My Thoughts on "Even the Stars Look Lonesome" by Maya Angelou

WOW! I will be honest and admit I am embarrassed that this is the first Angelou book I have read. I am sure we have all hear or read a poem or two, but "Even the Stars Look Lonesome" was the first book of hers I have read. To express my gratitude and appreciation for her writing style, I will tell you that I purchased the book from a vendor at a festival. During some down time I began to read it and after just 8 pages I went back to the vendor and bought another Angelou book to pacify me when I finished this one. I learned very quickly how insufficient my vocabulary is, her words seem to make love to each other tenderly and then birth the most amazing mental pictures I have ever experienced. A true page turner, this book is a collection of short stories about her life experiences. The topics range from her marriages, loves, career and friendships. A truly awesome illustration of her life lessons.

My Thoughts on "Ramayana At A Glance" by Keshavadas

"The greatest story ever written on true love, happy marriage, and dharma..."

I understand this book to be the equivalent of the Bible in Indian religion. It is said peace and abundant life is obtained just by reading the pages. The story is an exciting tale of Sri Rama (God incarnate and the perfect man) and Sita (Goddess incarnate and the perfect woman). The books of Ramayana tell the story of Rama's loss of power and status due to the betrayal of his step mother. He is excommunicated for 14 years during which time his father (the king) dies and his younger brother is installed on the thrown.

Rama having supreme strength and power was sent to earth to destroy demons and restore dharma. His very presence evokes peace and love in his followers. Where ever he is, prosperity and peace follow. While Rama is exiled a demon kidnaps his beloved wife, the earth mother, Sita. Rama elicits help from monkeys, who were actually millions of angels sent to earth by the creator Brahma to prepare the world for Rama's arrival. The most powerful of the monkeys, Hanuman - my favorite character, was able to leap across seven seas, destroy demons and find the location of the Goddess Sita. A battle ensues against her captors where Lord Rama is victorious and peace and order are restored across the earth.

Truly an awesome story filled with parables and metaphors that illustrate the path to dharma. I became engrossed in the characters, the demon with 10 heads, the beautiful goddess and the godlike monkeys. Each book displays in simple language the most basic qualities necessary for a pure and happy life; love, loyalty, forgiveness, trust, obedience and faith. This is truly an epic tale with characters as lovable as Jesus, Mary and John the Baptist. What more can you ask for?