UNDER THE GLASS BEE
ANAIS NIN 83 PAGES

This book starts out with a brief outline of the writer's struggle to get her books published and the necessary publicity needed to sell a book.. It discusses how she never gave up and took the matters into her own hands.
Now, the book itself contains 15 short stories. The author uses a lot of imagery in her stories so at times you'll wonder what's the big deal about a basket. This is a book you would expect to read in a literature class in school, or it would be great for a book club. I say this because you could spend a lot of time discussing the different possibilities of what she is actually writing about. It could be quite interesting to get someone else's take on it. I do have to admit that there are stories in this book that I haven't a clue what she was writing about. I put the book away several times, thinking what is this lady's problem. Then I would move on to the next story and think, "wow, she just wrote about my life". So my advice is if you don't get the story move on to the next. You could be surprised on what you read!



THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY
JEAN-DOMINIQUE BAUBY 132 PAGES

This books accounts for the last few months of Elle Magazine's editor Jean-Dominique last few months of life following a massive stroke, that has left him a locked-in state where he has limited head movement and the ability to blink his eyes. He learns to communicate by blinking his eyes, that's how the story is written. First let me apologize to the Stuart fans that found this book to be uplifting in their time of need. I understand how huge a feat he did, but I just couldn't get into this book. I had a hard time figuring out what was true and what was his daydreaming. I kept waiting or praying for something to evolve but it never did. Maybe if I was a fan, friend or family member of this man I would find comfort from this book. Maybe if I was ill or bedridden this book would be more meaningful to me but it just wasn't. I battled a life-threatening illness for ten years as a child and I just couldn't connect. I guess the one thing I did see is how un thoughtfully patients of this type are treated. Sorry Stuart, Just wasn't for me.



FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE
NIALL WILLIAMS 259 PAGES

The title of this book gives the impression that this is another of those mushy love stories. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Although there is a love story, the book is more about the separate paths Isabel and Nicholas experienced before they crossed paths. Both experienced their own pain and short-lived joy. This book contains a lot of sadness and heartbreak, but if you hold on till the end you'll see that was the way it needed to be. This like some of the other books Stu has recommended is based on the belief that everything that happens to you, good or bad, is for a reason. Fate has mapped out a path for you and you just have to keep plugging on, trust you will make it out in the end and be where you should be. The book was quite painful at times and jumped back and forth between the two different stories. At times I was confused where I was at. You really have to focus when reading this. I felt better about this book once I got through it.



MAN AND HIS SYMBOLS
CARL JUNG 310 PAGES

This is a book written by Carl Jung and four of his other respected colleagues. The book discusses many different aspects of dreams and symbolism. It does read like a textbook.

Many fans have written in wanting to know more about what interests Stuart. This is a good book to read and learn more about what makes Staurt's mind tick. Read-Learn-Enjoy!



HAM ON RYE
CHARLES BUKOWSKI 283 PAGES

This story is a very sad one. It tells the story of a boy born into a family overcome with hopelessness and poverty. He is emotionally and physically abused, ugly by societies standards and disfigured by scars. Some of the books Stuart has recommended were about people who have overcome their situations and succeeded. That is not what this story was about. The book has a beautiful flow but is gross and depressing most of the time.



THE ALCHEMIST
PAULO COELHO 167 PAGES

This is the story of a young mans journey to fulfill his personal legend and learn to accept life's road blocks and not be discouraged by them. As you go through the journey with this boy you end up learning all the different ways people destroy their dreams by quitting when they don't like what's coming next. This books challenges people to explore their options and to expect things to get worse before they get better. This is a book I will hold onto and probably read again.



NARCISSUS AND GOLDMUND
HERMANN HESSE 315 PAGES

This is a story about a boy [goldmund] who thought he knew who he was and what he was going to do with his life. That is until he met a man [Narcissus] who challenged his memories and convinced him he needed to find the truth.

This sets him out on a journey to find his true self and where he's supposed to be. Sometimes you were your 'supposed to be' to begin with, you just didn't realize it. Another thought-provoking book.



LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER
D.H. LAWRENCE 305 PAGES

This is a story about a wife staying committed to husband after he is paralyzed in the war.

There is a lot of sexual content in this book, but that isn't at all what the book is about. It is about a woman who is unfulfilled and lonely who is looking for a way to come alive again. The moral of this story is wrong choices even for the right reasons and cause lifelong consequences. As you can tell I loved this book and highly recommend it. When this author wrote this story it caused quite a scandal. If you want to learn about it look him up on his website to learn about it. Quite interesting. my favorite so far!



BARRYTOWN TRILOGY
RODDY DOYLE 633 PAGES

This trilogy deals with the Rabbitte family, a working class family from Dublin, just trying to survive lifes ups and downs.

The first book "The commitment", deals with the son Jimmy Jr. trying to start up a band that will bring soul to Dublin. I think this is the funniest of the three. The second book "The Snapper", deals the daughter Sharons' pregnancy and how it impacts the whole family. The third book "The Van", deals with the father Jimmy Sr. trying to find a way to support his family after losing his job. Which includes his friends, The World Cup, and a food stand van. Like Stuart said, "It is an insight to the life of Northern Dubliners". There is profanity and sexual references in this book, but nothing I found offensive. Anyone with a non-traditional family will definitely laugh hysterically and relate to this book.



JITTERBUG PERFUME
TIM ROBBINS 340 PAGES

This book deals with one mans need for immortality, beets, and perfume, and the sacrifices he's willing to make for them. It begins in ancient Bohemia and ends in Paris at present time. The story switches back and forth between ancient Bohemia, present time Seattle, New Orleans and Paris. This is a story where I can't say much, you have to read it for yourself. This book is very interesting and thought provoking, with some philosophical insights. At times the reading can get heavy and requires an open mind. Enjoy!



PERFUME
PATRICK SUSKIND 310 PAGES

This story, a murder mystery, details the life journey of a very dark twisted soul, whose purpose in life is to capture the scent of young virgin girls.

The way he does it is twisted. It gives you some insight into a truly tortured mind. Just when you think it can't get any worse, it does.



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