here are the links:
Fiction Bookshelf
Non-Fiction Bookshelf
Fiction Reviews
Non-Fiction Reviews
But that's not all that's here on these pages. Immediately below is a review of my most recent read. Below that is the title of the book I am currently reading.
And then we get to my faves. There is a memoir I really recommend (and a couple of other memoirs too). Then there are my top two picks for each of the fiction and non-fiction categories. Finally, there's an interesting grouping of four books that have helped me come to terms with a perplexing social/ political issue.
To make finding what will interest you easier, I have first given you two browsing pages (the Book Shelves) -- one for fiction, the other for non-fiction. If you hover your cursor over the title, my rating of the book appears. Then there are two pages of reviews (right .... one for fiction, one for non-fiction). I've arranged all the books in each category in alphabetical order.
I approach my book reviews from the perspective of my subjective experience of reading the book. There is a bit of a synopsis of the book there too, but you will figure out how I feel about it.
Here are the links:
Fiction Bookshelf
Non-Fiction Bookshelf
Fiction Reviews
Non-Fiction Reviews
But that's not all that's here on these pages. Immediately below is a review of my most recent read. Below that is the title of the book I am currently reading.
And then we get to my faves. There is a memoir I really recommend (and a couple of other memoirs too). Then there are my top two picks for each of the fiction and non-fiction categories. Finally, there's an interesting grouping of four books that have helped me come to terms with a perplexing social/ political issue.
My most recent read
★★★★☆
The central theme of Love and Love’s Energy is that each of us are Loved and Lovable. And, at our very essence, Loving.
Boothby asserts this from both a spiritual and a scientific perspective. On the level of science it focuses on the social science research into attachment. On the level of spirituality it proposes a view of God as the source of the most fundamental and natural love, there to flow through us all.
I confess that in reading Love and Love’s Energy I was outside my usual genres. I even struggle to define which genre this book happens to be … inspirational, self-help, mystical, metaphysical? As a work of non-fiction, the book provides some explanation about the world outside of ourselves. However, the force of Boothby’s book pushes relentlessly for the reader to consider the world within, within each of us.
The book is comprised of a mix of poetry, contemplative questions, and Boothby’s own reflections on human nature, parenting and her work as a psychologist. Then come the compelling and quirky metaphors she spins out around the experience of being human. These sparkle, captivating the reader. Love and Love’s Energy is deeply moving in places. At other times it floats the reader along on the buoyancy of its recurring theme. I must confess though, that I often found myself impatient with that float, wishing for more substance.
The book is courageous for a practicing psychologist. It focuses deeply on the subjective and the spiritual, topics that are an anathema for a blinkered profession which is stubbornly focused only on the objective and empirically demonstrable. The book is full of compassion for readers willing to delve into their own experience of the human condition.
Boothby proposes a spirituality that is an alternative for those turned off by toxic religion: a noble venture. While she has adequately referenced the science side of attachment I wished for more referencing of the alternative to toxic religiosity. The book sent me running to look up the writings of the Christian mystics. I wish Boothby had integrated their ancient wisdom into Love and Love's Energy as it has similarity to her own more mystical sense of the divine.
As a reader, I sense this book is an exploration of Boothby’s own healing -- her own deepening and spiritual growth as a healer, mother, and thinker. It is proffered to readers as a gift, a treasure for those willing to reflect, rethink and renew.
Boothby asserts this from both a spiritual and a scientific perspective. On the level of science it focuses on the social science research into attachment. On the level of spirituality it proposes a view of God as the source of the most fundamental and natural love, there to flow through us all.
I confess that in reading Love and Love’s Energy I was outside my usual genres. I even struggle to define which genre this book happens to be … inspirational, self-help, mystical, metaphysical? As a work of non-fiction, the book provides some explanation about the world outside of ourselves. However, the force of Boothby’s book pushes relentlessly for the reader to consider the world within, within each of us.
The book is comprised of a mix of poetry, contemplative questions, and Boothby’s own reflections on human nature, parenting and her work as a psychologist. Then come the compelling and quirky metaphors she spins out around the experience of being human. These sparkle, captivating the reader. Love and Love’s Energy is deeply moving in places. At other times it floats the reader along on the buoyancy of its recurring theme. I must confess though, that I often found myself impatient with that float, wishing for more substance.
The book is courageous for a practicing psychologist. It focuses deeply on the subjective and the spiritual, topics that are an anathema for a blinkered profession which is stubbornly focused only on the objective and empirically demonstrable. The book is full of compassion for readers willing to delve into their own experience of the human condition.
Boothby proposes a spirituality that is an alternative for those turned off by toxic religion: a noble venture. While she has adequately referenced the science side of attachment I wished for more referencing of the alternative to toxic religiosity. The book sent me running to look up the writings of the Christian mystics. I wish Boothby had integrated their ancient wisdom into Love and Love's Energy as it has similarity to her own more mystical sense of the divine.
As a reader, I sense this book is an exploration of Boothby’s own healing -- her own deepening and spiritual growth as a healer, mother, and thinker. It is proffered to readers as a gift, a treasure for those willing to reflect, rethink and renew.
What I'm currently reading
A highly recommended memoir.
The Dark Threads (★★★★★) is a memoir of an unnecessary and traumatic journey of a young woman through the mental health treatment system. I have the privilege of getting to know this author (we met on Twitter no less!). We are beta-readers for each other and email pals with daily correspondence. Her memoir depicts psychiatric diagnosis and treatment at it's worse. It is horrifying to read. But she has survived.
I have also pictured below a couple of other memoirs which I really enjoyed.
I have also pictured below a couple of other memoirs which I really enjoyed.
My Fiction Faves
You can find the reviews for these books with the other fiction reviews through this link
My Non-Fiction Faves
You can find the reviews for these books with the other non- fiction reviews through this link.
A Political Grouping
I have been fascinated by the unholy marriage of the American Evangelical church to Donald Trump. There are several books that have helped me to understand this cultural and historical debacle. You might want to check them out.
You can find the reviews for these books with the other non- fiction reviews through this link.
You can find the reviews for these books with the other non- fiction reviews through this link.
A final thought ...
While I worked as a psychologist I didn't have the time or mental energy to read. The books reviewed on the following pages have come into my life over the last five years. I've found myself expanded by them in understanding the human condition and the context in which we explore our subjective experience of living the life we have. I hope you will find the books that will do that for you too.