Recommended to me by a friend, for which I am now indebted to. I really appreciate the way Junger writes about his and others' experiences. It is a brRecommended to me by a friend, for which I am now indebted to. I really appreciate the way Junger writes about his and others' experiences. It is a broad survey of the human experience with dying, shared experiences, differing experiences, and possible explanations. He largely withholds judgement about these experiences, though he captures the impact of them well. I have never had an NDE, yet I have had multiple powerful transcendental experiences. These experiences have been while sober, and also while under the influence of psychedelics. At the end of the day, I don't have an "answer" as to the ultimate cause, though they have affected my life and perspective. My mind is open and gravitates toward secular and biological explanations, though I am open to an explanation that includes a connection to a greater cosmic whole. Regardless of the source, they have been impactful and ultimately have been positive.
Having said that, I hesitate discussing these experiences with anybody. In the off chance that I do, I am often met with reactions that trivialize the experience. Conversely, some try to ascribe dogmatic meaning which I am entirely uncomfortable with. So in the end, I am left with the great mystery that we are all left with. I am comfortable with living in mystery and just appreciating the beauty and transcendence of the unknown. Or so I tell myself......more
Like everyone on this website, I read and love a lot of books and a lot of authors. It's a rare thing to find an author that vibrates at such a similaLike everyone on this website, I read and love a lot of books and a lot of authors. It's a rare thing to find an author that vibrates at such a similar frequency to your own, that like a tuning fork, it lights your soul afire with a resonance that is alarming, powerful, and beautiful.
Foreskin's Lament affected me to the core and was a formative read for me in a tumultuous time. Feh and Auslander's description of just how deep and overwhelming shame, disgust, and self-loathing can be, has given tangible form to a harrowing intangible feeling many of us live with.
His remarks, relationship, and interactions with Phillip Seymour Hoffman alone are worth the price of admission.
If anyone has problems empathizing or understanding the damage that scrupulous religious upbringing can cause, no matter how well-meaning, read Auslander's writings....more
This is an introspective book about living with, and having bouts of debilitating depression. I vibe with Haig's writing style and found his voice andThis is an introspective book about living with, and having bouts of debilitating depression. I vibe with Haig's writing style and found his voice and insight in this book meaningful. I have been lucky to not have experienced as much darkness as the author, but I have often been temporarily disoriented in that darkness. I have lost family to that darkness, and I am always on the lookout for those that can articulate that side of the human experience. This book could be useful to anyone walking a similar path or are looking for ways to find empathy with those that do....more
Lots has been said about this book and I agree with the positive feedback. Dave's book takes you through a myriad of emotional and impactful vignettesLots has been said about this book and I agree with the positive feedback. Dave's book takes you through a myriad of emotional and impactful vignettes of his life. He does this while maintaining a sense of joy and optimism that many of us start to lose in mid-life. Or rather let me speak for myself, I see myself losing this joy, sparkle and optimism as I enter my mid-life. Dave Grohl has had many opportunities to become cynical and jaded, yet he does not appear to be and I find that beautiful.
"Because I still walk through this life like a little boy in a museum, surrounded by the exhibits I've spent a lifetime studying, and when I finally come face-to-face with something or someone that has inspired me along the way, I am thankful. I am grateful."
"When I was seventeen years old, music had become my counselor when I needed guidance, my friend when I felt alone, my father when I needed love, my preacher when I needed hope, and my partner when I needed to belong."...more
This was a great start to my 2024 reading season. It's easy for us to think of the KKK as a podunk and obscure organization without fully coming to terThis was a great start to my 2024 reading season. It's easy for us to think of the KKK as a podunk and obscure organization without fully coming to terms with the power and terror it once held on the nation. It would serve us well to remember and be vigilant about emerging similarities in the U.S.A. As horrific as the subject matter is, the cast of heroes in this book are equally inspiring. I hope that we can learn from and emulate their bravery in our own lives and communities....more
Musings and ramblings without a lot of cohesion or direction. You will find some interesting thoughts and tidbits, but ultimately I feel like the bookMusings and ramblings without a lot of cohesion or direction. You will find some interesting thoughts and tidbits, but ultimately I feel like the book needed much more editing and purpose....more
Maria Bamford's "mentals" are familiar and relatable to a huge demographic, yet her's are cranked "up to 11." I appreciate the honesty, directness, soMaria Bamford's "mentals" are familiar and relatable to a huge demographic, yet her's are cranked "up to 11." I appreciate the honesty, directness, sorrow and mirthfulness which she uses to write this. Maria writes and shares about very personal parts of her life and her struggles with mental illness and interfacing with the cultural realities that surround us. She does this without falling into the platitudes and cliches that typically overwhelm conversations around these topics. Her insights are both entertaining and useful.
Thanks, Maria, for writing and sharing! I appreciate it....more
It's a riveting romp for sure. While I think there is plenty of Holden Caulfield spread throughout the book to justify the name, I personally think thiIt's a riveting romp for sure. While I think there is plenty of Holden Caulfield spread throughout the book to justify the name, I personally think this is more parallel to A Clockwork Orange. However, where A Clockwork Orange is filled with ultra-violence, Kasher in the Rye is instead filled with teenage-drug ultra-mayhem.
Kasher went deeper and harder into the world of "F%ck-ups" than myself or most. Having said that, I am familiar with that world, and the chaos and pecking order that Kasher outlines is on some level very relatable.
I'm glad he made it out. A lot of people do, and some do not. He tells his story well and powerfully, in a manner that feels authentic and honest....more
I cannot escape the pull that David Sedaris has on me. So naturally, when I became aware that this post-Covid offering was available, I immediately puI cannot escape the pull that David Sedaris has on me. So naturally, when I became aware that this post-Covid offering was available, I immediately purchased it and quickly devoured it.
It is a fantastic mix of sadness, mirth, observation, and introspection with a healthy dash of get-off-my-lawn attitude.
I finished satisfied and grateful to Sedaris for another book....more
It's a good book, written by a good human. There are many successes in the book, but the one that spoke to me most was the peeling back of the tin-foilIt's a good book, written by a good human. There are many successes in the book, but the one that spoke to me most was the peeling back of the tin-foil covering of a broken system. We build infrastructure to try and protect the vulnerable, yet it seems like those systems are so inadequate and often damaging. Those that succeed within the system are often the very privileged or those that end up figuring out how to play and game the system. This isn't cheating. It's winning. Emi won, even though her message is that we don't always overcome our past but just trod along the best we can....more
Over 80% of my brain is telling me to dismiss huge portions of this book. But if I am being honest, a tenacious minority of my being loves it. I am atOver 80% of my brain is telling me to dismiss huge portions of this book. But if I am being honest, a tenacious minority of my being loves it. I am at a crossroads in my life and I need something to improve my situation. I reserve the right to increase my rating to 5 stars if after 2 months of devoted practice of the tools I see significant results.
The book is also well-written and pragmatically laid-out and organized....more
Well, that was a fascinating stroll through one man's reality in 1500s-1600s, as well as a broad exposure to the realities of a former world. The writiWell, that was a fascinating stroll through one man's reality in 1500s-1600s, as well as a broad exposure to the realities of a former world. The writing and scholarship were rigorous while it also maintained an accessible and riveting read. Just what I enjoy in good history....more
Throughout and at the end of the book, I was left with the impression that this is just incredibly real. The audio version made the collage of voices tThroughout and at the end of the book, I was left with the impression that this is just incredibly real. The audio version made the collage of voices that much more textured. Like millions of others, I was fascinated with Bourdain and read and watch him with intrigue, admiration, and awe. It's hard to summarize the myriad of emotions I felt and thoughts I examined while listening to this book, and I am grateful for them all....more
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