Review: The Mystical Backpacker by Hannah Papp

Title:  The Mystical Backpacker: How to Discover Your Destiny in the Modern World
Author: Hannah Papp
Publisher: 5th May 2015 by Atria Books/Beyond Words Publishing
Pages: 272 pages
How I Read It: ARC ebook
Genre: self help, memoir, guide book, European adventure
My Rating:  three cups

Synopsis:

Part memoir, part guidebook, The Mystical Backpacker invites you to explore your inner terrain and learn how to create your own unique version of a modern day vision quest or walk-about.

Tired of living a life based on other’s expectations, Hannah Papp quit her job, bought a EuroRail ticket and a map, notified her landlady, and left town. Embarking on a journey across Europe with no plan and no direction, Hannah stumbled into becoming a modern-day Mystical Backpacker. Along the way her discoveries and the teachers she encountered allowed her to go on a deeper journey into the self and the spirit—revealing the real self she had long been missing.

The Mystical Backpacker shows you how to identify the signs along the road that will lead to teachers and experiences that will reorient your own life map. Ultimately, The Mystical Backpacker offers a solution, a way to break free and find your inner self’s rhythms and needs, fulfilling your true destiny. It’s time you hit the road and become a mystical backpacker.

My thoughts

Definitely more of a guidebook than travel memoir, Papp sets out to share not only her travelling adventure, but in sharing, help you to ‘chart your own course’ for your life journey. This book is full of advice and recommendations about how best to develop your true self, your inner soul. It’s about listening to that inner voice and becoming the best you can be. Although her realisations evolve through travel, Papp would like it to be applied to wherever you might find yourself to be:

“Sometimes it’s the less dramatic experiences that can have the deepest impact”.

So it is acknowledged that it’s not just about those fabulous vacation experiences. The essence is to bring those experiences/connections/realisations into your day-to-day living. I applaud her for that.

“The answers don’t exist in Greece, Italy or wherever….. the answers are within you”.

At times, it does indeed get rather ‘mystical’, so be prepared to do the ground work – emotionally and spiritually – in an attempt to discover your true self. At times the writing is pure poetry:

“ We will excavate layers of experience like spiritual archaeologists, seeing the knowledge buried over time …. We aren’t defined by our life experiences – we are defined by our responses to them”.

For Papp is was all about ‘affirmations’ and ‘visualisations’ as you discover your destined path.  Therefore, you must definitely be open to becoming active as you are set tasks and ‘mystical exercises’ to complete throughout the book. These tasks are a step-by-step ‘how to’ with tips and advice that seek to assist you in your own ‘mystical backpacking’ – kind of the:

 “Outward journey’s manifesting into inward journeys”.

However, it is not just all mysticism – as Papp provides a veritable guide on ‘how to’ organise your trip; covering everything from bags and boots to purchase, right down to suggested playlists. I did find it contradictory from the point of view that she lays claim to ‘no rules or regulations’, as she does provide a LOT of guidelines and recommendations. Still, if you are chartering in unfamiliar waters, there are many practical and useful ideas - charts to be drawn, thoughts to be recorded. At times the message does get a bit repetitive – same thing said in various different ways –stated and restated too many times for my liking.

Yet I have no doubt that it is always a good thing to stop and reflect for as Papp states:

“We are living rapidly, continuously defined by our latest post, our latest text”.

So this is a complete, holistic guide from what to pack, to learning to read the ‘signs’ along the way, to what to do when finally faced with home. Papp provides realistic timelines and achievements:

“Discovering your destiny is far quicker than manifesting your destiny – that can be a lengthy process.”

I would probably recommend this to people who are planning to travel and have taken steps in the organisation of that big ‘overseas’ trip. Alternatively, if your future lacks focus and you are seeking direction, then this indeed is the book for you. However, if you are a seasoned traveller you may find this book contains nothing new. Bon voyage to those who may just be embarking.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Northern Heat by Helene Young

Title:  Northern Heat

Author: Helene Young

Publisher: 27^th May 2015 by Penguin Books Australia

Pages: 368 pages

How I Read It: ARC ebook

Genre: romantic suspense

My Rating:  four cups

Synopsis:

In steamy northern Queensland, Conor is living under an assumed name and rebuilding his shattered life. Working at Cooktown's youth centre has given him the chance to make a difference again, and a chance to flirt with Dr Kristy Dark.

After tragedy tore her family apart, Kristy fled to Cooktown with her feisty teenage daughter, Abby. She hoped being part of the small community would help them both heal, but Abby's sports coach is turning out to be a compelling distraction.

When a severe cyclone menaces the coast, threatening to destroy everything in its path, tensions come to a head – and the weather is not the only danger in Cooktown. Cut off from the world and with her life on the line, Kristy will have to summon her courage and place her trust in Conor, or they'll both lose someone they love.

My thoughts:

From the very first pages you are drawn in and I could tell I was going to be in for a treat:

“The street was eerily quiet, as though holding its breath.”

Helene Young has produced an enthralling romantic suspense in ‘Northern Heat’, which will be released the end of May. This is the first time I have read one of her books, but I can tell you, it will not be the last.

The two lead characters, Conor and Kristy have a past - both have faced tragedy and bear the scars. That is what makes it so real - two mature individuals who have dealt with so much, that you cannot help but cheer them on, fingers and toes crossed for that happy ending. This story is contemporary, intelligent, and yet easy to read. It is this authenticity in women’s fiction that is both appealing and refreshing.

“He felt as though a door had been cracked wide open inside him, releasing a flood of memories he wanted to capture one last time before they flew away”.

Romantic suspense – perfectly sums it up. This is not straight chick lit, there is real drama here – both natural and man made – that add intrigue and most definitely suspense. It’s fast paced and you will find it hard to put down, providing the perfect balance between: strong likeable characters, an engaging romance set against the backdrop of quality drama. Overall there is a great cast of characters with even the supporting ones demonstrating such depth, you feel compassion for them also. 

“Life’s not always going to play by our rules…..you can wait for things to get better or you can go looking”.

I found myself reading this in a short period of time, eager to discover the stories behind Conor, Kristy and so many more. My only disappointment was some issues were not followed through on, especially in relation to the daughter’s health. But these were minor and did not detract from my overall satisfaction.

I also need to make mention of the exceptional descriptions – outback life in remote Cooktown (northern Australia) and what living through a cyclone might be like. Once again, real writing that made me feel as if I was in the eye of the storm.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it has a bit of everything - suspense, action, drama, romance. Be sure to put this on your pre-order list - you will not be disappointed. Helene Young has gone to one of my fave Aussie authors.

“Find the joy in life again, live in the moment, not the future”

To pre order your copy ready for 27 May, please click on the links below:

Northern Heat at Bookworld

Northern Heat at Booktopia

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Helen of Sparta by Amalia Carosella

Title:  Helen of Sparta

Author: Amalia Carosella

Publisher: 1^st April 2015 by Lake Union Publishing

Pages: 400 pages

How I Read It: ARC ebook

Genre: historical fiction, Greek mythology, romance

My Rating:  four cups

Synopsis:

Long before she ran away with Paris to Troy, Helen of Sparta was haunted by nightmares of a burning city under siege. These dreams foretold impending war—a war that only Helen has the power to avert. To do so, she must defy her family and betray her betrothed by fleeing the palace in the dead of night. In need of protection, she finds shelter and comfort in the arms of Theseus, son of Poseidon. With Theseus at her side, she believes she can escape her destiny. But at every turn, new dangers—violence, betrayal, extortion, threat of war—thwart Helen’s plans and bar her path. Still, she refuses to bend to the will of the gods.

A new take on an ancient myth, Helen of Sparta is the story of one woman determined to decide her own fate. 

My thoughts:

This was a really enjoyable read. There are not many people who have not heard of Helen of Troy -  ‘the face that launched a thousand ships’ – but this story goes right back, long before Troy and Paris and that is what makes it unique. One of the things that set this book apart from so many others concerning this topic is that it comes from Helen’s point of view! Quite the twist on the often male dominated perspectives. You’ll like her, I am sure.

The author seamlessly winds together a riveting tale, combining the famous mythology with a fresh pair of female eyes as we trace Helen’s early years and the adventurous journey she embarks on. So instead of this often passively portrayed woman, we see develop a girl to a woman: one who assumes strong principles, great depth but also one who is flawed and very human. Helen is not a stand-alone; there are many primary and secondary characters that will quickly have you taking sides. I must confess on a personal level, it was refreshing to have a strong, mature and wise male lead in Theseus:

“ I am your servant….even if I cannot bring you to Athens openly as my wife, I will see you made safe. You have my word”.

This tale has it all! Adventure, romance and of course as we well know, tragedy. However, presented in such a refreshing context, it’s as if one is reading new material for the first time - surely a sign of a serious author. For as Carosella states:

“I wanted to give Helen the opportunity for something better – a chance to take her life into her own hands. After more than twenty-five hundred years of texts in which she’s been pushed round by men and gods, I think she’s earned it”.

Where does it lose some points? The highly contentious ending – wow - lots of thoughts on this one from reviewers far and wide. Without giving anything away, suffice to say I found it abrupt. Yes, it can be viewed as a complete novel where enough closure was had for one to reach your own conclusions. However, there is plenty of room for a sequel. Simply put, I was caught out by the abrupt final page and – even though to go on would be into territory many are familiar with – I stormed off to Facebook to shout my indignation, for I had not seen it coming. Truthfully speaking, perhaps all that was left would be a heartbreaking conclusion:

“And perhaps that was the truth of it all. Perhaps this war, this destruction, this death, (was) all mine.”

This book is fast paced and you will find it difficult to put down - the plot is captivating, the characters intriguing. Give yourself leave and immerse yourself in these times long gone. Spend some time with what I would like to consider is the ‘real’ Helen of Sparta.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Canterbury Sisters

Title:  The Canterbury Sisters

Author: Kim Wright

Publisher: 19^th May 2015 by Gallery, Threshold Pocket Books

Pages: 336 pages

How I Read It: ARC ebook

Genre: womens fiction, chick lit, contemporary, British Literature

My Rating:  two and a half cups

Synopsis:

Che Milan’s life is falling apart. Not only has her longtime lover abruptly dumped her, but her eccentric, demanding mother has recently died. When an urn of ashes arrives, along with a note reminding Che of a half-forgotten promise to take her mother to Canterbury, Che finds herself reluctantly undertaking a pilgrimage.

Within days she joins a group of women who are walking the sixty miles from London to the shrine of Becket in Canterbury Cathedral, reputed to be the site of miracles. In the best Chaucer tradition, the women swap stories as they walk, each vying to see who can best describe true love. Che, who is a perfectionist and workaholic, loses her cell phone at the first stop and is forced to slow down and really notice the world around her, perhaps for the first time in years.

Through her adventures along the trail, Che finds herself opening up to new possibilities in life and discovers that the miracles of Canterbury can take surprising forms.

My thoughts:

The book tells the stories of 9 women that are doing a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Canterbury. In the spirit of Chaucer, each will tell a story of love as they progress with their journey. Sounds appealing. Well, I am sorry to say, I had A LOT of issues with this book.

The premise of the book was what attracted me in the first place (well, that and the cover - the relevance of it being a whole other issue). However, it was very different from what I initially expected and the further along I went, the more frustrated I became. There were too many characters and I felt that because of this, there was not enough foundation laid which in turn led it to being somewhat superficial. There were also several inclusions of information that did not make sense; that it appears to be an information dump. For example: a detailed discussion on Cinderella being the one true princess. At times the author jumps around and off topic:

“My mind flashes back to a vineyard tour I took last summer in Sonoma”.

However my main criticism with the book is that the central character, Che, is the least likeable. She's judgmental of others; thinks nothing of ‘hurling insults’ at her fellow travellers; her words and actions leaving a bad taste, therefore I felt little to no sympathy for her:

“ The only black person in the group, which should have made it easier to remember her name, but I can’t think of that one either”.

And her random departure on the trip without informing others, says much about her character –

“You’re thinking that I’m playing a cruel game with him”

Um…yes!

Seeing few flaws in herself, being the strong minded individual Che is, I find it hard to reconcile her choices:

“Here’s what I don’t have. I don’t have a mother, or a lover, or a phone, or any fucking clue of why I’m here ….. I do not deny that on occasion I can be clever, witty talented, good in bed, and yes, even attractive”.

At times she is far too flippant for my liking, that I obviously can’t appreciate what can only be described as black comedy:

“An incinerated human body creates a lot of ash. I can afford to scatter some of her willy-nilly along the way…(some ends up in her mouth)…Of course. What else? I spit her out and turn back”.

On the whole I found the stories more often than not depressing, and Che a rather sad individual:

“It isn’t forty that rips a woman’s life into bits, it’s fifty”.

“If you start to think, who knows, you might start to feel and there’s no telling where that winding road might lead. This is why we must have our books and phones, and earbuds and lovers, even if they’re the wrong people”.

So it was a two star read for me until at almost 80% of the book gone, some semblance of genuine voice comes through. Sadly, the problem is, having read through so much angst, the message gets lost. That being:

“That no matter how far or fast we walk, everyone eventually circles back. Comes face-to-face with whatever they were trying to escape”.

This is great stuff, but sadly just too little too late for me:

“Because this is what we have all come for. All this time, all this way. All the weird shit that’s happened. This is what it’s been leading up to, isn’t it?”

How best to sum up The Canterbury Sisters, it’s …

“mile after mile, hour after hour, through the English countryside listening to tales of compromise and reinvention, stories of jealous sisters …. dementia and pornography, because once a woman gets past a certain age…she’s forced to accept that when it comes to love, things will never be simple again”.

Such a sad outlook and having had to wade through so much, I did not find the resolution at the end had been worth the journey.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.