40 Days of Fasting, by Glenville Ashby, is a deeply personal and spiritual collection of 40 poetic recitations born during a sacred period of fasting by Glenville Ashby. Each poem is a meditation, guided by an inner voice named Carlos, and thematically grouped across four weeks: forgiveness, service, humility, and enlightenment. The book fuses mystical insight with raw self-examination, drawing from a rich palette of religious traditions and personal memories. As Ashby fasts from dawn to dusk, the poems become transmissions—messages of divine origin channeled through the lens of his lived experience.

What moved me most about this book was its honesty. There’s a rare vulnerability here. He confesses old betrayals and regrets, and rather than justify them, he holds them up to the light. The language is direct but poetic. Sometimes I felt like I was eavesdropping on a prayer, other times it felt like I was reading someone’s sacred diary. The recurring theme that stuck with me was personal accountability: how even the smallest wrongs can weigh on the soul if left unresolved. That’s a hard truth, but Ashby presents it with such tenderness that I didn’t feel judged—I felt invited to reflect, too.

The writing, while poetic and sometimes cryptic, never veers into fluff. These poems demand patience. They’re not meant to be skimmed. They whisper more than they shout. But when they land, they hit deep. Some, like “Roots Run Deep” and “The Veil,” made me stop in my tracks. Others, like “Tantra” and “The Divine Tongue,” explore esoteric ideas with grace and daring. At times, I found myself wrestling with the metaphysical elements—especially the idea of channeling a spirit guide—but even then, I appreciated Ashby’s courage to fully surrender to the experience. He doesn’t try to convince the reader. He simply shares what came.

40 Days of Fasting is a companion for quiet nights and long mornings. It’s for anyone walking through a spiritual fog, for anyone who feels like their prayers echo back without answers. For seekers, grievers, and those in transition, this book holds a gentle power. It doesn’t promise to fix you, but it just might help you find your footing.

Pages: 70 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F8W1Z87F