I just couldn't connect with book. I felt it was a little pretentious and trying to sound smart rather than trying to actually help people understand. The "questions to walk with" at the end of each section were not always applicable or too broad/vague.

I am sure those just beginning their spiritual practice can gets some nuggets from this book.

Interesting and compelling. The Book of Soul was original, well-written, and engaging. It evoked emotion.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.I wholeheartedly recommend this book. The “Book of Awakening” by this author, Mark Nepo, is a wonderful book particularly suited to hand-sell and always well received. This book will be a good addition to our shelf and will be a great add-on. The ‘Questions to Walk With’ at the end of each section, are good tools to take this from passive reading to active use of the material. The book includes passages from current authors, poets, spiritual leaders, past and present. This isn’t a book to work through in a day or two, but rather a series of entries to mull and savor over time.

Nepo has been around a long time, and is a safe bet when it comes to writing solid philosophical and wisdom-filled essays. This one is no different, and has a number of nuggets. Each chapter ends with a couple of suggestions/questions to ponder. I didn't like this as much as the couple of other Nepo books I've read, but this is still worthwhile.

Thank you very much for the ARC for review!!

I received a complimentary digital copy of this arc book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

“Our constant challenge is to accept how life wears away what doesn’t matter until the miracle of life is revealed in everything.”

The book explores the deep personal nature of people and how we can integrate our often complicated but authentic selves to live a life that matters.

The author refers to prior books about living “The One Life We’re Given”, so we can release the wisdom that waits in our heart, and that tender, human process leads us to “The Way Under The Way: The Place of True Meeting”.

This book may not be for everyone as it is very spiritual and philosophical in nature. Don’t get me wrong, I think that there are many thoughtful and insightful reflections which can be beneficial to everyone. Each chapter closes with “Questions to Walk With” which provides prompt for further discussion or self reflection.

I have never read anything by Mark Nepo before. I have read many self help books and this one is laid out a bit differently. The Book of Soul is broken up into 4 sections. I enjoyed the questions to walk with at then end of each chapter. I would probably enjoyed this book more if I broke it down into reading one of the 52 paths each week and having this book cover a year. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

I usually find self-help books too long and preachy. I would rather read a list..but that’s me. For those of you who like anecdotes, this book is for you. It is broken into four parts with accompanying anecdotes.this book is written to be a guide to connecting to your soul..finding your true self.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving me review.

If you haven't read any of the previous Mark Nepo books, such The Book of Awakening, never fear jumping in with his latest. The Book of Soul may be considered a sequel in a way to The Book of Awakening, but it's a beautiful read if this is your first exposure. I began this galley before the COVID-19 crisis hit the United States. Once we were quarantined, this book called to me. It felt like the right time for it even though there's always a crisis going on somewhere. Had this come out last year, I may have been worried about the Syrian refugees; or the wildfires in Australia and California; or the hottest winter on record melting the glaciers; or, or, or... literally anything. There's always something going on bigger than us and The Book of the Soul reminds us of personal journey through time.

I found myself highlighted countless passages as I did in Drinking from the River of Light. My soul was indeed touched and moved by the essays. I found the third part of the book called "Widening Our Circle" tangibly ready for me to absorb during this quarantine crisis. The previous sections were excellent preparation. Nepo -- in his poetic language -- tells readers that it's our authentic presence that gives us worth. It's not how much work we produce or whether we possess more than other people. It's being authentic and simply being, existing, connecting.

When Nepo speaks of brilliant artists and creators who succumbed to the demons of suicide, there's no romance nor blame. There's acceptance and love when he mentions Vincent Van Gogh, Anne Sexton, and Sylvia Plath.

"These legendary figures highlight a journey we're all born into: we never stop paddling in the larger sea, while being tossed about by the tides of life."

As with his other works, Nepo sets up each chapter with a quote or two on the theme; then his essay; then a task to do on your own; ending with a task to do with someone else. Those two tasks are usually recalling a time when something about the theme happened in your life and journaling about it; and having a conversation for a friend to ask questions and offer your own experiences.

This setup for his essays with "homework" at the end of each one would be great for teachers, pastors, or team leaders to use for bringing people out of their shells or to network gently. I can remember corporate team-building days like the Six Sigma training where people were supposed to work together on silly tasks like memorization, trust falls, or the like. It was expected as a worker-bee to complain about those days; but I enjoyed them. I think if people had been able to let go of the shells around them, they would have realized that coworkers were literally on their side. Sure we worried about our jobs, but that wasn't Brad in IT's fault. Choosing who you have a connection with should be a give and take experience. The conversation prompts in this book and the others can help get you there.

The chapter on living through a crisis is vital food for thought. As I said, if it wasn't a pandemic, it would be something else like people kept in filthy detention centers at our border. Empathy should be welcomed not hindered. Nepo makes a point of saying that having empathy doesn't eliminate the need for justice and policy changes, nor does it diminish the pain when someone else is feeling joy.

"For today, you may be blessed with the comforts of a warm bed and plenty to eat, and tomorrow you may need the kindness of a stranger. We take turns on the wheel of life: falling down and getting up, or having more than we need and then in time needing more to make it through. In this we all share the same hunger and quench the same thirst."

This is the type of book you could buy for someone who may only read in short periods of time and take three years to get through the whole thing. It's also great for anyone who has a role as the person responsible for bringing community and connection together.

Rating: 5 stars

I had never read or even heard of Mark Nepo before, but I can say that I will seek out anything he writes. I found my own experience resonating with nearly every page of the writing. It's not a religious title, but it is definitely a spiritual one. As such, some people aren't ready for that journey, and that's okay! We are all on different paths, and I'm grateful that The Book of Soul crossed my path. I think my library will order a couple copies because it will definitely find readership there.

Mark Nepo is amazing! I feel like he never disappoints with his books! I think this one is sure to be a winner among readers as well!

The Book of Soul: 52 Paths to Living What Matters by Mark Nepo is a guide for actively living in our present with an awareness of our soul. Although I do not personally agree or hold the same religious beliefs of the author, this book is an interesting read for anyone looking inside themselves for a deeper realization of the meaning of their being in this current life. "Being so fully present releases the unconscious influence we have on one another, which touches us beneath all our troubles and differences." I am glad I read The Book of Soul for the relevant insights which are reminders we do not live alone but actions we take do affect others who surround us each day. I also could relate to the passages concerning gratitude. "Staying devoted to a practice of gratitude is another way to lessen our fears." How appropriate this statement is for the days in which we are living. I enjoyed reading the experience of the author as he visited with Steven Tyler. I have recognized the kindness of spirit in the interviews Steven Tyler gives and he seems to have an aware balance with the spirit of his soul.
Publication Date: May 5, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Yes! Such an eye opening and helpful read. I appreciate how Mark's wisdom is simple yet profound. And the poetic writing is amazing! His writing makes it easy to learn about self help and spiritual (not religious) topics that could be difficult understand with dryer, less vivid text and descriptions. I've been on a soul searching quest recently and this book helped me put my thoughts and feelings into perspective. Thanks Mark and NetGalley!

I liked the first half of the book but then i lost interest in the rest of it. I love self help books but this wasn't one for me. The author did a good job of breaking down the book in parts and sharing what helps him. I liked that he did that. I couldn't follow the rest of the book but all in all it was ok and i honestly don't have anything negative to say about it .

I am usually not a fan of self help books, but the title of this book appealed to me so I wanted to give it a try. It is divided into 4 parts. The first half of it was stunningly eye opening. I was connecting to many little little stories, quotes, ideas,.. one of the stories that stuck into my head was his experience at the Aerosmith concert; how Steven Tyler and his audience became just one through the convector of music. As a fan of concert and not a big fan of people it made me realise that concerts are one of the few olaces where I am enjoying crowds as we all connect to the artist and each other through music. We let go of all our preconceptions: race, gender, religion, political affiliation,... everything that separates us in real life disappears thanks to music, and the whole venue becomes One.

This is a good book, I recommend it to those who are into the real meaning of life, and those who want to learn how to break down their walls and learn how to listen to their inner self.

At the end of each chapter, there is a question for you to ponder on, write about, and an exercice to do with a partner/friend.

Thank you Net Galley and St. Martins Press for the copy of this e-book in exchange for a honest review.

I think that everyone who writes self help books could convey their essential message on one page. While doing that would gift us with clarity and conciseness.....it would not sell books. Many self help authors want to help their readers, and they also want to sell books. And so they take their message embroider it with anecdotes and stories, references to other authors....until they have book length manuscript. This book may be the book that really does it for someone who has not gotten the message from other books or experiences. May this book find it's way to the people who will find this is the book and the time when they are prepared to receive the messages it offers.

I'm a really no frills Buddhist. I'm not really into a lot of new age, soul searching, being one with the world type of person. I didn't expect to like The Book of the Soul by Mark Nepo. I actually tried to dislike it. I tried to find fault and resist the pull to continue reading, but I stopped resisting and let myself experience the author's wisdom and journey. By the halfway point, I was still bitter and resistant but I sat with it, and realized that my resistance wasn't disliking the book; it was that I felt called to the mat and made to face myself and my own feelings about my spiritual journey. Sometimes, that rejection is just fear. That was the case for me and I'm glad I finished this book and I think my spiritual journey is better for it.

I found this book to be among Mark Nepo’s best. It is written with rich wisdom about life and the ways we can be living it to honor our soul. I didn’t find it religious at all, as one other reviewer has suggested. It is deeply spiritual, however, and I will be slowly sending my way through it again and again.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Wow!! First off, let me just say that I plan to read any books by this author. This book was such a great read. Good for your mind, body, and soul. We all need time to ourselfs as life gets hectic and sometimes it's not always easy to find that balance. This book really helped in so many aspects.

I did not finish this book. I was expecting something more along the lines of gentle self-help and this is more religious in tone, which I found off-putting.