My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Penguin Books for an advance copy of this book that has numerous suggestions for dealing with this world we find ourselves in, caring for ourselves first, so we can care for others.

The world is a mess. Not a surprise. There are many reasons, from climate to politics as outside influences but also the climate and politics of our our bodies, combined with the self-hurt we do to ourselves. As humans we have given up on big things, given up on people, and sadly given up on ourselves. Social media recognition, either by clicks or by trolling others is the new way of making people feel better. We have let the world control too much of what we think, act and feel. Our jobs matter more than family, and we all suffer for this. To sit back, to step away in many people's eyes is a surrender. Even the idea of looking after ourselves is seen as something elitest. However without caring for ourselves, without changing our relationship to the world, we can't change the world. Or help others. This are the lessons taught in this book. How to Let Things Go: 99 Tips from a Zen Buddhist Monk to Relinquish Control and Free Yourself Up for What Matters by Shunmyo Masuno, is a way of changing our perspective on what is asked of us, how to change this perspective, and be more aware of what is happening to others around us.

The book begins with a brief intro to this modern world, and how we owe ourselves more than what we give ourselves. These sounds simple, but sometimes simple steps lead to complex lessons. The biggest takeway is that one can not be helpful is one is also hurting. The book is broken into 99 lessons, that can be followed straight, jumped around, taken to heart, or just ignored. Again a lot of this might seem like common sense, but inside each lesson is always something that looks at things from a different point of view. These is where the real lessons lie. There are stories, tales from zen masters, gardeners, friends, even personal stories. Subjects covered include the idea that we can change others is wrong, that work relationships should really be about work, and that not everything is one's fault. Also there are a few lessons about dealing with people, and how not to take things personally, or feel that actions are based on malice. We are all hurting in different ways, their inaction or acts might be based on something we don't know.

Shunmyo Masuno is not only a author and Zen Buddhist, but is also a garden designer. As such he has worked with nature and around nature to create beautiful works to inspire, and to grow. This is much what his writing is like. Plants need water, sunlight and love. So do humans. Plants don't have to turn to social media, or others for it, and Shunmyo Masuno understands this. Shunmyo Masuno has an interesting style, not lost in the translation, that makes one go, oh here we go with the platitudes, but slowly drawing the reader in, and teaching in a way that is subtle, helpful, and maybe in a few places transformative.

This book should not be read in order, but like looking at plants one should start with one interests them. Family, love, work, friends, loneliness. Start on those lessons. And branch out literally, taking in the whole work as one gets comfortable with the familiar. A interesting way of looking at things, and a very special and rewarding book.

Written by a Japanese Zen Buddhist monk, this book of wisdom is as easy to digest as a listicle. It’s the kind of book you can thumb through as needed or opt to begin or end your day with to stay grounded. Inside you’ll find advice for parenting, social media, work life, and general spiritual growth.

All the tips were wise. Many of the 99 were helpful call-backs to similar advice I’d previously encountered, but others, well, others were radically different. I filled my e-book with yellow highlights reflecting the many lines that landed deep in my gut. For these, I often wanted even more nitty gritty reflection, but each tip gets just a page or two, so it invites you to mull over each point further on your own.

Recommended for any fans of Buddhist, Zen, and mindfulness slanted spiritual books.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.