THE ART OF PURRING by David Michie: A Review

The second book in a series about the Dali Lama’s Cat

I read this book on my Kindle, and I found that I am enjoying reading electronically almost as much as handling a physical book. That’s progress for me! HCC, His Holiness’s Cat, aka Snow Lion contemplates the question, “What makes cats purr?” As a matter of fact, she meditates on purring, an act of joy, contentment and satisfaction through the whole book. Interestingly enough, there are many reasons cats purr, and HCC enlightens us with anecdotes for all the different ones. As she instructs us, we get to explore Buddhism’s views on happiness.

Told from the cat’s point of view, the story examines the deep-down happiness seen more in cats than in other animals. Michie, through his intriguing plot and developing characters warns us, the readers, about the “perils of self-obsession.” Besides the setting of the Dali Lama’s palace, the author creates The Himalaya Book Cafe, where HCC spends a great deal of her time when the Dali Lama is away and where she discovers a Karmic connection in this second book.

As one critic says, the book is filled with “wisdom, warmth, and a touch of mischief.”

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TUESDAY TEASER

2nd in series

My Tuesday Teaser is from the second book in The Dali Lama’s Cat series, The Art of Purring.

“And me dear reader?…Chogyal’s death (one of the monks) has been an urgent reminder: Life is finite: every day is precious. And simply to wake up in good health truly is a blessing, because sickness and death can strike at a moment’s notice.”

Profound thoughts (from a cat ) are throughout the entire book, which explains Buddha’s teachings from HHC, His Holiness’s Cat.

“CELEBRATION OF COLOR” CHALLENGE

Several years ago, I did a color challenge with a fellow blogger where books were picked by the color of their covers. Most of the books came from my TBR shelves, which was an added bonus.

Today, I’ve written a color challenge of my own and urge you to join me. There is no “due date” or timeline; there are twelve books to read; you don’t have to read them in order; and, it is a chance to read books first, then count them towards the challenge. What could be better?

Here are the books to read:

1. A book with a red cover or any shade of red in the cover design.
2. Blue on the cover
3. Yellow on the cover
4. White on the cover
5. Black on the cover
6. Green on the cover
7. Orange on the cover
8. Pink on the cover
9. Purple on the cover
10. Brown on the cover
11. The word “color” in the title
12. An author “of color”

I have already started, out of order, but that’s not necessary, my first book.

Any shade of blue will do. Gee, I’m a poet and don’t know it! LOL

Blue background frames the cover of The Dalai Lama’s Cat by David Michie, first in a three book series of books about Buddhist beliefs written from a cat’s point of view. A cat of many names, “Little Snow Lion,” “HHC” (short for His Holiness’s Cat), and many others depending on who comes in contact with her, she was rescued by His Holiness when driving along a street. It is a “warmhearted, irreverent, and wise” look at the inner workings of the Dalai Lama’s household, with secondary characters that are delightful: monks, a “fake it” restaurant owner, and Italian woman who is His Holinesses’s cook, and others. Also, the book (and the series) has been described as a “multi-layered treatise on the practical aspects of Buddhist teachings.” (Goodreads)

After reading the Breakfast with Buddha series, this series (and I certainly will read the other two books.) will expand my understanding of and appreciation for the Buddhist principles and teachings. The book is great as a stand-alone, but it ended with a cliffhanger which demands I read the next book.

SATURDAY MORNING FOR KIDS (On Sunday)

I’m having trouble with my laptop and could not post Saturday’s post.  I did what most Senior Citizens do when having technology problems–asked my grandson. The result is I have the missing “Write” tab back.  Thank you Dr. P.

Saturday’s book is one of the best kid/YA books I have read (and I have read many in 50 years of teaching). Jordan Sonnenblick’s novel, Zen and the Art of Faking It, is a funny, age-appropriate book. San Lee, a teenager and his mother have left Houston where his father is in prison and have relocated to a small apartment in a Pennsylvania town. It is quite an adjustment for everyone. San thinks, “Blending in is impossible, so maybe it’s time for me to stand out.” San begins to invent a “new” past for himself that makes him very popular.He has let the students think he is a Buddhist who practices meditation. He meets a really cool girl who becomes his friend.  Of course, eventually things start to unravel.

Here, at the front of the book, is “A Note to the Reader”:

“Have you ever switched schools? I have, and let me tell you–a school is a school is a school.  Every middle school on God’s green earth smells exactly the same because damp lockers, industrial cleaning fluids, and puke are universal. The lunch is the same: How many ways can you flavor a freakin’ Tater Tot? The guys are the same: like a show on Animal Planet without the cuddle factor.  The girls are the same: Martians with human hormones. And the teachers? Please.

So when I dragged my feet in their rotting sandals through the gray midwinter slush and up the stairs of Harrisonville Middle School for the first time. I knew exactly what I was getting into. Sure I did.”

I highly recommend this book to kids and kid-friendly adults everywhere.