BookWyrm

Matto reviewed The Meaning of Happiness

No cover — The Meaning of Happiness (1970, Harper and Row)

Review of 'The Meaning of Happiness' on 'GoodReads'

3 stars

This is a great book, but difficult, hard to read, and on some parts carries the spirit of it's time of writing.

Matto reviewed A field guide to getting lost by Rebecca Solnit

Rebecca Solnit: A field guide to getting lost (2006)

Written as a series of autobiographical essays, A Field Guide to Getting Lost draws on …

Review of 'A field guide to getting lost' on 'GoodReads'

3 stars

Thus book is about transition, and gives the reader a glimpse into the soul of the writer. The content is there, the subject is interesting, but I got not inspired by this book. Maybe it is the bloated writing, maybe it is not the right time for me to have read it.

Matto reviewed Slouching towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion

Joan Didion: Slouching towards Bethlehem (2000, Modern Library)

Review of 'Slouching towards Bethlehem' on 'GoodReads'

4 stars

Wow. What a sentences. Those alone are reason enough to read this collection of essays about life in the sixties in the USA. And about her coping with life.

Matto reviewed Field Guide to a Happy Life by Massimo Pigliucci

Massimo Pigliucci: Field Guide to a Happy Life (2020, Basic Books)

Review of 'Field Guide to a Happy Life' on 'GoodReads'

5 stars

A modern version of the Enchiridion, that is easy to read.

Matto rated Dune: 4 stars

Frank Herbert: Dune (Paperback, 2006, Hodder)

Dune by Frank Herbert (Dune, #1)

Dune is a 1965 science-fiction novel by American author Frank Herbert, originally published as two separate serials in Analog magazine. …

Matto reviewed The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett (Discworld, #2)

Terry Pratchett: The Light Fantastic (Paperback, 2000, HarperTorch)

THE LIGHT FANTASTIC is a comic fantasy novel by Terry Pratchett, the second of the …

Review of 'The Light Fantastic' on 'GoodReads'

5 stars

Wonderful written

Matto rated Become what you are: 3 stars

Alan Watts: Become what you are (2003, Shambhala)

Become what you are by Alan Watts

Matto reviewed The Buddha before Buddhism by Gil Fronsdal

Review of 'The Buddha before Buddhism' on 'GoodReads'

5 stars

This book is about the Book of Eights. Although nobody can be sure, this book is regarded as the initial teachings of the Buddha right after his enlightenment, before a whole religion was built upon his discovery and his person.

The teachings in the Book of Eights point to a peace that can be found in this life in this world. The Book of Eights is short, it consists of sixteen poems which together presents a path of practice toward inner piece. This practice is both for reaching this state and to maintain it. The way to do this is by letting go, letting go of religious views, of world views, of desires and of possessions.

Gil Fronsdal gives a thorough introduction in which he shows the context within the Book of Eights is written, and introduces every poem with a short explanation. His writing is clear and easy to …

This book is about the Book of Eights. Although nobody can be sure, this book is regarded as the initial teachings of the Buddha right after his enlightenment, before a whole religion was built upon his discovery and his person.

The teachings in the Book of Eights point to a peace that can be found in this life in this world. The Book of Eights is short, it consists of sixteen poems which together presents a path of practice toward inner piece. This practice is both for reaching this state and to maintain it. The way to do this is by letting go, letting go of religious views, of world views, of desires and of possessions.

Gil Fronsdal gives a thorough introduction in which he shows the context within the Book of Eights is written, and introduces every poem with a short explanation. His writing is clear and easy to read.

If you have any interest in Buddhism, read this book.