Thursday’s Five Book Recommendations – August 30, 2018

Thursday’s  regular weekly feature, here are a few books I recommend.  The books will not always be directly about Buddhism however they will relate to the greater truths found in Buddhism and also to things I’m interested in.  Sometimes ideas from my outside reading I use as I process the complex theories we study in Buddhism. 

Please note that the temple will receive a small percentage of any purchase made from Amazon through the links provided.  Every small amount helps spread the Dharma.  Thank you.

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“Chilean Pablo Neruda is Latin America’s greatest poet and one of the finest ever to have written in the Spanish language. The Peruvian poet, Cesar Vallejo, part Indian and born in a mining village, ranks not far below Neruda. Robert Bly is one of America’s foremost poets, and a translator of uncommon brilliance. The combination makes for a priceless volume.”—Long Beach Press Telegram 
Michael Benson tells the thrilling story of the discovery and description of the universe in a new way. Selecting artful and profound illustrations and maps, many hidden away in the world’s great science libraries and virtually unknown today, he chronicles more than 1,000 years of humanity’s ever-expanding understanding of the size and shape of space itself. He shows how the invention of the telescope inspired visions of unimaginably distant places and explains why today we turn to supercomputer simulations to reveal deeper truths about space-time.

Cosmigraphics explores the visual side of our great­est imaginative achievement as a species: the unveiling of a vast universe that is largely invisible to our senses. It will be a revelation to space-struck Earthlings, art lovers, and readers interested in the history of science, the visualization of information, graphic design, and mapping.

More relevant than ever, this seminal collection of essays encourages us to believe in the power of ordinary citizens to change the world

In today’s turbulent world it’s hard not to feel like we’re going backwards; after decades of striving, justice and equality still seem like far off goals. What keeps us going when times get tough? How have the leaders and unsung heroes of world-changing political movements persevered in the face of cynicism, fear, and seemingly overwhelming odds? In The Impossible Will Take a Little While, they answer these questions in their own words, creating a conversation among some of the most visionary and eloquent voices of our times. Today, more than ever, we need their words and their wisdom. 

In this revised edition, Paul Rogat Loeb has comprehensively updated this classic work on what it’s like to go up against Goliath–whether South African apartheid, Mississippi segregation, Middle East dictatorships, or the corporations driving global climate change. Without sugarcoating the obstacles, these stories inspire hope to keep moving forward. 

Think of this book as a conversation among some of the most visionary and eloquent voices of our times–or any time: Contributors include Maya Angelou, Diane Ackerman, Marian Wright Edelman, Wael Ghonim, Václav Havel, Paul Hawken, Seamus Heaney, Jonathan Kozol, Tony Kushner, Audre Lorde, Nelson Mandela, Bill McKibben, Bill Moyers, Pablo Neruda, Mary Pipher, Arundhati Roy, Dan Savage, Desmond Tutu, Alice Walker, Cornel West, Terry Tempest Williams, and Howard Zinn.

“If this isn’t the definitive edition of Hansel and Gretel, it’s absolutely necessary.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Best-selling author Neil Gaiman and fine artist Lorenzo Mattotti join forces to create Hansel & Gretel, a stunning book that’s at once as familiar as a dream and as evocative as a nightmare. Mattotti’s sweeping ink illustrations capture the terror and longing found in the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Gaiman crafts an original text filled with his signature wit and pathos that is sure to become a favorite of readers everywhere, young and old.

Neil Gaiman is the best-selling author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio, theater, and films for children and adults alike. His work has received many international awards, including the Newbery and Carnegie Medals, as well as Hugos, two Nebulas, a World Fantasy Award, four Bram Stoker Awards, six Locus Awards, and countless other honors. He is a pillar of modern fantasy writing. He has said that the story of Hansel and Gretel is what made him want to be a writer.

Lorenzo Mattotti is an Italian comics and graphic artist living in Paris. A frequent contributor of covers for the New Yorker, he’s recognized as one of the most outstanding international exponents of comics art. Mattotti won an Eisner Award for his graphic novel Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. He collaborated with Lou Reed in re-imaging Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven.

This book takes the concept of a coloring book and, well, evolves it a bit. Interactive elements such as flaps, die cuts, stencils, and mix and match pages can all be colored in and engaged with. Clear text explains Charles Darwin’s ideas and big bold drawings are exploding with fun.

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About Ryusho 龍昇

Nichiren Shu Buddhist priest. My home temple is Myosho-ji, Wonderful Voice Temple, in Charlotte, NC. You may visit the temple’s web page by going to http://www.myoshoji.org. I am also training at Carolinas Medical Center as a Chaplain intern. It is my hope that I eventually become a Board Certified Chaplain. Currently I am also taking healing touch classes leading to become a certified Healing Touch Practitioner. I do volunteer work with the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (you may learn more about them by following the link) caring for individuals who are HIV+ or who have AIDS/SIDA.

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