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Mary-Lou StephensMary-Lou Stephens
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Sex, Drugs and Meditation: How One Woman Changed Her Life, Saved Her Job and Found a Husband Kindle Edition
by Mary-Lou Stephens (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 49 ratings
"Bracingly honest, funny and rewarding, this is a book you can't put down." Sydney Morning Herald
"Funny, sage, insightful and just a little bit twisted." Who Magazine
"Perfection. Sex, Drugs and Meditation is one of the best memoirs I have read in years. Humble, witty and so very, very true. All I wanted was for this book never to end." Walter Mason, The Universal Heart Book Club
Darkly funny and beautifully told, Sex, Drugs and Meditation is a tale for those of us who confuse being busy with being happy; the story of a woman who dared herself to stop talking and start living – and loving. Mary-Lou Stephens was lucky to make it into her forties. Therapy and AA helped her recover from her upbringing in an evangelical household; her habit of shoplifting through drama school; her addictions to food, drugs and alcohol; a string of failed love affairs and the break up of several bands. She has landed a dream job as a radio personality. Life is looking good. Except that Mary-Lou has a new boss, a psychopath in a suit. Determined to avoid MORE therapy and desperate to cope with an increasingly toxic work environment, Mary-Lou signs up for a ten-day meditation retreat that requires total silence, endless hours of sitting cross-legged, and no dinner. For a woman who talks for a living, is rarely still and cooks for comfort, this was never going to be an easy task.
Join Mary-Lou's mailing list at www.maryloustephens.com.au
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Print length
282 pages
2 February 2015
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 282 pages
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 49 ratings
Mary-Lou Stephens
Mary-Lou Stephens was born in Tasmania, studied acting at The Victorian College of the Arts and played in bands in Melbourne, Hobart and Sydney.
Eventually she got a proper job – in radio, where she was a presenter and music director, first with commercial radio and then with the ABC.
Mary-Lou has worked and played all over Australia and now travels the world with her husband, slowly, and writes, mostly.
Join Mary-Lou's mailing list for news, prizes and surprises at maryloustephens dot com dot au
Praise for The Chocolate Factory
"I devoured it in one sitting. It's an absolute treat - totally enthralling and completely and utterly satisfying. It's another triumph for Mary-Lou Stephens. " – Karen Brooks, best selling author of The Good Wife of Bath
"Sweet and bitter, and a story that’s brightly compelling and thought-provoking at once. With Stephen’s fine eye for historical detail and ear for dialogue that’s just right, this novel is a lovely leap into the past." – Kim Kelly winner of the Finlay Lloyd 20/40 Prize
Praise for The Last of the Apple Blossom
"An outstanding historical novel about women and the secrets and burdens they carry. Mary-Lou Stephens’ debut is an impressive feat of storytelling, making her a name to watch." The Australian
"One of the most beautifully written books I’ve read." Tania Blanchard, best selling author
Praise for Sex, Drugs and Meditation
"Bracingly honest, funny and rewarding, this is a book you can't put down." Sydney Morning Herald
"Perfection. Sex, Drugs and Meditation is one of the best memoirs I have read in years." Walter Mason, The Universal Heart Book Club
"Funny, sage, insightful and just a little bit twisted." Who Magazine
"Stephens knows how to write a story, and she does so with honesty and good humour." MindFood Magazine
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49 total ratings, 16 with reviews
From Australia
Robyn Flemming
5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating romp through a richly experienced life.
Reviewed in Australia on 23 May 2023
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I felt like I was reading a story by an old friend. Sometimes I imagined our stories and paths might even have crossed. A very engaging memoir by a woman who hasn’t just survived but has found in herself the means to thrive.
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Mary-Lou
4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging. A Very Honest and direct memoir.
Reviewed in Australia on 14 February 2015
This is a very honest and direct memoir, so engaging that it feels like Mary-Lou is stitting across from you over a cup of coffee, telling you about her life. - Get Reading
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Shanley Gregory
5.0 out of 5 stars If you are like me curious about what goes through a mind when ...
Reviewed in Australia on 14 February 2015
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People often say they couldn't put a certain book down but this was literally the case when I read Sex, Drugs and Meditation. It is totally irresistible. If you are looking to read a fascinating life story, look no further. If you are like me curious about what goes through a mind when it has chosen to undertake a 10 day silent meditation retreat, this has just what you want to know. If you like candid humour and frank observations of the human condition you'll love it too. Oh and a tried and tested recipe for self saucing chocolate pudding will be your added bonus!
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sue goldstiver
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring
Reviewed in Australia on 16 February 2015
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This is a well written and funny story about a life-changing experience. Mary-Lou goes on a silent 10-day meditation retreat because she can't stand her boss, but comes out with a completely different outlook on life. It's a really honest book about her experiences in the music scene, complete with hard drugs and bad relationships, but very much an inspirational story. It's about the power of meditation, but also how we let our lives meander along without ever understanding how much control we have. Excellent.
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Angela
5.0 out of 5 stars ... myself ditching a book unless the writing is that good I'm embedded within the story they tell me
Reviewed in Australia on 16 February 2015
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I quite often find myself ditching a book unless the writing is that good I'm embedded within the story they tell me, so pleased and delighted I was to find Sex, Drugs and Meditation ... a book I finished to the very end. I have to stay I'm pretty tired with some pretty late nights as I continued to read "just one more chapter, then I'll turn out the light". Brilliant read - refreshing, engrossing and highly entertaining.
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anna
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Australia on 8 March 2015
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Amazing book
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Wendy Broome
5.0 out of 5 stars absolutely love it. Mary-Lou takes you on a wonderful journey
Reviewed in Australia on 14 February 2015
It was the name of the book that hooked me in and I could not put it down once I started reading, absolutely love it. Mary-Lou takes you on a wonderful journey, you laugh and you cry and wish her to get over the barriers that get thrown in her way, it is a beautiful read and I can't recommend it highly enough, love her writing - when is the next book coming out? I need to read more because her writing style is so easy and it just flows across the pages, thanks for a wonderful book Mary-Lou Stephens
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From other countries
molly
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 August 2015
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Massively enjoyed :)
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JB AZ
5.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait to read the next chapter
Reviewed in the United States on 4 October 2016
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this memoir and I appreciated the degree of honesty with which Mary-Lou recounted her "sins". It's a wonderful read that reminded me how we tend to believe that OUR transgressions are the worst and everyone else must be living a life of blissful ease in comparison. Sex, Drugs, & Meditation is a poignant illustration of how we are very often our own worst enemy. I look forward to reading more from Mary-Lou Stephens.
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Aishah Macgill
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and enlightening
Reviewed in the United States on 5 December 2016
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Great read. A moving personal account of taking stock of ones life whilst meditating. Anyone who has attempted or even a seasoned 'meditatees' will relate to the amusing process of clearing the mind and the sore behind that often accompanies sitting for hours, contemplating everything. Loved Mary-Lou's story of her extended days of silence. Fun and enlightening at the same time.
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