This was a very good book. It was well-written. I would highly recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley for the gifted copy.

This book has a ton of long, but knowledgeable information if you are looking for something different. You learn about Hiroko and her spiritual journey over the years. She shares many of Japan's culture and traditions and how it can help with what you may be looking for in your spiritual transition in life. It's definitely an interesting book. She specifies specific people who we may know in the public eye as examples. She gives us examples of what it takes or could take to find true happiness. Is it possible to achieve? Realistically? Yes. It's an interesting read, and what I find interesting is that it's really about accepting, letting go, moving forward, and much more. I feel like these are things we all should know, but it's been provided in information laid out differently. Different cultures use their traditions that works for them to meditate and practice in a way to find their zen in the world.

It might not be a book for everyone, but it definitely falls under self help. It's enlightening if you're looking to try something new or find something new.

As a Japanese American that grew up in America but was raised by parents who immigrated from Japan, I still learned so much about Japanese culture and spirituality. I'm also Christian so I've also thought about what I'm honoring when I participate in Japanese spiritual traditions but this helped make sense of some of that for me. It also was such an interesting perspective on how we honor our ancestors, our traditions, and find comfort/peace in the traditions of our people and country.

Some parts were a little long but overall, it was informative with a good mix of personal stories to help share her story as well as Japan's story of spirituality and traditions. I also didn't realize until the author's note that her husband is Matt Alt who I read a book by this year as well about Japanese pop culture and history of some iconic items! I had to go wait, is that name the same author? And it was! What a fun surprise.

Nice book and motivational with a ton of insight into the pursuit of and the actual attaining of happiness. The book is heartfelt yet realistic.