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The Dalai Lama’s Cat is an outstanding read! I must say, initially I was not compelled to read this book. In fact, it travelled with me to Arizona and to Missouri with only a few pages read. What happened on the long plane ride home was simply not a coincidence. I fidgeted in my seat, Wi-Fi wasn’t offered, my neighbor was drinking heavily, and I couldn’t get situated--until I picked up the book and buried my head in the pages. After a few more pages, I was hooked!

You might NOT be a cat person, it’s okay--don’t let the name of this book deter you, and if you are a cat person--rejoice and turn the pages.

Wow, advise on happiness and living life in a novel that is filled with stories (within the story). Engaging daily situations that teach from the author’s perception of the Dalai Lama’s beliefs, or more specifically Buddhism. The book is also a pure example of learning through stories--so pleasant to have those ‘aha’ moments shown in tale versus telling in a non-fiction instructional guide.

The tale (tail) begins with a kitten that is saved from the slums of New Delhi. A visual any reader can gain from the trailer of the movie Slumdog Millionaire. Am I shallow to say the hints throughout the book about famous people visiting the Dalai Lama kept me guessing and more than interested? Maybe a little, but I found it fascinating. Sharing the Dalai Lama’s teachings within life’s moments as seen through the eyes of the cat (who also learns from each happening!) and always on topics the reader can relate to. Although the work is fiction, I believe, the author, David Michie has an understanding of Buddhism, and does a fabulous job of spinning his tale with relevance toward today’s times. Bravo! Well done.

In the early stages of the book a nun discusses her visit to a prison (this is when I became hooked) and how an inmate had a conversation with her and compared her own living situation with his. Ultimately, the inmate informed the nun, ‘if it all gets too hard’ she could live with them. The nun was astonished that the inmate viewed the conditions in the nunnery harsher than his conditions in jail. And the Dalai Lama made a simple statement, “It’s not the circumstances of our lives that make us happy or unhappy but the way we see them.” Personally, something I’ve relearned throughout my life, and a topic that hits home with me when I remember my time in the ‘chemo’ circle and the other folks with me.

My own immediate learning experience happened when the plane landed and I wasn’t finished with the book! Had I not messed around for the entire first hour of that flight, and just picked up the book and read it--I would have been done, and satisfied. I can relate to HHC when she was taken to another location during the painting and refurbishing of the Dalai Lama’s house, she behaved poorly. She hid under the blanket and did not step out of the room for a few days. On the day she finally stepped out--she met her ‘cat’ friend, but was whisked away the following day, having no time to spend with her new friend. HHC identified that she robbed herself of the opportunity to spend time with her new friend--all over her ridiculous self-pity. Three days of sulking could have been spent with her new friend instead of wasted time hiding under the duvet.

Do you believe that every living being strives for happiness and wants to avoid all forms of suffering? And the True Cause of happiness is not from any physical external thing? Deep, isn’t it? Well I like the way the Dalai Lama’s cat handles these topics, and you will too.

I’m compelled to share with you what I learned about True Cause, but instead I will leave that as the title of this document and let you read the book, and discover for yourself the true cause of happiness (literally).

Lastly, I’m so enamored with this book because of my own personal experience. The content of these pages ring within my soul. And it’s so simple!

When I was diagnosed with stage IV cancer and watched the pieces of my life fall away I gave in to the process. I had no choice. I had to deal with the cancer (and everything else in my life that fell apart), but I did have a choice about my attitude toward the battle--and ultimately isn’t that the only thing you have control of--your own reaction? So I experienced some loss: my career, relationship, homes, finances, career, and for a while--my health. I made up my mind I would beat the cancer, but if for some reason I didn’t make it--the time I had left would be wonderful. And that is how I won my battle.

Now, two years and seven months later--I have no sign of disease. I’m back in the thick of my life (a different life) and I thank you, David Michie, for reminding me of the importance of love and compassion and sharing with the world the simplicity of Buddhism and the fact that happiness is right here… as my Grandma would say, “Under your nose.”

Through Indigo’s Eyes is a young adult fiction novel about a teenaged girl who longs to be ‘normal.’ Indie feels separated from the rest of the world because of the visions she has–unwanted glimpses into the future that haunt her and have since childhood. Her anxiety is further heightened by the fact that she’s in high school, an age where ‘fitting-in’ socially seems to be the most critical element of life.

I was drawn to this book because of my own fascination with anyone who has a psychic talent, and the otherworldly connotations stemming from this skill. I believe that some folks are blessed with the ability to see the future, and it’s probably safe to say, have experienced some of the challenges seen in this story.

One of the authors, Tara Taylor is a well known intuitive. From that knowledge I can see the pieces of truth smattered throughout this work of fiction. I assume some of the reality of Indie’s world may have been her own personal experience, or possibly lifted from the many clairvoyant children she’s worked with, but that’s just a back-story I’ve created in my own mind from the information shared on the back cover.

The characters do come to life in this book, and ultimately it’s a good read. However, I hesitated in the beginning of the book over the subject matter of the very first vision that I was introduced to, and I almost didn’t read beyond the first pages. I brought the book with me on a business trip and trudged forward because I was on a four-hour plane ride. I’m glad I read on.

Now I’m digging deep to discover why I had such a personal issue with the first few pages of the book. I believe as a reader I was a little insulted over the ‘gossipy’ and ‘superficial’ tone of that single message in her vision. Indie, the main character, was experiencing this ‘well written’ journey down a long tube, sucked into a vortex toward a vision–and I was disappointed when it was revealed that her best friend’s boyfriend was kissing another girl–yes that was the vision. I almost became a non-reader over this treatment. I would have rather started with the sad scene about Theresa the hamster, or visions of the granddad–something a little more meaningful. For whatever reason this incident felt contrived, and probably not a good focal point to start the story out. That said, after a few more chapters I was fully engaged–and yes, I do like this book.

Canada is the location, and hockey is the sport of preference. As a Southern Californian I can’t relate to that, but the writing got me through and with interest! Topics such as alcoholism, abuse, and bullying are touched on to some extent in this book, and handled with care.

I’m not so certain I’d call it a Hollywood ending, but some learning & growing takes place for both Indie and her best friend Lacey that I truly wish some of my adult friends would obtain–and because of that statement, I have doubt surrounding the integrity of the ending. I’d like to think that could happen, so the optimistic side of me will just say hooray and leave it at that. I don’t want to spoil it for you! Because the story is well thought out, and engaging. In the end you may miss Indigo Russell as much as I do, and that’s what I call a good read!

A 4 star read that I recommend to anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider.

I received this book for free from Hay House Publishing for review purposes.

For the Sender. Don’t let the size of this book fool you. Alex Woodard’s memoir reads like a melodic lullaby, at times impossible to put down. A singer songwriter who writes like a poet, Woodard’s journey begins with a pull toward a dream that is shared in such a manner that you might want to be in that truck with him as he rolls out of town and away from the daily grind.

I know when Kona’s introduced early on there can only be one ending to this, and for me it is difficult to continue down the path to another sad outcome (I refused to read about Marley for the same reason). Yet I still continued this book. I was drawn in with every imaginable stroke of the pen or tap of the keyboard because Alex Woodard’s words are like a cool stream on a hot day. His journey is uniquely shared, through letters that become songs, and over the life span of his beloved dog, Kona.

Mostly I kept reading because I couldn’t put it down. Alex Woodard has ‘mad skills!’ The man can write. And experiencing his transformation alongside him, well it’s well worth the ride. The memoir is only 123 pages long, and it’s amazing.

For a dog lover who’s also a songwriter, this book is pure heaven. But for anyone who is searching for a better space to be living within, Alex Woodard’s words might just strike a cord for you, too.

For the Sender is a five star read, and the CD of music is an added bonus. For the Sender is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Hay House.

I received this book for free from Hay House Publishing for this review. The opinion in this review is unbiased and reflects my honest judgment of the product.