Freedom from Toxic Relationships: Avril Carruthers

Pages: Paperback, 272 pages

Published: Expected publication: April 1st 2012 by Independent Pub Group

Genre: New Age/ Fiction/Spiritual

Date Finished: 31^st December 2011

Rating/ Recommendation: 3 stars ***

Synopsis:

A guide to the tools needed to leave painful, destructive relationships behind, both at home and at work, with dozens of helpful case histories Starting with details of how to recognize the manipulative or sweetly corrosive partner, the family dynamics that make Christmas and other get-togethers hell, and the nightmare boss, this book teaches readers what they can do to leave painful, destructive relationship patterns behind. Toxic relationships come in many guises, which can make them hard to identify. This guide explains that often they don't entail physical violence so much as a slow erosion of self esteem, a loss of personal identity, or a growing desire to please friends, partners, family members, and others who are impossible to please. Many toxic relationships begin early in childhood, or as people start to form their own personal relationships, and even when they find the courage to move on, if the fallout from these relationships is not dealt with, they may end up attracting more of the same. This book teaches how to observe these patterns in relationships, making it possible to truly move on.

Review:

I picked this book up feeling like it was a support sign from the universe. Id’ been having a lot of trouble coming to terms with why the past few years I haven’t been able to find my true self and after once again falling for a friend malicious and hurtful manipulations I was ready to seek professional help. It came at the wrong time of the year so when I walked into the library and saw this book, I decided it was a good sign I was making the right decisions in clearing away toxicity in my life.

While the concept of cords and their connections that cross between the living world and ethereal and spirit world, there wasn’t really anything revolutionary that I haven’t already read about before or know inside myself to be true. In regards to the toxic relationships, I felt the information was more common sense to me. It is hard to break the vicious cycle and I would like to look into cord clearing myself at some stage.

I would recommend this for people interested in learning more about the connections we create as humans to animals, people, objects and place and for those interested in learning about a different way to think spiritually.

The House in Via Manno - Milena Agus

· pages: 121

· Genre: Contemporary fiction/ Adult

· Published: 2009 by Scribe Publications (first published 2006)

· Shelf Recommendation: Borrow

· Date Finished: 28^th October 2011

· Rating: 3 Stars ***

Synopsis:

In this magical, jewel-like novel, a young Sardinian woman explores the life of her Nonna — her romantic, beautiful, and somewhat crazy grandmother. Nonna is an unforgettable character whose life spans much of the twentieth century. A dreamer with fierce loyalties and unbridled passions, we follow her search for perfect love to an ending both surprising and profound. Along the way, against the stunning Sardinian landscape of cities, marinas and mountains, we meet the members of her large family, and the mysterious Veteran, the man of her dreams — each one drawn with warmth, humour and deep insight.

Milena Agus writes of family loves and secrets, of sexuality, of music, and of the harsh realities of war and migration in twentieth-century Europe in a powerful, compelling, and yet whimsical voice.

Review: [notes]

For the best part, this novel was rich in detail, full of magic and subtle dark undertones. With its complexities of life and love and what it means not only to live passion, but to deny yourself of it and the consequences and suffering of a life hardly lived, this book at the worst of times was daunting and confusing; however kudos to Milena for the unique style of writing, and for opening my eyes to a different kind of reading.

I enjoyed this book, and not in the way I was expecting. It wasn’t mind blowing, but it was provoking and a learning experience. I found myself getting tangled in the language which I didn’t understand and lazing over the historical elements, like facts on war. Although I did enjoy the history and scenery of what it was like during the period this story is set in and getting to know Nonna as her own character as well as her role as a mother, mistress, friend and lover.

While this wasn’t ideally my cup of tea, it was a nice change from the more heavily American influenced novels I read. If you are looking for something intense, and culturally full then I would recommend picking up this short book.