Literature 101: Poetry and Its Elements

Have you ever find poetry comforting? Do you have great interest on reading literary works written with the smallest number of words but with the strongest meaning? Poetry definitely goes beyond what is expected of it. This form of literature has been offering readers with relatable, inspiring, and touching words making everyone more motivated and understood.

Poems convey different meanings and talk about different essential things in life. As a result, they impact the lives of many through their ambiguous and aesthetic words and affective and heartwarming messages. Poetry in Motion Quattlebaum book, for example, is a contemporary poetry book by author Raymond Quattlebaum that revolves around life and everything in between. As you try reading the poems, you may think of how vague their scope are, but you can definitely see the meaning if you look more closely.

Moreover, with all the amazing things that poetry has offered, what could be the elements that make a remarkable poem? If the thought ever crossed your mind, then here are the things that you need to know.

Persona

You probably have heard this term multiple times in your English class. Persona refers to the character used by the poet to express the things that he wants to let out by utilizing the first-person point-of-view. It is also known as voice. Many readers often think that the persona of the poem is the poet; hence, this mindset must be eliminated because the writer is not always the one telling his story. You can distinguish the persona by thinking about the things that the speaker obtains from the character that he created. Looking into the poems other details objectively can also help you discover faults and information about the persona.

Tone

Tone can mean different things in diverse branches of literature. But when it comes to poetry, tone pertains to the viewpoint and behavior in writing style of the writer or the form of expression of the persona. It is also known as mood because it helps in creating the entire mood of the whole poem, in the sense of a diffusing atmosphere meant to influence the feelings of the readers and evoke expectations.

Diction

Poetic diction is defined as the operating language of a poem. The language sets the poetry apart from the different types of writing because it typically involves the utilization of descriptive words, terms, phrases, and other parts of speech that enhances the ambiguity of the poem and sometimes set the rhyme. Diction is generated by the lyrical words that often relate to a particular theme infused in the poem and frequently forms a euphonious sound.

Imagery

Imagery is a common element of a poem that adds to its beauty and depth. It is usually defined as the clear and colorful form of description that captivates the attention, attracts the senses, and generates the imagination of the readers. However, imagery doesn’t only centers on the visual aspects that a poem can offer but also focuses on the entire scale of sensory experiences, including the emotions and sensations. It also enables the readers to vividly use their senses while reading the poems and empathize with the speaker.

Figurative Language

Figurative language pertains to the utilization of words in a method that digresses from the traditional arrangement and meaning so that the work can deliver a more profound meaning, vibrant writing, clear idea, and/or poignant comparison. Furthermore, it makes use of the ordinary sentence structure to refer to a particular thing without stating it head on. There are different types of figurative language a poem can contain. These languages have their own usage and trait that can beautify and deepen a poem’s meaning and appearance. Simile, metaphor, alliteration, hyperbole, synecdoche, metonymy, and personification are among the commonly used figurative language.

Poetry is truly a rich and wonderful form of literature. Every poem has the power to evoke different kinds of emotions, inspire readers, and create a difference in the world. With the slightest amount of words, these poems — with the help of their remarkable elements, can impart such knowledge, encourage others to express, and help people utilize their empathies. From the voice to the figurative language, these elements put together truly create a magnificent whole.

Captivating Contemporary Nonfiction Books for Teens and Adults

Contemporary books have been contributing to the richness of literature ever since this their era started. Many remarkable authors used their talents to create masterpieces that urge and inspire people to make a change. Nonfiction is one of the various genres that attract the attention of the readers, make them see the world in different perspectives, and motivate them to gradually do something notable.

Another wonderful aspect of nonfiction is that it houses various works that either educate or encourage the readers of different ages to simply by reading the substantial stories. That said, listed below are the best contemporary nonfiction that teens and adults should check out.

Patchwork: Conversations Between Generations by Carol Wilson-Mack

Patchwork: Conversations Between Generations motivates everyone to look for the most ideal method of closing the gap between generations through talking and contributing essential information in conversations.

This impressive book by Carol Wilson-Mack vividly contains the stories of females that live in Bamberg, South Carolina’s countryside around 1939 to 1959. These God-fearing individuals formed an atmosphere that enables them to support their families. Moreover, quilting was the activity that gave them the chance to share their tales of struggles and more.

Shout: The True Story of a Survivor Who Refused to be Silenced by Laurie Halse Anderson

The bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson once again penned a book that urges women to use their voice and take some action. Shout: The True Story of a Survivor Who Refused to be Silenced showcases the personal and deep experiences in free verse that she has never shared to the readers before.

This captivating memoir is a critique to the failures of the society and at the same time is a love letter to everyone that are brave enough to say “me too” and “times up,” regardless of how these words are being told. Hence, Anderson never fails to touch, empower, and encourage women to be brave enough to use their voice.

Yes She Can: 10 Stories of Hope & Change from Young Female Staffers of the Obama White House compiled by Molly Dillon

This New York Times bestselling anthology excellently compiled by Molly Dillon contains ten remarkably stories of young employees who participated in former President Barack Obama’s administrations with the desire to create a change. These individuals were in their 20s during the reign of Obama, which means that they were still teenagers when the previous President said that he would file a candidacy for presidency.

Additionally, these awesome women worked their way to get things done and run the world with honor, pride, and humility. Yes She Can: 10 Stories of Hope & Change from Young Female Staffers of the Obama White House  provides a closer look to Obama’s administration through the perspectives of the accomplished and relatable young females who spent their times serving with him.

Both Flesh and Not: Essays by David Foster Wallace

Both Flesh and Not: Essays by David Foster Wallace is a collection of essays that was published by Little, Brown and Company last 2012. There are a total of 15 promising essays in this book that were written by the author. There are aspects of the works that feature the author’s personal vocabulary list, which refers to the organization of unconventional meanings and words.

Furthermore, Wallace directs his critical eye with the same amount of excitement on different sides, such as Terminator 2 and The Best of the Prose Poem, the exceptional underrated books and the most annoyingly misused terms in the English language, and more.

Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman

This award-winning book by Deborah Heiligman centers on the life story of one of the best figures in the field of science, which is Charles Darwin. The reprint edition of the book was published in 2011 by Square Fish. Heiligman perfectly wrote a though-provoking biography of Darwin, who is the person behind the theory of evolution.

Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith tells the way that his personal life impacted his work and likewise. Thus, this book will surely bring you to an interesting journey and study of history, science, and other significant disciplines in the world.

Reasons to Read Romantic Suspense Novels

Romance and suspense are two different genres; but, when paired together, they create a powerful whole. Many bookworms preferred love stories with unexpected turn of events than plain happy endings. What is the best thing about this genre is that the two fused categories do not overpower one another. Hence, there is a complete balance of romance and tension found on the plot, which is really exciting.

The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks, Against All Odds by Irene Hannon, Faithless in Death by J.D. Robb, The Last Sister by Kendra Elliot, and The Witness by Nora Roberts are some of the notable books of this genre. But, are there any possible reasons to read novels of this sort? Here are the answers to your whys.

Cool set of characters

In a good romantic suspense story, there is always a cool set of characters. At least one of the characters, preferably the protagonist or his love interest, is in deep danger. So, there is typically a hero or a heroine that saves the target victim and faces the progressing jeopardy. The story, moreover, is typically being told by a woman who has all it takes to solve the mystery while finding love at the same time. There are also other characters that are either helping or deceiving the protagonist. Thus, they perfectly move the story forward with their remarkable characteristics.

Heartwarming romance

What good would be a romantic suspense novel if there won’t be any love story written on it? It wouldn’t make sense. Hence, there is always a heartwarming romance in these novels that defy the odds and break the barriers. You will surely get hooked by the different love languages and moving love story of the characters. But, reaching that picture-perfect love wouldn’t be easy because there are always struggles and hardships that the couple needs to overcome. Take for example the quest of finding Jasmine a better love on Boyd’s book after she lost her husband, uncovered his secrets, and seek for revenge.

Amazing twists and turns

Great books have great twists. Can you imagine reading a novel without any turn of events? It would be uninteresting. But, worry not because romantic suspense books definitely contain various twists and turns that will motivate you to turn the page. With the set conflict and deception, the characters — especially the protagonist, will definitely either survive the tension or break down from the pressure of the events. There will also be a lot of shocking revelations that will be uncovered in different parts of the story that will become the reasons of character developments and shift of fate.

Unconventional plots

The sequence of events in a story is as important as the element that moves it. Many might not notice its flow, but others will surely do. The fact that novels of this genre are mixed with suspense; thus, they would definitely use different writing styles and literary devices to spice up the stories. There are many novels that do not follow the traditional plots. Some of them starts in the middle and uses flashbacks to let the readers know the root of the conflict and such. With the help of other aspects of the story, the unconventional plots definitely enhance the engagement of the readers and provide them with great reading experiences.

Intense tension

Tension is significant in literature because it is the key ingredient that evokes the feelings in the readers. The readers have been deeply attracted to the story during the first few stages of the plot; but, when the tension starts to rise up, they would become more attached to the story. Since the genre is romantic suspense, the tension becomes stronger due to the infused romantic elements. Hence, more intense emotions will be generated from the readers. This aspect of the novel is what you need to look out for because it will not only magnet you to the story but will also make you excited to reveal the mystery. Apart from that, tension mixed with romance, twists, and mystery will surely blow your minds and make you crave for more chapters to read until you reach the end of the story.

Inspiring Children’s Books with Valuable Messages

Learning doesn’t stop. No matter how old you get, you still acquire new learning at any parts of the path that you chose to take. In order to develop into a formidable and great individual, you must have a constant and wise teacher on your early years. That said, being introduced to books at such a young age can help develop your mind and learn practical lessons and values. There are different kinds of children’s books that can significantly teach the kids valuable things that they can use as they grow older, such as picture books, story books, activity books, and more.

The little ones will discover how magnificent the world of literature is and how much essential things they can learn from it the moment that they look back when they become adults. Books are truly inspiring and great. That said, listed below are some of the most spectacular children’s books that are filled with valuable themes your kids should read.

A Kids Life: Loving, Learning, Growing by Alana Konieczka

Imagination and application are both important things in life, especially to children. The book A Kids Life: Loving, Learning, Growing by Alana Konieczka definitely did a wonderful job on igniting the imagination of the readers as well as urging them to apply their learning to the world. Moreover, this notable work by Konieczka is a collection of stories where each tale tackles different lessons. Reminding people that bullying shouldn’t be preached and tolerated, displaying sportsmanship is essential regardless of what game you play, and savoring life as a kid are some best themes that the book teach to the readers.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

This Caldecott Medal winner was written by Maurice Sendak. It has been adapted into film and opera, which made readers and fans of this book to be more encouraged and inspired to dream and believe. The magical story happened after the little boy named Max caused a messed in their home while wearing a wolf costume. As he started to give in and sleep, he found himself in a world that is beyond the ordinary. The creatures are wild and extraordinary, which considered Max as their king. They created a bond that is strong even if the creatures don’t exist in real life. The book titled Where the Wild Things Are, furthermore, is indeed a great and remarkable story.

I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth

I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth is one of the bestselling books in Children’s literature category. It contains beautiful illustrations created by Tim Warnes, an exceptional illustrator. The book is made not only to be read but also for adults to show their love and affection to kids. Additionally, the story follows a bear and a cub that always do things together — such as climbing mountains, witnessing vibrant lights from the sky, mingling with buddies, playing chase, hugging one another, and more. This book will surely make the readers appreciate the value of love and family.

Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman

Published in June 12, 1960 by Random House, this classic children’s book by P.D. Eastman is still teaching kids on the importance of the connection between a child and a mother and the value of not giving up. It follows the story of a little hatchling bird that was left to hatch alone for its mother is looking for food. Without proper comprehension of who and where its mother, the hatchling attempted to look for the mother; and, that’s when the adventure, perseverance, and determination happened. This classic book has received multiple critical reactions and recognitions, such as becoming among the Top 100 Picture Books of all time by the School Library Journal.

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss, author of multiple notable children’s books, penned the famous The Lorax. This book was already adapted into film and has received multiple critical feedbacks. The book follows the story of a peculiar character named the Lorax, which was known to be the one who speaks for the trees. Hence, this outstanding book surely teaches the children and adults to be aware and take good care of the environment.

How to Sharpen Your Knives the Easy Way

Imagine having cut and slice meat and vegetables for dinner but your knife cannot do its work properly because it is not sharp enough. That would be frustrating. Knife sharpening is absolutely an important part, especially for home cooks, professional chefs, hunters, and more, in making food, cutting things, and among others. The process sharpening knives or the same equipment is through grinding it against rough surfaces, like stones or sand papers. However, you should be careful in order to prevent blade damage due to too much force.

What made knife sharpening more difficult is the wide array of knives present in the market. The kinds of knives vary from their blades to their functions. They have different edges and tips that may require diverse sharpening techniques. Because of that, there have been a lot of advancements made in the knife sharpening industry. Various sharpeners were developed in order to cater the needs of the consumers and give them more convenience when it comes to restoring the sharp edges of their knives. Serrated knife sharpener, electric knife sharpener, handheld sharpener, sharpening steels, and sharpening stones are the top tools that you need to know when it comes to keeping your knife at its best functional state.

In today’s day and age, learning new skills is important. With the pandemic going on, you need to do things, as much as possible, within the comforts of your home. Knife sharpening should be one of the things that you must learn how to do. That said, written below are the easy steps on sharpening your knife using the sharpening steel that you should know.

Step 1

Get the sharpening steel and hold it using the either your left or right hand. Position the sharpening steel point-down where the tip is placed securely on a sturdy and dry surface, such as a cutting board.

Step 2

Use your free hand to hold the knife diagonally against the sharpening steel. Make sure that the blade’s back is touching the sharpening steel. Afterward, pull your knife towards your direction, which is backward. Thus, you may wish to begin with almost the entire blade is facing the steel up front.

Step 3

Lean the knife to such extent that its cutting edge touches the shaft of the steel at a certain angle, which is 22 and ½ degree — almost as half of 45 degrees when you check the protractor. This is important to keep your pace and sharpen the knife better.

Step 4

Keep the 22 and ½ degree angle and slowly pull the blade backward while sliding it downward by the sharpening steel’s shaft at the same time. Moreover, you might want to cover the whole length of the knife’s blade to keep it at its set angle during the entire sharpening process. Conduct this step at least 10 times.

Step 5

For the final step, shift the blade’s position to the opposite side but maintain the angle. Do the same 10 strokes that you’ve than earlier so that each side would be even.

Essential Tips to Remember:

Ensure that the sharpening steel that you are using has the same length of the blade that you will be honing. Example, if you are about to sharpen a 4-inch paring knife — then your steel must also be 4 inches long.

If you are done honing your knife, then make sure to clean it by rinsing and wiping it with a dry towel. This is essential in order to prevent the little metal filings found on the edge of the knife to land on the meal that you are about to make.

While you are still preparing the ingredients or cooking the food, always keep the knife steel close by. This is to avoid destroying the alignment of your knife’s fragile edge after slicing or chopping. The moment that you become more familiar with the sharp knife’s feel, you will soon know the difference of whether your knife is still sharp enough or not. When that time comes, just a bunch of strokes on the sharpening still is needed to straighten it again; thus, there is no need to grind it immediately.

Perfect Christian Books to Read in Honor of the Lenten Season

There are many ways of honoring the Lenten season. Ash Wednesday is the event that marks the start of Lent up until 40 days. The Christian community has already started commemorating the event by praying, fasting, and other activities of sacrificing something and reconciling with God. Most of the things that people give up on this sacred season are the things that they love, such as eating meat, consuming sweets, hanging out with others, buying material things, and more. Many also reflect on their past actions and get ready to commemorate Easter after the long days of sacrifice.

If you want to honor the Lenten season in a different way, then you might want to check out some Christian books. These works will surely help you reflect in a more profound manner. Written by remarkable authors, these titles below would definitely make your Lenten season more solemn and meaningful.

Beyond Mere Belief by Greg Van Arsdale

Beyond Mere Belief by Greg Van Arsdale is an outstanding book that is intended for readers who doubt the answers given by the Church. In other words, this is perfect for those who tried to think about their beliefs and principles and the reasons why. The Church has no faults; however, it is not just knowledgeable enough about the present improvements in the field of science that generated better answers. If the Church is being urged to make everything clear, it just persuades the public to have faith on the significant ideas that are essential before the “End of Time” arrive. Hence, this book will give light to the questions and doubts of the readers and provide them with meaningful insights regarding their concerns.

Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter by Timothy Keller

This #1 Amazon bestselling book was penned by the remarkable Timothy Keller. Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter uncovers the meaning behind the resurrection of the Son of God. Easter is known to be really sacred and vital event in the Christian community. It is the moment of spiritual rebirth and of commemoration of the rebirth of Jesus Christ. For the firm disciples of Christ, nothing could ready them for the time of His resurrection. Everyone didn’t succeed to know Him, tho they recognized him in His physical aspects — they failed to acknowledge His presence spiritually. Thus, this book centers on the Christian faith that was notably conveyed and highlighted by Timothy Keller.

Gospel-Driven Ministry: An Introduction to the Calling and Work of a Pastor by Jared C. Wilson

What does it mean to be a pastor? What is the essence of ministry? The book by Jared C. Wilson will surely give you the answers to these questions. Gospel-Driven Ministry: An Introduction to the Calling and Work of a Pastor opens with the study of the qualifications of becoming a pastor and the answer to the questions about becoming part of the ministry. The book also tackles the ways people and the Church can determine the signs of maturity and answer to the call of the ministry. Every part of the book contains the insights about the central practices of pastoral ministry that you should know.

The Characters of Easter: The Villains, Heroes, Cowards, and Crooks Who Witnessed History’s Biggest Miracle by Daniel Darling

Moody Publishers published this amazing book by Daniel Darling last month. The Characters of Easter: The Villains, Heroes, Cowards, and Crooks Who Witnessed History’s Biggest Miracle educates the believers about the significant individuals who saw the miracle of the death and resurrection of Jesus with their own eyes. You will encounter different people with promising tales and experiences about the said event. Hence, it will surely bring you into a journey from the past and empathize with important people in the Christian world, such as Simone Peter, Mary Magdalene, John, and more.

David’s Crown by Malcolm Guite

Malcolm Guite has provided the readers with an outstanding book that contains more than 100 amazing poems. Every masterpiece in David’s Crown is a reply to the psalms in the Holy Bible as they emerge in William Coverdale’s excellent translations. Like the Psalms found in the Bible, these poems don’t dodge the anathematizing and celebrating the loss of your enemies but fight genuinely with them as everybody does the moment they turn to say to them.

Finding Faith and Inspiration in Uncertain Times

Many of us are going through a challenging time in life that has tested our resolve and relationship with God. Yet, it is precisely during these trying times that we are to keep our faith strong and hold on to our inspirations. With the pandemic still going on and economic and political uncertainty looming over the world, it is easy to get discouraged. The recent political leadership changes are slowly translating into economic and social gain. Yet, many are still struggling with the virus. Hundreds of thousands are still unemployed. Many are still suffering from racial prejudice and violence, and society has yet to achieve a sense of normalcy. Now more than ever, there is a great need for each one of us to build a meaningful relationship with God. Keeping our faith in God and strengthening our bond with Him will empower us to move forward and overcome this difficult season.

Faith and Focus

Overcoming today’s challenges and adversity requires focus. Once we are determined to improve our situation, we can then put the means in place to do so. Yet, the first step is to acknowledge God seeking His wisdom and will for our lives. We are then to let Him guide us in our decisions and efforts. It takes both faith and focus to navigate through these uncertain times. But having faith to move forward often does not come easy. Yet, God gives us help through the wisdom and insights of His servants. Along with Christian ministers and leaders who share the Word of God to encourage and guide us, God uses Christian authors whose wisdom and personal testimonies provide the inspiration we need to keep trusting in God and persevering in our life’s journey. One such author known as Roslynn Byant on faith and inspiration has written a very insightful book on maximizing our potential in life.

The book The Seven Fs to a Fruitful Life shares biblical wisdom and practical advice on how to be productive in seven essential areas as God has purposed. This work highlights faith, family, friends, finances, fitness, focus, and future. By categorizing our life’s journey into these seven key areas, it is easier to direct our time and energy into maximizing our potential in each one of them. As we take the steps needed to be fruitful in these various aspects of our lives, we will find the inspiration and motivation to overcome the challenges in life. This mindset will then lead us to being fruitful spiritually, mentally, physically, and socially. Roslynn Bryant’s book is reader-friendly, real-life related, and gives counsel that can be readily applied to our lives. It truly guides us on how to live the abundantly fruitful life that the Lord Jesus has purposed.

In God we trust; United we stand

As cliché as it may sound, none of us are islands to ourselves. This holds true in these dark and unstable times. Our faith, aspirations, and individual achievements mean very little if they do not inspire others. We may find bliss and contentment personally but only for a moment. Since we are all connected, to truly achieve a bright and more meaningful life, we are to inspire others to take the same journey that has helped us overcome our challenges. Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and establishing fellowship with one another are essential tasks that every believer is to engage in. By spreading the Good News of reconciliation with God through faith in the Lord Jesus, we are also sharing God’s purpose for humanity, that is to have a relationship with Him and with one another. We will then find that faith and inspiration work both ways. When we can strengthen other people’s faith in God, we also strengthen our own. When we inspire others to persevere, we are also inspired to continue in our own journey. It is our faith in God and our compassion for one another that motivates us to draw closer to God and be used by Him to bless others. In these trying times, we can experience peace and victory through trust in God and unity with each other. This is the very thing that God wants us to realize and embrace. Yes, challenges and adversity will come in various ways and forms, but with trust in God and commitment to each other, we can persevere and prosper.

Best Contemporary Poetry Books that You Should Never Miss Reading

It has already been 67 days since 2021 started, and your reading list is running out of titles for sure. We still have this brand-new year ahead of us; hence, let us make the most of it by keeping our to-be-read list full. Exploring new genres might be a great option in order to widen your taste in literature and discover other amazing books that will surely impact your life.

Poetry is one of the best genres of all-time. It showcases multiple heartwarming and inspiring works that you should never miss reading. Thus, make sure to refill your shelves and update your reading lists with the top poetry books that can definitely generate a handful of motivation in your life. If you are still looking for great reads, then here are the ones that you must check out.

Trini: My Life of Poems by Trinidad Rodriguez

This poetry book is written by a remarkably strong and brave woman, Trinidad Rodriguez. Every poem represents a fragment of the author’s life that is loaded with the challenges and persistence of a single mother. You will surely see the perseverance, courage, and faith of the persona as you go through every poem in the book. A mix of both painful and happy emotions will generate within you while reading the book. Trini: My Life of Poems will take you on an engrossing journey voiced out from the heart of a brilliant author.  So, find the most comfortable place to read and experience a heartwarming journey upon reading these poems.

Jaime’s Inspirations: Poems from the Heart & Mind by Jaime P. Fidler

Published in 2019, Jaime’s Inspirations: Poems from the Heart and Mind is an anthology of poems that came from the heart of the National Book Poetry winner and published poet Jaime Fidler. At the various times of living in this world, everyone has already experienced going through the feeling and impact of different extreme emotions. As a result, we have already come up with our diverse methods of taming and managing both good and bad moments in our lives — as well as the outcome of these events. However, we can surely comprehend and connect to these emotions, especially via poetry.

Poetry in Motion by Raymond Quattlebaum

Raymond Quattlebaum’s Poetry in Motion continues to inspire a lot of people from all around the world. This book showcases wonderful poems that centers on life and its beauty. The poetry of life that is circling at a vibration so spectacular with an outlook towards a magical world is also being tackled in this poetry book. As people try to express their hearts out to conquer life, Poetry in Motion is here to also help us recognize and get a better grasp on life along with the presence of the Almighty Father. This book was first published in 2009 by Red Lead Press and was republished in 2019 by Readersmagnet.

Healing Words: A Poetry Collection for Broken Hearts by Alexandra Vasiliu

Another promising book written by Alexandra Vasiliu is being patronized by readers from different parts of the world because of the empowerment and healing that it provides. Healing Words: A Poetry Collection for Broken Hearts is a promising book that centers on different serious issues that every person in this world has already experienced, such as love, sadness, healing, transformation, depression, happiness, and anxiety. This poetry book is intended for those who have secret wounds and pains that need healing. Loving yourself, letting go, reigniting hope, uplifting yourself, and appreciating your worth are some of the lessons that this book will teach you.

Her. by Pierre Alex Jeanty

One of the most notable contemporary poets, Pierre Alex Jeanty, has written another amazing book. Her. is currently  Amazon’s bestselling poetry book in dating category. The book was published in 2017 by Jeanius Publishing LLC. Moreover, it is generally dedicated to those readers who are in the process of achieving self-love and acceptance. Every word in this book will somehow help you to discover the beauty while staring at your reflection; see the strength to mend your broken heart; obtain the will to conquer insecurities and more.

Must-read Books about Science and Spirituality

The misconception about the relationship between science and spirituality has been present for quite a long time now. There are some that have already learned that these two fields aren’t at war with one another while there are others who still believe the myths about the mentioned platforms. Moreover, there are many avenues where people would be educated about this matter and literature is one of them.

If you are looking for ways on how to acquire new knowledge amidst pandemic and be productive on these tough times, reading would be the best option. Your bookshelves will surely be happy to welcome and house your new books. If you are worried on what to read that will enhance your knowledge about the relationship of science and spirituality, then here are some of the must-read titles that you should know.

From Science to Spirituality: Finding Spirituality in Science by Neil C. Griffen

This thoroughly researched book is authored by Neil C. Griffen and was published by Readersmagnet. Neil Griffen’s book about life through science to spiritually has ignited the inquisitive side of the readers to think and ask about the predetermined beliefs about the science and religious concept. The author set sail to show that science and religion are not at daggers down. There is, in fact, some crucial information that supports the perks of making use of scientific insights when studying spiritual problems and concerns, including but not limited to the frequent argument about God’s existence. This book is truly offers an insightful read.

Spiritual Science: Why Science Needs Spirituality to Make Sense of the World by Steve Taylor

Spiritual Science: Why Science Needs Spirituality to Make Sense of the World shows the ways that the standard materialist figure of the real world was created and turned into a belief system. The said ideology can only be put to work if a person brushes off or elaborates away an entire scale of phenomena, which is a factor of human experience. Moreover, it is doable to become scientific without embracing the belief system, which turned out to be more reasonable.

Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality without Religion by Sam Harris

New York Times bestselling author Sam Harris has written a remarkable half memoir and half investigation of the bases of spirituality. This book unites contemplative knowledge and contemporary science remarkably. Harris asserts that there is more to comprehending the real world than science and worldly culture basically authorize, as well as that how everyone focus on the present greatly identifies their quality of lives. The reprint edition of Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality without Religion, furthermore, was published in 2015 by Simon & Schuster.

The Map of Heaven: How Science, Religion, and Ordinary People Are Proving the Afterlife by Ptolemy Tompkins

Published in 2014, The Map of Heaven: How Science, Religion, and Ordinary People Are Proving the Afterlife is a remarkable book that offers you a wider view to uncover the way modern science is on the edge of the deepest revolution in history. The author narrates the tale of his near-death experience and his clear expedition to the other side. A lot of readers stated that the experience echoed to them profoundly. Because of that feedback, the author saw that sharing his story enabled everyone to uncover again the various wisdoms in ancient times which are: there is more to life and universe compared to this single life on earth.

The Quantum Revelation: A Radical Synthesis of Science and Spirituality by Paul Levy

This promising book is intended for those who have zero background in physics. The Quantum Revelation: A Radical Synthesis of Science and Spirituality is also for people who have learned that quantum physics is a fun subject but don’t really comprehend the ways and reasons of it. To state that quantum physics is the best discovery of science is not an overstatement. After the quantum realm was found, the physics community uncovered a real multidimensional discovery that can be compared to a deep spiritual gem — a previously unimagined of creative power, hidden inside the bounds of everyone’s minds. The author, therefore, examines the profound philosophical foundations of quantum physics.

The Great Connection between Culture and Literature

“Culture” — it is a word that you can hear somewhere in your neighborhood, you can encounter in some courses in your school, you can observe from your favorite movie, and you can read from your best-loved book. It is basically defined as the set of customs, traditions, beliefs, roles, principles, experiences, and objects that are obtained by people from one generations passed down to another. Additionally, you can see the culture of a particular person or groups by the way they act, dress, speak, and behave. It is due to the belief that cultural norms set out the acceptable actions in the society.

What could be the real relationship of culture and literature? The former has already defined, so let’s get to know the latter. Literature is a collection of written works that are past down from one generation to another either through verbally or non-verbally. These remarkable works made up of words are considered to have great and long-lasting artistic value.

As per mentioned above, objects also have are also considered culture, and books and other forms of literature are considered to have great cultural merit. Books are produced by brilliant people with the burning passion to write, express, and make a change. One defining trait about novels and other forms of literature is that they are being influenced by the culture and belief of the author. Hence, it is essential for readers and critics to include looking into the cultural context of the book or such.

Things that are products of a particular culture showcase the different norms, customs, etc. in an apparent, unpremeditated, and spontaneous manner. Hence, literature is certainly a great platform to manifest the said aspects in a method that has deeply captured the culture of a particular person or place.

Remembrance of Meals Past is a food fiction book by Anita Legsdin. The Latvian ancestry of the author and her Eastern Europe upbringing has definitely become apparent in each tale contained in this remarkable anthology. Every dish featured in the stories reflects on Latvia — from the raw ingredients to the final product. Legsdin has successfully showed and conveyed the rich cultural heritage and cuisine of Latvia by using her talent in writing. What made this work more promising is the way the author smoothly featured Latvian cuisine without directly informing her readers that she’s a Latvian descent. Hence, the culture was carried out naturally.

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter written by Erika L. Sanchez is also another work that highlights culture, specifically the Mexican culture. This National Book Award finalist was published in 2017 by Knopf Books for Young Readers. The main protagonist’s family is immigrants from Mexico. Thus, Mexican terms are all around the story, such as Amá and Apá, There are also tildes in most of the terms, even the main character’s name, Juliá, has a tilde. The Mexican culture where parents tend to become seriously strict is also showcased in the story. There is also a part of the story where the protagonist reconnected to her Mexican roots by going to Mexico and meeting her grandma, which added to the highlighting of the cultural aspects of the story.

Furthermore, the relationship between culture and literature is found behind the fact that the latter reflects greatly on the former. These promising written works showcase the concepts and ideas of individuals that are set in different places and times and are written in a creative way depict the rich cultural heritage of a particular group or location. These two aspects are firmly intertwined with one another. Over the course of time, literature has always represented culture.

Literature serves as the means for expressing essential values and principles and features the way of living of individuals or groups with these beliefs, as well as the development of their culture and norms and cultural life. The influence brought by culture to literature helps readers to get to know the diverse and rich cultures of countries and people. Books and other literary works stand as vessels that bring readers to different timeframes and settings to explore and discover the amazing and diverse worlds. Even though these worlds are mixed with imagination and creativity, literature never fails to connect these stories to the real world by inflicting the cultural heritage of the author, another person, or a particular place.

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