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ITFS Bookshelf
About ITFS Bookshelf
Books have the power to inspire us, teach us, open our hearts, stir our imaginations, take us to new places, open our minds to new perspectives and possibilities. They can transport us back in time and let us see the future. Books let us connect with characters, stories and authors and the best of them (books) let us connect with ourselves.
The ITFS Bookshelf features a new title every month. We choose books that have impacted us, moved us or inspired us. We try to provide links to the books whenever possible. If we happen to review an out of print book that looks interesting we encourage you to explore secondhand book stores or you local library.
August 2023 Book Review
Women Talking by Miriam Toews
The internationally bestselling novel based on real events. Now a major motion picture from writer/director Sarah Polley, starring Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, with Ben Whishaw and Frances McDormand.
“This amazing, sad, shocking, but touching novel, based on a real-life event, could be right out of The Handmaid's Tale.” --Margaret Atwood, on Twitter
"Scorching . . . Women Talking is a wry, freewheeling novel of ideas that touches on the nature of evil, questions of free will, collective responsibility, cultural determinism, and, above all, forgiveness." --New York Times Book Review, Editor's Choice
One evening, eight Mennonite women climb into a hay loft to conduct a secret meeting. For the past two years, each of these women, and more than a hundred other girls in their colony, has been repeatedly violated in the night by demons coming to punish them for their sins. Now that the women have learned they were in fact drugged and attacked by a group of men from their own community, they are determined to protect themselves and their daughters from future harm.
While the men of the colony are off in the city, attempting to raise enough money to bail out the rapists and bring them home, these women―all illiterate, without any knowledge of the world outside their community and unable even to speak the language of the country they live in―have very little time to make a choice: Should they stay in the only world they’ve ever known or should they dare to escape?
Based on real events and told through the “minutes” of the women’s all-female symposium, Toews’s masterful novel uses wry, politically engaged humor to relate this tale of women claiming their own power to decide.
Named a Best Book of the Year By
THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW (Notable Books of the Year) * NPR.ORG* THE WASHINGTON POST * REAL SIMPLE * THE NEW YORK TIMES (PARUL SEHGAL'S TOP BOOKS OF THE YEAR) * SLATE * STAR TRIBUNE (MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL) * LITHUB * AUSTIN CHRONICLE * GOOP* ELECTRIC LITERATURE * KIRKUS REVIEWS * JEZEBEL* BUSTLE *PUBLISHERS WEEKLY * TIME* LIBRARY JOURNAL * THE AV CLUB * MASHABLE * VOX *
From Amazon and Good Reads
Review
By Aurora Ferrer
This story offers readers a raw, authentic, vulnerable yet powerful perspective of women and children facing unimaginable abuse, violence and oppression in their closed Mennonite community.
The story is set in a simple barn with a circle of women of varied ages and perspectives finding a way to transcend their differing opinions and responses to their systemic abuse and find a lasting solution. The dialog is elegant in it's simplicity and the wisdom shared is profound.
This story is not for children or the faint of heart. The subject matter will be triggering to most and will certainly elicit strong emotions and opinions. But regardless of wether one agrees with the final decision or not the elegance of thinking and expression are expansive and life-changing.
While this story focuses on extreme scenarios of abuse, gaslighting and oppression it sheds light on the more insidious forms of the same that many of us live with daily without realizing it.
This was a life-afferming story for me. I found myself changing and growing along with the women in the story. I was inspired by their courage as well as their faith. I recommend this story to mature readers but also caution that this story maybe very triggering to survivers of physical and sexual abuse.
Miriam Toews
Miriam Toews was born and raised in Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada, the second daughter of Mennonite parents and a direct descendant of one of Steinbach's first settlers, Klaas R. Reimer, who arrived in Manitoba in 1874 from the Ukraine.
Her best-selling novels, which include Fight Night, Women Talking, All My Puny Sorrows, and A Complicated Kindness, have won numerous literary awards: the Governor General's Award for Fiction, the Writers' Trust Engel/Findley Award, and the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. She is also a three-time finalist for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. Toews had a leading role in the feature film, Silent Light, written and directed by Carlos Reygadas, and winner of the 2007 Cannes Jury Prize, an experience that informed her fifth novel, Irma Voth.
July 2023 Book Review
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
This is a story for people who follow their hearts and make their own rules...people who get special pleasure out of doing something well, even if only for themselves...people who know there's more to this living than meets the eye: they’ll be right there with Jonathan, flying higher and faster than ever they dreamed.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull, the bird determined to be more than ordinary, to have a reason for living. Most gulls don't bother to learn more than the simplest facts of flight--how to get from shore to food and back again," writes author Richard Bach, in this allegory about a unique bird named Jonathan Livingston Seagull. "For most gulls it is not flying that matters, but eating. For this gull, though, it was not eating that mattered, but flight." Flight is indeed the metaphor that makes the story soar.
Ultimately this is a fable about the importance of seeking a higher purpose in life, even if your flock, tribe or neighbourhood finds your ambition threatening. (At one point our beloved gull is even banished from his flock.) By not compromising his higher vision, Jonathan gets the ultimate pay-off: transcendence. Ultimately, he learns the meaning of love and kindness.
The special 20th anniversary edition has a new section and is well worht the read!
Review
By SamuHē Ferrer
Jonathan Livingston Seagull, written by Richard Bach, is an inspiring story about a seagull named Jonathan Livingston Seagull and his journey of overcoming adversity and being true to oneself. This tale will resonate with any person who has experienced the feeling or circumstance of being outcast for daring to be different. Jonathan’s ambition to follow his bliss with his love for flight despite his negative experiences launches him into a journey of self-realization and healing.
Published in 1970 Jonathan Livingston Seagull was later recorded as an audiobook voiced by Richard Harris with a live orchestra accompanying this compelling story. Between Hariss’ performance and the orchestra’s masterfully written score, the listener gets pulled in and whisked away into the world that is Jonathan Livingston Seagull. The audiobook version is one of my favorite ways to experience this incredible tale. One can simply press play and enjoy Jonathan’s journey while going for a walk, folding clothes, or simply sitting peacefully.
Both the book and audiobook versions of Jonathan Livingston Seagull are rather short in duration. The book is 144 pages while the audiobook is roughly 46 minutes long. I personally have listened to the audiobook version several times over the course of my life whenever I find myself lost or simply in need of inspiration. This story never fails to make me feel as though I too can fly to unimaginable heights. It also reminds me that the pursuit to happiness and bliss found in what brings one pure joy is a worthwhile one.
All in all I feel Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a life changing story and I hope this review has inspired you to learn more about it. There is a free recording of the audiobook on YouTube and you can also purchase the book online if you wish to add it to your Library. I hope that this story that has inspired me and so many others can do the same for you.
Thank you for your time and I wish you a beautiful day!
About Richard Bach
Since Jonathan Livingston Seagull - which dominated the #1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller List for two consecutive years - Richard Bach has touched millions of people through his humor, wisdom and insight.
With over 60 million copies of his books sold,
Richard Bach remains one of the world's most beloved authors. A former USAF fighter pilot, Air Force captain and latter-day barnstorming pilot, Bach continues to be an avid aviator-author, exploring and chronicling the joys and freedom of flying, reporting his findings to his devoted fans.
Recent books include Travels with Puff, which recounts Bach's journey from Florida to Washington state in his small seaplane, Puff, and Illusions II: The Adventures of a Reluctant Student, which incorporates Bach's real-life plane crash.
Life with my Guardian Angel, published in October, 2017, is his story of the way we can discover a startling source of inspiration in our daily lives.
Fans and readers can find more about Richard and his work at www.richardbach.com
June 2023 Book Review
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
The Tao Te Ching is a Chinese classic text written around 400 BC and traditionally credited to the sage Lao Tzu (or Laozi). The text's authorship, date of composition and date of compilation are debated. The oldest excavated portion dates back to the late 4th century BC, but modern scholarship dates other parts of the text as having been written—or at least compiled—later than the earliest portions of the Zhuangzi.
The Tao Te Ching, along with the Zhuangzi, is a fundamental text for both philosophical and religious Taoism. It also strongly influenced other schools of Chinese philosophy and religion, including Legalism, Confucianism, and Chinese Buddhism, which was largely interpreted through the use of Taoist words and concepts when it was originally introduced to China. Many artists, including poets, painters, calligraphers, and gardeners, have used the Tao Te Ching as a source of inspiration. Its influence has spread widely outside East Asia and it is among the most translated works in world literature.
Review
By Kadante Ferrer
One of the origin stories of the “Tao te ching” says that the sage Lao Tzu was in turmoil about the state of the world and was preparing himself to live the rest of his life in the secluded mountains. Due to his experience as a powerful sage he was asked if he could stay for a while longer so that he may document his wisdom and philosophy for others to learn from. Many believe that “Lao Tzu” is actually an amalgam of many sages and many philosophies of the time as opposed to being a single person. But regardless of the true origin it is clear that the “Tao Te Ching” is a highly regarded and exceptional piece of work. “Tao Te Ching” can be translated into “the way and its power” but from my understanding the tao speaks on the true power of balance. The iconic yin yang embodies this philosophy and when reading the text in this book you can see how a quest for balance can lead to a lifetime of self-study and improvement. A lifetime committed to the middle way and finding “the center.” A lifetime committed to understanding the physical nature of a tree as well as understanding the wind and the spaces between the leaves.
My teacher I’haleakala Hew Len taught me very similarly that the goal in life is to choose to flow with inspiration(tao) as opposed to being bound by memory. To flow from the inspired eternal Tao(divinity) instead of only replaying the memories of mankind.
There are many great interpretations of the tao te ching and so far I have been lucky enough to read three of them. The first Tao Te Ching I read was translated by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English and it changed my life. But my favorite version of the Tao Te Ching comes from “The Tao Box” which was was gifted to me by my mother (founder of In The Flow Studios.) It is a box set with cards about the Tao as well as a companion book further explaining the cards. The book within is titled “Wisdom Of The Tao” adapted and interpreted by, Priya Hemenway. Her spiritual awareness took an already amazing work and helped me understand it in deeper ways.
If you are unsure wether or not you want to read this book I say you should buy it and read it anyways. It is not a technical type of book and you could read it in a day if you wanted to. If you’re anything like me, the philosophy will stick with you for a long time and you might even be inclined to re-read it a few times! And if not, at least you gave yourself the opportunity to be exposed to some beautiful taoist poetry.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
About Lao Tzu
Laozi, (Chinese: “Master Lao” or “Old Master”) deified as Lao Jun, Tai Shang Lao-Jun, or Tai Shang Xuanyuan Huangdi, also called Lao Dun or Lao Dan, (flourished 6th century BCE, China), the first philosopher of Chinese Daoism and the alleged author of the Daodejing, a primary Daoist writing. Modern scholars discount the possibility that the Daodejing was written by only one person but readily acknowledge the influence of Daoism on the development of Buddhism. Laozi is venerated as a philosopher by Confucians and as a saint or god in popular religion and was worshipped as an imperial ancestor during the Tang dynasty (618–907). (See also Daoism.)
May 2023 Book Review
Ano Ano the Seed by Kristin Zambucka
ANO'ANO: The Seed is an inspirational work written and illustrated by renowned author/artist Kristin Zambucka. It has become a classic throughout the world. In ANO'ANO an imaginary group of seekers asks questions and receives answers that give them hope. Ancient symbols and Hawaiian figures appear in Zambucka's paintings, illustrating clearly the theme of her profound compelling work...the meaning of life itself.
Review
By Aurora Ferrer
I first read Ano Ano the Seed when I was 17 years old. Its elegant simplicity, inspired artwork and profound spiritual message set me on a course of self-discovery and changed the trajectory of my life. I became a real-life version of the fictional "wisdom seekers" she so eloquently writes about in her story. Ano Ano the Seed was my first step towards mindfulness and set me on a life-long journey to learn and study with indigenous spiritual teachers of the Americas.
It is a relatively short read. I was able to finish it in one sitting. Yet I found myself going back to the book on a daily basis. Each section of the story is loaded with a deep understanding of the plight of the modern pilgrim and provides concise guidance from ancient Hawaiian spiritual practices on the path to living a more authentic life.
I have purchased dozens of copies of her original print of Ano Ano the Seed for friends and family over the years. Unfortunately the original version with her artwork is out of print. If you are looking for an original copy you'll need to find it in a second hand bookstore. If you are visiting the Big Island of Hawaii you can try a local Barns and Noble book store to see if they might have any in stock. You can find the current version in paperback for purchase online.
I would love to hear from you. If inspired drop me a note and let me know what you think about Ano Ano the Seed.
About Kristin Zambucka
Kristin Zambucka began her work at the age of seventeen and has travelled throughout the world researching, writing and painting. Her paintings have been widely exhibited and garnered much acclaim. New Zealand born Zambucka has been awarded the Queen’s Service Medal by Queen Elizabeth II.
KRISTIN ZAMBUCKA’S PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE:
- PRINCESS KAIULANI: THE LAST HOPE OF HAWAII’S MONARCHY
Two editions; Pictorial and Novel-sized… now in its 8th printing.
- ANO’ANO: THE SEED
Two editions; Pictorial and Novel-sized. THE CLASSIC TRILOGY including
ANO’ANO’s two sequels. Now in its 15 printing.
- KALAKAUA: HAWAII’S LAST KING.
- THE MANA KEEPERS. 4th printing.
- THE KEEPERS OF EARTH
- THE SUN EATERS
- THE FIRE LILY. 2nd printing.
- THE HIGH CHIEFESS RUTH KEELIKOLANI. 2nd printing.
- SECRET BLOSSOMS (Na Pua Huna)
- CLEOPATRA: GODDESS/QUEEN
Writing and Illustrating:
- CAT CITY
- THE HOGSTERS
- THE CIRCUS AT THE BACK OF THE MOON
- KINGDOM OF FROGAVIA
KRISTIN ZAMBUCKA wrote/produced (and sometimes directed) for TV
- A CRY OF PEACOCKS, ABC PBS. Chosen for Hawaii International Film Festival.
- SECRET BLOSSOMS, ABC PBS.
- HULIAU: THE CHANGING TIDE, CBS.
- SONGS ON THE WIND, PBS. Chosen for Hawaii International Film Festival.
- COAT OF EYES: A GLIMPSE OF THE SNOW LEOPARD. World Premiere Hawaii
International Film Festival.
New books and screen plays:
- “THE MENEHUNE KING” (Book and screenplay)
- “PRINCESS OF THE ENCHANTED GARDEN” (Princess Kaiulani in her own magical childhood world, with her pets at Ainahau. Book and screenplay)
- “QUEENIE AND FLINT” Screenplay for animation or live action movie.
April 2023 Book Review
Broken Yet Indestructible by Aurora Ferrer
"Broken Yet Indestructible 2020" is an updated and expanded collection of poetry, quotes and musings that follows no rules. It’s about introspection, despair, redemption, hope, faith, inclusion and unity. It’s about honoring the broken pieces in us and celebrating the possibilities held in each new day. It’s a commentary about what ails us and what soothes us. The free verse poems cover a broad spectrum of subjects, from living with depression, the plight of the woman, divisive culture, bigotry, inclusion, faith, diversity and indigenous people’s teachings. Broken Yet Indestructible provides a place and space to embrace our broken bits and find we are not alone in our struggles.
We live in a world where those that are different are marginalized and many suffer in silence, feeling alone in the sruggles. BYI 2020 is for those that have faced pain, fear, persecution, self-doubt and are still willing to let hope prevail. It's in honor off all those that are scarred and falwed and resilient and broken yet indestructible.
Purchase signed copies at our ITFS Shop here (Shop Link coming soon)
Reviews
Abby
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy and Empowering Read
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 25, 2022
Great for days when you just want a quick read as well as days when you want to really dig in. Each written piece holds both the beauty and complexity of a great piece of art— easy to appreciate at a glance or on a surface level, but also incredibly layered and nuanced for a deeper dive.
from up north
Go on a journey with the author...
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 11, 2019
This collection is a perfect balance of long and short pieces -- raw and visual. Every poem has been attentively crafted to portray a commentary that covers a wide range of emotions, issues, concerns, and possibilities that readers will identify with. Ferrer's work breathes slow and steady, a mesmerizing drumbeat of optimism and survival, without dismissing the hurt or darkness. Her selections work perfectly in this beautifully designed and created book.
Readers will find Aurora Ferrer's book hauntingly simple and insightful--it's obvious this author wears her heart on her sleeve and writes with a maturity that comes from personal suffering and insight. She has a knack of relating the pain and dance through fire to her readers with a gentle all-encompassing translation.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, and highly recommend it. It will have a permanent place on my coffee table--and is on my list of Christmas gifts!
About Aurora Ferrer
Aurora Ferrer is a Cuban-American author, speaker, arts director and business owner. She has appeared on Spanish television sharing information on topics like: Child Development and Movement, The Power of the Spoken Word and Women Using the Martial Arts to Find Their Personal Power. She was a guest on “Maya Angelou's America” hosted by Dr. Maya Angelou on Sirius XM Radio. She has been a spokesperson for Children's Miracle Network and Children's Hospital Los Angeles and was recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award in 1997 from the California Police Activates League for her work with at risk youth.
Her projects and organizations provide her with opportunities to give back, raise awareness, and advocate for women's rights, equality, ending childhood hunger, animal rescue and nature conservation. She is the author of “Dewdrops of Inspiration”, “Arco Iris del Ser”, “Broken Yet Indestructible”, a contributing author to “Miracles One at a Time”, and contributing poet to “Complex Allegiances, Constellations of Immigration, Citizenship & Belonging” and “Dewdrops Ride on the Wind”.
Aurora is blessed with two amazing sons and her husband of 30 years. She’s lived in Southern California for 50 years, loves growing her own food, nature photography and enjoys the company of her shelter dog River.
“Through my blogs, organizations, shows, classes, workshops, interviews, books & films, I hope to do my small part to help make a better tomorrow.” – Aurora Ferrer