by Colm Holland

This is a book unlike anything I've seen before. It is written by someone who was in the publishing industry when The Alchemist by Paul Coelho first came out in English translation. The introduction explains how the author was in charge of determining which new releases would fill the scarce shelves of the Australian book market and after reading the manuscript of Coelho's book, saw a bestseller and ordered an unprecedented number of copies.

But that isn't all. It goes on to tell how a meeting with Coelho led to a mystical experience and understanding of the book far beyond a story of a shepherd discovering his true will. That mystical revelation and subsequent changes to the author's life, from a fiction story, is what this book is all about.

At the time of writing this review I haven't read The Alchemist, though it's on my tbr. I wondered many times while reading, did Coelho intend to speak in allegory for deeper meanings or did Holland read his own mystical journey into what was intended only as a hero's journey story? I have no answer to that, but it apparently worked well for Holland and put his life on a satisfying track.

The explanation of the stages of spiritual Alchemy was worth the read alone. The "Dark night of the soul", enlightenment, then active phases might have come out of a book in the Mind, Body, Spirit section and perhaps that is where this one will be categorised. Much of it is personal to the author, yet the journey has similar stages to anyone following this spiritual path, whatever symbols they couch it in.

An interesting read and well-written so that it kept interest.

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Karma's a Bit*h by Este Holland
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jake has stayed the course and will soon graduate. He is trying to stay on track, and is looking at the goal on the horizon. Then he meets someone who turns his world sideways and upside down.

Archer first comes into Jake's place of business and begs him to sell something unsellable. There are real consequences to this action, for both of them. Then realizing they can help one another, they make a new plan that takes them one step closer to the rest of their lives.

This book is fast paced and literally can go whizzing by. I found I liked the characters lack of steady under their feet as it made for a fun read. Poor guys never know what hit them. From attraction, to change of jobs, to learning to navigate friendships this story has the reader on thier toes just wishing to be in on the action.


***This ARC copy was given in excahnge for an honest review only.

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Jake has stayed the course and will soon graduate.  He is trying to stay on track, and is looking at the goal on the horizon.  Then he meets someone who turns his world sideways and upside down.

Archer first comes into Jake's place of business and begs him to sell something unsellable.  There are real consequences to this action, for both of them.  Then realizing they can help one another, they make a new plan that takes them one step closer to the rest of their lives.

This book is fast paced and literally can go whizzing by.  I found I liked the characters lack of steady under their feet as it made for a fun read.  Poor guys never know what hit them.  From attraction, to change of jobs, to learning to navigate friendships this story has the reader on thier toes just wishing to be in on the action.  I give this read a 3/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

***This ARC copy was given in excahnge for an honest review only.

“We do not want anybody to manipulate the woman to settle their own scores,” said the judge, adding that the sofa velvet manufacturersMeToo campaign was only for the victims and should not be misused by anyone to settle “their own scores”.The court has directed the woman to submit a signed statement on October 23 stating that she does not wish to pursue the case.On Friday, senior counsel Navroz Serwai appeared before the court on behalf of the lady, who has alleged sexual harassment at the hands of Bahl. The court said that while it was appreciative of the #MeToo campaign, at the same time it should not be misused.Following this Justice SJ Kathawalla said that if the woman is not willing to pursue the case, then no one should speak about it.

Advocate Serwai however, told the court that the lady was not desirous of being a part of the litigation..Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Friday observed that the #MeToo campaign was only for victims and that it should not be misused by anyone to manipulate a victim to level allegations of sexual harassment against anybody to settle “their own scores”.The court’s observation came while hearing a plea filed by Bollywood director Vikas Bahl seeking a direction to his former partners, directors Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane and producer Madhu Mantena, to refrain from speaking to the media or posting on social media about the case in which a woman employee has claimed that Bahl allegedly sexually assaulted her in 2015 # in Goa during a promotional tour for the movie Bombay Velvet.

This was a really good read. Maigret finds himself dealing with Dutch people (the horror!) with the mystery of a dead husband.

The characters are well drawn. Miagret is a pleasure to read and this book looks closely at the pressures of a small community.