nonfiction – BookBunnies

Marshmallow reviews No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies by Julian Aguon

Today Marshmallow reviews a little book with a big message: No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies by Julian Aguon, published first in 2022.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like books that make you realize how horrible the world is while simultaneously teaching you how to stay hopeful, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): Julian Aguon is an Indigenous human rights lawyer and defender from Guam. He founded Blue Ocean Law to serve at the intersection of Indigenous rights and environmental justice, which will tell you what the main focus of this book is.

Through poems, speeches, and articles, Aguon shows the continual impacts of colonialism in Guam, the Marshall Islands, and so many other territories and sovereign states in similar situations. Specifically, he starts by showing how the U.S. government completely ignored protestors in Guam who were advocating to protect acres of beautiful limestone forest. In order to build yet another military base, the U.S. army bulldozed away the land home to the dying eight-spot butterfly. This is where the titular phrase “no country for eight-spot butterflies” comes from.

Citing the works of other great authors (he admits to particularly revering Arundhati Roy in a fashion similar to how one would adore a celebrity crush), Aguon presents the modern dilemma before the people facing the worst and most immediate impacts of climate change. Small island nations are not the ones contributing to the climate crisis, yet they are the ones already feeling its wrath.

Through this book, Aguon captures how truly horrific human nature can be and how violence and pain are running rampant everywhere around the world. He argues that one must learn to overcome speechlessness: the phenomenon of being left silent by atrocities because verbalizing them is simply too terrifying or graphic or painful.

No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies is Aguon’s way of verbalizing the pain of his people and all those who are in a similarly hopeless situation. Global superpowers, he points out, do not care about the little guys who wield no weapons and have no power to stop them. He still has hope though and argues that the most dangerous thing in the world would be a generation of young people who have lost hope. In line with his ideals, I would suggest reading this book to each and every person who is ready to understand the scale of global suffering and is ready to accept our shared responsibility of alleviating it.

Marshmallow is reading No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies by Julian Aguon. — Marshmallow is reading *No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies* by Julian Aguon.

Marshmallow’s Review: I want to preface this by saying that No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies is not a good book for young children. I was not expecting it to be as graphic and somewhat disturbing as it got to be at certain points. Because he has tasked himself with telling the story of our global circumstances accurately, Aguon must also show our worst demons. I cannot describe how purely evil some of these events reveal humans to be. Whether clothed in suits, surrounded by smooth, slimy words or brutishly, maliciously armed with machetes, human evil has never been as visible to me as it was in this book. I must admit I was not prepared, and I am infinitely grateful to be a bunny who has had no comparable experiences.

The fact that the author still has hope though should tell you something. As someone who has seen so much evidence that could convince even the most optimistic that hope is rather useless, the author somehow still believes that there are things worth fighting for and that hope has to survive.

This testimony of experiences shows another side of humanity that many have likely never heard of before. Reading No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies reveals just how deeply humans are and have been suffering. But at the same time, despite it all, Aguon begs us to believe in goodness. I believe that if he still has faith in humanity, we all must too.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 111%.

Marshmallow rates No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies by Julian Aguon 111%. — Marshmallow rates *No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies* by Julian Aguon 111%.

Marshmallow reviews Contentment: A Way to True Happiness by Robert A. Johnson and Jerry M. Ruhl

Today Marshmallow is reviewing Contentment: A Way to True Happiness by Robert A. Johnson and Jerry M. Ruhl, published originally in 1999. Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So Marshmallow, I am excited to chat with you about a book again. We have not done that for a while.

Marshmallow: Yes! I’m excited to discuss this book with you; reading it was a fascinating experience that requires some unpacking.

S: Cool! I have read the book, too, and would love to talk with you about it. But it has been a while. So maybe it will be good for everyone if you give us a brief introduction to what it is all about.

M: Sure! Contentment is a book of approximately one hundred pages that describes the meaning of finding acceptance within yourself as a way of creating a sense of peace that is impenetrable by outside conditions. Essentially, through analyzing different stories (everything from Shakespeare to Buddhist teachings), the authors determine how the modern individual can regain the sense of calm that we imagine the premodern human to have.

S: So the book is really about what the title says it is about: how to be content. And the two authors base their argument on multiple sources. Somehow I remembered the book as focused on a Buddhist approach. But you are telling me that it is a bit wider scoped than that. That is neat!

M: Definitely! I particularly liked the authors’ analysis of King Lear. At the start, they mention that King Lear can be applied as a general metaphor for every individual in our discontented society. Allegedly, he models the mistakes that lead many to this unhappiness. I was initially a little skeptical of this claim because almost any wide, sweeping analogy has several misalignments. However, they did an excellent job of drawing the parallels between his actions and the minute decisions we make today that – in the long term – cause dissatisfaction.

S: That sounds interesting. So the authors first diagnose a problem: many people are unhappy and unsatisfied. Then they work to determine the root causes, and possible explanations. And then they suggest remedies. Does that sound like the outline of the book, more or less?

M: Well-said! They start by defining the problem, like you said. But they frame it as a mostly modern issue caused by ideas our society has developed over time. These include beliefs about productivity, success, ambition, social validation, etc. I find it a little simplistic to say that none of these issues / desires existed before modern day, but they are convincing in their argument: we are busier and ever in-motion nowadays and our souls are suffering as a result. They argue that there is the ego and the subconscious, which both exist as parts of the whole human. There is also a larger connectivity between all humans that should be channeled more frequently than the self. After explaining these more nebulous aspects, they follow King Lear’s story and point out the modern manifestations of his struggles. Then they show the steps that can be taken to avoid his mistakes.

Marshmallow is reading Contentment: A Way to True Happiness by Robert A. Johnson and Jerry M. Ruhl. — Marshmallow is reading *Contentment: A Way to True Happiness* by Robert A. Johnson and Jerry M. Ruhl.

S: So King Lear is not a one-off example; it is quite central to the book.

M: I would say that it is the most repeatedly-used story the authors incorporated. However, they also mention numerous other past and present-day anecdotes that add another layer of depth to the book.

S: I can see that the book is organized into four parts. Part I is “The Tragedy of Modern Disconent”. Part II is about King Lear and is called “ A Story for our Time”. Part III is “The Psychology of Contentment”. And the last part, “Simple Gifts of Contentment”, is a whole list of gifts. Can you help open that up a bit?

M: Yes, that can sound a little confusing. The last section is a list of concepts (forgiveness, care, etc.) – constants that already exist in daily life – that are actually gifts from the “divine” when you look closer. To specify what I mean by “divine,” the authors frequently reference the universe as a whole as being divine in a way. They do not clarify personal beliefs or argue for a certain religious worldview, but they assert that there is a sense of divinity in “what is.”

S: I see. I wonder if the way they are approaching the “divine” is in any way similar to the way Hubert Dreyfus and Sean Dorrance Kelly approach it in All Things Shining. But I know you have not read that book. Maybe you will, and maybe we will talk about that some time too.

M: Maybe.

S: But maybe in the meantime I should reread this book. You make a good case for it.

M: Yes, I found it really meaningful. I particularly liked how the authors described life as a partner dance between you and everything around you. You can either flow with changes or try to move against the choreography. I found that a very interesting perspective. Of course, I feel that not everything should be accepted, but it is worth being more accepting of everyday life in order to find true contentment.

S: Yes, I agree. So maybe this is a good place to wrap up this review. You often end your reviews with a rating. How would you rate Contentment?

M: I would give it a 100.5% because it was a very unique book that deserves a unique rating! I would highly recommend that every bunny takes some time out of their day to pause and read a text like this that reminds the reader of the value in accepting and really embracing all aspects of life.

S: That sounds great Marshmallow! Thank you for sharing this book with us. Finally what do you want to tell our readers as we wrap up this review?

M: Stay tuned for more amazing book reviews from the book bunnies!

Marshmallow rates Contentment: A Way to True Happiness by Robert A. Johnson and Jerry M. Ruhl 100.5%. — Marshmallow rates *Contentment: A Way to True Happiness* by Robert A. Johnson and Jerry M. Ruhl 100.5%.

Marshmallow reviews Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers by Leonard Koren

Today Marshmallow is reviewing Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers by Leonard Koren. Originally published in 1994, this book is widely viewed as the first publication that introduced Western audiences to the Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetic. Marshmallow read the revised 2008 edition.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like books about Japanese culture, Zen philosophy, or art in general, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (without Spoilers): This book serves as Koren’s definition for the wabi-sabi aesthetic, something he believes should never be defined. For context, he even says this explicitly at the start of the book. He states that the aesthetic has an intentional “History of Obfuscation” because of its Zen Buddhism roots, the iemoto system of Japanese trade, and aesthetic obscurantism (which is the practice of obscuring the full details of something to hide its nature). These big words make sense to the reader eventually though as he provides a paragraph of explanation for each cause. Overall, these three factors have long left wabi-sabi as a nebulous feeling, a set of aesthetic ideals that Japanese people have struggled to put to words or have purposefully not done so. Koren argues that this is for the best or it was in the past. However, wabi-sabi is an endangered way that he believes now requires a more rigid definition. After all, if people – artists, designers, poets, philosophers, and even ordinary people in general – cannot identify what makes something wabi-sabi, it is surely doomed to be lost.

Koren traces the history of the aesthetic back to the sacred ceremonies of the famed and wise tea master Rikyu. He allegedly began using homely, imperfect pieces in his tea-making process, something that was an oddity at the time. In the pre-Rikyu period, the ceremonies were filled with elaborate, ornate pieces of the Chinese aesthetic. In contrast, Rikyu created a uniquely Japanese style that focused on “the rustic, the simple, the artless, the unsophisticated.” Eventually, though, these pieces became viewed as even more valuable. But, as Koren explains, they then lost their wabi-sabi qualities.

This exemplifies what the wabi-sabi aesthetic really values. It is the “most conspicuous and characteristic feature of what we think of as traditional Japanese beauty” despite being very focused on “the idea of not being conspicuous at all.”

Tracing the origins and meanings of the words ‘wabi’ and ‘sabi,’ Koren defines wabi-sabi to be the aesthetic that focuses on three fundamental truths: nothing lasts, nothing is complete, and nothing is perfect. In some way, this also means that everything is in a state between the creation and destruction of something or, in another way of reasoning, everything is in the process of becoming something or becoming nothing. Nothing in itself is viewed as an opportunity for something and something is an opportunity for nothing.

It is all very complicated sounding, but Koren does a good job of spelling it out for all readers. With some quiet time and contemplation, this book offers us a way to prevent “the extinction of a beauty” that Koren’s work seeks to preserve.

Marshmallow is reading Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers by Leonard Koren. — Marshmallow is reading *Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers* by Leonard Koren.

Marshmallow’s Review: I found Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers to be a fascinating analysis of this Japanese aesthetic. Wabi-sabi became somewhat of a trend online a little while ago and this book is a really good way to embrace and deepen one’s understanding of what wabi-sabi actually means. The internet trend associated with it is adorable and really meaningful! This book is a perfect way to explore the cultural significance it holds in Japan though. Koren analyzes the historical origins, how it developed over time, and how it is still somewhat present today.

I think reading Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers not only gave me an understanding of the aesthetic itself. It also showed me more about what the ideals and beliefs behind much of Japanese and Zen culture are. This is a really good experience to have for all bunnies because it really gives you good time to think about the thoughts of the tea masters from millennia ago and provides a moment of peace where you can think about quieter, natural philosophies that are so distant and distinct from much of the media we consume today. Finding that moment of calm in this book was a really valuable time and I would highly recommend reading this book – if not to learn about the aesthetic – to take some time to think about philosophy, life, and nature deeper.

Images are placed throughout the pages in black and white stills that hint at what wabi-sabi looks like. They are rather ordinary yet strange looking things but they give you a sense of the aesthetics meaning. I found that the book’s brevity and its accompanying images do a really good job of leaving you with a feeling of calm and a greater appreciation for the wabi-sabi things in life. While I’m not going to change my entire aesthetic, I think it is worth thinking about imperfections and the sometimes boringly simple as beautiful. In such a complicated world, books like this one give us time to return to another world when tea ceremonies and wabi-sabi were new, reopening our imaginations to see a whole new perspective.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 100%.

Marshmallow rates Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers by Leonard Koren 100%. — Marshmallow rates *Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers* by Leonard Koren 100%.

Marshmallow reviews Atomic Habits by James Clear

Today Marshmallow reviews Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear, published originally in 2018.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like books about self-improvement and starting small, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (without Spoilers): The book starts off by describing Clear’s own experiences with habit building. As a star baseball player, getting injured as a teenager was devastating for the author. But through methodical, mindful cultivation of healthy habits, he managed to get back on a new path that led him to where he is today. Now an expert in life-style advising and habit-building, he promises this book is a compilation of different advice he’s found from various sources all with a common core: they are changes you can make from Day 1 that will create long term fulfillment.

Throughout the book, Clear emphasizes the significance of small change creating larger differences in life. He rejects the notion that you must make drastic improvements to see any change in your quality of life. Rather, he argues that human behavior follows simple patterns that respond to stimuli, both positive and negative. He teaches that controlling stimuli is a more effective, easier way to control your behavior than simply depending on will-power alone. After all, as he points to a study of people with high levels of self-restraint, they are not mentally stronger — they expose themselves to temptation less. Along this general premise, he offers four main ways of making and instituting new atomic habits in your life.

In the long run, Clear promises, making a minute good choice everyday will exponentially improve your life. In a concisely simple yet detailed manner, Clear explains a new plan for change, one that relies on using human psychology to your advantage rather than fighting against it.

Marshmallow is reading Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear. — Marshmallow is reading *Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones* by James Clear.

Marshmallow’s Review: I found Atomic Habits to be a very useful book. I’ve wanted to institute certain habits (daily yoga and journaling and meditation) in my life for a while now but never really actually got around to doing it. Reading this book not only reminded me of the atomic habits I wanted to add, it taught me how to do so. Clear’s advice about habit grouping (placing positive habits one after another to make them routine) and redesigning your workspace for success were particularly helpful to me. Overall, even though I haven’t yet utilized all of his tips, reading them has given me a better understanding of how human and bunny psychology might influence my everyday behavior which has made me more conscientious of my choices. This alone is a reason to read this book because everyone can always benefit from mindfulness!

I really liked Clear’s writing style as well. He doesn’t add embellishments which keeps this a very clean, organized book that serves its primary purpose: being an informative instruction manual for atomic habit changes. The author seems to be a modest guy from his writing voice, which makes the book feel more honest and less self-glorifying than some other self-help books. I especially liked how the book has very comprehensible graphs and diagrams that you can look up online afterwards as well. There are several relevant tools on the book website that add on to the book content too which I thought was cool.

All in all, I found Atomic Habits to be a very good self-improvement book, one that cuts out the fluff and tells you what you want to know off the bat.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 100%.

Marshmallow rates Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear 100%. — Marshmallow rates *Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones* by James Clear 100%.