What We Are Reading Today: Galápagos: Life in Motion

Updated 02 August 2018
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What We Are Reading Today: Galápagos: Life in Motion

  • Stunning large-format book presents an unprecedented photographic account of the remarkable survival behaviors of unique animals in Galapagos

The Galápagos Islands are home to an amazing variety of iconic creatures, from giant tortoises, Galápagos sea lions, Galápagos penguins, and ghost crabs to Darwin’s finches, the blue-footed booby, and hummingbird moths. 

But how precisely do these animals manage to survive on — and in the waters around —their desert-like volcanic islands, where fresh water is always scarce, food is often hard to come by, and finding a good mate is a challenge because animal populations are so small? 

In this stunning large-format book, Galápagos experts Walter Perez and Michael Weisberg present an unprecedented photographic account of the remarkable survival behaviors of these beautiful and unique animals. With more than 200 detailed, close-up photographs, the book captures Galápagos animals in action as they feed, play, fight, court, mate, build nests, give birth, raise their young, and cooperate and clash with other species.

Watch male marine iguanas fight over territory and females; see frigatebirds steal food and nesting materials from other birds; witness the courtship dance of a pair of blue-footed boobies; go underwater to glimpse a Galápagos sea lion pup playing with its mother; and observe a baby Pacific green turtle enter the water for the first time. 

These and dozens of other unforgettable scenes are all vividly captured here — including many moments that even experienced Galápagos observers may never be lucky enough to see in person.


Book Review: ‘The Mastery of Love’ by Don Miguel Ruiz

Updated 22 January 2026
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Book Review: ‘The Mastery of Love’ by Don Miguel Ruiz

I picked up “The Mastery of Love” at a time when the word “love” seemed to be everywhere yet it felt strangely confusing. Between social media advice, relationship trends and constant conversations about self-worth, I found myself questioning what healthy love looks like.

Don Miguel Ruiz’s book did not offer quick answers or romantic cliches. Instead, it gently asked me to look inward, and that is where its real impact began.

What resonated with me most is Ruiz’s insistence that love starts with the self. I became aware of how often I seek validation externally, whether through relationships, family expectations or even professional success.

Ruiz’s message is simple but challenging: If you do not feel worthy on your own, no relationship can truly fill that gap. This idea stayed with me long after I closed the book, especially in moments when I noticed myself being overly critical or emotionally reactive.

The chapters on family love felt deeply personal. Ruiz explains how our early experiences shape the way we give and receive love, and I found myself reflecting on childhood patterns I had never consciously questioned.

His emphasis on forgiveness is not about excusing hurt but about freeing yourself from carrying it forward. That perspective helped me rethink certain family dynamics with more compassion, both toward others and myself.

When it comes to romantic relationships, Ruiz strips away fantasy and replaces it with responsibility and awareness. He writes about communication, trust and emotional honesty in a way that feels grounded and realistic.

What stood out was his reminder that love is not something that simply happens, but something we choose daily through our actions and words. That idea made me reflect on how often love is tested in small, everyday moments rather than dramatic ones.

Beyond personal relationships, “The Mastery of Love” also changed how I view my relationship with life itself. Ruiz encourages approaching the world with openness instead of fear, and that shift in mindset feels especially relevant in a time when negativity travels faster than empathy.

This book is not about becoming perfect in love, but about becoming more aware. For me, it served as both a mirror and a guide.

I would recommend “The Mastery of Love” to anyone willing to question their patterns, unlearn emotional habits and build relationships rooted in honesty, self-respect and compassion. It is a quiet but powerful reminder that love, in all its forms, begins within.