I liked this better than [b:Lunch with Buddha|16069313|Lunch with Buddha|Roland Merullo|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1349472784s/16069313.jpg|21861984]. I really thought (and was hoping) that the book was going in a mystery/suspense/drama with the Chinese people and there were a few scenes where Rinpoche could have beat up a few people and I wished he had so we could see the anger and fury of a monk unleashed. Maybe that's unrealistic though and only happens in Nintendo games. I wonder how he got so strong and huge? And why? If he was in a situation where he needed to dominate someone physically would he do it? I don't know much about Buddhism to understand it.

The book left me hanging and I hope the author makes Midnight Snack with Buddha or 4th Meal with Buddha.

I'm not sure what Otto is hanging on to anymore. He's lost everything. So I suppose it's just the Past. If I were him and I got fired I'd move to the ranch to spend time with Rinpoche. That'd be the Life right there. Retire at age 50 and spend time being Enlightened. What more could he want?

I stumbled onto this book, not knowing it was the last of a series of 3. I kept wondering where this book was leading me, and I'm so glad I stuck with the journey. It's definitely fiction, but I enjoyed reading about the questions/choices the main character grappled with and I loved the doesn't-whack-you-in-the-head ending. This is one of those times reading that I'm glad I let my curiosity get the best of me. I'm not sure after reading this one that I'm up for going back and reading the other two "out of order" -- I wish I had attempted them in order, but I'm glad that I read this one.

This book was the first I've read of the Buddha collection, and it was also the first book I'd won in the Goodreads Giveaways. It was a pleasure to read from start to finish with its unlikely, but quite believable, situations in which the characters find themselves.
The book caused me to pause and relate to the parallels in my own life and did it with humor and a touch of spirituality. Just enough; not too much. It even touched on the dichotomy between living a peaceful life while consuming animal flesh. Didn't stop the characters from doing it, but I'm grateful that the author broached the subject. (It's so obvious to me: violence/killing/eating animals does not enhance inner spirituality.)
The author himself sums up the book quite well on Page 349 in the note from the author: "Our own Judeo-Christian tradition is almost wholly exterior, and that mirrors our approach to the world. Because of that approach, we've been able to invent marvelous medicines and send people into space. But, at the same time, we also do tremendous damage to the earth; we marginalize certain people; we have high rates of addiction, violence, and mental illness; and we put very little emphasis on quiet, contemplative time and the interior spiritual search."
This book did a wonderful job of conveying just that. And I enjoyed going along for this road trip. That is, until the very end. I felt the end was cliche and that disappointed me. But the more thought I gave it, I felt that at least it did leave it open for more road trips to come, and that's a wonderful thing.

I think Rinpoche and Otto will need to have a midnight snack, because I want this story to continue!

As good as the first two books and looking forward to reading others.