The Red Book: A Deliciously Unorthodox Approach to Igniting Your Divine Spark

I'm not going to spend a lot of time reviewing this book because I want to get back to reading it! As many other reviewers, I don't fit the age range the author targets. I'm 45. I wish I had this book years ago as a resource, although I guess it was meant to be at this point in my life. Even if you're not religious, which I am not, this book is fabulous. Witty, insightful, encouraging and a fantastic resource. I looked into just one of her many recommendations (I plan to do much more) and wow. What a difference it's made. I actually think this book is better suited for a slightly more mature audience because maybe we are a bit more open minded than a younger generation. The author is clearly quite precocious which is why she speaks to women her age. Don't let that stop you from reading and rereading her wonderful book. Now, back to The Red Book!

Thanks, Sera, for writing this perfect book! Like one of the other reviewers I am a...bit...older than the target market, but I still loved it! At 50 I keep waiting to be grown-up and actually, I hope I DON'T! Yes, I firmly believe that our spirituality should be a FUN, VIBRANT, and ALIVE part of our lives and we should all laugh really, really hard every single day. LOVED the Dalai Lama story, I wish more people on this Earth could have a lighter approach to life. Hey, it should not be so hard and serious. If everyone just laughed a bit more and were kinder to each other...weell, problems solved. Thanks again and for anyone debating over whether or not to buy this book...quit reading reviews and just buy it!

Not since Our Bodies, Ourselves, have I read a book that I want to put into the hands of every woman-fellow traveler in this life. Sera Beak draws from history, literature, cross-cultural study and travel, writes in hip, fun-to-read zine-speak while packing a whallop... every bit of wisdom my women friends and I have managed to accumulate in our multiple decades on this earth AND then some. She has given us a spiritual guide for the 21st century woman, no matter what one's beliefs. The Red Book is at the top of my gift list. I have given it to my daughter, my step-daughter, my step-daughter's roommate, friends, colleagues and family. The Red Book will have a huge ripple effect for it is an absolute pass-along book, pillow book, beach book, travel companion. A thousand thanks, Ms. Beak for this work. The world will be a better place with each woman who reads it. May it be a way to enlivenment and wellness for many.

Even though I am older than the target audience this book was written for, I found it to be wonderful. Never hurts to go back to the basics. I also learned a ton from this book. The information on ancient religions treatment of their goddess', and the history of Christianity was informative. It was fun to read how various religions, especially Christianity, evolved. I recently had to give a 45 minute lecture on meditation, and actually used parts from this book. As the author said herself, sometimes while trying to describe spirituality and things like meditation, the wording gets too woo-woo, and you can lose your reader and/or audience. This book was straight forward, fun to read, makes you laugh and teaches, all without condescending to the reader. I am buying more copies to give to all the wonderful young women in my life. Additionally my older girl friends are also reading it with real interest.

This book is an incredibly delightful & insightful read, very approachable for those new to the divine within, and a sweet reminder to those of us already enlightened to keep practicing :)! The book encourages readers to discover and develop their own sense of spirituality & practice, whatever form that may take. Beak seemlessly weaves her depth of religious study and historical understanding with illuminating insight from her personal practice & experience. While the book is geared towards women, I personally think that anybody could glean a wealth of information & encouragement from her offering. I encourage you to order one (or 3 or 7 for friends, as I did!) today.