New Things Happening at Page 59!

Changes are taking place and we couldn't be more excited! So please, take the time to visit some of our past book reviews as we go through this transition. Thank you for your support!  :)

Review: Awakenings: Epiphanies Along A Spiritual Journey

Title:  Awakenings: Epiphanies Along A Spiritual Journey

Author: Demetris Taylor

Pages:  102

Publisher: Self Published

ISBN: 978-0-615-45166

Age: 18+

Front Cover

The front cover displays a peaceful and serene pathway that would imply that you are traveling on a road to an unknown destination.  Which I believe is exactly what the author wants you to draw from it.  While inviting, it also leaves me with a sense of the unknown or mystery, which is how life pretty much is.

Background (provided by author)

“Awakenings: Epiphanies Along a Spiritual Journey” is a compelling collection of blogs that has been a pinnacle of spiritual development and discernment for the author.  Not only does this body of work provide what epiphanies has been revealed unto the author, it also provides the readers an opportunity to take a spiritual journey that will awaken their own insight into their higher power.

My Thoughts

Did I like this book?  Absolutely!  This book was thought provoking, motivational, and as real as real can get!  Demetris Taylor does not hold back in the least bit and tells you up close and personal!  This book once again is not for the easily offended or the faint of heart.  Taylor speaks from his own personal experiences as he shares his journey and revelations along the way.

As I read this book, I found myself revisiting a few of my own beliefs and conversations that I have had with others.  It motivated me to challenge myself in a few areas and made me realize a few things that I had never considered.  It encouraged me not to give in to my own self sabotage as I enter into my own new personal journey.  I was able to grasp this because I have an open mind and realize that there are many viewpoints and perspectives that exist other than my own.  This book is a great read and I would encourage you to check it out and challenge yourself to experience the journey of another who was willing to share.  Enjoy!

Tasha

Pg.59 Interviews Demetris Taylor (Pt. 1)

 Awakenings–Epiphanies Along A Spiritual Journey

By: Demetris Taylor writing as BIG MEACH

Pg.59:  Briefly, tell us a little about your book and what inspired you write it?

Big Meach:  “Awakenings-Epiphanies Along a Spiritual Journey” is a self empowering, motivational, inspirational book that is designed to stimulate personal growth, reflection and dialogue between the reader and those with whom the reader shares the offerings.  I was inspired to put this together after I relinquished my 12 year membership with my church and needed to stay connected with my spirituality without conforming to the mundaneness of organized religion. 

Pg.59:  Who do you hope or want to connect with by writing this book?

Big Meach:  It is my Praise Report that I connect and reach all those who wish to stay connected and in tune with their spirituality and are looking for fresh, new, innovative ideas and approaches to stay on their paths or journey toward becoming their authentic selves without being bombarded, bamboozled, and betrayed by what traditional religion regurgitates and dictates as truth through contradictions and fear.  

Pg.59:  Will there be additional books in this series or likeness?

Big Meach:  That remains to be seen.  I KNOW the journey IS NOT over; however, I will see how my spirit leads me with this one.

To be continued....
Email us @ pg.59bookclub@gmail.com to enter to win your free copy before 9/19!!  Please leave any questions/comments for us below.  Thanks!

September Book Selection: "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers

Good morning everyone!

Our September book selection has been chosen and we will be reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.  Here is a brief introduction to the book:

California’s gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep.  Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside. Then she meets Michael Hosea. A man who seeks his Father’s heart in everything, Michael Hosea obeys God’s call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel’s every bitter expectation until, despite her resistance her frozen heart begins to thaw. But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband’s pursuing love, terrified of the truth she can no longer deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael Hosea does…the One who will never let her go.  A life-changing story of God’s unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love...

We hope you enjoy this book and join us on 10/1 when we discuss our thoughts, likes and dislikes about the book.  Click here to get your copy today!

P.S. Please be sure to take advantage of our book giveaway, Awakenings: Epiphanies Along A Spiritual Journey we are higlighting this month!  Email us at pg.59bookclub@gmail.com to enter a chance to receive your free copy!

Tasha

Review: Dancing Her Dreams Away by Alretha Thomas

Title:  Dancing Her Dreams Away

Author: Alretha Thomas

Pages:  318

Publisher: Diverse Arts Collective, Inc.

ISBN: 978-0615458175

Age: 16+

Front Cover

The front cover of this book draws the reader in along with the title, “Dancing Her Dreams Away.”  Why would this girl be dancing away her dreams??  First thought… What choices has she made that has lead her to a challenging/compromising situation where her dreams are no longer a priority?  Let me check it out!

Background (Provided by Amazon)

Shelia King, a fun-loving grandma’s girl, needs to keep her days open for auditions in the hope of landing a role that will catapult her to stardom. With the threat of eviction looming, she scrambles to find a night job and convinces the owner of a hostess club to hire her. Now she’s a dance-partner-for-hire by night and struggling thespian by day. When her agent pitches a topless role, fearing her grandmother’s disapproval, Shelia declines. But after setbacks and considerable thought, she agrees to meet the producer. Gregory Livingston III is rich, suave, ridiculously fine, and the panacea for Shelia’s career woes. At first sight she shapes plans to win the role and his heart. She gets both and works hard to give an Oscar worthy performance. However, when the movie wraps, nothing can prepare her for the startling revelations about Greg’s past and the aftermath of a dream gone awry.

My Thoughts

So, I guess you are wondering if I liked the book or not….  Well, I won’t keep you waiting.  *drum roll* Yes, I did enjoy it!  Why?  Well for starters, I liked how the author jumps right into the swing of things, introducing us to her main character (Shelia King) and her troubles.  I was able to easily visualize the scenes that the author described as the story of Shelia King unfolded.  I also liked the mystery that was present.  There was always that feeling that something was about to be revealed about one of the characters in the book and you had to keep reading in order to find out.  And YES, there is much that is revealed!! 

As far as challenges, I did find that there were a few things that were a little unbelievable or far reaching (in my opinion).  However, I think this demonstrates the creativity of the author and her way of driving the reader to believe differently from the norm.  For example (Spoiler Alert!!), Shelia could have easily been working in a strip club instead of a club where men come to ballroom dance with a partner for a small fee or a “dance-partner-for-hire.”  I believe the author challenges us to move away from the typical result/outcome of a struggling aspiring actress to a more positive one.  Another challenge this was how quickly she fell for Gregory Livingston.  Now, I have heard of love at first site, but wow!  I felt as though they should have dated at least three days before they were madly in love.  Just to make sure he wasn’t a toad (LOL)!  Lastly, I did not really connect the title with the plot directly.  I understand how they can be associated; however, I did not see how dancing was the direct result of her dreams being jeopardized.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book!  The turn of events at the end of the book that allowed Shelia to restore and rebuild her life was awesome.  It was a very emotional experience and I actually was able to take something from her healing process and apply it to my own life.

My recommendation for this book is: