What Are You Reading, NOW? New Yoga Now's Book Club

November

Sunday, November 30, at 2pm in the studio

Wintering is Katherine May's memoir about navigating difficult life seasons—what she calls "wintering"—when everything feels harder and we need to slow down and retreat. May describes wintering as a fallow period in life when we're obliged to retreat from the world to repair and re-emerge, much like nature's cycles. Through personal stories and reflections on winter traditions, cold-water swimming, and seasonal rituals, she explores how accepting life's cyclical nature—rather than fighting against difficult periods—can lead to renewal and transformation.

Connections to the Yoga Sutras

October

Sunday, October 26, at 2pm in the studio

October's pick, Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt, is a heartwarming novel that weaves together themes of loss, redemption, and the unexpected connections that give life meaning. Through alternating perspectives-including the surprisingly wise and witty voice of Marcellus the octopus-Van Pelt crafts a poignant story about how we find family in the most unexpected places and how even the deepest grief can eventually lead to hope. Perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven stories, uniaue narrative voices, and tales of healing and second chances.

Connections to the Yoga Sutras

SEPTEMBER

Sunday, September 28, at 2pm in the Studio

September's pick is The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell. Set in Renaissance Italy, the novel alternates between Lucrezia's sheltered childhood in Florence and her increasingly perilous new life as duchess. As she navigates the treacherous court politics and her volatile husband's violent temperament, Lucrezia begins to suspect that her life may be in danger. O'Farrell masterfully weaves together themes of power, art, and survival in this richly atmospheric work of historical fiction.

Connection to Yoga Sutras

July

Sunday, July 20 at 2pm in the Studio

The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong

Join us in July as we discuss this meditation on joy, purpose, and the courage required to embrace a life of genuine gladness.

In his second novel, Ocean Vuong presents a poignant tale of unexpected connection and personal redemption. Set in the fictional town of East Gladness, Connecticut, the story follows Hai, a 19-year-old Vietnamese American grappling with addiction and despair. On the verge of ending his life, Hai encounters Grazina, an 82-year-old Lithuanian widow battling dementia. Their chance meeting leads Hai to become her caretaker, forging a profound bond that transcends age and circumstance.

Through their evolving relationship, Vuong explores themes of chosen family, memory, and the resilience found in human connection. Hai’s journey—from working at a fast-food restaurant to confronting his past—reflects the broader struggles of marginalized individuals seeking meaning and belonging in contemporary America. Vuong’s lyrical prose and deep empathy illuminate the complexities of identity, trauma, and the redemptive power of storytelling.

Connection to the Yoga Sutras (please note: AI-generated!)

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Interviews with Ocean Vuong

June

Sunday, June 29th, 2pm in the Studio

The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

Join us next month as we discuss this moving testament to human endurance and the unexpected gifts that can emerge from our most challenging moments.

In "The Salt Path," Raynor Winn invites readers on a journey of remarkable resilience and discovery. When Raynor and her husband Moth suddenly lose their home and livelihood, they face another devastating blow—Moth is diagnosed with a terminal illness. As a result, they make an impulsive decision that will change their lives: to walk the 630-mile South West Coast Path along England's rugged coastline, carrying only the essentials in their backpacks and surviving on minimal funds.

As they traverse the stunning but challenging landscape from Somerset to Dorset, the couple encounters both the harshness and beauty of nature, alongside the varied reactions of people they meet along the way. Their physical journey gradually transforms into something much deeper—a path toward acceptance, healing, and a new understanding of what truly matters in life.

Winn's honest, lyrical prose captures the raw emotions of their experience while celebrating the restorative power of the natural world. This memoir explores profound questions about home, identity, resilience, and finding meaning when life's certainties have been stripped away.

Connection to the Yoga Sutras

  • Tapas (Disciplined Practice)
  • Aparigraha (Non-attachment)
  • Santosha (Contentment)
  • Svadhyaya (Self-study)
  • Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender)
  • Pratipaksha Bhavana (Cultivating the Opposite)

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