Mount TBR 2017 discussion

Even though I surpassed last year's challenge of 12, and expect to reach 24...I will be delighted with 24 non-fiction books this year. Trying so hard to focus on the non-fiction really dropped my reading, about in 1/2, but it picked up after I allowed myself to read my favorite genres again, and it picked up on the non-fiction, too. So, no restrictions this year...just challenges!

So, this was on last year's list:

The Joyful Spirit: How to Become the Happiest Person You Know
by Brian D. Biro
4*

Inspiring & good anecdotes. Want to try a few ideas. One I tried didn't quite work with my son.

Phew, just barely got another done for January, around midnight...and it was a good one, too!


How to See & Read the Aura by Ted Andrews
4.5*

Working on Money, and the Law of Attraction by Esther & Jerry Hicks & The 10-Day Skin Brushing Detox by Mia Campbell for February!

And/or working on Ashtanga Yoga: A Flowmotion™ Book: Build Strength, Flexibility and Serenity with this Ancient Physical Art & Go Green: How to Build an Earth-Friendly Community...all from my "been sitting here for years & now I have a reason to bump to the top of my (physical) pile."

Book 3!

Go Green: How to Build an Earth-Friendly Community by Nancy H Taylor
2.5*

As I wrote in my review, it simply is all 'talk' and does not take you on the next step to the 'walk.' And the info, even in 2008, was nothing new.

Book 4

The 10-Day Skin Brushing Detox by Mia Campbell 4*

Thorough & want to do. Needs a quick reference page though...holding a book & flipping pages while you are trying to master brushing strokes on very specific parts of your body...doubly awkward.

Book 5

The Fear Book by Cheri Huber 5*

I wish I'd read this before becoming a parent...I really let myself become filled with fear of protecting my child. While I really did protect tremendously better than my parent & provide stability & love galore, I also did exactly what is shown in this book & unintentionally managed to miss something very important to his inner tranquility. I recognize all that within myself and know exactly where it all came from. The good news is that I remember doing many of the positive things, and that I can do those things in my life again, to even greater extent and positive benefit. Finally, wow this is a quick, clear, easy read!

Book 6

Money, and the Law of Attraction by Esther & Jerry Hicks 4*

This is an earlier form of some audios I've listened to. It's repetitive. But the info is useful even repeated. Kind of like dowsing you over & over to see how much water you retain. Good review/reminders.

bumped closer to date (actually forgot)

Book 7

Codependence: The Dance of Wounded Souls by Robert Burney 4*

There was a lot of 'ah' and a lot of 'uh' while reading this...along with a few chuckles. It's very 'flower-child' reading with some interesting perspectives & insights. Doesn't hurt that his favorite book is also mine. Unfortunately, I don't enjoy his verbose & repetitive writing style.


It is really feeling awesome to go back to the library & dig out a book for one of my challenges & feel like the library is in USE.

Book 8

The Celestine Vision by James Redfield 4*

I found the historical perspective interesting. Some inspiration. But when he got to the present & solutions, I found them over-optimistic. It's not that we won't get there by raising enough consciousness in the world, but rather I don't see us there anytime soon based on the direction the players have chosen to take the game. I also didn't find much inspiration in the personal suggestions to follow our path & complete our mission. Same ole blithely spouted 'be happy,' again, not that I disagree parse, just not helpful or new.

Looks like I've finally made a decision on my next book. Something I consider for my home & maybe even a career, as I have most of the background already.

(bumped details to track date better)

Book 9

Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls by Nigel Dunnett & Noel Kingsbury 3.5*

This one is tough to rate & review. This is not a new subject for me; I have both education & interest which has included some previous explorations. I try to imagine if I was a complete novice.
And there is my dilemma...I cannot figure out who the audience for this book is. I am debating whether to even keep it as a reference at all.
First off, it does have some useful information. It's simply presented in a very dull 'textbook' style with massive repetition & circular thinking. The topics are thoughtfully presented and the 'outline' was good, but the actual verbiage could use extensive editing & reorganization. I believe the length of the book could easily be cut by 1/3.
As far as the quality of the information...it tantalizes but when you get right down to it, has little practical application. It's too complex for simply introducing the topic & getting someone enthused about it...it would just overwhelm the reader & leave them thinking it was best left to 'experts.' But it doesn't take the enthusiast any farther in their explorations.
It's like a gardener reading a book showing some examples of famous gardens. Hardly useful. Maybe inspiring. But then use the 'textbook style' of drink-massive-amounts-of-coffee-so-you-don't-fall-asleep-while-you-study...and it's a complete slog, not a fun romp.
Well, I did learn a few things, and I like the plant directories at the back. So, I'm not sorry I read it. In future editions, I would like to see more depth & detail of the case studies, better summaries (to reduce saying the same thing in 10+ different places), and a solid direction towards either enthusiasm or technical usage.

Book 10

The Bach Flower Remedies by Edward Bach & FJ Wheeler

This is a combined edition of several publications:
Publisher's introduction (fascinating!)
The Bach Flower Remedies - A talk with John Diamond
Heal Thyself* explores Bach's philosophy of healing.
The Twelve Healers* presents Bach's first remedies, and, in this case, includes all 38 descriptions.
The Bach Remedies Repertory is Wheeler's reference chart of symptoms and remedies. It is recommended to find the reference, and then read the full description of the remedies to choose the most appropriate.

The 2 intros were what really grabbed me. Over the last 15+ years, I have used the Rescue Remedy combination. In the last few years, I have begun using other remedies & suggesting them to family & friends. I was enthused enough to look up certification programs...and connect with the Foundation in England that preserves Dr. Bach's original work. Those 2 booklets are available free to download on their website.*

I didn't not enjoy reading Dr. Bach's philosophy, but I did find the historical perspective interesting.

I did find the original descriptions of the remedies, from the perspective of describing the personality traits, rather than the 'fault' to be corrected as being rather helpful in furthering my use.

The final 'repertory' was okay, but didn't justify this compilation as a separate book. It was done by a coworker of Dr. Bach's after he died. (again, interesting historically)

My 4* rating is arbitrary, as there were too many components.

I am reading
Gaia: The Human Journey From Chaos To Cosmos by Elizabet Sahtouris

It's so fascinating, but I can only nibble it in small bites. It's a revelation of science & history. Makes me think about that Australian who wrote a new translation of the bible & the worldwide shock & awakening in the 90s.
I'm ready to jump on this bandwagon; it really makes sense to me. The idea that we cannot base our society models on machines which are manmade...we must base them on nature, if we want to survive as a species.

Finally! Phew! Book 11

Gaia: The Human Journey From Chaos To Cosmos

What a great read! Got a solid start on a review (hopefully I will add more thoughts later, but if not) hope you read it!

5+*

Okay, I'm going for an audio this time, as I can do some chores while I listen. I'm not a big audio listener, my mind tends to wander, esp for fiction. I do better with nonfiction. This book was recommended to me many years ago. I'm not sure about it based on reviews, but I might as well give it a try; only 2 tapes 150 minutes. I'm guessing that is significantly faster than I would read it.

Book 12

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
4.5*

Wow! I'm so glad I listened to this! Quickest book ever, but so full of alt perspective. I have learned these messages, though some only in my older years. But it's always good to hear something restated. I wish I'd listened to this before I became a parent. I tried to give my son more respect as a person, and less programming, but now I see new ways I could have minimized it.

Some reviewers found fault with religious references: Christian, pagan, possibly others. Also computer/tech language is used. I think the variety allows us to hear things in different ways. And to be more open to hearing through our filters. Though I can understand that our filters can also make some of it harder to hear. The best thing is just to substitute for what works for your belief system.

Book 13

Babes in the Woods by Bobbi Hoadley
3.2*

Decided to cram one more in for a challenge; this one has been on my TBR since 2008. I'd say it wasn't really going to be that helpful anyway.
There just isn't much in it that a camper wouldn't know or be able to find out. Even a complete newb, who'd never slept outside as a kid or watched a camping movie, would know 75% of it (am I exaggerating? not counting the recipes, which are all dehydrated/reconstituted, so pick your own favorites if you are going that route). Couple good checklists.
Why even put on the game section if only to mention 4 card games, hopscotch & jacks...seriously? Woo. We're having fun, unlike the dudes, now!

Book 14

Earth, Water, Fire, & Air by Cait Johnson
3.4*

This was not at all what I expected. I see it as a bunch of ramblings, loosely organized. A pinch of religion/spirituality (openly including a wide variety), a dash of poetry (not to my taste), a smidgen of personal experiences... It was decidedly lacking in depth & direction.
I did pick up a couple of tidbits.
I want to say that someone seeking inspiration of what they could do to incorporate a specific element...would, perhaps, find something here, but it is entirely haphazard.