Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: understanding

  • The Buried Life

    The Buried Life

    Award winning author Andrea Goldsmith has not disappointed her reading audience with her ninth book, ‘The Buried Life’, in which her three main characters, Adrian, Kezi and Laura have caused to evaluate their ‘buried lives’.

    When the reader first meets the main protagonists, forty years plus Melbourne University academic Adrian Moore (renowned authority on death in the modern age), is ruminating about the end of his ten-year relationship with Irene, while his 28-year-old lesbian friend, vivacious Kezi is struggling with her fundamentalist upbringing and its community, which cannot accept her differences.

     Meanwhile beautiful 58-year-old Laura Benady, accomplished town planner, who is devoted to Tony, a mediocre academic believes that her long marriage is perfect. Despite their age difference, the three develop an unlikely deep friendship, which allows each of them to uncover his/her ‘buried life’.

    Music can have a profound effect on people; after hearing Mahler’s music Adrian comes to understand himself differently. On the other hand, for Kezi, who is still troubled by faith and its complexities, it is a change in her circumstances, which allows her to review her relationship with her parents. For Laura it is cheese! The meeting with Adrian in a cheese shop, and a careless lie are the catalysts for her to reflect on what she believes to be a wonderful husband, and perfect marriage; can she live happily without him?

    As the narrative unfolds the author gently explores Kezi, Laura and Adrian’s feelings, their relationships and the power of friendship.

    In this novel the author exposes her readers to love, faith, coercive control and the power of art and music. No doubt some readers will find themselves chasing up the references to music, books and poetry.

  • Sorry for the Inconvenience

    Sorry for the Inconvenience

    Sorry for the Inconvenience by Farah Naz Rishi is a wonderful, warm, often turbulent look inside a culture of tradition that remains strong, even though the world and the new country of residence has moved onward.

    Born into a Muslin South Asian family living in suburban America, Farah and her brother where expected by their parents to get a very good education, get married, preferably to someone within the community and the faith, and follow in their parent’s footsteps by producing grandchildren.

    But, things go wrong at an early age when Farah and her mother could not get along, mainly due to her mother’s rages; what appeared to be almost a form of hatred towards her daughter. Her father a man who was proud of the life he had carved out as immigrant in a new country, tried to keep the peace at home with some success.

    Even though she studied Law, she desperately wanted to write, to be a writer and made the decision to attend a writer’s workshop, rather than finish her study and sit for the Bar examination, which caused considerable issues within the family. She often felt like she was the outcast, the unloved member of the family, only really understood by her beloved brother Shaz, who was facing some serious personal issues.

    It was only after the death of her father through Cancer, her brother’s death and then her mother’s death all within a few years, that Farah understood the reasons why her parents were the people they became.

     She also realised she had found the love she so desired and why she was so very fortunate to have meet the one man who loved her unconditionally, waited patiently in the background, who was her anchor and support when her world collapsed around her.

    Told in a loving and accepting manner, with a soft and gentle style, Sorry For The Inconvenience is full of love, heartbreak, sadness, tragedy and hope, told with compassion and understanding which shares a delicate slice of life to which so many can relate.

  • The Most Amazing Thing

    The Most Amazing Thing

    Henry was bored and went to speak to his Mum who was writing a chapter of her book. His Dad was polishing his telescope, and his sister was looking at her microscope. In desperation his mother told him to draw her something amazing. Henry had a blank piece of paper and no thoughts at all, even though some very funny pictures suggest otherwise.

    Finally, his sister told him to look through her microscope and marvel at the tiny living blobs. “Henry didn’t feel full of life. He didn’t feel very amazing.” Again, the full-page illustration suggests otherwise. The author then took us on a journey of the mind, with Simon suggesting that we know things and we know what we know and what we don’t know, and that is amazing.

    Henry visited his Dad and asked him about ‘amazing’. His father replied that the universe was amazing and showed him some sights which left Henry unmoved. When his Mum had a coffee break, Henry again mentioned that he couldn’t find anything amazing. His Mother told him that he was the most amazing thing. She said,” there is nobody in the world exactly like you.” Henry looked at himself and he felt …….”

    Once Henry started to think about his potential, his mind, and his universe he felt the need to explore and develop himself. The Most Amazing Thing is a great introduction to help children look at themselves as individuals. The illustrations tell a great deal more of the story than the words convey.

  • I Love Harriet Kippley 

    I Love Harriet Kippley 

    Harriet Kippley’s art class was to have a party. They had to create a painting of something they loved for the event which was causing Harriet to become seriously worried. She simply did not know what to draw.

    All her bright ideas had already been taken and no matter what other ideas her family came up with, they were already taken or simply far too silly. What was she to do. After much thinking she went and asked her family what it was they loved the most and that is what she painted.

    Jenny Lynn Pearse has created a delightful story about loving yourself in this colourful and entertaining story of Harriet and her family, as they let Harriet know that she is the one who is special, that she is the one that they love.

    Bright and colourful the artwork from Alissia Girasole captures the worry when Harriet struggles to come up with something that is suitable and different, as well as the happiness and joy when Harriet discovers answers to her worries. It also presents in a very gentle style, the important issues of learning to ask questions to try and get answers to the problem and understanding that it is alright to love yourself.

    At the end of the story there is a lovely little section titled Questions and Ideas for You which helps understand the many facets of I Love Harriet Kippley while encouraging the reader to draw a picture of themselves and all the wonderful things they love about themselves.

  • Understanding Modern Spirituality: An Exploration of Your Soul and Higher Truths

    Understanding Modern Spirituality: An Exploration of Your Soul and Higher Truths

    For anyone who is seeking a better understanding of Spirituality in today’s world Inna Segal’s latest work, Understanding Modern Spirituality takes a very close and in many instances, deeply personal look at self-healing as well as learning to understand the various influences that affect our daily lives; perhaps more so now than ever before.

    Spirituality is not a new concept as it dates back through the ages but how that understanding is used in daily life has certainly changed, not always for the positive. This change has been presented as a point of discussion throughout the Chapters.  Segal also presents a clear perspective on Science verses the concept of physical/spiritual/energetic bodies. What is right and what is wrong, or is it all one and the same?

    Segal has, throughout her life journey, tried the various elements of spiritual personal development which were popular at the time, only to discover they were in some cases far from beneficial. Each setback encouraged her to seek further, to discover the right teachers and healers and now she shares that learning in a very simple and straightforward style.

    The information contained within Understanding Modern Spirituality has been broken down into topics, which while it is best to read the book from beginning to end, often being able to simply dip into, or source a topic or subject, helps to answer the immediately pressing question.

    Each of the topics concludes with a small segment Transformational steps which highlight the points covered in the previous section and will help guide you towards a deeper, richer, more fulfilling personal understanding. 

    Cosmic Beings, God, Angelic Beings and their hierarchy are amongst many fascinating subject areas which are discussed, along with the soul journey both upon earth and once death has occurred. This opens the door to the eternally fascinating subject of incarnation, the karmic laws, how this effects our daily lives and the various people we met or have met, on our journey.

    In simple terms, the beautifully presented Understanding Modern Spirituality is a course in personal development delivered with love, a wealth of understanding and a genuine desire to share the knowledge gained over a lifetime of seeking and learning.

  • THE ART OF GRIEVING

    THE ART OF GRIEVING

    GENTLE SELF-CARE PRACTICES TO HEAL A BROKEN HEART

    At the beginning of The Art of Grieving there are two pages without introduction, just there; eloquently written the words capture in totality the sudden and devastating event called grief as it enters your life, unwanted, unannounced, but there: changing the familiar to the unfamiliar, changing you forever.

    Corinne Laan has spent a lifetime writing this book as growing up watching the effects of grief in all its many facets on her life and that of her family, eventually beginning to working with mothers and babies, women who have and are experiencing grief with the loss of a child, infertility issues, still born births and miscarriage.

    Training as a nurse she found she gravitated to this area of work and then on to further study as a traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner. Having been ‘offered the thought’ about a book such as this back in the 1970’s, the advent of the current COVID epidemic, the lock-downs which saw families grieving the loss of loved one from a distance, many losing their jobs, business and contracts, saw the idea become a reality.

    One important point made early in the chapters is that we all grieve over the course of a life journey, but in this modern day of fast paced living, the massive impact of grief is frequently understated; not given anywhere near enough understanding. Sadly, over time the ceremonies concerning death and burial have been pared down to the basics. These traditional rituals help in so many ways with the grieving process.

     Death is to be pushed to one side, as to recognise death is to admit to weakness. Strange, considering death occurs every minute of every day, but grieving is not always associated with death of a person, it can also have the same debilitating effect upon the loss of a job, career, divorce and so many more everyday aspects of life.

    How to get through the sadness, the tough times, the process if you like of grieving has been carefully set down as a self-guided process which will encourage embracing your grief, learning to understand the many levels of grieving and accepting the journey based on a 12 step process and much more.

    Each of the steps comes with a short introduction, before moving into the ritual, the aspect of self-care, which is often the first thing to be neglected. Many of the simple, uncomplicated rituals can be carried with you, such as the prayer ritual, or mantra which can be used anywhere, anytime, others are little more complex as healing and grief is not a one size fits all situation

    Beautifully presented, written with love and understanding, warmth and welcome, The Art of Grieving sets out so much we are afraid to accept, making grief more understandable, acceptable, and the art of healing, of slowly moving forward so much easier.

  • Jingle Smells

    Jingle Smells

    This lovely Christmas picture book, Jingle Smells has enough sparkles and smiles to make for very happy Christmas reading. The illustrations are large and depict the cold snowy lands where snowmen and racoons live. The text is rhyming and simple with large and small font to create interest. One double page spread is sideways for effect.

    The main character in this tale is Jingle, a skunk, who says “It’s best to hold your nose whenever I pass by.” He seems to have the knack of creating havoc when he passes by, even ensuring the local Christmas Tree falls down. Sadly, he is just about to leave town when he hears a cry for help and notices a reindeer in distress on a rooftop. Finally, Jingle can be of assistance!

    While showing that even the most unusual characteristics can be helpful, Jingle is also aware that he needs to warn people when he is approaching. He is delighted to be accepted and accommodated.

    This is such a happy story to share and enjoy. Children will certainly be smiling when this book is read.

  • The Queen Bee and Me

    The Queen Bee and Me

    The Queen Bee and Me is a novel for Middle School girls which is simply written but encompasses many concepts and themes. As an adult reader I thoroughly enjoyed the whole story and read the ending with breath held. It needed to be real and true; and it was. The story revolves around the complexities of relationships at school, and how they change as maturity and understanding grows.

    Meg is a girl in year seven, who is surrounded by a loving family. Mum, Dad, brother Conrad and baby Elsie, who loves wearing purple princess shoes. Meg has been best friends with Beatrix since they were in kindy together. Beatrix is a leader and a strong, confident girl; her mother has a great deal of power in the small town. At the beginning of the new school year, Meg has been placed in the advanced science class with a favourite teacher. On the first day in this class a new girl arrives. She is friendly and polite, but her dress most certainly doesn’t conform to the standards of the other girls. She has bees sewn on her jumper and socks. Hazel is a bee lover. Meg is terrified of bees.

    Hazel sits with Meg, and they are both enjoying the challenge of the class. However, Beatrix dislikes Hazel instantly and arranges for the group to ostracise her which causes Meg to feel threatened by this behaviour. She feels she must work out solutions but meanwhile, there is the joint project she and Hazel are working on. Environmental issues surrounding bees are well described, and while learning about the life of bees, the many threats to them become ever more apparent.

    The Queen Bee and Me is a steady, realistic snapshot of young people today, how they consolidate their personal values, and how vital that quiet nurturing background is for this progress to occur. Books like The Queen Bee and Me can aid that progress.

  • The A to Z of Feelings

    The A to Z of Feelings

    Feelings and emotions, what are they? Do you really know who you are, emotionally? Can you differentiate between the good guys in life or otherwise? How good would it be if you know how to use your emotions and feelings to understand the world and people round you, to be able to have control over your actions and to be able to have a happier, more settled life.

    Psychologist Andrew Fuller addresses these and much more in his new, ground breaking book, The A-Z of Feelings, how they affect us on a daily basis and the effect they have on those around us.

    Designed as a ‘go to’ book the introduction looks at what are feelings and emotions and helps us understand the complexities of our feeling. As he points out, feelings are complex things, which once better understood, offer a clearer picture of why we struggle with feelings at times.

    Written in a way that is easy to understand, and entertaining, the work is a fascinating look into the world of our intricate and intimate make-up, a genetic imprint if you like, that goes far back to the times when language was not used as it is today, and people had to rely on feelings, body language and sensory perception to survive.

    Listed in alphabetical order the most common feelings beginning with Acceptance, moving through Hate, Regret, onward to end at Zest which makes very intriguing reading, as each emotion is set out clearly in four sections, a small chart shows the physical signs of the emotion in question and what can be done to encourage this feeling to work for you.

    How to Stay Sane in a Crazy World is an excellent chapter towards the end of the book, as it is a question asked by all without often any clear answer! There is also a terrific index of feelings to use as a very quick reference guide which helps to link additional feelings for better understanding. An index of Physical Signs rounds out nicely a comprehensive look at who we really are, feelings and all and how we can set about switching on the magic to get feelings to work for you, not against you.

    The A-Z of Feelings is comprehensive; a work which like all good dictionaries will be used time and time again to help better understand feelings in the ever changing demands of modern society.

  • INSIDE YOUR DREAMS

    INSIDE YOUR DREAMS

    AN ADVANCED GUIDE TO YOUR NIGHT VISIONS

    Dreams area regular nightly event even though they are not always recognised, understood or considered as important, but as Rose Inserra goes on to explain in her latest book Inside Your Dreams, dreams are considered vital to your health and well-being.

    Dream Sharing was considered as a vital element in the Roman Empire, as it was considered vital to the safety of all who de welled within the towns, and often foretold of cataclysmic event about to occur. The Egyptians also considered dreams vital to their general wellbeing.  It is only in the more modern times where dreams have been considered as of no real consequence; a lot of superstitious nonsense!

    Over the chapters of Inside Your Dreams, written for the layperson or simply the inquisitive soul, much is explained that relates closely to the world in which we live, and is particularly relevant to the troubled and unsecure times of the COVID pandemic.

     Deliberately divided into sections the work investigates what Inserra refers to as ‘collective dreaming’, which takes a look at the history, cultural, archetypical dreams and synchronicities that are involved in the somewhat mystical or mysterious world of dreaming and dream interpretation.

    Inside Your Dreams can be read cover to cover or section by section in whatever manner appears to be relevant or necessary, with Activity Pages place at the end of most sections which adds an extra level of understanding to the reading material, particularly if is being read as a workbook.

    Fascinating, insightful and well written Inside Your Dreams is a work not to be taken lightly, but one that encourages acceptance and understanding of dreams and their symbols, as well as their link to ‘universal consciousness’ which is becoming ever more important.