Joan
3.5 stars. Enjoyed the concept of the book and the exploration of what life would be like when one identifies only as an awareness and not a particular body. I would have like to see more plot, though, as I felt the story was just getting started when the book ended.
3.5 stars. The book started out slow. I was initially put off by the on again, off again romance. The story picked up about 1/2 way in and ended strong. Will continue with the series.
I have some mixed feelings about this one. The last half of the book is backstory. I enjoyed some of it, but after a while I wanted to get back to the present story. Art work is great and will continue with the series.
I really enjoyed this book. It didn't have a lot of plot but instead focused on the inner lives of two teenage boys trying to figure out who they are and define their identities. The characters were very like-able and the author did a great job of capturing the angst that often accompanies this time of life. I listened to the audio book and thought that the narration was well done. Highly recommend for older teens and adults!
The setting and storyline were interesting, however, the characters seemed flat and not well developed. I had compassion for the girls, but never felt an emotional connection to them. I was expecting more intrigue and detective work on the part of Thomas. He had been through a lot but it was difficult to feel compassion for him because he was so self-centered through most of the book.
The Mindful Way through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness
This book is a basic primer on mindfulness and meditation and how these practices can be used to stop and reverse the negative mental cycle that so many people with depression tend to fall into. It is an easy read and the techniques are simple enough for anyone who suffers from depression or just wants to live more in “the now” to apply.
This is the first book I have read by the author and he has come highly recommended. I found this to be a solid read with interesting characters, well developed plot and sub-plots and detailed world building. In spite of the positives, I did find this chunky book (my paperback version is just over 800 pages) slow at times and wishing that the story would move along more quickly. Recommended for fantasy lovers who don't mind putting in the effort to read a long, satisfying book. I look forward to reading more of his books.