True Justice. Quaker peace makers and peace making
How lucky I am to have met Adam Curle in this last year of his life. A Quaker, a deep humanitarian in thought ad deed who inspired so many with is writings of peace and justice, truth and love
A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali
Gut wrenching and gritty, compelling and real set in the midst of Rwanda’s genocide. One of the books I’ll keep with me to remind me of how other people live and die and why we must never, never stop doing all we can to create a kinder, just world.
Olive Cotton: Photographer
I bought this book of Cotton’s photography at an exhibition. The black and white images are lustrous.
The Trouble with Poetry: And Other Poems Picnic, Lightning
Gorgeous writing with his quirky, luminous images that make me smile and laugh and feel light as I go about my day.
The Call of Stories: Teaching and the Moral Imagination The Erik Erikson Reader
(Editor) A gifted writer, whether writing about children, stories or the immense talents and life work of Erik Erikkson.
The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times (Shambhala Library)
I found both these books at Buddha House in Adelaide. Who wouldn’t be drawn to such titles? I’d buy anything by Chodron for her direct and dignified writing that encourages our own deep spirit dive.
The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully
I first heard Chittister speak in all her fiery glory in Aspen on the eve of President Obama’s inauguration. She’s iconic and has an immense following worldwide and her writing and speeches are testimony to her magnificent voice and vision.
The Stories of John Cheever
If you want to learn how to write stories, read Cheever. If you want to have a storytelling immersion experience, read Cheever.
Cathedral: Stories
These gritty oh so human stories that Carver wrote cheer me up as I always feel lighter in my own life after a good Carver read!
Silent Spring
Silent Spring needs no introduction and Carson’s other books are spare and beautiful accounts of the sea, seashore and watery worlds that we inhabit, internally and externally.
The Lost Steps
I bought this book because I read an article where one of my favorite broadcasters, Phillip Adams, said this was one of his favorite books. I can see why – it’s a classic and very hard to find now. In this story a composer leaves a meaningless existence in New York and joins his mistress on a journey to the upper reaches of the South American river where few have been. In so doing, he launches himself on an inner journey that far exceeds the outer in its reach and depth.
The Hero with a Thousand Faces (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell)
I saw the video before I read the book. The series of lectures on Joseph Campbell’s the Heroes Journey is compelling. This book no less so. Here Campbell charts the Hero’s journey as a universal theme of transformation that can be found in all the mythical traditions of the world.