DeeDoanes.com

I will start reviewing books. If you have a book to be review please email me and send me copy so I can post a review.

I love books!

Most of you know don’t know that I am A hardcore NERD, an avid and voracious reader. I have more than 2000 books in my library collection. I consume books like eating food or drinking water. I typically read four or five books at one time. I read first thing in the morning before I meditate and start my day. Then at night I read before meditating and going to sleep.

As a writer, reading is a part of constantly connecting with the energy of words—they are my best friends. They feed my spirit, nourish my soul and make me feel alive. Good writing makes me reflect for days on end and inspire me to write poetry and other types of writing. Currently I am working on a book of poetry and a book of essays.

The books on my bed right now, folded open with their spines sticking out, with many folded over bookmarked pages are:

Guns, Germs, and Steel (fascinating and informative read)

David Copperfield (oldie but goodie)

Mythology (I am crazy about Greek mythology)

365: Daily Advice From the Heart by the Dalai Lama

The Essence of Buddhism (I study and deeply respect Buddhism)

Word Power Made Easy (This book is on my lap in the picture here. I have read this book since high school, at least 100 times!)

I also am reading two other books dealing with human sexuality that I won’t mention here, in case some of you are prudes. LOL.

Review of The Grace of Guilt

Author: Gareth Young

Paperback book

Dogear Publishing 2009

284 pages

I recently met the multi-talented author while doing a radio interview for High Velocity Radio. Gareth is a  businessman, a writer, (and get this) a Zen priest. Quite a combination for sure.

The Grace of Guilt is a series of stories that form one big story, with guilt as the theme. He uses religion to illustrate this and it is not done in overbearing preachy way.  The book weaves the tale of Jessica Jackson, a young teenager raped by the pastor’s son and turned away by her family, friends and church. Simon Cassell is a homosexual racked with guilt over his sexual orientation.  Gareth expertly weaves a descriptive tale where desires, lust, friendships, fall and rise. There is even some suspense and crime drama towards the end involving the FBI looking for a criminal in the small town where Jessica and Simon live. A quick and easy read with highly relatable characters makes this first time novel a good book o add to your collection.