I'm not a Buddhist, but this book is helpful and interesting. It's perfect for people who like to reflect and start/end the day with positive words. I enjoyed how well-organized it is, with continuity between lessons.

I wish more "devotional" style books aren't necessarily tied to Christianity.

Thanks for the advance review copy

This book is a perfect way to start your day mindfully and set your day off right. It is easy to understand and perfect for beginners.

This is a 365 day bite-sized lessons in Buddhism for the year. The year is split into quarters and each quarter focuses on one of the four noble truths of Buddhism. The introduction clearly states you do not have to be a Buddhist or become a Buddhist to benefit from this book. Think of it as “how to be a good human—a step by step philosophical and practical daily guide”.

The four noble truths are:
1. There is suffering
2. There is a cause of suffering
3. There is an end to suffering
4. There is a path to end suffering

The sections are dated and January, February and March cover the first Noble truth by discussing change—impermanence. This is a VERY IMPORTANT concept to understand and accept. April, May and June covers the second noble truth by looking inward. By looking outward, July, August and September explores the third noble truth. These first 9 months are not just philosophical wondering but they do propose practical thought experiments and actions. The last three months cover the path through meditation. While the introduction says you could start anywhere (how inviting), I’d stick with starting at the beginning. Write your own start date at the top if you like. Cross off the dates as you go.

Each day starts with a quote from a Buddhist writer/philosopher/monk/nun. The body of the text then is a very modern approach to that inspiration.
I appreciate the small biographical blurbs about the philosophers at the end of the book.

I look forward to re-reading it daily/slowly and think it is a very practical approach to daily Western Buddhism.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harvest for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review will be cross posted on Goodreads

I liked how short each entry was, with direct, to-the-point thoughts that made me think during the day.

I think it would be a little easier to use if each day was it's own page (Kindle version)

I enjoy starting my day with inspirational stories and thoughts, so this book makes a great additional to my morning reading. The entries are short, which works wonderfully for my morning routine. One doesn't have to be a Buddhist to appreciate the Buddhist nuggets of wisdom to find this book practical and inspirational. It keeps things light but still meaningful. Four stars.

I picked this because of a years long interest in Buddhism, and I have been reading the short messages in this book for a few weeks now. I love the short daily messages that remind me to be more mindful each day and give me lots to think about. There is a richness in the messages that is more valuable than all the material goods that one can accumulate in life.

I'm trying to make a habit to read this every day. The entries are short and meaningful, and they are the kind that help me be mindful and ready for the day. This is wonderful as something to read either in the morning or at the end of the day when you want to clear your head.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

This is a lovely little book of daily readings from Buddhist thinkers followed by an interpretation for modern life. It’s an interesting exercise in combining ancient and modern, and sometimes leans a bit too superficial for me. That said, the original readings are solid prompts for daily consideration.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for ARC.

Meant to be read as a daily meditational exercise or devotional, every day has a passage of Buddhist wisdom to reflect on and put forward in your daily life. For the nature of a review, I obviously did not read this organically or daily as is intended, however the wisdom within is beneficial and worthy of a spot on your bedside table. This would be a wonderful gift for Bodhi day (December 8th every year) to give to a Buddhist or interested friend (or even yourself) to start a year's worth of Buddhist focused mindfulness and meditative introspection. At the moment, it's slated to come out about 2 weeks after Vesak, but you could also give as a gift on July 10th for Dharma day/Asala. The meditations are all written with a lot of heart and love to share with you, the reader.

Thank you to NetGalley, the authors, and the publisher for this early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Perhaps I asked too much of this book, wanting to find some peace in such a tumultuous time. The daily lessons each start with a Buddhist quote and then there are a few paragraphs about how to act, think or train your mind relating to the quote. The months are broken into themes related to Buddhism like right mind, right action.

Mostly it just felt a little light. It didn’t cover nearly deep enough problems other than we all have to realize like we’re all going to die and we age. But the examples for what we are supposedly wrestling with are so frequently so trite, like envying someone’s designer bag. Um, no. I’m wrestling with human rights, climate change, the deaths of loved ones, concerns about my children, my husband’s chronic pain, financial fears, worries for people whose lives are at risk under the current regimes around the world… And these little paragraphs about controlling my mind and wishing well to people I disagree with feel like bandaids on bullet wounds.

I have no doubt that Buddhist teachings can help bring comfort and happiness, but this book just didn’t have the oomph I needed right now.

I read a digital copy of this book for review.

his book rewards the careful reader who is willing to reflect on each day’s entry. There are reminders of important values that a person might sometimes forget. For example, readers are asked to consider what is ephemeral in life (for example possessions) and are encouraged to think to what truly matters.

With an entry for every day of the year, there is much to contemplate. There are sections in this book with the referenced topics including Life and Death; Looking Inward, Extending Outward, and Practice. Readers who spend time with the introduction, sections at the end of the book, and the messages for each day will feel that they have been offered much wisdom.

Recommended for those who are interested in Buddhism and those who want to try to live a responsible and satisfying life.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow-Harvest for this title. All opinions are my own.