Hi Katherine, I have known a few monks in my life....I cannot wait to hear
about your story....Marlene from Stitchin by the lake did your review...
She will our cheerleader in residence for ITS all about ME ME ME! in January...
I’m always a
little nervous about giving a book review.
After all, the words I write will convince some people to read it and
others not to and that’s a great responsibility. When I received the book Lessons From The
Monk I Married by Katherine Jenkins, though, I thought “this will be a
piece of cake!” With that title it’s
bound to be funny and uplifting, right?
Well, yes it was, but it was far more than that.
As a young
woman Katherine, almost on a whim, decided to go abroad to teach. Feeling very unsettled she started out looking
for peace and for her life’s purpose.
Her journey took her to Korea where she met, and later married, a monk –
and while I know little about monks it sounds to me like it’s the equivalent of
a priest leaving the priesthood and marrying.
As a woman
of an “advanced” age I read with amazement the many times Katherine traveled
long distances with little to no knowledge of her final destination or the
circumstances she would be living in – apartments with no air conditioning or
fans in sweltering heat, toilet “holes” instead of toilets, cockroaches in
abundance and once in what she called a “love hotel” near the red light
district. I guess at twenty five you’re
a bit more adventurous that you are at 65!
A profound
truth that I (and she as well) gleaned from this book is that lessons learned
on your journey don’t really come from the people you think they do but instead
you gain wisdom from your experiences with those people. Katherine learned to trust her inner voice,
to treasure each moment of her journey, and that to be happy with someone you
first have to learn to be happy alone.
I learned a
bit about Korea and a lot about the spur-of-the-moment see-the-world lifestyle
many of our young people embrace. A most
interesting read!
Thanks Marlene...my days of adventure are way behind me too...
but there is no doubt Katherine and I have shared a few similar
stories...
This book will be gifted for today!
Members of the Perseus Books Group | Distributed by Publishers Group West
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A huge thanks to the following sponsors for offering up some very heartfelt presents for the month of December... Besides the featured Authors book each day, we will have weekly PRESENTS of the following..
From top to bottom.....Pellon is gifting 2 pillows, 1 batting for a throw, some pillow stuffing, and some wonder under to 2 winners who stick with Pellon!
Aurifil is gifting 4 boxes of large threads in a variety of colours to 4 lovers of threads....
Bag Lady is gifting 5 assorted frames for coin purses to 1 coin purse lover!
Reliable Corporation ( you can see close up here) is gifting 2 Sensor Irons to 2 quilters who love to iron.
Purdy's Chocolate is gifting 4 large boxes of chocolates...( I did not even peak under the wrapper, so I am not sure what is there ) to 4 lucky chocolate lovers.
Andover Fabrics is gifting 4 beautiful assorted fat quarter bundles to 4 fabric lovers...
Our whole month of December we cheerleaders will be celebrating all of YOU, who have been
with us for years. To our new followers, we will welcome you with all the warmth we can muster....
WE hope you will be visiting us and leaving lovely comments for all of our guests who have
made this month possible.... Take this time to thank those around you for all of our blessings...
It will be a very special month....
Whatever your wishes are this season, these are our wishes for you...!
With warmest blessings from our cheerleading TEAM...
Jane, Carol, Katherine, Marlene, Wendy, Corrie, Linda, Cherry,
Pauline, Christine....These are our cheerleaders...
and a new one who will be joining the team in 2013 Mary!
Congrats Debra...you won yesterdays book of the day...
Dancing at the Shame Prom...
Dancing at the Shame Prom...
and Gracetlc1
you won a box
of Aurifil thread!
Forgive me for not replying to all the mail
there are thousands with YOU- our followers
and subscribers. I so appreciate
your comments and we will still
be choosing daily winners through R.G.
All the posts have been set up for weeks..
I have family arriving very soon
and have plenty to get ready ....
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
YOU ALL MATTER!
there are thousands with YOU- our followers
and subscribers. I so appreciate
your comments and we will still
be choosing daily winners through R.G.
All the posts have been set up for weeks..
I have family arriving very soon
and have plenty to get ready ....
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
YOU ALL MATTER!
It has been interesting to check in each day to see what the "book for the day" is. This one looks interesting and Marlene did a great job sharing her perspective on it. Great giveaways, great blog.
ReplyDeleteWhat an intreguing subject! I'd love to read this one.
ReplyDeleteI've checked in on a few. I'm so far behind in all of my blogs and computer stuff. I just bought the Kindle edition.....sounds really interesting.
ReplyDeleteKatherine's book sounds very interesting. I don't know much about either Korea or monks!
ReplyDeleteI am also in the advanced age group, but at 25 I lived an adventurist life, well not quite like Katherine! Will be interesting to read . Great review Marlene.
ReplyDeletejbechosend at sbcglobal dot net
Sounds like a good read for a snowy day :) Janita
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fantastic. Plus, I'm a 2nd generation Korean-American, there are a LOT of communication gaps between my mom & I, much of the history I get is from reading. It's nice to read factual accounts, but I much prefer reading other people's experiences.
ReplyDeleteI've been to Korea a few times and three of my grand kids are from Korea but this doesn't sound a whole lot different than coming to Japan ... including squat holes and cockroaches.
ReplyDeleteExcellent review Marlene. The book sounds fascinating!
ReplyDeleteI always secretly envy women who have such interesting lives. Mine seems mundane by comparison.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting life! At my age, also in my 60s, it is fun to read about such adventures, because I won't be doing that. That being said, how true that we learn through our experiences with others, whether it be on a wild trip such as the author's or traveling with friends here in the U.S. Sounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteThe journey is what you make of it, whether it's international traveling or a trip to the grocery store. Enjoy the ride!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it the truth -- I can think of so many people that I thought were important and so many that I didn't pay much attention to, only to find later how much the changed my life in ways I didn't expect or understand. Now I try to look back at every failed relationship or chance encounter to see what seeds might be there for my own growth. I can't force people to be in my life, and can't always decide who gets stuck there, but I sure can learn from every one who passes through. [I saw again this morning that your blog had slipped back off my blog roll -- I added it before I typed this, and just hope it sticks this time, lol]
ReplyDeleteI love to read about women that take chances to have adventures in their lives. And a monk in Korea, that surely must have been an adventure.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
I've really lead a boring life, but I'm grateful for people like Katherine Jenkins who share their experiences so I can step into a world of adventure. Great review!
ReplyDeleteExcellent review Marlene. I have never been the adventurous type, but love to hear about others exploits.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like an enjoyable read. Many times in life it's more about the journey than the destination.(ask anyone who's taken the "Road to Hana").
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review and the opportunity to win.
Sounds great....fun to hear about these adventurous lives.
ReplyDeleteWow! I am increasing my library. I can`t wait to read this book. The author has much to offer. I know her life experience will enrich our lives.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marlene for a great review.
What a great review, Marlene! This book sounds so interesting! I would love to read her perspective on life!
ReplyDeleteSounds like the author was quite the adventurous soul and would make for extremely good reading. It's on my Wish List!
ReplyDeleteGreat review and another interesting book to add to my reading list. My has it grown this month :0)
ReplyDeleteMarlene did a *great* job in reviewing this book and it's one that will *definitely* be on my list -- I love that Katherine had the freedom (and guts) to go abroad rather live on the fly (and not just in a comfortable U.S. way -- but in foreign countries)! That's true adventure to me! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting read. Not a book I would typically select but I would try to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Samm. Thank you Marleen, this book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeletesounds like a great read, very interesting.
ReplyDeleteMadam Samm,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't resist--I didn't do the Holiday Lane blog hop (I am doing the words and the Nancy Drew), but I loved the pattern. I thought it would make a great wall hanging gift for one of my dearest quilter friends. I left out the snow and used bright colors--her favorites. She loved it. If I hadn't been following the blog hop, I never would have found the pattern or been inspired to make it. Thanks so much for your great blog!
My days of adventure are also behind me but as a mother of 3 adventuresome daughters this book sounds something I should read. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting read, for sure...thanks for the exposure to all these books and authors :)
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds very interesting. I would love to read this :D I love Korea drama :D
ReplyDeleteMarlene you did a great review, you make me want to read this book!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it would another wonderful read by another extremely interesting author.
ReplyDeletesounds like an interesting book, I don't know much about Monks
ReplyDeleteSounds good. I'm interested in Buddhism and I gather this may fit the bill
ReplyDeleteI try and make my life as adventuresome as possible - this book would be really appealing to me!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really interesting and fun read! Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteFawn
Looks to be a good read LOVE both this blog and stitching by the lake& the PELLON
ReplyDeleteOh, I bet this is a good book. My youngest stepdaughter works at a monastery.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot to be learned from Monks, whether they are Bhuddist, Christian, or other faiths. you "see" things that aren't visible to the eyes and are felt by the heart and soul.
Combine that with travel? And the journey becomes the destination. I would love this book, as would both of my girls.
Thanks for a wonderful review!
My adventure days are also gone, but I would love to read about someone else.
ReplyDeleteGreat review. This sounds like a very interesting read, cuddled under a quilt with a cup o' cocoa (or coffee).
ReplyDeleteThis book looks like it would be interesting to read and probably have a few lessons to be learned as well.
ReplyDeleteOnce again this sounds like another good read with some insights for us to find either with in our selves or those around us. Thanks for sharing Lessons from the Monk I Married with us.
ReplyDeletein stitches
Well this one certainly has me intrigued, thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteNow this would be totally not my way...I've always been a planner! Sounds like something I should do just for the experience.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a well written review of such an interesting book, and Marlene's perspective is most helpful.
ReplyDeleteNo need for you to worry about writing a review, you did great! thanks!! and congratulations to the winners.
ReplyDeleteRosemary B here:
ReplyDeleteI missed yesterday's book. It looks like a good one. I never went to a prom :0(
This book looks very interesting. I do not know anything about monks. I did not know they could be married.... see I do not know anything about monks. Innnnteresting indeed.
Thanks for these wonderful reviews. All just lovely books I did not know about
This sounds great! I love adventure and the women who create it....do it? participate in it? Whatever - I wish for some of that.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter lives in China, so I'm always interested in learning about any Asian culture. Sounds really interesting!
ReplyDeleteI lived in South Korea for a while back in the 60s. This looks like another one to add to my list.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, would enjoy this book of adventure.
ReplyDeleteVery good review indeed, its made me want to search out this book to find out more. I'm definitely a believer in listening to that inner voice.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great one to curl up with. Adding it to my list, thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat review Marlene! I love the picture on the cover of the book, neat. How does that saying go? It's not the destination, it's the journey. What an adventurous girl! Sounds like another book to add to my list, hehe.
ReplyDeleteThank you and All the Sponsors for the amazing giveaways and the chances to win.
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