Claire Guest was walking her dogs when Daisy, a fox red Labrador, nudged
her breast insistently and stared up into her face with her big brown
eyes. Sensing something was wrong, Claire visited her GP and soon found
out she had a very deep – and difficult to diagnose – form of breast
cancer. Daisy had saved her life, simply by smelling her cancer.
With
her scientific background and deep love of dogs, Claire intuited that
Daisy and her canine pals could save many more lives, and set up the
charity Medical Detection Dogs. Though faced with many challenges,
Claire and her dogs have proven to be a remarkable asset to cancer
detection, and have changed the lives of many seriously ill people and
their families.
I read Daisy's Gift as part of the Nonfiction Reading Challenge. I was drawn to this book because of my love of dogs, and I was intrigued by the idea of dogs being used to detect and help in the diagnosis of cancer.
Daisy's Gift is a fascinating read. I found Claire's enthusiasm for her work to be very inspiring. Claire has always had an affinity with all animals, but her passion for dogs and their unique abilities has influenced the trajectory of her life and career. Claire is one of those people who certainly have a destiny here on Earth; as she tells her story in Daisy's Gift, it is obvious Claire's life has brought her exactly where she needs to be - helping change the world with her charity Medical Detection Dogs.
It was no surprise to me to read that dogs have the ability to tune into their owners - I've witnessed in my own dog her special way of reading my emotions. But taking this idea a step further, Claire and her team are able to harness a dog's strong sense of smell - every disease has an odour - to train the dog to alert their owner to physiological changes. Claire not only trains dogs to detect cancer, but she also trains medical assistance dogs to live with those suffering from diabetes and other diseases. This work has allowed many people to live relatively normal lives, knowing that their constant dog companion is on guard at all times to help them manage their disease.
I admire Claire Guest. She has dedicated her life to helping develop the pioneering work of bio detection dogs. Her passion for her work is evident on every page of Daisy's Gift. It is clear Claire believes strongly in dogs and their abilities. Reading Claire's book has made me fall in love with dogs even more. They really are phenomenal animals, with a lot to teach us. With Claire and others like her working worldwide to train these dogs to use their innate capabilities, the human race is able to benefit even further from our close relationship to dogs. Not only is a dog a pet and companion, they can also save your life.
Tuesday, 20 September 2016
Monday, 5 September 2016
Book Review: The Wild Truth by Carine McCandless
The story of Chris McCandless, who gave away his savings, hitchhiked
to Alaska, walked into the wilderness alone, and starved to death in
1992, fascinated not just New York Times bestselling author Jon
Krakauer, but the rest of the nation too. Krakauer’s book and a Sean
Penn film skyrocketed Chris McCandless to worldwide fame, but the real
story of his life and his journey has not yet been told – until now.
Carine McCandless, Chris’s sister, featured in both the book and film, was the person with whom he had the closest bond, and who witnessed firsthand the dysfunctional and violent family dynamic that made Chris willing to embrace the harsh wilderness of Alaska. Growing up in the same troubled and volatile household that sent Chris on his fatal journey into the wild, Carine finally reveals the broader and deeper reality about life in the McCandless family.
I read The Wild Truth as part of the Nonfiction Reading Challenge.
I've always been drawn to the story of Chris McCandless. I admit to feeling conflicted about what he did - going into the wild without a map is such an idiotic and naive thing to do, but at the same time I can understand his sense of adventure and the desire to challenge himself. I've always felt annoyed by his story though - his death was so avoidable (if only he had a map!! He could have found another way out!) and unnecessary. And yet, because he died as he did, his life has become much larger than it may ever have had he survived the Alaskan wilderness. Chris has become an icon, a legend in his own right. Most people know his story and whether or not they agree or disagree with his actions, he has become a symbol of the wanderer spirit, the human desire to experience life to the full, to be present, away from the noise of modern society.
His sister Carine's book The Wild Truth is hard to read because you can feel her grief in every page. Yes she has, after more than twenty years, found peace with her brother's death, but it's also very obvious that he continues to be a presence in her life and her thoughts. I find Carine to be very courageous. To tell her story, to tell the absolute truth, the dirty truth, of her relationship with her parents - the violence, the manipulation, the emotional abuse - is so brave. I don't believe she owes them any protection. Her story is hers to tell. They have done some despicable things to her and all her siblings over the years - it's no wonder Chris 'divorced' himself from them. I don't blame him! So in my opinion, Carine is right to tell the story, to bring the truth to light. Truth was Chris's guiding force and I understand Carine's intention to honour him by revealing the real story of their childhood. She can't speak for Chris (nor does she want to), but this book is her way of explaining his actions, as much as anyone beside Chris ever can.
It's heartbreaking reading more of the McCandless story. Carine has had an often depressing life, aside from her brother's death. But it's obvious in her book that Carine strives to overcome hardships and to maintain her determination to succeed as a kind human being. If anything, Carine's kindness held her back for too long - if only she'd disconnected herself from her parents years ago, perhaps she'd have saved herself some heartache. But her longing to hear an apology from them, to see their behaviour change, to have them accept responsibility for the fractures in their family, kept her going back for more.
The Wild Truth is very well-written. Although it says it's the truth about what sent Chris into the wild, I found this book to be Carine's story. Chris is there of course, but Carine's intention to not speak for her late brother means that he is only a supporting character in her memoir. I feel Carine wrote this book as a cathartic way to release the guilt for holding back the truth when Jon Krakauer wrote Into The Wild. Carine says the way people misunderstood Chris has always been on her mind. She wanted to set the record straight, and I believe she has done so.
Carine McCandless, Chris’s sister, featured in both the book and film, was the person with whom he had the closest bond, and who witnessed firsthand the dysfunctional and violent family dynamic that made Chris willing to embrace the harsh wilderness of Alaska. Growing up in the same troubled and volatile household that sent Chris on his fatal journey into the wild, Carine finally reveals the broader and deeper reality about life in the McCandless family.
I read The Wild Truth as part of the Nonfiction Reading Challenge.
I've always been drawn to the story of Chris McCandless. I admit to feeling conflicted about what he did - going into the wild without a map is such an idiotic and naive thing to do, but at the same time I can understand his sense of adventure and the desire to challenge himself. I've always felt annoyed by his story though - his death was so avoidable (if only he had a map!! He could have found another way out!) and unnecessary. And yet, because he died as he did, his life has become much larger than it may ever have had he survived the Alaskan wilderness. Chris has become an icon, a legend in his own right. Most people know his story and whether or not they agree or disagree with his actions, he has become a symbol of the wanderer spirit, the human desire to experience life to the full, to be present, away from the noise of modern society.
His sister Carine's book The Wild Truth is hard to read because you can feel her grief in every page. Yes she has, after more than twenty years, found peace with her brother's death, but it's also very obvious that he continues to be a presence in her life and her thoughts. I find Carine to be very courageous. To tell her story, to tell the absolute truth, the dirty truth, of her relationship with her parents - the violence, the manipulation, the emotional abuse - is so brave. I don't believe she owes them any protection. Her story is hers to tell. They have done some despicable things to her and all her siblings over the years - it's no wonder Chris 'divorced' himself from them. I don't blame him! So in my opinion, Carine is right to tell the story, to bring the truth to light. Truth was Chris's guiding force and I understand Carine's intention to honour him by revealing the real story of their childhood. She can't speak for Chris (nor does she want to), but this book is her way of explaining his actions, as much as anyone beside Chris ever can.
It's heartbreaking reading more of the McCandless story. Carine has had an often depressing life, aside from her brother's death. But it's obvious in her book that Carine strives to overcome hardships and to maintain her determination to succeed as a kind human being. If anything, Carine's kindness held her back for too long - if only she'd disconnected herself from her parents years ago, perhaps she'd have saved herself some heartache. But her longing to hear an apology from them, to see their behaviour change, to have them accept responsibility for the fractures in their family, kept her going back for more.
The Wild Truth is very well-written. Although it says it's the truth about what sent Chris into the wild, I found this book to be Carine's story. Chris is there of course, but Carine's intention to not speak for her late brother means that he is only a supporting character in her memoir. I feel Carine wrote this book as a cathartic way to release the guilt for holding back the truth when Jon Krakauer wrote Into The Wild. Carine says the way people misunderstood Chris has always been on her mind. She wanted to set the record straight, and I believe she has done so.
Friday, 19 August 2016
Book Review: Beside Myself by Ann Morgan
Helen and Ellie are identical twins - like two peas in a pod, everyone says. The girls know this isn't true, though: Helen is the leader and Ellie the follower.
Until they decide to swap places: just for fun, and just for one day.
But Ellie refuses to swap back...
And so begins a nightmare from which Helen cannot wake up. Her toys, her clothes, her friends, her glowing record at school, the favour of her mother and the future she had dreamed of are all gone to a sister who blossoms in the approval that used to belong to Helen. And as the years pass, she loses not only her memory of that day but also herself - until eventually only 'Smudge' is left.
Twenty-five years later, Smudge receives a call from out of the blue. It threatens to pull her back into her sister's dangerous orbit, but if this is her only chance to face the past, how can she resist?
I read Beside Myself as part of the Eclectic Reader Challenge, which asked for a debut author in 2016. I was drawn to this book by its intriguing premise - a twin essentially takes over her sister's identity. I wondered what would happen to the lives of these twin sisters, and just how far Ellie would go to keep the truth from coming out.
I expected Beside Myself to be an intense thriller, perhaps one full of violence. Instead, it is far more a book about mental illness and Smudge's descent into madness. Don't get me wrong, I certainly enjoyed reading this story; it just wasn't what I expected going in.
Ann Morgan managed to capture the behaviour of someone who is losing their grip on reality, someone who is cut off from their emotions and unable to move forward in life. At times Smudge's narrative is scattered and hard to follow, her thoughts rushing from one extreme to the other. As a reader, this was a challenge to keep up with. But I admire Morgan's ability to get the truth of mental illness onto the page; while reading I felt myself growing confused and unsure, mimicking Ellie's own feelings and disorientation - telling the story in that fumbling way is clever writing by Morgan.
The main theme in Beside Myself is a question of identity - who are we really and how can our circumstances change us? The novel explores an interesting idea - that who we are can be a product of how we are treated by others. At the beginning, Helen is the happy, confident one, who is adored by all. But as soon as the twins switch and Helen is treated with annoyance, as Ellie always was, she retreats into her shell and becomes Ellie. Likewise, shy Ellie is suddenly treated with affection so she steps out of her shell and basks in the attention; she becomes Helen. This made me wonder - are our child personalities so malleable that we can be forever altered by the attitudes of others? I think we can. Often, as children, we're told certain things about who we are. Some might be true, but sometimes they're the false observations of well-meaning adults. Either way, they can influence how we see ourselves, and the personality we go on to present to the outside world.
Beside Myself is a complex novel. It was hard to read at times, but I believe that was the point. Morgan gave us an insight into mental illness, as well as the havoc a big lie can wreak on an innocent mind. While I did find parts of the novel quite predictable, and the character of 'Mother' to be too far-fetched in her behaviour, I enjoyed reading the book and got very caught up in the story. I'll be keeping an eye out for Morgan's next novel.
Until they decide to swap places: just for fun, and just for one day.
But Ellie refuses to swap back...
And so begins a nightmare from which Helen cannot wake up. Her toys, her clothes, her friends, her glowing record at school, the favour of her mother and the future she had dreamed of are all gone to a sister who blossoms in the approval that used to belong to Helen. And as the years pass, she loses not only her memory of that day but also herself - until eventually only 'Smudge' is left.
Twenty-five years later, Smudge receives a call from out of the blue. It threatens to pull her back into her sister's dangerous orbit, but if this is her only chance to face the past, how can she resist?
I read Beside Myself as part of the Eclectic Reader Challenge, which asked for a debut author in 2016. I was drawn to this book by its intriguing premise - a twin essentially takes over her sister's identity. I wondered what would happen to the lives of these twin sisters, and just how far Ellie would go to keep the truth from coming out.
I expected Beside Myself to be an intense thriller, perhaps one full of violence. Instead, it is far more a book about mental illness and Smudge's descent into madness. Don't get me wrong, I certainly enjoyed reading this story; it just wasn't what I expected going in.
Ann Morgan managed to capture the behaviour of someone who is losing their grip on reality, someone who is cut off from their emotions and unable to move forward in life. At times Smudge's narrative is scattered and hard to follow, her thoughts rushing from one extreme to the other. As a reader, this was a challenge to keep up with. But I admire Morgan's ability to get the truth of mental illness onto the page; while reading I felt myself growing confused and unsure, mimicking Ellie's own feelings and disorientation - telling the story in that fumbling way is clever writing by Morgan.
The main theme in Beside Myself is a question of identity - who are we really and how can our circumstances change us? The novel explores an interesting idea - that who we are can be a product of how we are treated by others. At the beginning, Helen is the happy, confident one, who is adored by all. But as soon as the twins switch and Helen is treated with annoyance, as Ellie always was, she retreats into her shell and becomes Ellie. Likewise, shy Ellie is suddenly treated with affection so she steps out of her shell and basks in the attention; she becomes Helen. This made me wonder - are our child personalities so malleable that we can be forever altered by the attitudes of others? I think we can. Often, as children, we're told certain things about who we are. Some might be true, but sometimes they're the false observations of well-meaning adults. Either way, they can influence how we see ourselves, and the personality we go on to present to the outside world.
Beside Myself is a complex novel. It was hard to read at times, but I believe that was the point. Morgan gave us an insight into mental illness, as well as the havoc a big lie can wreak on an innocent mind. While I did find parts of the novel quite predictable, and the character of 'Mother' to be too far-fetched in her behaviour, I enjoyed reading the book and got very caught up in the story. I'll be keeping an eye out for Morgan's next novel.
Tuesday, 7 June 2016
Book Review: Becoming Nicole by Amy Ellis Nutt
When Wayne and Kelly Maines adopted identical twin boys, they thought
their lives were complete. But it wasn't long before they noticed a
marked difference between Jonas and his brother, Wyatt. Jonas preferred
sports and trucks and many of the things little boys were 'supposed' to
like; but Wyatt liked princess dolls and dressing up and playing Little
Mermaid. By the time the twins were toddlers, confusion over Wyatt's
insistence that he was female began to tear the family apart.
Becoming Nicole is the heart-wrenching story of a mother whose instincts told her that her child needed love and not disapproval; of a conservative, army-veteran father who overcame his deepest fears to embrace his new daughter; of a loving brother who never gave up supporting his twin sister; and of a town forced to confront its own prejudices. More than that, however, Becoming Nicole is the story of an extraordinary girl who fought for the right to be herself.
I read Becoming Nicole as part of the Nonfiction Reading Challenge. Cheryl Strayed recommended this book on her Facebook page and I was immediately drawn to the subject matter. I've always respected the transgender community and I hold a strong belief that everybody on this planet deserves to live as their authentic self. But I'm not ashamed to admit that I knew very little about what it means to be transgender. That's why I decided to read this book - to learn.
Amy Ellis Nutt's book tells of the fight the Maines family had to pursue after Nicole was bullied at school for being transgender. As a result of prejudice and fear, Nicole was not allowed to use the female restroom, even though it is the gender to which she identifies. Reading about this fight, I was struck by just how brave Nicole is. She was only a young girl when the bullying started, too young to fully understand why adults were making her face humiliation every day at school - a place where she'd always felt safe and accepted. But through it all Nicole kept her head held high. She knew she'd done nothing wrong. She was simply stuck in the wrong body. Nicole continued to be herself, unapologetically. Such courage is very inspiring. And it just goes to show that a lot of the time children are more enlightened than adults!
While I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Maines' story, the most intriguing part of the book for me was learning all about gender identity. It is actually a process that happens in the brain during development in the womb. Brains have certain structures that differ in size depending on whether it is a male or female brain. A person's gender identity is the product of prenatal hormones, genetics, and environmental effects. Separate to this, the growth of the genitals is a physical process resulting from the presence of male or female hormones. Usually the two align, but for a transgender person their gender identity and their genitals are opposite.
Understanding how a transgender person finds themselves stuck in the wrong body has only increased my respect and admiration for the trans community, and for Nicole Maines. While Nicole has faced some prejudice in her life, Becoming Nicole is full of many who support and love Nicole just as she is. Nicole and her family are committed to helping to dispel myths surrounding transgender people, and to fight for trans equality. They encourage others to learn about gender identity in the hope of ridding the world of ignorance, hatred and fear. I feel blessed to have read Nicole's story, to have opened my mind to new knowledge, and to have witnessed on the page how powerful it can be when a family stands up for what they believe in to show the world what love really means.
Becoming Nicole is the heart-wrenching story of a mother whose instincts told her that her child needed love and not disapproval; of a conservative, army-veteran father who overcame his deepest fears to embrace his new daughter; of a loving brother who never gave up supporting his twin sister; and of a town forced to confront its own prejudices. More than that, however, Becoming Nicole is the story of an extraordinary girl who fought for the right to be herself.
I read Becoming Nicole as part of the Nonfiction Reading Challenge. Cheryl Strayed recommended this book on her Facebook page and I was immediately drawn to the subject matter. I've always respected the transgender community and I hold a strong belief that everybody on this planet deserves to live as their authentic self. But I'm not ashamed to admit that I knew very little about what it means to be transgender. That's why I decided to read this book - to learn.
Amy Ellis Nutt's book tells of the fight the Maines family had to pursue after Nicole was bullied at school for being transgender. As a result of prejudice and fear, Nicole was not allowed to use the female restroom, even though it is the gender to which she identifies. Reading about this fight, I was struck by just how brave Nicole is. She was only a young girl when the bullying started, too young to fully understand why adults were making her face humiliation every day at school - a place where she'd always felt safe and accepted. But through it all Nicole kept her head held high. She knew she'd done nothing wrong. She was simply stuck in the wrong body. Nicole continued to be herself, unapologetically. Such courage is very inspiring. And it just goes to show that a lot of the time children are more enlightened than adults!
While I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Maines' story, the most intriguing part of the book for me was learning all about gender identity. It is actually a process that happens in the brain during development in the womb. Brains have certain structures that differ in size depending on whether it is a male or female brain. A person's gender identity is the product of prenatal hormones, genetics, and environmental effects. Separate to this, the growth of the genitals is a physical process resulting from the presence of male or female hormones. Usually the two align, but for a transgender person their gender identity and their genitals are opposite.
Understanding how a transgender person finds themselves stuck in the wrong body has only increased my respect and admiration for the trans community, and for Nicole Maines. While Nicole has faced some prejudice in her life, Becoming Nicole is full of many who support and love Nicole just as she is. Nicole and her family are committed to helping to dispel myths surrounding transgender people, and to fight for trans equality. They encourage others to learn about gender identity in the hope of ridding the world of ignorance, hatred and fear. I feel blessed to have read Nicole's story, to have opened my mind to new knowledge, and to have witnessed on the page how powerful it can be when a family stands up for what they believe in to show the world what love really means.
Wednesday, 25 May 2016
Book Review: The Pursuit of Happiness: And Why It's Making Us Anxious by Ruth Whippman
As your average cynical Brit, when Ruth Whippman moves to California, it
seems to her that the American obsession with finding happiness is
driving everyone crazy.
But soon she starts to get sucked in. She meditates and tries 'mindful dishwashing'. She attends a self-help course that promises total transformation (and learns that all her problems are her own fault). She visits a strange Nevada happiness dystopia (with one of the highest suicide rates in America), delves into the darker truths behind the influential 'science of happiness', and even ventures to Utah, where she learns God's personal secret to eternal bliss.
Ultimately she stumbles upon a more effective, less self-involved, less anxiety-inducing way to find contentment.
Fantastically fresh, funny and honest, this is an eye-opening look at what happiness really means.
I read The Pursuit of Happiness as part of my two reading challenges - the Nonfiction Reading Challenge and the Eclectic Reader Challenge, which asked for a 'psychology' book. In The Pursuit of Happiness, Ruth Whippman asks the question - Is the happiness/self-help industry actually creating anxiety? This idea intrigued me as I've had an interest in self-help for many years now. At certain times of my life, it has brought me a lot of comfort. But I know that a deeper happiness can not come from meditation or positive thinking alone.
Whippman suggests that positive thinking, affirmations and the like can actually make us more unhappy, as we strive to be perfect and happy and not a slave to our emotions. All of this can have an adverse effect - we're trying to find our happiness by putting pressure on ourselves to be happy. Ignoring negative emotions and aiming to be happy all the time ends up creating anxiety as we attempt to be our 'perfect' selves. But all emotions are a necessary part of life. As Whippman says - we need to "develop a discourse of happiness that engages with people's problems rather than dismisses them."
In the book Whippman talks a lot about our internet-obsessed society and the fact that Facebook and other social media platforms are filtered versions of us, showing the positive only. This breeds discontent as we come to compare our lives to those of our friends, who always seem to be sunning themselves on a tropical island etc. Being envious of others leads us further away from our own happiness and makes us question our own 'life satisfaction'.
In researching this book Whippman stayed with a Mormon family to find out if a simple life is just what we need, she visited Google HQ to learn about work-life integration, she questioned hyper-parenting and the pressure we put on our children to provide us with purpose and joy. Whippman studied the positive psychology movement and the billion-dollar self-help industry to see where our society is going wrong. After all, if happiness really is to be found in the seemingly infinite number of self-help options now available to us, surely we'd be a world overflowing with joy. But that is not the case.
Whippman comes to believe that in our search for happiness we seem to have lost our way. We're all spending far too much time alone and staring at our screens. Socialising and interpersonal relationships are good for us, good for the soul and can make us happy. Society believes the myth that happiness is an individual responsibility, that it's our duty to go out and find our happiness, be it through yoga, meditation, religion, work, parenting etc. But giving most of our free time to self-absorbed pursuits can be counter-productive. It's often better to make time for family and friends, to share life and create joy together.
Ultimately, society needs to remember that happiness can be fleeting. But what we all really need is a deeper joy, a sense of 'life satisfaction' that will carry us through tough times. Seeking a picture-perfect happiness, full of endless smiles and positivity, is unrealistic. Sometimes life is hard and negative emotions are bound to pop up from time to time. Embracing the full spectrum of human experience can help us step closer to that deeper joy.
But soon she starts to get sucked in. She meditates and tries 'mindful dishwashing'. She attends a self-help course that promises total transformation (and learns that all her problems are her own fault). She visits a strange Nevada happiness dystopia (with one of the highest suicide rates in America), delves into the darker truths behind the influential 'science of happiness', and even ventures to Utah, where she learns God's personal secret to eternal bliss.
Ultimately she stumbles upon a more effective, less self-involved, less anxiety-inducing way to find contentment.
Fantastically fresh, funny and honest, this is an eye-opening look at what happiness really means.
I read The Pursuit of Happiness as part of my two reading challenges - the Nonfiction Reading Challenge and the Eclectic Reader Challenge, which asked for a 'psychology' book. In The Pursuit of Happiness, Ruth Whippman asks the question - Is the happiness/self-help industry actually creating anxiety? This idea intrigued me as I've had an interest in self-help for many years now. At certain times of my life, it has brought me a lot of comfort. But I know that a deeper happiness can not come from meditation or positive thinking alone.
Whippman suggests that positive thinking, affirmations and the like can actually make us more unhappy, as we strive to be perfect and happy and not a slave to our emotions. All of this can have an adverse effect - we're trying to find our happiness by putting pressure on ourselves to be happy. Ignoring negative emotions and aiming to be happy all the time ends up creating anxiety as we attempt to be our 'perfect' selves. But all emotions are a necessary part of life. As Whippman says - we need to "develop a discourse of happiness that engages with people's problems rather than dismisses them."
In the book Whippman talks a lot about our internet-obsessed society and the fact that Facebook and other social media platforms are filtered versions of us, showing the positive only. This breeds discontent as we come to compare our lives to those of our friends, who always seem to be sunning themselves on a tropical island etc. Being envious of others leads us further away from our own happiness and makes us question our own 'life satisfaction'.
In researching this book Whippman stayed with a Mormon family to find out if a simple life is just what we need, she visited Google HQ to learn about work-life integration, she questioned hyper-parenting and the pressure we put on our children to provide us with purpose and joy. Whippman studied the positive psychology movement and the billion-dollar self-help industry to see where our society is going wrong. After all, if happiness really is to be found in the seemingly infinite number of self-help options now available to us, surely we'd be a world overflowing with joy. But that is not the case.
Whippman comes to believe that in our search for happiness we seem to have lost our way. We're all spending far too much time alone and staring at our screens. Socialising and interpersonal relationships are good for us, good for the soul and can make us happy. Society believes the myth that happiness is an individual responsibility, that it's our duty to go out and find our happiness, be it through yoga, meditation, religion, work, parenting etc. But giving most of our free time to self-absorbed pursuits can be counter-productive. It's often better to make time for family and friends, to share life and create joy together.
Ultimately, society needs to remember that happiness can be fleeting. But what we all really need is a deeper joy, a sense of 'life satisfaction' that will carry us through tough times. Seeking a picture-perfect happiness, full of endless smiles and positivity, is unrealistic. Sometimes life is hard and negative emotions are bound to pop up from time to time. Embracing the full spectrum of human experience can help us step closer to that deeper joy.
Thursday, 21 April 2016
Book Review: My Story by Elizabeth Smart
On June 5, 2002, fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Smart, the daughter of a
close-knit Mormon family, was taken from her home in the middle of the
night by religious fanatic, Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda
Barzee. She was kept chained, dressed in disguise, repeatedly raped, and
told she and her family would be killed if she tried to escape. After
her rescue on March 12, 2003, she rejoined her family and worked to pick
up the pieces of her life.
Now for the first time, in her memoir, My Story, she tells of the constant fear she endured every hour, her courageous determination to maintain hope, and how she devised a plan to manipulate her captors and convinced them to return to Utah, where she was rescued minutes after arriving. Smart explains how her faith helped her stay sane in the midst of a nightmare and how she found the strength to confront her captors at their trial and see that justice was served.
I read My Story as part of the Nonfiction Reading Challenge. I remember reading about Elizabeth's abduction in the news all those years ago and being horrifed that a young girl could be snatched from the safety of her own bedroom. I was happy when Elizabeth was rescued, but her story eventually faded from my mind. I wasn't aware she'd written a memoir. As soon as I came across My Story while searching online for nonfiction books for this challenge, I knew I had to read it.
Elizabeth is an inspirational woman. I'm fascinated by the way in which Elizabeth has overcome her abduction and gone on to live a happy and productive life. Her faith in God has helped her of course, but she also talks about being grateful for everything and acknowledging that even when things are bad there are still many things in life to be thankful for. She also says she knows things could always be worse, so make the most of your life. That's very brave; I'm sure a lot of us would want to drown in the sorrow instead.
What struck me the most while reading this memoir, was just how ridiculous Mitchell's reasoning was for having abducted Elizabeth. The Smart family are a good Christian family who offered to help a homeless Mitchell by giving him odd jobs to do at their house. That's how he came to know where Elizabeth's bedroom was and how he could get in to the house to kidnap her. I found it awful that good people who see their faith as important, who want to help their fellow man, were subjected to such a betrayal of trust. To take a young girl from her home, to rape and torture her for months is as evil an act as there ever was. Such an ungodly thing to do. And Mitchell did it all in the name of religion! This makes me so angry on behalf of the Smart family, and reminds me again what a phenomenal woman Elizabeth is that she has been able to move past this horrific tragedy with her faith still intact.
Reading My Story, it was clear to me from the outset just how much courage Elizabeth possessed. At only fourteen years old she recognised that she needed to get along with her captors, to make them think she wasn't going to fight them, or try to escape. She knew to try to get them to like her, so they might come to trust her. That's a heroic mindset to have under such harrowing circumstances and it's an incredibly brave thing to decide - to attempt to be nice to your rapist so you might eventually find a way to manipulate them. Elizabeth silently fought her way to freedom.
As hard as it is to read about everything Elizabeth had to endure, I found this book to be overall a positive one. This memoir is life-affirming because even through months of torture Elizabeth kept her strength, kept hoping, and in the end she was rescued. She knows how miraculous that is, and that it's something to be thankful for. She talks about it being only nine months of her life that were awful - she's had plenty more months that have been filled with joy and love. What a courageous woman she is!
Elizabeth has allowed her experience to empower her. She uses her knowledge of being an abductee to help others. This is a significant and brave thing to do - to use your tragedy to help others, to change the world, to turn an horrific negative into a positive force in the world. That's remarkable.
Now for the first time, in her memoir, My Story, she tells of the constant fear she endured every hour, her courageous determination to maintain hope, and how she devised a plan to manipulate her captors and convinced them to return to Utah, where she was rescued minutes after arriving. Smart explains how her faith helped her stay sane in the midst of a nightmare and how she found the strength to confront her captors at their trial and see that justice was served.
I read My Story as part of the Nonfiction Reading Challenge. I remember reading about Elizabeth's abduction in the news all those years ago and being horrifed that a young girl could be snatched from the safety of her own bedroom. I was happy when Elizabeth was rescued, but her story eventually faded from my mind. I wasn't aware she'd written a memoir. As soon as I came across My Story while searching online for nonfiction books for this challenge, I knew I had to read it.
Elizabeth is an inspirational woman. I'm fascinated by the way in which Elizabeth has overcome her abduction and gone on to live a happy and productive life. Her faith in God has helped her of course, but she also talks about being grateful for everything and acknowledging that even when things are bad there are still many things in life to be thankful for. She also says she knows things could always be worse, so make the most of your life. That's very brave; I'm sure a lot of us would want to drown in the sorrow instead.
What struck me the most while reading this memoir, was just how ridiculous Mitchell's reasoning was for having abducted Elizabeth. The Smart family are a good Christian family who offered to help a homeless Mitchell by giving him odd jobs to do at their house. That's how he came to know where Elizabeth's bedroom was and how he could get in to the house to kidnap her. I found it awful that good people who see their faith as important, who want to help their fellow man, were subjected to such a betrayal of trust. To take a young girl from her home, to rape and torture her for months is as evil an act as there ever was. Such an ungodly thing to do. And Mitchell did it all in the name of religion! This makes me so angry on behalf of the Smart family, and reminds me again what a phenomenal woman Elizabeth is that she has been able to move past this horrific tragedy with her faith still intact.
Reading My Story, it was clear to me from the outset just how much courage Elizabeth possessed. At only fourteen years old she recognised that she needed to get along with her captors, to make them think she wasn't going to fight them, or try to escape. She knew to try to get them to like her, so they might come to trust her. That's a heroic mindset to have under such harrowing circumstances and it's an incredibly brave thing to decide - to attempt to be nice to your rapist so you might eventually find a way to manipulate them. Elizabeth silently fought her way to freedom.
As hard as it is to read about everything Elizabeth had to endure, I found this book to be overall a positive one. This memoir is life-affirming because even through months of torture Elizabeth kept her strength, kept hoping, and in the end she was rescued. She knows how miraculous that is, and that it's something to be thankful for. She talks about it being only nine months of her life that were awful - she's had plenty more months that have been filled with joy and love. What a courageous woman she is!
Elizabeth has allowed her experience to empower her. She uses her knowledge of being an abductee to help others. This is a significant and brave thing to do - to use your tragedy to help others, to change the world, to turn an horrific negative into a positive force in the world. That's remarkable.
Thursday, 31 March 2016
Book Review: How To Be A Heroine by Samantha Ellis
On a pilgrimage to Wuthering Heights, Samantha Ellis found herself
arguing with her best friend about which heroine was best: Jane Eyre or
Cathy Earnshaw. She was all for wild, passionate Cathy; but her friend
found Cathy silly, a snob, while courageous Jane makes her own way.
And that’s when Samantha realised that all her life she’d been trying to be Cathy when she should have been trying to be Jane. So she decided to look again at her heroines – the girls, women, books that had shaped her ideas of the world and how to live.
How To Be A Heroine is Samantha’s funny, touching, inspiring exploration of the role of heroines, and our favourite books, in all our lives – and how they change over time, for better or worse, just as we do.
I read How To Be A Heroine as part of my two reading challenges - the Nonfiction Reading Challenge and the Eclectic Reader Challenge, which asked for a 'book about books'. Being an avid reader I was drawn to the premise of Ellis' book; I think it's a fascinating idea to go back and re-read novels you enjoyed in your youth to see if you view the characters differently with adult eyes. And I can certainly relate to the idea that characters in novels become as important to you as your real-life friends, especially when you read books as an adolescent. That's the beauty of fiction - authors create characters that can come alive on the page and readers get to use their imagination to give these characters form.
Ellis' book is well-written. It was interesting reading about characters and novels that I haven't thought about in years. It was fun to think back on my own first reading of Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice, Gone with the Wind etc, remembering how much those books meant to me. I especially liked how Ellis re-read fairy tales from a feminist perspective. It's always good to be reminded of the absurdity of these stories- eg: the Little Mermaid gives up her legs and her voice, all for a man. Ridiculous!
I must admit, however, that I ended up skipping a few chapters in this book. Some of these were because I hadn't read the novel Ellis was discussing so her reflections meant very little to me. But it wasn't just those chapters; I found myself growing bored. For some reason this book failed to hold my attention. It definitely has little to do with the quality of the book, because that is excellent - Ellis is a great writer. And while I could relate to some of Ellis' life decisions, I came to view it as monotonous and unrealistic that Ellis would be so enamored with fictional characters that they would guide her life so significantly.
For Ellis, it seems, books are her world, her passion, her life. Of course that's fine. I respect that. And I do relate to it - that's why I chose to read her book in the first place. But unfortunately, I didn't fall in love with How To Be A Heroine. I wish I could have, because the premise was so intriguing to me.
And that’s when Samantha realised that all her life she’d been trying to be Cathy when she should have been trying to be Jane. So she decided to look again at her heroines – the girls, women, books that had shaped her ideas of the world and how to live.
How To Be A Heroine is Samantha’s funny, touching, inspiring exploration of the role of heroines, and our favourite books, in all our lives – and how they change over time, for better or worse, just as we do.
I read How To Be A Heroine as part of my two reading challenges - the Nonfiction Reading Challenge and the Eclectic Reader Challenge, which asked for a 'book about books'. Being an avid reader I was drawn to the premise of Ellis' book; I think it's a fascinating idea to go back and re-read novels you enjoyed in your youth to see if you view the characters differently with adult eyes. And I can certainly relate to the idea that characters in novels become as important to you as your real-life friends, especially when you read books as an adolescent. That's the beauty of fiction - authors create characters that can come alive on the page and readers get to use their imagination to give these characters form.
Ellis' book is well-written. It was interesting reading about characters and novels that I haven't thought about in years. It was fun to think back on my own first reading of Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice, Gone with the Wind etc, remembering how much those books meant to me. I especially liked how Ellis re-read fairy tales from a feminist perspective. It's always good to be reminded of the absurdity of these stories- eg: the Little Mermaid gives up her legs and her voice, all for a man. Ridiculous!
I must admit, however, that I ended up skipping a few chapters in this book. Some of these were because I hadn't read the novel Ellis was discussing so her reflections meant very little to me. But it wasn't just those chapters; I found myself growing bored. For some reason this book failed to hold my attention. It definitely has little to do with the quality of the book, because that is excellent - Ellis is a great writer. And while I could relate to some of Ellis' life decisions, I came to view it as monotonous and unrealistic that Ellis would be so enamored with fictional characters that they would guide her life so significantly.
For Ellis, it seems, books are her world, her passion, her life. Of course that's fine. I respect that. And I do relate to it - that's why I chose to read her book in the first place. But unfortunately, I didn't fall in love with How To Be A Heroine. I wish I could have, because the premise was so intriguing to me.
Wednesday, 23 March 2016
Book Review: This House of Grief by Helen Garner
On the evening of 4 September 2005, Father’s Day, Robert Farquharson,
a separated husband, was driving his three sons home to their mother,
Cindy, when his car left the road and plunged into a dam. The boys, aged
ten, seven and two, drowned. Was this an act of revenge or a tragic
accident? The court case became Helen Garner’s obsession. She followed
it on its protracted course until the final verdict.
In this utterly compelling book, Helen Garner tells the story of a man and his broken life. She presents the theatre of the courtroom with its actors and audience, all gathered for the purpose of bearing witness to the truth, players in the extraordinary and unpredictable drama of the quest for justice.
I read This House of Grief as part of both the Nonfiction Reading Challenge and the Eclectic Reader Challenge (which asked for an investigative journalism book). Even though I'm Australian, I've lived in London for many years so I was unfamiliar with the tragic story of Robert Farquharson and his three sons. After choosing to read This House of Grief, I purposefully didn't look up the case; I was able to read about the trial without any idea of whether Farquharson would be found guilty or innocent.
Helen Garner is such a fantastic writer. She was able to turn the somewhat boring legal proceedings into a compelling narrative. I was hooked from the first page and devoured this book in two days. I was desperate to find out what would happen to Robert Farquharson. It wasn't long in to the book that I decided for myself that he was certainly guilty. His strange behaviour immediately following the incident, and his inability to say exactly how he had helped to save his sons from drowning, made me question Farquharson's coughing blackout story. My instincts told me that something was just not right there. Surely a parent would be frantic, trying desperately to save their children's lives? Farquharson seemed to accept his boys' fate too willingly.
Reading about this horrific incident made my heart ache for the boys' mother Cindy Gambino. To lose all of your children in such a tragic way was heartbreaking. This House of Grief is a hard book to read, even though it is expertly written. Garner's thorough descriptions of the trial left me with visions of those three innocent souls fighting for their lives in that cold, dark water. It was torture to imagine such things and I don't even know the family personally. To understand the depths of their grief is impossible for me, but my compassion for them is boundless.
This House of Grief is investigative journalism at its absolute best. Garner's writing kept me enthralled throughout and I was able to relate to all of the emotions she so eloquently spoke about experiencing as she sat through week after week of Farquharson's murder trial. Garner is herself a compassionate observer while also being a competent journalist who is able to give us an uncensored report of every aspect of the trial. Garner has her own opinion of Robert Farquharson, but at all times she asks questions of herself and her reader, so as to look at this man from every possible angle. If he is as innocent as he claims, a misunderstood man, then he really is living every parent's worst nightmare.
After reading this book though, I don't believe in Farquharson's innocence. I think he made a terrible choice, out of spite and revenge, to take his children away from his ex-wife Cindy. I'm no expert, but if two separate juries found him guilty of intentionally driving that car into the dam and murdering his sons, then that's evidence enough for me. What Farquharson did is unforgivable. As heartbreaking as it was to read about this tragedy I'm grateful to know the story, so the lives of Jai, Tyler and Bailey can be honoured and remembered.
In this utterly compelling book, Helen Garner tells the story of a man and his broken life. She presents the theatre of the courtroom with its actors and audience, all gathered for the purpose of bearing witness to the truth, players in the extraordinary and unpredictable drama of the quest for justice.
I read This House of Grief as part of both the Nonfiction Reading Challenge and the Eclectic Reader Challenge (which asked for an investigative journalism book). Even though I'm Australian, I've lived in London for many years so I was unfamiliar with the tragic story of Robert Farquharson and his three sons. After choosing to read This House of Grief, I purposefully didn't look up the case; I was able to read about the trial without any idea of whether Farquharson would be found guilty or innocent.
Helen Garner is such a fantastic writer. She was able to turn the somewhat boring legal proceedings into a compelling narrative. I was hooked from the first page and devoured this book in two days. I was desperate to find out what would happen to Robert Farquharson. It wasn't long in to the book that I decided for myself that he was certainly guilty. His strange behaviour immediately following the incident, and his inability to say exactly how he had helped to save his sons from drowning, made me question Farquharson's coughing blackout story. My instincts told me that something was just not right there. Surely a parent would be frantic, trying desperately to save their children's lives? Farquharson seemed to accept his boys' fate too willingly.
Reading about this horrific incident made my heart ache for the boys' mother Cindy Gambino. To lose all of your children in such a tragic way was heartbreaking. This House of Grief is a hard book to read, even though it is expertly written. Garner's thorough descriptions of the trial left me with visions of those three innocent souls fighting for their lives in that cold, dark water. It was torture to imagine such things and I don't even know the family personally. To understand the depths of their grief is impossible for me, but my compassion for them is boundless.
This House of Grief is investigative journalism at its absolute best. Garner's writing kept me enthralled throughout and I was able to relate to all of the emotions she so eloquently spoke about experiencing as she sat through week after week of Farquharson's murder trial. Garner is herself a compassionate observer while also being a competent journalist who is able to give us an uncensored report of every aspect of the trial. Garner has her own opinion of Robert Farquharson, but at all times she asks questions of herself and her reader, so as to look at this man from every possible angle. If he is as innocent as he claims, a misunderstood man, then he really is living every parent's worst nightmare.
After reading this book though, I don't believe in Farquharson's innocence. I think he made a terrible choice, out of spite and revenge, to take his children away from his ex-wife Cindy. I'm no expert, but if two separate juries found him guilty of intentionally driving that car into the dam and murdering his sons, then that's evidence enough for me. What Farquharson did is unforgivable. As heartbreaking as it was to read about this tragedy I'm grateful to know the story, so the lives of Jai, Tyler and Bailey can be honoured and remembered.
Friday, 18 March 2016
Book Review: The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza
'Her eyes are wide open. Her lips parted as if to speak. Her dead body frozen in the ice…She is not the only one.
When a young boy discovers the body of a woman beneath a thick sheet of ice in a South London park, Detective Erika Foster is called in to lead the murder investigation.
The victim, a beautiful young socialite, appeared to have the perfect life. Yet when Erika begins to dig deeper, she starts to connect the dots between the murder and the killings of three prostitutes, all found strangled, hands bound and dumped in water around London.
What dark secrets is the girl in the ice hiding?'
I read The Girl in the Ice as part of the 2016 Eclectic Reader Challenge, for which I needed to read a 'serial killer thriller.' I chose this particular novel because it is set in South-East London, where I live, and because the book had so many glowing reviews.
The Girl in the Ice is a typical crime novel, so fans of the genre will likely enjoy the story. Although some reviewers have questioned the accuracy of the police procedures in the book, that wasn't an issue for me. Die-hard crime novel fans might feel that stretching artistic license when it comes to describing police investigations is a no-no, but I was able to suspend disbelief and just go along for the ride. As you can tell, I'm not a die-hard crime novel fan. I don't often choose to read crime novels, but when a reading challenge calls for it I always manage to find one that I enjoy.
The best part of reading The Girl in the Ice, for me, was its setting. Reading a story set in places that are so familiar to me really made the story come alive. It was easy for me to imagine the action and picture the characters in their surroundings. This made the story much more realistic for me and really allowed me to engage with the characters' actions.
I especially liked the main character, Detective Erika Foster. In the opening chapters it is clear she's a woman who stands her ground and commands authority. It's refreshing to read a strong female character who holds her own among her male colleagues. But there is also a vulnerability to Erika Foster, which she tries to keep hidden. She's dealing with a personal tragedy that makes her behaviour a little erratic. I notice some reviewers said this was unrealistic, but for me I enjoyed that side of Foster as it made her a more rounded character. We all have our flaws, even strong police officers aren't perfect.
I enjoyed The Girl in the Ice. It was a fast-paced and engaging read. I didn't know who the killer was so I found the last few chapters especially exciting as the hunt for the killer intensified. The writing was good and I liked the way the author used the snowy and rainy weather to create a haunting atmosphere. There were some minor errors in the book though; mainly editing issues, things being forgotten etc. Overall, an easy read that entertained me.
When a young boy discovers the body of a woman beneath a thick sheet of ice in a South London park, Detective Erika Foster is called in to lead the murder investigation.
The victim, a beautiful young socialite, appeared to have the perfect life. Yet when Erika begins to dig deeper, she starts to connect the dots between the murder and the killings of three prostitutes, all found strangled, hands bound and dumped in water around London.
What dark secrets is the girl in the ice hiding?'
I read The Girl in the Ice as part of the 2016 Eclectic Reader Challenge, for which I needed to read a 'serial killer thriller.' I chose this particular novel because it is set in South-East London, where I live, and because the book had so many glowing reviews.
The Girl in the Ice is a typical crime novel, so fans of the genre will likely enjoy the story. Although some reviewers have questioned the accuracy of the police procedures in the book, that wasn't an issue for me. Die-hard crime novel fans might feel that stretching artistic license when it comes to describing police investigations is a no-no, but I was able to suspend disbelief and just go along for the ride. As you can tell, I'm not a die-hard crime novel fan. I don't often choose to read crime novels, but when a reading challenge calls for it I always manage to find one that I enjoy.
The best part of reading The Girl in the Ice, for me, was its setting. Reading a story set in places that are so familiar to me really made the story come alive. It was easy for me to imagine the action and picture the characters in their surroundings. This made the story much more realistic for me and really allowed me to engage with the characters' actions.
I especially liked the main character, Detective Erika Foster. In the opening chapters it is clear she's a woman who stands her ground and commands authority. It's refreshing to read a strong female character who holds her own among her male colleagues. But there is also a vulnerability to Erika Foster, which she tries to keep hidden. She's dealing with a personal tragedy that makes her behaviour a little erratic. I notice some reviewers said this was unrealistic, but for me I enjoyed that side of Foster as it made her a more rounded character. We all have our flaws, even strong police officers aren't perfect.
I enjoyed The Girl in the Ice. It was a fast-paced and engaging read. I didn't know who the killer was so I found the last few chapters especially exciting as the hunt for the killer intensified. The writing was good and I liked the way the author used the snowy and rainy weather to create a haunting atmosphere. There were some minor errors in the book though; mainly editing issues, things being forgotten etc. Overall, an easy read that entertained me.
Thursday, 18 February 2016
Book Review: A Night to Remember by Walter Lord
On April 15th, 1912, Titanic, the world's largest passenger ship,
sank after colliding with an iceberg, claiming more than 1,500 lives.
Walter Lord's classic bestselling history of the voyage, the wreck and
the aftermath is a tour de force of detailed investigation and the upstairs/downstairs divide. A Night to Remember provides a vivid, gripping and deeply personal account of the 'unsinkable' Titanic's descent.
I read A Night to Remember as part of the Nonfiction Reading Challenge. From as far back as I can recall, I've had a fascination with the Titanic and her tragic sinking. And having just recently been to Belfast just to go to the Titanic Museum there, I felt a renewed interest in the story.
A Night to Remember was originally published in 1955 and it was the first definitive resource about the Titanic disaster. Lord interviewed a number of survivors and painstakingly researched the investigations into the sinking to provide a thorough account of that tragic night. Over the years I have read many books and articles about the Titanic, but for some reason I'd never picked up Lord's book. Having read it now, I can clearly see why it is so successful. Lord writes with brevity and his book is full of information about that night, but what sets this book apart from others is the extent to which he wove survivors' interviews into a narrative.
Hearing what individual passengers did during the hours it took for the Titanic to sink brings this story to life, and reminds us that these people were real, this awful event did indeed take place, and 1500 lives were lost. Titanic's sinking is not just fodder for romantic movies; it is a maritime disaster like no other. Lord's account is overwhelmingly sad in parts, but that's why it's such a well-written book. It gets to the heart of the event; how people react in a life and death situation.
The thing that always strikes me about Titanic's sinking is the part that fate played in the tragedy. Lord talks about this in the book and lists all the things that could have gone another way on that fateful night, things that certainly would have changed events dramatically. For example - what if ice warnings had been heeded? What if wireless operator Phillips hadn't been flustered with overwork and didn't cut off the Californian's message about icebergs? What if the Californian had gone to Titanic's aid? The list goes on. There are a heap of 'what ifs', as there always is when tragedy occurs. Unfortunately for Titanic and her passengers, fate wasn't working in her favour that evening.
One particular event in the book stood out to me. Lord talks about the men who clung to the upturned collapsible lifeboat B for hours after the sinking. The boat was partially submerged, and to counteract the motion of the boat (for fear of capsize) the men stood in lines on the upturned boat and swayed from side to side to maintain balance. They did this for hours. A remarkable feat of perseverance. It just goes to show what we'll put ourselves through to survive.
Overall, A Night to Remember is a gripping and heartbreaking account of the Titanic and her passengers. Lord is an excellent writer who manages to provide every detail, significant or small, to create an ultimate record of Titanic's maiden voyage and sinking. I thoroughly enjoyed his book.
I read A Night to Remember as part of the Nonfiction Reading Challenge. From as far back as I can recall, I've had a fascination with the Titanic and her tragic sinking. And having just recently been to Belfast just to go to the Titanic Museum there, I felt a renewed interest in the story.
A Night to Remember was originally published in 1955 and it was the first definitive resource about the Titanic disaster. Lord interviewed a number of survivors and painstakingly researched the investigations into the sinking to provide a thorough account of that tragic night. Over the years I have read many books and articles about the Titanic, but for some reason I'd never picked up Lord's book. Having read it now, I can clearly see why it is so successful. Lord writes with brevity and his book is full of information about that night, but what sets this book apart from others is the extent to which he wove survivors' interviews into a narrative.
Hearing what individual passengers did during the hours it took for the Titanic to sink brings this story to life, and reminds us that these people were real, this awful event did indeed take place, and 1500 lives were lost. Titanic's sinking is not just fodder for romantic movies; it is a maritime disaster like no other. Lord's account is overwhelmingly sad in parts, but that's why it's such a well-written book. It gets to the heart of the event; how people react in a life and death situation.
The thing that always strikes me about Titanic's sinking is the part that fate played in the tragedy. Lord talks about this in the book and lists all the things that could have gone another way on that fateful night, things that certainly would have changed events dramatically. For example - what if ice warnings had been heeded? What if wireless operator Phillips hadn't been flustered with overwork and didn't cut off the Californian's message about icebergs? What if the Californian had gone to Titanic's aid? The list goes on. There are a heap of 'what ifs', as there always is when tragedy occurs. Unfortunately for Titanic and her passengers, fate wasn't working in her favour that evening.
One particular event in the book stood out to me. Lord talks about the men who clung to the upturned collapsible lifeboat B for hours after the sinking. The boat was partially submerged, and to counteract the motion of the boat (for fear of capsize) the men stood in lines on the upturned boat and swayed from side to side to maintain balance. They did this for hours. A remarkable feat of perseverance. It just goes to show what we'll put ourselves through to survive.
Overall, A Night to Remember is a gripping and heartbreaking account of the Titanic and her passengers. Lord is an excellent writer who manages to provide every detail, significant or small, to create an ultimate record of Titanic's maiden voyage and sinking. I thoroughly enjoyed his book.
Wednesday, 10 February 2016
Book Review: Love Life by Rob Lowe
When Rob Lowe's first
book was published in 2011, he received the kind of rapturous reviews
that writers dream of and rocketed to the top of the bestseller list.
Now, in Love Life, he expands his scope, using stories and
observations from his life in a poignant and humorous series of true
tales about men and women, art and commerce, fathers and sons, addiction
and recovery, and sex and love.
I read Love Life as part of the Nonfiction Reading Challenge. I've always liked Rob Lowe and having read some of his earlier writing I knew this book would be an entertaining read. I was not disappointed.
Rob tells stories from his time in Hollywood, as well as personal stories. He's a great writer and his sense of humour leaps off the page throughout the book. I've seen Rob interviewed many times and he's a very funny man. It's great to see this side of him coming out in his writing too. Having read this book I believe one of the best things about Rob is his ability to laugh at himself. He doesn't take life, or himself, too seriously. That makes his writing a joy to read.
Rob seems to be a thoughtful celebrity. Sure, he has his ego and definitely wants to succeed as an actor, but it's also clear that he loves the craft of acting and intentionally takes on roles because of the challenge he will face. He isn't a snob about roles - he doesn't just play leading men. He's in it for the artistry of acting. I admire him for that.
I also loved the way Rob spoke of his family. He recognises that family is more important than his famous job. He knows acting is a means to an end. Yes it's a passion of his, but so is his family. I found the sections about his eldest son leaving home for college to be very well-written. It's obvious an emotional time for Rob, and I admire his candor in speaking about such a personal struggle.
Love Life is an easy read. There is nothing astounding in the book, but it's an entertaining look at Rob Lowe's professional and personal life. I enjoyed it.
I read Love Life as part of the Nonfiction Reading Challenge. I've always liked Rob Lowe and having read some of his earlier writing I knew this book would be an entertaining read. I was not disappointed.
Rob tells stories from his time in Hollywood, as well as personal stories. He's a great writer and his sense of humour leaps off the page throughout the book. I've seen Rob interviewed many times and he's a very funny man. It's great to see this side of him coming out in his writing too. Having read this book I believe one of the best things about Rob is his ability to laugh at himself. He doesn't take life, or himself, too seriously. That makes his writing a joy to read.
Rob seems to be a thoughtful celebrity. Sure, he has his ego and definitely wants to succeed as an actor, but it's also clear that he loves the craft of acting and intentionally takes on roles because of the challenge he will face. He isn't a snob about roles - he doesn't just play leading men. He's in it for the artistry of acting. I admire him for that.
I also loved the way Rob spoke of his family. He recognises that family is more important than his famous job. He knows acting is a means to an end. Yes it's a passion of his, but so is his family. I found the sections about his eldest son leaving home for college to be very well-written. It's obvious an emotional time for Rob, and I admire his candor in speaking about such a personal struggle.
Love Life is an easy read. There is nothing astounding in the book, but it's an entertaining look at Rob Lowe's professional and personal life. I enjoyed it.
Tuesday, 5 January 2016
2016 Reading Challenges
It's been a couple of years since I took part in a reading challenge. This year I've decided to get back into a reading/reviewing routine by signing up to two challenges. Not only will this get me reading a variety of genres and subjects I might not otherwise, it will also ease me back into my blogging. Healing Scribe has suffered from my silence the last two years. Reviewing books will ensure my blog sees at least some action in 2016! :-)
My two challenges are -
I did the Eclectic Reader Challenge in 2013 and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I'm back for another go! Shelleyrae at Book'd Out says - "the aim of The Eclectic Reader Challenge is to push you outside your comfort zone by reading up to 12 books during the year from 12 different categories."
This year the categories are -
1. A book about books (fiction or non-fiction)
2. Serial killer Thriller
3. Paranormal romance
4. A novel set on an island
5. Investigative journalism (non-fiction)
6. Disaster fiction
7. Steampunk sci-fi
8. Any book shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize
9. Psychology (non-fiction)
10. Immigrant Experience fiction
11. YA historical fiction
12. A debut author in 2016
I will choose my books as I go along.
The Non-Fiction Challenge hosted by The Introverted Reader is a new one for me. It's a simple challenge - just read non-fiction books. :-) Memoir, travel, history - whatever! If it's non-fiction, it counts.
I'm signing up for the Seeker level - read 11-15 non-fiction books this year. Again, I'll choose these books as I go along.
I'll start posting my reviews soon. Stay tuned...
My two challenges are -
I did the Eclectic Reader Challenge in 2013 and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I'm back for another go! Shelleyrae at Book'd Out says - "the aim of The Eclectic Reader Challenge is to push you outside your comfort zone by reading up to 12 books during the year from 12 different categories."
This year the categories are -
1. A book about books (fiction or non-fiction)
2. Serial killer Thriller
3. Paranormal romance
4. A novel set on an island
5. Investigative journalism (non-fiction)
6. Disaster fiction
7. Steampunk sci-fi
8. Any book shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize
9. Psychology (non-fiction)
10. Immigrant Experience fiction
11. YA historical fiction
12. A debut author in 2016
I will choose my books as I go along.
The Non-Fiction Challenge hosted by The Introverted Reader is a new one for me. It's a simple challenge - just read non-fiction books. :-) Memoir, travel, history - whatever! If it's non-fiction, it counts.
I'm signing up for the Seeker level - read 11-15 non-fiction books this year. Again, I'll choose these books as I go along.
I'll start posting my reviews soon. Stay tuned...
Wednesday, 26 August 2015
Gratitude & puppy love
Today is National Dog Day. To celebrate I thought it was time for me to break my blog silence and finally write a post! Seeing as my life, at the moment, revolves almost exclusively around my beautiful fur baby Roxy, it makes sense that she's the one who inspired me to write.
I am overflowing with gratitude for my little pooch. When life gets me down she is always here to make me smile. Watching her chase a ball in the park, so carefree and full of joy, reminds me that things are not as bad as they might seem. Roxy has the ability to flood my heart with happiness and break me out of negative thought patterns. After all, who can stay cranky when you have this adorable face staring back at you...
I am overflowing with gratitude for my little pooch. When life gets me down she is always here to make me smile. Watching her chase a ball in the park, so carefree and full of joy, reminds me that things are not as bad as they might seem. Roxy has the ability to flood my heart with happiness and break me out of negative thought patterns. After all, who can stay cranky when you have this adorable face staring back at you...
Having Roxy in my life is good for my soul. Taking her for a daily walk gets me out of the house and into the fresh air. She is so cute that everyone is drawn to her, so I end up having fascinating conversations with people I may never have spoken to otherwise. And training Roxy gives me a focus and a purpose, something that helps me immensely.
Roxy's puppy energy and her infinite reserves of love make my darling dog a treasured family member, one who enriches our lives in countless ways. Dog lovers the world over know exactly what I mean when I say that.
So...Happy National Dog Day!
Thursday, 16 April 2015
Healing Scribe 2015
It's been a year since I wrote a post for this blog. Part of me is surprised I had nothing to say for that long. But the rest of me knows that I've been so focused on other things that it was inevitable my blogging would take a backseat.
For me, the second half of 2014 was spent creating a home. My hubby and I bought our first house last year, so instead of blogging I was doing DIY and interior decorating. It was fun for me to have such a huge creative project - I saw decorating my first home as a chance to use my creativity in new ways. And I came to find ripping down wallpaper, or painting, or choosing the right piece of furniture, to be incredibly satisfying. Now every time I walk into my house I feel pride at the home I've made and I can see that this house expresses a little about who I am.
And this year? Well...in February we got a puppy. Our 'fur baby' Roxy is a delight and brings a lot of joy into our home. But she also takes up a lot of my time! And I wouldn't have it any other way. :-) I adore my crazy puppy, and I'm easily getting lost in spending all day with Roxy - training her, walking her, playing fetch with her, cuddling up on the sofa together. In fact I've been so focused on Roxy that it's like I fell into a puppy-fog, of which I'm only now emerging. Everything has been about Roxy for weeks now. I've thought of little else. So you can see why blogging had become so low on my list of priorities! It was only in the last few days that I've felt my creative juices starting to flow again.
I'm still a little rusty, but at least I sat down and wrote something today. Maybe I'll be back here with more to say tomorrow, or next week, or next month. Or maybe in a year from now I'll find myself sitting down to write another rambling post like this one. Who knows?!
Bye for now readers. I'm off to take Roxy for a walk. :-)
For me, the second half of 2014 was spent creating a home. My hubby and I bought our first house last year, so instead of blogging I was doing DIY and interior decorating. It was fun for me to have such a huge creative project - I saw decorating my first home as a chance to use my creativity in new ways. And I came to find ripping down wallpaper, or painting, or choosing the right piece of furniture, to be incredibly satisfying. Now every time I walk into my house I feel pride at the home I've made and I can see that this house expresses a little about who I am.
And this year? Well...in February we got a puppy. Our 'fur baby' Roxy is a delight and brings a lot of joy into our home. But she also takes up a lot of my time! And I wouldn't have it any other way. :-) I adore my crazy puppy, and I'm easily getting lost in spending all day with Roxy - training her, walking her, playing fetch with her, cuddling up on the sofa together. In fact I've been so focused on Roxy that it's like I fell into a puppy-fog, of which I'm only now emerging. Everything has been about Roxy for weeks now. I've thought of little else. So you can see why blogging had become so low on my list of priorities! It was only in the last few days that I've felt my creative juices starting to flow again.
I'm still a little rusty, but at least I sat down and wrote something today. Maybe I'll be back here with more to say tomorrow, or next week, or next month. Or maybe in a year from now I'll find myself sitting down to write another rambling post like this one. Who knows?!
Bye for now readers. I'm off to take Roxy for a walk. :-)
Tuesday, 8 April 2014
Healing Scribe 2014
My poor, neglected blog. It's already April and this is the first post I've written in 2014. Oh, the shame!
I have been pretty busy though...
After many years and many drafts I finally finished my second novel. It's called Missing Caitlin and it explores the aftermath of loss. But there's a twist! Of course I won't reveal it here, but I will say the book is set in an ordinary world where something extraordinary occurs.
I've also been working on a screenplay. It's a romantic comedy set in London. It's fun spending time imagining a Matthew McConaughey-type guy running around my city. (This is 00s rom-com Matthew I'm imagining, definitely not Killer Joe or True Detective Matthew! ;-)
So I've been preoccupied. And I've let my blog sit untouched. I feel sorry for Healing Scribe. She's always so good to me. She waits patiently for me to gather my thoughts and get my hands on the keyboard and type something. And she never judges what I deliver. She loves every word I write. :-)
Here's hoping I can get my act together and get back to my blogging. But if you don't see much of me, you'll know where I am. Picturing Matthew McConaughey with his shirt off... ;-)
I have been pretty busy though...
After many years and many drafts I finally finished my second novel. It's called Missing Caitlin and it explores the aftermath of loss. But there's a twist! Of course I won't reveal it here, but I will say the book is set in an ordinary world where something extraordinary occurs.
I've also been working on a screenplay. It's a romantic comedy set in London. It's fun spending time imagining a Matthew McConaughey-type guy running around my city. (This is 00s rom-com Matthew I'm imagining, definitely not Killer Joe or True Detective Matthew! ;-)
So I've been preoccupied. And I've let my blog sit untouched. I feel sorry for Healing Scribe. She's always so good to me. She waits patiently for me to gather my thoughts and get my hands on the keyboard and type something. And she never judges what I deliver. She loves every word I write. :-)
Here's hoping I can get my act together and get back to my blogging. But if you don't see much of me, you'll know where I am. Picturing Matthew McConaughey with his shirt off... ;-)
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
2013 Australian Women Writers Challenge Completed
After discovering the AWW Challenge only halfway through last year, I was excited to have a whole year to participate in the 2013 challenge. As this was one of three reading challenges I signed up for this year, I decided to set myself an attainable goal - read one book a month.
I also decided to read across a range of genres and I certainly enjoyed immersing myself in the wonderful worlds created by authors who were new to me. I've definitely discovered some authors I will be sticking with in the future.
I read YA paranormal, speculative, romantic suspense, romance, short stories, urban fantasy, literary, memoir, contemporary, historical, and humour. A great list!
The twelve books I read for the 2013 AWW Challenge were ...
Shadows by Paula Weston
And All the Stars by Andrea K. Host
As Darkness Falls by Bronwyn Parry
The Paler Shade of Autumn by Jacquie Underdown
Inherited by Amanda Curtin
Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur
A New Map of the Universe by Annabel Smith
In My Skin by Kate Holden
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
The Heaven I Swallowed by Rachel Hennessey
What Women Want by Nelly Thomas
Haze by Paula Weston
You can find my reviews here.
I also decided to read across a range of genres and I certainly enjoyed immersing myself in the wonderful worlds created by authors who were new to me. I've definitely discovered some authors I will be sticking with in the future.
I read YA paranormal, speculative, romantic suspense, romance, short stories, urban fantasy, literary, memoir, contemporary, historical, and humour. A great list!
The twelve books I read for the 2013 AWW Challenge were ...
Shadows by Paula Weston
And All the Stars by Andrea K. Host
As Darkness Falls by Bronwyn Parry
The Paler Shade of Autumn by Jacquie Underdown
Inherited by Amanda Curtin
Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur
A New Map of the Universe by Annabel Smith
In My Skin by Kate Holden
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
The Heaven I Swallowed by Rachel Hennessey
What Women Want by Nelly Thomas
Haze by Paula Weston
You can find my reviews here.
2013 Eclectic Reader Challenge Completed
I'm very grateful for Shelleyrae at Book'd Out and her Eclectic Reader Challenge because this year I have discovered a variety of new authors and genres that I otherwise would never have read. It's been a fun ride! :-) Some of the genres were not to my taste, but others have grabbed my attention enough to ensure I'll be returning to them again.
The twelve books I read for the challenge were...
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami (translated fiction)
Slayer of Gods by Lynda S. Robinson (historical mystery)
As Darkness Falls by Bronwyn Parry (romantic suspense)
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (made into a movie)
The Edge of Never by J.A Redmerski (new adult)
Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur (urban fantasy)
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (dystopian)
In My Skin by Kate Holden (memoir)
Letters Never Sent by Sandra Moran (LGBT)
The Hunt for Atlantis by Andy McDermott (action adventure)
What Women Want by Nelly Thomas (humour)
Haze by Paula Weston (published 2013)
You can read my reviews here.
The twelve books I read for the challenge were...
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami (translated fiction)
Slayer of Gods by Lynda S. Robinson (historical mystery)
As Darkness Falls by Bronwyn Parry (romantic suspense)
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (made into a movie)
The Edge of Never by J.A Redmerski (new adult)
Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur (urban fantasy)
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (dystopian)
In My Skin by Kate Holden (memoir)
Letters Never Sent by Sandra Moran (LGBT)
The Hunt for Atlantis by Andy McDermott (action adventure)
What Women Want by Nelly Thomas (humour)
Haze by Paula Weston (published 2013)
You can read my reviews here.
Monday, 2 December 2013
Book Review: Haze by Paula Weston
Gaby Winters' nightmares
have stopped but she still can't remember her old life. Still can't
quite believe she is one of the Rephaim - the wingless half-angels who
can shift from place to place, country to country, in the blink of an
eye. That she was once the Rephaim's best fighter. That demons exist.
That Rafa has stayed.
But most of all, she can't quite believe that her twin brother, Jude, might be alive.
And Gaby can't explain the hesitancy that sidetracks the search for him, infuriates Rafa, and sends them, again, into the darkest danger.
Haze is the second book in Paula Weston's 'Rephaim Series' and I have been eagerly awaiting its release all year. I bought the book when it came out in October, but held off reading it until this month so I could round out the 2013 Australian Women Writers Challenge with a book I was guaranteed to love. Also I thought it was quite fitting that I began and ended this year's challenge with the same author! :-)
Reading Haze in December also allowed me to complete another of my 2013 challenges - the Eclectic Reader Challenge, which called for a novel 'published in 2013'. So a win-win :-)
I devoured Haze in one day. I was up until 1am to finish it. It is that good! Weston is a pro when it comes to creating tension on the page. I couldn't get enough of Gaby and Rafa's blossoming romance alongside the rapid action of demon-slaying and Fallen Angel intrigue. I believe this is the secret to Weston's successful novels - they are the right amount of love and action. The heat between Gaby and Rafa certainly takes a back seat to the real story of the Angels, and yet it is still there lingering on every page. All this leads to a powerful cliffhanger that sent me straight onto Weston's website to find out when the third book - Shimmer - is released. Oh, if only I could read it now! I'm desperate to find out what happens next. Alas, I'll have to wait until mid 2014.
What I loved the most when I read Shadows back in January was Gaby's strength. It was great to read a female character who could hold her own amongst demons and yet remain relatable to we mere mortals. In Haze, more of Gaby's strengths and weaknesses are revealed and we slowly learn more about this fantastic character and the past she has forgotten. Weston writes Gaby so well that I feel I know her personally. Likewise with Rafa, who despite his many secrets, is a character that I feel very invested in. I can't wait to discover what will become of them both.
Haze picks up right where Shadows left off and follows Gaby as she deals with the fallout of the fights she had in the first book, and as she searches for her twin brother Jude. Mainly taking place in the great Aussie setting of Pan Beach, this sequel definitely creates more questions than it answers, but that's what I loved about it. And it's a brilliant strategy by Weston - get the reader hooked, but don't reveal too much. It's a sure-fire way of getting the reader to return to the series again and again. It worked for me - I'll be counting the days until I can read the next installment of this gripping series.
But most of all, she can't quite believe that her twin brother, Jude, might be alive.
And Gaby can't explain the hesitancy that sidetracks the search for him, infuriates Rafa, and sends them, again, into the darkest danger.
Haze is the second book in Paula Weston's 'Rephaim Series' and I have been eagerly awaiting its release all year. I bought the book when it came out in October, but held off reading it until this month so I could round out the 2013 Australian Women Writers Challenge with a book I was guaranteed to love. Also I thought it was quite fitting that I began and ended this year's challenge with the same author! :-)
Reading Haze in December also allowed me to complete another of my 2013 challenges - the Eclectic Reader Challenge, which called for a novel 'published in 2013'. So a win-win :-)
I devoured Haze in one day. I was up until 1am to finish it. It is that good! Weston is a pro when it comes to creating tension on the page. I couldn't get enough of Gaby and Rafa's blossoming romance alongside the rapid action of demon-slaying and Fallen Angel intrigue. I believe this is the secret to Weston's successful novels - they are the right amount of love and action. The heat between Gaby and Rafa certainly takes a back seat to the real story of the Angels, and yet it is still there lingering on every page. All this leads to a powerful cliffhanger that sent me straight onto Weston's website to find out when the third book - Shimmer - is released. Oh, if only I could read it now! I'm desperate to find out what happens next. Alas, I'll have to wait until mid 2014.
What I loved the most when I read Shadows back in January was Gaby's strength. It was great to read a female character who could hold her own amongst demons and yet remain relatable to we mere mortals. In Haze, more of Gaby's strengths and weaknesses are revealed and we slowly learn more about this fantastic character and the past she has forgotten. Weston writes Gaby so well that I feel I know her personally. Likewise with Rafa, who despite his many secrets, is a character that I feel very invested in. I can't wait to discover what will become of them both.
Haze picks up right where Shadows left off and follows Gaby as she deals with the fallout of the fights she had in the first book, and as she searches for her twin brother Jude. Mainly taking place in the great Aussie setting of Pan Beach, this sequel definitely creates more questions than it answers, but that's what I loved about it. And it's a brilliant strategy by Weston - get the reader hooked, but don't reveal too much. It's a sure-fire way of getting the reader to return to the series again and again. It worked for me - I'll be counting the days until I can read the next installment of this gripping series.
Monday, 4 November 2013
Book Review: What Women Want by Nelly Thomas
Growing up in post-feminist Australia, Nelly Thomas, one of
Australia’s most gifted and natural comedians, was told she could ‘have
it all’. She’s giving it a crack – but she still isn’t quite sure what
‘it’ is. What do women want?
In pursuit of answers, Thomas has tried being a telemarketer, a professional student, a fast-food worker, a broadcaster, a smoker, a prostitute’s confidant, a health advocate, a reality television obsessive, a mother, a partner (or is it girlfriend? lover?), an award-winning comedian, a sex-educator, a Loony Lefty Feminista and a self-confessed fatty boombah. Like many of her generation, she’s had a lot of options, yet she’s wondering – which do you choose?
In this hilarious part-memoir, part-manifesto, Thomas navigates the murky waters of her life and womanhood in the twenty-first century. She tackles the big contemporary issues – career, equality, family, porn, sex, entertainment, obesity, parenting, culture, class, Beyonce’s derriere – with customary insight and a wickedly dry wit. A must-read for the modern Aussie woman.
I read What Women Want by Nelly Thomas as part of two reading challenges - the Australian Women Writers Challenge and the Eclectic Reader Challenge which called for a 'humour' book. And boy was this book overflowing with humour! I was laughing out loud the entire time.
I wasn't familiar with Nelly Thomas before picking up this book, but its safe to say she has a new fan. Right from the first paragraph of this memoir/manifesto I knew I'd be rolling with laughter while reading this book. And that's exactly what happened. Not only is Thomas a fabulous comedian, I found myself relating to her and her worldview a lot. There are some things we don't agree on, but overall I could see where she is coming from on all the big life issues.
Thomas discusses big themes in her book - parenting, feminism, sex, culture, politics, equality - and all are done with her own brand of wit. I enjoyed this book because it was about more than just the jokes. The book got me thinking about my own views on all these issues.
I like that Thomas works as a comedian in the health sector by giving sexual-health seminars to teenagers. She's making a difference...through comedy. That's a beautiful example of how we can all use our jobs to help others. It just goes to show that there is a place in this world for everyone's unique skills and that no matter how out of the ordinary your job may be, you can still use it to change the world.
One particular idea that runs throughout Thomas' book is that we should all just give each other a break. I wholeheartedly agree. In the modern first-world we're fortunate to have a variety of choices. Whichever choice we make with considered thought, in an effort to improve our lives and find joy, is the right choice for us. We need to stop judging others who make different choices. After all, the majority of people in this world are decent human beings just trying to make the most of the life they've been given. As long as we're not hurting others then the details don't really matter.
Wasting valuable energy, time and resources on nitpicking against the choices other people make is, to quote Nelly herself, "bullshit, mate". Far better to mind our own business and, to quote another inspirational comedian and woman - Ellen DeGeneres - "be kind to one another."
Nelly Thomas' memoir/manifesto is thought-provoking and absolutely hilarious. I can't recommend it highly enough. A brilliant read!
In pursuit of answers, Thomas has tried being a telemarketer, a professional student, a fast-food worker, a broadcaster, a smoker, a prostitute’s confidant, a health advocate, a reality television obsessive, a mother, a partner (or is it girlfriend? lover?), an award-winning comedian, a sex-educator, a Loony Lefty Feminista and a self-confessed fatty boombah. Like many of her generation, she’s had a lot of options, yet she’s wondering – which do you choose?
In this hilarious part-memoir, part-manifesto, Thomas navigates the murky waters of her life and womanhood in the twenty-first century. She tackles the big contemporary issues – career, equality, family, porn, sex, entertainment, obesity, parenting, culture, class, Beyonce’s derriere – with customary insight and a wickedly dry wit. A must-read for the modern Aussie woman.
I read What Women Want by Nelly Thomas as part of two reading challenges - the Australian Women Writers Challenge and the Eclectic Reader Challenge which called for a 'humour' book. And boy was this book overflowing with humour! I was laughing out loud the entire time.
I wasn't familiar with Nelly Thomas before picking up this book, but its safe to say she has a new fan. Right from the first paragraph of this memoir/manifesto I knew I'd be rolling with laughter while reading this book. And that's exactly what happened. Not only is Thomas a fabulous comedian, I found myself relating to her and her worldview a lot. There are some things we don't agree on, but overall I could see where she is coming from on all the big life issues.
Thomas discusses big themes in her book - parenting, feminism, sex, culture, politics, equality - and all are done with her own brand of wit. I enjoyed this book because it was about more than just the jokes. The book got me thinking about my own views on all these issues.
I like that Thomas works as a comedian in the health sector by giving sexual-health seminars to teenagers. She's making a difference...through comedy. That's a beautiful example of how we can all use our jobs to help others. It just goes to show that there is a place in this world for everyone's unique skills and that no matter how out of the ordinary your job may be, you can still use it to change the world.
One particular idea that runs throughout Thomas' book is that we should all just give each other a break. I wholeheartedly agree. In the modern first-world we're fortunate to have a variety of choices. Whichever choice we make with considered thought, in an effort to improve our lives and find joy, is the right choice for us. We need to stop judging others who make different choices. After all, the majority of people in this world are decent human beings just trying to make the most of the life they've been given. As long as we're not hurting others then the details don't really matter.
Wasting valuable energy, time and resources on nitpicking against the choices other people make is, to quote Nelly herself, "bullshit, mate". Far better to mind our own business and, to quote another inspirational comedian and woman - Ellen DeGeneres - "be kind to one another."
Nelly Thomas' memoir/manifesto is thought-provoking and absolutely hilarious. I can't recommend it highly enough. A brilliant read!
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Book Review: The Heaven I Swallowed by Rachel Hennessy
In postwar Sydney, Grace Smith takes Mary, a young Aboriginal girl, into
her home. She believes she will be able to save the child by giving her
all the benefits of white society. But Mary's arrival has unexpected
consequences as Grace's past comes back to haunt, and condemn her.
I read Rachel Hennessy's historical novel The Heaven I Swallowed as part of the Australian Women Writers Challenge. Set in Sydney after the Second World War, this is Grace's story - a devout Catholic woman who sees it as her charitable duty to help Aboriginal girl Mary release the 'shackles' of her race. As it turns out, Grace and her community do more to shackle Mary than the white person's perception of a so-called 'savage' Aboriginal life ever could.
Grace is a complex character. I felt for her because of her own unhappy childhood, and I could easily see that she was nothing more than a product of her time. The Stolen Generations were taken from their homes under the misguided belief that it was the best thing for them. The way in which Grace refers to herself as saving Mary is a perfect illustration of what most white people must have felt at this time.
While this novel is part commentary on the Stolen Generations, it is more about Grace herself. I found this to be an interesting way of examining this sad time in Australian history. To tell the story from the perspective of the woman who 'adopted' the child, Hennessy was able to show the reader a different side to the events. Grace longs for a child to replace the one she miscarried. And as she is alone now her husband Fred hasn't returned from the war, she is also searching for purpose and a way to fill the void in her life. But there is more to Grace than simple lonliness. She also acts out of a desire to appear holy.
Grace craves affection and connection, but does not understand how to go about receiving them. Her dedication to the church and to God turns out to be a poor substitute for the love she really longs for. It's a sad story to read because Grace's desperate longing and rigid way of living is both devastating and infuriating all at once. I found myself liking Grace one moment and disliking her the next. Hennessy has created a flawed, yet relatable, character and for that very reason I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Heaven I Swallowed.
I read Rachel Hennessy's historical novel The Heaven I Swallowed as part of the Australian Women Writers Challenge. Set in Sydney after the Second World War, this is Grace's story - a devout Catholic woman who sees it as her charitable duty to help Aboriginal girl Mary release the 'shackles' of her race. As it turns out, Grace and her community do more to shackle Mary than the white person's perception of a so-called 'savage' Aboriginal life ever could.
Grace is a complex character. I felt for her because of her own unhappy childhood, and I could easily see that she was nothing more than a product of her time. The Stolen Generations were taken from their homes under the misguided belief that it was the best thing for them. The way in which Grace refers to herself as saving Mary is a perfect illustration of what most white people must have felt at this time.
While this novel is part commentary on the Stolen Generations, it is more about Grace herself. I found this to be an interesting way of examining this sad time in Australian history. To tell the story from the perspective of the woman who 'adopted' the child, Hennessy was able to show the reader a different side to the events. Grace longs for a child to replace the one she miscarried. And as she is alone now her husband Fred hasn't returned from the war, she is also searching for purpose and a way to fill the void in her life. But there is more to Grace than simple lonliness. She also acts out of a desire to appear holy.
Grace craves affection and connection, but does not understand how to go about receiving them. Her dedication to the church and to God turns out to be a poor substitute for the love she really longs for. It's a sad story to read because Grace's desperate longing and rigid way of living is both devastating and infuriating all at once. I found myself liking Grace one moment and disliking her the next. Hennessy has created a flawed, yet relatable, character and for that very reason I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Heaven I Swallowed.
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