Blog Archives
Embrace
Embrace is the second book in Sonee Singh’s poetry collection. It is based largely on the mantra of the eastern part of the world’s take on spirituality – exploring the values of gratitude throughout its entirety, urging the reader to stop, reflect and embrace all that is around them. Singh has divided the book into 12 sections. It has been done so intentionally, for she believes it to be Twelve, a master number that deals with self-expression, representing cycles of life. It coincides with the opening poem ‘Cycles,’ a reflective interpretation of the role of the celestial forces and how they manifest on earth.
The illustrations are woven throughout, adding to the quality of the author’s writing. This is done by creating a medium of inspiration through splashes of watercolor and delicate line drawings – a backdrop of vividness adding to the flavor of Singh’s influential words, whether about exploring self-identity, transformation, or connectivity with the six senses. A particular focus on the decision to use certain colors for specific sections should not be overlooked; it is a strategic and well-executed play on the reader’s mind that associates color psychology with the messages delicately seeded throughout Singh’s work.
Embrace by Sonee Singh is an outstandingly powerful piece of writing. From its inception, a narrative is generated, oozing a unique sense of inclusivity that there is little-to-no chance of anyone picking up this book and not being able to relate it to their own life. The concluding poem ‘All There Is’ will leave you inspired and feeling like you are in control of your own life. Be kind to yourself and trust that the path you are on is exactly where you are meant to be. I Highly recommend this book to readers needing a gentle reminder to embrace their authentic selves and love themselves.
Pages: 236 | ASIN : B09WCZ73TT
Surviving Freshman Year
In Surviving Freshman Year by Gregory Jones, a group of students forge new connections and make important decisions during their first year of college. The chapters in the book include Bible excerpts, discussion questions, and thought-provoking concepts. The book begins with Brandon having to determine which student clubs to join. In another part of the novel, Daniel, who is stuck in his residence hall due to a snowstorm on Thanksgiving weekend, mulls over his future steps after graduating. Finally, Lauren must decide how she wants to serve in the coming academic year. Surviving Freshman Year offers a variety of circumstances that one can encounter throughout their first year of college.
This engaging book has the feel of a compilation of short stories featuring the same setting and cast of characters. Each chapter takes a new turn and focuses on a different character, providing just enough about their backgrounds and goals to allow the reader to identify with and understand them. For example, Austin, one of the book’s protagonists, is said to go to church on Christmas and Easter but not regularly. He reminds me of a college acquaintance of mine. The cast of characters shows diversity in their engagement with organized religion, but they are still believers. This makes the book accessible to even those that may feel that just because they do not attend services each week, this is not for them, but in reality, this book is for all people.
These captivating stories are well-complimented by the thought-provoking questions that follow them. Together, they provide an imaginative and practical method of comprehending incredibly valuable and beneficial Bible lessons. I particularly liked the chapter on spiritual talents, which offers introspective questions about discovering one’s gifts. The author gently leads the reader to reach their own conclusions by posing probing questions that help them understand various concepts, including generosity, hospitality, stereotypes of Christians, temptations, volunteering, modest clothing, and others.
Surviving Freshman Year will be both enjoyable and educational for young adults and readers entering college. Its lessons are skillfully structured to assist the reader in making informed decisions based on the teachings of the Bible.
Pages: 160 | ISBN : 195735416X
Surviving Cancer, Healing People
Living at the Old Mission, San Juan Bautista is an intelligent creature who is a cat, Sula. Not just any cat, but a cancer survivor cat on a mission to provide comfort and solace to anyone in need. She takes instructions from her boss, God, about providing comfort to His people. She leads a busy life that involves attending daily mass, visiting gift shops to meet her friends, receiving children who come to visit the church, and walking the stations of the cross. This routine was disturbed when she was diagnosed with cancer. With the support of her friends and God’s mercy, she defeated cancer. Unfortunately, her ears had to be removed, but she is thankful for her life and health.
This sweet life story written by Sula is a loving read. It was a unique story of love, friendship, kindness, support, and God’s unconditional love for us. In addition to being Sula’s memoir, Surviving Cancer, Healing People by Sula also describes life at Old Mission San Juan Bautista and all churches in general. It provides a concise knowledge of Catholic practices from daily Mass to Christmas or Easter routines. It also teaches a beautiful lesson that lies at the core of every religion: kindness and support. I enjoyed the 200-year history of the church and the special arrangements for animals. If you go to church, remember that Sula does not like it when people ask about her ears.
There is practically nothing about this book that I do not like. It is beautifully written in a simple and entertaining style. I enjoyed Sula’s cute pictures with her friends and in various places. The letters from Sula’s friends and how she changed their lives were enjoyable to read.
Surviving Cancer, Healing People: One Cat’s Story is a heartwarming memoir of one special cat. Readers will learn about the Catholic faith and get a unique perspective on their practices and beliefs. Cat lovers, children, Christians, and everyone who likes a feel-good story will enjoy this short book.
Pages: 111 | ASIN : B06XFSJ3TX
When Mommy is in Heaven
In, When Mommy is in Heaven by Wendy L. Hackey, we follow a young boy named Micah who has been given an invitation to a Mother’s Day Tea Party at school to honor the mothers and grandmothers of the students. With so much excitement, he tells his grandmother, who agrees to attend with him. He even prays every night that his mommy, who is in Heaven, can come to the party too. Will his mother be at the tea party when the day finally arrives?
This is a book about loss and God’s blessings. For young Micah, he lost his mother at a very young age, and it is extremely difficult for children to grasp the idea behind people passing and not being able to see or talk to them. I think this is a fantastically written children’s book to have these challenging discussions with kids. It is such a sweet story about life and was easy to read and follow the message clearly. The illustrations by Dan Drewes made the content engaging and added charm throughout, even when moments of sadness appeared.
I believe this to be an exceptional book to be added to anyone’s library and would absolutely recommend this to any families dealing with loss. When Mommy is in Heaven is a well-written picture book that will help families talk about death and grief and the blessings that God provides, even when it is not in the way you expect.
Pages: 32 | ISBN : 1504980166
The Soul Seeker Collection
Embolden is a collection of poetry written to help readers understand how the universe communicates with us. Why was this an important collection for you to write?
Embolden is the last book in the Soul-Seeker Collection, which followed my journey of self-discovery. Book 1 was Embody, and it was about connecting within. Book 2 was Embrace, and it was about connecting with the cycles of life. Book 3 is Embolden, and it is about my connection to everything that is and with the universe. It was important for me to write Embolden because I wanted to showcase that we are all connected, that nothing occurs at random, and that we’re all in this game of life together. The more we see that we’re part of something bigger, the less alone we feel. It helps us see that there is a purpose for us.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I divided the book into five sections. The number five is all about change and transformation, and because this was the culmination of my own personal journey of transformation, it was important for me to use that as a theme. The five sections are 1) objects and places, 2) nature, 3) numbers, 4) practices and beliefs, and 5) symbols. These are all themes that I relate to and where I find signs and significance, feeling as if the universe is communicating with me. I hope that through my poems, others will find the same.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
When I write poetry I follow my inspiration. I normally write poems only when I feel called to do so, and it was important for me to transmit some of this through my poetry. I didn’t see the themes until I had completed the collection and this is a way to honor that I was in flow when writing this collection. It really came from my soul, and it makes sense since the universe speaks to us in many ways, but the most important is through our soul.
Will there be a fourth book in the Soul Seeker Collection? If so, can you share what ideas it will cover and when it will be available?
There are only three books in the Soul Seeker Collection, and Embolden was the last one. I am working on a new collection of poems that will be called Journeys. It is about my experiences, perspectives, and lessons as I have traveled, healed, searched for a home, gone through change and transformation, endeavored to find self-love, and so much more. The first book in the collection should, hopefully, be released in 2023.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Book 3 of the hit Sonee Singh Soul Seeker collection.
Embolden
Embolden is a collection of poems by Sonee Singh organized according to specific themes. The first theme of objects and places includes knowledge, lore, magic, and mythology. The objects include concepts (poems such as ‘Energy’) and range from tangible to transient (‘Bubble’ and ‘Egypt’). The second theme of nature revolves around flora, fauna, and the weather (poems: ‘Solstice,’ ‘Seasons,’ ‘Noseeums’). The third theme of numbers highlights the significance of numbers in the poet’s personal life and their significance in numerology and cultures (poems: ‘Eight,’ ‘Twelve,’ ‘108’). The fourth and fifth themes are practices and beliefs, and symbols, respectively: rituals, mythical and spiritual (poems: ‘Mantra’ and ‘Cure’); emblems, signs, and ancient wisdom (poems: ‘Dot,’ ‘Sacred Geometry,’ ‘The Fates’).
Singh weaves little realizations into all of her poems—not grandiose profound ones but small everyday recognitions of a life being lived that instill an awareness of the world around her. The concept of energy in spaces, of how to balance and purify them, is seen in poems such as ‘Agni,’ ‘Smoke,’ and ‘Energy.’ Mindfulness evoked by music is seen in ‘Strings’ (‘less to prove and less to pursue’) and in ‘Dualities’ (‘it’s hard to keep track’)—also subtle comments on today’s overwhelming, consumptive lives. ‘Eight’ plays with form in both word and symbol—‘an infinity turned up,’ or ‘an eight turned horizontal,’ as does ‘108’. The practice of seeking comfort in confiding, almost confessing, to strangers is seen in ‘Sharing,’ and the sound of wholeness (aum) that gently reminds readers that each is a part of a whole in ‘Wisdom Says.’
The quotidian objects and scenes written about are done so thoughtfully and in a comforting manner. The single splashes of color on each page and the line illustrations are appealing in their simplicity. The book can be read aloud to children and adults alike, teaching readers to slow down and observe the world around them and to learn from and be inspired by a blend of nature and cultures.
Embolden is an inspirational collection of poetry that will leave readers with much to think about. This collection has something for everyone as it touches on so many different areas of life. It is the type of work you gain more from with each reading, and you will always gain new insight each time you pick it up.
Pages: 242 | ISBN : 0645450197
The Celeste Experiment
Get ready for a journey of science, religion, spirituality, and emotion. The Celeste Experiment almost feels like an experience rather than a story. Omar Imady takes the reader on a trip across the globe and leaves them wondering about some of the greatest unknowns, much like Michael’s experiment in the book. After losing his wife and his faith, he dedicates his life to a unique project. Hamida finds herself as the test subject, and the reader joins her as she endures each arduous stage. The unpredictability of the storyline and one last shocking twist leave the reader in a state of awe long after finishing the book.
The Celeste Experiment was unlike any book I have ever read. I felt like I was peeling back the layers of the story with every page. Every discovery I made brought another question. Omar Imady keeps the reader in the dark, like Hamida during the experiment. I loved the suspense and the feeling of connecting the dots.
Omar Imady writes in such a beautiful way, and I was captivated from the very first moment. From his descriptions of the lush, lonely English countryside to the flavors and aromas of the rich Indian dishes, his words have the ability to immerse the reader into any setting.
The Celeste Experiment holds many secrets, and I feel as though I would have discovered more if I had a better knowledge of Islam. I enjoyed the way in which Omar Imady made the reader uncover the story for themselves, but I was left with a couple of loose ends when I finished. However, the uncertainty of the story is balanced by the constant calmness of Hamida’s character. She had such a warmth about her, and the reader cannot help but be inspired, regardless of their beliefs.
ASIN : B0BHPP18K7
Ekstasis
Ekstasis, the Return of the Sovereign Heart, by M. I. Dugast, is a novel that focuses on two different stories. One story is a product of metaliterature as there is a book in the book. On one side, David Wilkins is reading “Maps to the Sovereign Heart,” written by Mona Devek, and finds his life completely changed by reading the book. On the other side is the protagonist of the book Ericka, who goes through a lot in her life, dealing with her inner spiritual journey, nightmares from the past, and encounters with “The Elders,” her Spirit Guides.
Dugast writes in a quite descriptive and engaging way, helping the reader not get lost between multiple flashes forwards and backward by giving a place and date at the beginning of new chapters. The only down point is that the passage from Ericka’s adventures to David reading the book breaks the narrative tensions that had naturally formed while reading the book.
I appreciated the ties and interconnection between the two stories, making them feel like the same story and adding more depth to both. Furthermore, the connection between the ending, where Kadmon meets the Elders again, and the beginning, where he leaves them to go on a journey, feels particularly important after getting emotionally attached to the characters all book long.
Destiny, fate, reincarnation, and free will, are all themes readers will encounter in this novel. However, Dugast has woven them into a magical story that will leave readers stunned and catch their breath as they realize the intertwined lives of the fictional character are to the protagonist reading the story. The blurred lines of where one character’s life ends and the other begins will keep readers hooked, seeing how things all meet up and if the lines are entirely erased to create a new path they will take together.
Ekstasis, the Return of the Sovereign Heart, by M. I. Dugast, has an engaging metaphysical romance story and multiple plot twists that will have readers craving for more from the moment they first open the book. I recommend this novel to all readers looking for an interesting read and keen on knowing more about spiritual journeys and people overcoming their past traumas.
Pages: 810 | ASIN : B09NQRMRQX
LITERARY TITAN 