The Clutter

I know I'm not an actual hoarder, but sometimes I feel like it. My clutter can simultaneously give me comfort and anxiety. It's familiar and makes me feel tucked in at my desk with all the stacks of books and strewn papers, but then when I have to do some writing that requires energy, like [...]

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance – Robert M. Pirsig

3/5 Stars Overall, I think this book was entertaining, and I do love a good philosophical read... however, it was slow to start and while I don't mind meandering around across the US as well as in the main character's mind, it became a bit excessive for me. After perusing some reviews on Goodreads I [...]

Siddhartha – Hermann Hesse

4/5 Stars. Pretty quick read. As usual with my experience of Hesse's work, the plot lines and actual "action" seem relatively simple (as with Demian), but there is profound self-discovery, an internal "action," which I think Hesse has a wonderful ability to describe. Very beautiful writing, but also complex. "When someone seeks," Siddhartha said, "it [...]

The Awakening – Kate Chopin

5/5 Stars. LOVED. IT. When I read the critiques at the end of this edition, especially the one by Willa Cather... I was shocked. So scathing! Maybe not everyone only writes about the amazing beauty of nature, Willa, come on. And so what if Edna is so much of an idealist, where do you think [...]

The Untethered Soul – Michael A. Singer

4/5 stars Overall, I really enjoyed this work. I appreciated how it emphasized that in order to find and experience inner peace and tranquility you have to live in the present moment because that's all you have. If you're feeling regret, you're living in the past and if you're feeling anxious you're living in the [...]

The Universe in a Single Atom

The Universe in a Single Atom: The Convergence of Science and Spirituality by His Holiness The Dalai Lama This book is perfect for critical thinkers and analytical minds like my own. For a very long time I have been trying to integrate my spiritual side with the logical and  inquisitive parts of myself and not [...]

The Trans[gender] Construct

Writing my master's thesis on women and success allowed me to immerse myself in the history of and current issues pertaining to gender. So while my scholarship did not focus on transgender issues, it did start some wheels turning in my head and I wanted a space to just share some thoughts which I'll bet [...]

The Case Against Perfection: Ethics in the Age of Genetic Engineering – Michael Sandel

Sandel starts this short work with a very poignant example that gets people thinking right away ... he gives the example of two female partners who are deaf and wish to have a deaf child. They succeed in obtaining sperm that will likely produce deaf offspring. If you are like me, you may feel a [...]

The Schopenhauer Cure – Irvin D. Yalom

Book review, some spoilers ... ish. This book chronicles how one therapist (Julius) near the end of his life seeks to ascertain whether he has been helpful to his clients. One client sticks out in his mind: Philip. So Julius contacts him and arranges a meeting. Philip is an unlikable character, pompous and unfeeling … [...]