The Locale: Kristine's
The Book: Nobel Peace Prize Laureates His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have survived more than fifty years of exile and the soul-crushing violence of oppression. Despite their hardships - or, as they would say, because of them - they are two of the most joyful people on the planet.
They traded intimate stories, teased each other continually, and shared their spiritual practices. By the end of a week filled with laughter and punctuated with tears, these two global heroes had stared into the abyss and despair of our times, and revealed how to live a life brimming with joy.
The book is a three-layer birthday cake: their own stories and teachings about joy, the most recent findings in the science of deep happiness, and the daily practices that anchor their own emotional and spiritual lives. It offers us a rare opportunity to experience their astonishing and unprecedented week together, from the first embrace to the final goodbye.
http://bookofjoy.org
Sarah's Summary: It was a small, intimate group on Sunday at Kristine's house to discuss The Book of Joy. Although I think most of us enjoyed the idea of the book, hardly anyone finished it :) It would be a nice bedside table book to enjoy in bits and pieces. I did learn more about both the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu- two figures I "know" but don't know- Someday, perhaps, I'll find joy in simple things like the Dalai Lama.
The food was AMAZING, Kristine. Please make sure Lee knows how much we appreciated his effort. We'll expect the same treatment next year;) For those who didn't attend, Kristine and her husband did some research and prepared a feast of kebabs and a rice dish, inspired by Africa, complete with homemade sauces. It was delicious. Dessert included cake and rum raisin ice cream as a nod to the Archbishop. All to die for.
It was a fun vote this time around! I think most of us would have been happy with any of the books Tassy selected. The first vote was 3-4-3 and then we did a revote, and it became 5-2-3. The winner is …. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante.
We meet next at Laura's house on May 21st. I will be out of town so I hope someone takes notes;) Laura, please send your address around to the group that week. Jolynda, we'll look for your book selections the week of May 15th. We will most likely meet at Tassy's in mid-June, but it's summer so we tend to be pretty lazy and flexible, trying to work around vacations.
Happy reading.
The Vote: Tassy presented...
- My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante WINS!!!
- A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
- When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Next to Present: Jolynda
Then:
- Brenda
- Susan S
- Lori
- Gina
- Sarah
- Susan H
- Jessica
- Kristine
- Laura
- Tassy
- Jolynda
