2018 in review - a beginning

Given its now the 17th of December, I thought it is about time to start my year in review series.  I'm going to begin with books.

Surprisingly I exceeded my goal for reading this year and read just over 30 books for the year. I’ve read quite a few heavy and challenging books which has made it tough going in places through the year. 

So of the books that I did read the three that stood out to me are Leigh Sales Any Ordinary Day, Clementime Ford’s Boys Will be Boys, and Lizzie Marvelly’s Growing up F in Aotearoa.

As always there were a few that were tough to leave out Kon Karapanagiotidis The Power of Hope, Rob Bower’s Outspoken, and Rachel Held Evans book Inspired.

Each of these books has challenged me in different ways. Leigh Sales book was particularly good given I could relate to closely to the content, as I’m living a similar experience to her interviewees.

Boys will be boys really struck me, and was quite a tough read, especially the letter to her son that concludes the book. Her letter struck me as it contains so much of what I want to tell my son, and how I want him to grow up.

While Lizzie’s book is predominantly about growing up in Aotearoa (New Zealand), sadly it is hard to doubt women growing up in Australia have a different experience.

I share Kon and Rob’s visions for Australia so their books were also challenging reads. I will certainly be trying to reread their book, and want to work at seeing their vision be achieved. Rob’s book was particularly hard hitting, because the church he leads, is the church I want to be part of.

On my reading list – Hard Choices (Hilary Clinton), Pete Sampras’ autobiography, a collection of letters written to former US President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s memoir (Becoming).

On the reading table..

Decided to take some to write a little about what I've been reading.  As I mentioned I had been working my way through Gillian Triggs' memior 'Speaking Up', which to be fair is as much about Gender and Human Rights in Australia (perhaps focused on the rights of refugees and our first peoples) as it is about Trigg's and her career. 

One of the issues she touches on is quotas. Its hard not to see a value in quotas and the change that representation in parliament will make. I certainly believe you can't be, what you can't see.

Was intrigued as I read to see how Australia's attitude to human rights and our obligations has seemingly changed from being involved in drafting these documents, and leading these discussions to evading the obligations contained in both the letter and spirit of the documents in question.

I am also reminded of how progressive NZ is, and that I'd like to see Australia take a leaf or three out of NZ's book particularly when it comes to indigenous rights and recognition within parliament and broader society. Both major parties are failing the leadership test in terms of pushing or driving change in terms of indigenous rights, rights of the refugee.

Her chapter about Adam Goodes and the abuse he copped is also well worth the read. Adam Goodes treatment is a black spot in our history. We can and must do better when it comes to how we treat indigenous people, and particularly indigenous people who decide to speak up and out about their treatment.

The book didn't really address the question, but I do wonder what she is doing now. I'm certainly thankful for her work and believe that our Liberal Government has treated her appallingly.

Given the enforced time in bed I have also been able to read Yuval Noah Harari's 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. I didn't know much about the author prior to starting to read the book. It was a really fascinating look at what the future may hold.

I found the chapters on God and religion to be interesting while I didn't completely agree with them I do think religion does face a battle for relevance in its future. I certainly think religion is relevant and has an important role in shaping both individuals and society it appears this is a less common thought than it used to be.

Harari certainly made me think about a range of social issues and the impact they may have on us as people and societies. Well worth a read.

Next on my list is Laura Tingle's Quarterly Essay on Leadership which is now relevant again with Australia having a 'new Prime Minister'. Questions about leadership will certainly be on my mind as we approach the election next year. To me, Australia is crying out for real leadership and I don't think I see genuine leadership in either Scott Morrison or Bill Shorten.

What I've been into ...

Over the past few stays at hospital I’ve been able to discover a bit more music, books and a little television. So I thought that I’d take the time to share a few of these.  

Musically speaking – while I often have found U2 to be the soundtrack to my life and I certainly listened to Songs of Experience a lot while I was in hospital - I tried to listen to music from new artists too. 

I used Under the Radar to help. Under the Radar Media is an American based, independent Christian Music website. UTR had coincidentally just put together a playlist on Spotify, so I listened to that; exploring albums from artists I liked the sound of as I went through the playlist.

Some recent discoveries were Drakeford (a folk duo), Jillian Jones (probably folk as well).  The playlist included recent songs from long-term favourite artists of mine like Andrew Osenga, Andrew Peterson, Taylor Leonhardt and Christa Wells to name a few.

Another artist I listened to while I was in hospital was Shane & Shane – I really enjoyed hearing them sing some of the Psalms. The Psalms are a book of the bible I’ve found myself coming back to a bit over the last little while.

Bottom line – if you’re looking for more music, especially Christian music, and don’t know where to start I’ll totally recommend the Under the Radar playlist on Spotify. If you do like what you find – visit the artists website and buy their albums.

Onto books – the last few I finished were Father Rod Bower’s ‘Outspoken’, Behrouz Boochani’s ‘No Friend but the Mountains’ and Kon Karapanagiotidis’ ‘Power of Hope’. Each of which are powerful works, challenging reminders of the times we are living in and in their own way each provoked me to think about the person I am and the life I'm living. 

Boochani is a detainee on Manus Island and writes an account from the prison. His book is a reminder to me that the Australian government and opposition have lost their moral compass. It certainly is a difficult read. It is hard to read it and not be moved by it - moved to action, moved to dismay that our political leadership sees Manus Island and what it represents as how to best deal with refugees. 

Father Bower currently serves at Gosford Anglican Church and came to prominence through some of the messages he has put up on the churches sign board. The church speaks with a compelling voice for social justice. The book is autobiographical and details Rob’s life and ministry, but at the same time offers a challenge to Christians in terms of how they live out and let their faith impact their life.

Kon’s book the Power of Hope is not only autobiographical but details an Australia we could be prouder of, in terms of how the country treats our first peoples, refugees and women. 

Implicit in all three books is the challenge we face to help make Australia better than it is, and to make our world a better place. I know that I’ll be re-reading the books by Kon Karapanagiotidis and Father Bower, primarily to think more about their manifesto for change in themselves.

Currently on my to read list is Dr Kirstin Ferguson's 'Womenkind' which recaps her Celebrating Women project from last year; Leigh Sales new book 'Any Ordinary Day: Blindsides, Resilience and What Happens After the Worst Day of Your Life' and Gillian Triggs' autobiography 'Speaking Up'.

Before leaving books, if anyone has any recommendations for some funny stories to read I’d love to get them, would make a change from the serious and challenging books I tend to read. 

On the TV front – I started to watch Suits. Started to watch might be slightly kind – I slept through some of it. But I plan to revisit it.

Last Monday night’s Australian Story, Four Corners and QandA were all quite exceptional.  The discussion on QandA was really fascinating, and I enjoyed listening to Germaine Greer more than I thought I would.  It has been a while since I really watched QandA and the episode seemed to do better than most at showing how good the show can be. I’m a big fan of the addition of the ‘People’s panellist’ who’s designed to represent the average punter.

Four Corners was a slightly depressing view about the state of aged care facilities in this country. It certainly will be interesting to see what is uncovered by the Royal Commission and what is done especially seeing as along with a Federal Election, elections in New South Wales and Victoria are imminent. I know that the picture of what Aged Care centres look like in Australia is more complicated than shown in the television show and there are some great homes out there, but that the incidents could happen at all is concerning.

Australian Story focused on the story of Emma Watkin (aka Emma Wiggle). Detailing how she became a ‘Wiggle’, her health battles and her relationship with ‘Lachy’ (the purple Wiggle). I certainly admire her openness about both her health and relationship with Lachy.

Year in review - Music and Reading

Time to recap the year in music and books.  I didn't watch any films though I'm hoping to see the new Star Wars film The Last Jedi.

Books
I didn't read much this year - the standout was Prophetic Lament by Soong-Chan Rah.As I mentioned here the book is about the place of lament in the life of the church. The book focuses on the United States, but I feel pretty confident in saying that lament doesn't have much of a role in the Australian church. My goal was to read 43 books, I've currently read seven, so next year's goal will be a little less ambitious.

Music
It has been a different story with music.  I've listened to quite a bit of music and I'd say it's been a good year.

The memorable releases during the year for me:

• U2 - Songs of Experience
• Julien Baker - Turn on the Lights
• December - 33
• Pearl Jam - Let's Play Two
• Amanda Held Opelt - Embers
• Nichole Nordeman - Every Mile Mattered
• The Likes of Us - Roots and Wings
• Taylor Leonhardt - River House
• Lara Landon - The Never Again

As always, I exclude cover albums and live albums from my best of list. Although during the year I've enjoyed listening to Pearl Jam's 'Let's Play Two' which features songs recorded during the two concerts the band played at Wrigley Field (home ground of the Chicago Cubs), and December's album 33, featuring covers of U2 songs.

So onto the rest of the albums, the three that stand out are Nichole Nordeman's Every Mile Mattered; U2's Songs of Experience and Juilen Baker's Turn on the Lights; an honorable mention goes to Amanda Held Opelt's Embers. These albums are tied together by the personal nature and authenticity of the lyrics. The albums resonated with where I am at he moment in my life but particularly Nichole Nordeman and U2. Songs of Experience and Every Mile Mattered are probably my joint album of the year. I've found it really hard to separate them given their emotional impact on me. 

Both albums are really deep lyrically, and with Songs of Experience, I certainly notice different lyrics or notes each time.

In terms of live music, I saw three shows this year - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band; Fleet Foxes and Lisa Hannigan.  Of these, I think my favourite was Bruce Springsteen - He's just an amazing performer, with some really powerful and moving songs.  Lisa Hannigan was brilliant too, she has a beautiful voice and it was lovely seeing how delighted she was to be playing in the Sydney Opera House. 

Next year is looking great too.  I'm looking forward to the new albums by Glen Hansard, Katie Herzig, Christa Wells and Sarah Blasko, and we'll see what else comes along. 

On the touring front, on my wish list are tour announcements from U2, Radiohead, Pearl Jam and Bon Jovi, but who knows :). 

What I’m into June-August 2016

I've been meaning to write this for a while, so it has turned into what I've been into for the past few months.

What I'm reading

Assimilate Or Go Home: Notes from a Failed Missionary - D.L. Mayfield

Finished: 
How to Survive a Shipwreck - Jonathan Martin
The Reality Slap - Russ Harris
Jesus Feminist - Sarah Bessey
When Breath Becomes Air - Paul Kalanithi
The Light of the World - Elizabeth Alexander
Broken Open - Elizabeth Lesser
Never Broken - Jewel
America's Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America - Jim Wallis
Being Mortal - Atul Gawande

Hardly surprising what I've been reading really, with a few books on how we deal with the stormy seasons in our life.  The highlight was definitely 'When Breath Becomes Air', a brilliant reflection on death and dying.  I can not recommend it highly enough.

The other highlight was American's Orginal Sin, which so, easily can be translated to the Australian experience. The chapter of White privilege was a challenging reminder.

I've always loved Jewel's music, so her book, part memior and part 'self-help' was a really great read, and certainly gave me a lot to think about.

What I've been listening too 
It's  been a great yeat for music. Here's a collection of the music I've been listening too:

• Starboard home - Written and performed by some of Ireland’s leading songwriters, Starboard Home has been commissioned by the Dublin Port as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. 12 new songs about stories of the river and port portraying Dublin’s resonant past as well as its dynamic present. Bought it mostly because Gemma Hayes and Colm Mac Con Iomaire were two of the artists on it.
• Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool 
• December - I Will Let You Have Your Say
• Switchfoot - Where the light shines through.  
• All Sons and Daughters - Poets and Saints
• Audrey Assad - Inheritance - a collection of old hymns (Holy Holy Holy, Be thou my Vision) along with some original songs.  Well worth listening to. 
• The Gloaming - self titled - the second album from another great Irish band. 
• Daivd Bowie - Blackstar
• Lisa Hannigan - A Swim  she just has a magical voice.
• Ingrid Michaelson - It Doesn't Have to Make Sense
• Wilco - Shmilco
• Sandra McCracken - God's Highway

Other music that I've been listening to this year:

• Hamilton - late to get onto this, but really enjoyed listening to the musical and can't wait for it to get to Australia. 
• Live recordings from the current tours of Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam

Over half-way through 2016, and the standout albums for the year are Radiohead's 'A moon shaped pool', Audrey Assad's Inheritance and All Sons and Daughters. I'm looking forward to listening to the albums released this year by Paul Simon, Daniel Lanois and Dave Dobbyn.

Rumour has it that a new U2 album could drop, but I'll believe that when it magically appears in my i-tunes account.

What I'm Watching
I just started Stranger Things. I've just watched the first epsiode, so will reseerve judgement for now.

Otherwise, most of what I watch on TV is live sport.

2015 In review - books

I haven't read as many books this year as I was intending too, but thought I would write about the books I did manage to read through during 2015.

Searching for Sunday - Rachel Held Evans
Rachel’s journey with the church – even in Australia context I find it easy to relate to the stories she tells. Love the authenticity and honesty she writes with. Definitely pick up the album by Amanda Opelt (Seven Songs), it’s a perfect accompaniment.

Out of Sorts - Sarah Bessey
Probably my favourite book for 2015. I can totally relate to the journey Sarah has been on. The chapters on the practice of lament, and Christian community are the best thing about the book. Sarah’s writing style is so conversational as well making the book easily accessible.

As an aside the song best capturing a message I took from Bessey and Held Evans books is Jars of Clay’s Shelter, from the album of the same name.

In the shelter of each other, we will live, we will live (In the shelter) 

In the shelter of each other, we will live, we will live (You will never walk alone) 

In the shelter of each other, we will live, we will live (In Your arms are all around us) 

In the shelter of each other, we will live, we will live (In Your arms are all around us)

If there is any peace, if there is any hope 

We must all believe, our lives are not our own 

We all belong God has given us each other 

And we will never walk alone

Class act - Maxine McKew

McKew looks at the education system, and what some schools are doing right.

This Changes Everything - Naomi Klein
On the changes our world needs to make to adjust to the changes in our environment. A confronting read, and I find it hard to argue with its key message. Our world is changing, our environment is changing, and we need to adjust to these changes.

Keating - Kerry O'Brien
The book is a transcript of Kerry O’Brien’s interview with former Prime Minister Paul Keating. I was a fan of Keating in the 90s, and vividly remember the night he was voted out. Keating is one of a few politicians with a vision of what Australia could become. It was intriguing reading his reflections, both on his time in politics and the current state of Australian politics. Sadly, we don’t have any leaders like him in our current Parliament, who are more interested in shaping opinion than following opinion polls.

The Narrow Road to the Deep North - Richard Flanagan
The only novel on the list, I quite liked Flanagan’s writing style and the story he was telling.

A Thousand Wells - Jena-Lee Nardella
Tells the story of how the charity Blood Water was formed, as well as an autobiography of one of its founders Jena Lee.

In progress

• A Path Appears – Nick Kristof and Cheryl Wu Dunn, so far, the book is a powerful reminder that however dark this world seems to be, there are people working to make a difference, and people who have inspired others to seek to bring change to the world. The world changes one person at a time, and we don’t know how powerfully we can shape the lives of those around us.  
• Chasing Shadows - Tim Lane. Peter Roebuck is one for my favourite Cricket writers. Roebuck had a sense of the game, understood its spirit, its characters, and had a vision for its future. I loved listening to him on ABC Radio. Along with Benuad he was one of the voices of summer. So I’m interested in reading the book to find out more about him and his life.

Page-turners for 2014...

So, I actually haven't read a whole lot this year, but what I did read packed a punch.  The most influential book I read was Tara Moss' debut non-fiction book 'The Fictional Woman'. (It's challenged me to read more books with strong female lead characters, and looking to read more books written by women. Who tells the story matters. The book has also made me think critically about the books I'm reading my son.

Mark Isaacs book about what is/has been happening on Nauru made for depressing (but essential) reading.  

Two very different books were Victoria Williamson on the Psychology of Music, and Addie Zierman's 'When We Were on Fire' (just a brilliant memoir about growing up in the church). 

Bully for them - ed Fiona Scott-Norman, was a fascinating collection of stories from famous Australian's about ther experience of being bullied at school. 

I have read a few books highlighting the 'Gillard years' - Bewitched & bedevilled: women write the Gillard years - ed Samantha Trenoweth, and The Stalking of Julia Gillard - Kerry Anne Walsh. I highly recommend reading both, whatever you thought of Prime Minister Gillard at the time.

New music and books for the season...

A few new CDs have been on heavy rotation recently.  I recently heard an Irish band the Halves. From the first few listens, they definitely bring to mind both Sigur Ros, and Radiohead. Definitely worth a listen.

This week also saw the release of Sleeping at Last's second EP in the Atlas series, Light. It doesn't disappoint. I'm looking forward to the next release in this series. My favourite line is this one below.

"...with every heartbeat that I have left, I'll defend your every breath" (Light) 

If you haven't heard Sleeping at Last, you're definitely missing out.

Finally the other album which I've been listening to quite a bit is The Heart of Nowhere by the British folk rook band Noah & the Whale.

I've also being doing a bit more reading recently. I really enjoyed Tara Moss' book Assassin, which was just a great read..  beautifully paced, and quite liked how real the characters and action appeared. (I am hopeful to see them turned into a movie soon). Next up are a couple of books on Australian politics by Maxine McKew, James Button and Lindsay Tanner. 

Back on the Voice...  seems to be really tough this year.. with a couple of the favourites eliminated - Catarina Torres, Michael Paynter, and a few of my favourites (Jac Stone, Nicholas Roy, and Tim Morrison).  One thing is for sure though, we will hear more from a lot of these singers. What seems clear now, is that its taste not talent which is driving the choices & popular vote.

Reading..

Been a while since I have posted, so here is a list of the books I have read recently.

• Disordered World: Setting a course for the Twenty First Century - Amin Maalouf
• The Snow Child - Eowyn Ivey (Probably my favourite novel of the year). 
• A Love Letter from a Stray Moon - Jay Griffiths - thanks to Rose Powell.  A pleasure to read.
• The Hunger Games - Trilogy - Suzanne Collins - quite an easy & fun read. Haven't seen the film yet, but the book was a good read. 
• March Was Made of Yarn: Writers Respond to Japan's Earthquake and Tsunami - Various - A collection of stories inspired by the Tsunami in Japan (March 2010).
• Lives Other Than My Own - Emmanuel Carrere
• On Writing - Stephen King - great look at how Stephen King approached writing, and there is some great advice for writing here too. 
• Think - Lisa Bloom - A book specifically for women - but the focus is on getting people to start to 'think' for themselves'

On the go now:
Why TV is Good for Kids - Catharine Lumby & Duncan Fine
Provides a balanced look at the impact TV has, and the moral panic and comes with all of the latest technology.
Never a Gentleman's Game - Malcolm Knox - highlighting the early history of cricket (and how some things have not changed)
Every Good Endeavor - Tim Keller. - On the place of work in the Christian life.

February Reads

February has been a quiet month for reading to date I've read the below two books..

Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English: A Novel - Natasha Solomons
Don't actually remember too much of this one. I enjoyed the characters, and the manner in which Jack and Rose's relationship was described. Guess I'd describe it as a light and fun read.

The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance - Edmund de Waal
Really enjoyed it. It is exactly my type of book. The story of his family is told through the what happens to the netsuke. Brings quite a bit of European and Japanesse history to life, and a very interesting and original way to tell the history of your family.

Next on the to read list:
Teju Cole - Open City
Jack Kerouac - The sea is my brother : the lost novel

Sense and sensibility - library and kindles.

Adele Horin's piece in today's SMH describes a lttle bit of how I feel. I'm not yet ready to give way to the Kindle.  I love going to the library and there's not an equivalent experience in the kindle world. But even as I say that, there are only so many shelves in each bookcase, only so many walls in a room, and only so many rooms in a house, so the day is coming, where the addiction to buying books will stop because there is a limit to the amount of books one can have in one's house.

Yet, in playing with the Kindle, so far, I'm not convinced that its for me. However, while I love the experience of reading a physical book, and the sensations which come with it, a tipping point will come for me when e-books as well as being  lighter, they will also be cheaper and equally accessible. Sense won out with CD's, though I still by the occasional physical CD (special versions, and some which are unavailable),  I'm now buying almost all of my CD's through both i-tunes and the artists website. 

Reading - 2012

Each year, I decide that I'm going to spend more time reading especially this year, since it's National Year of Reading, and my aim this year is to read over 50 books. In January so far, I've read -

O - A Presidential Novel - Anonymous

A little obvious who its about, but was a shame the book didn't reveal more. If you are interested in US politics then rather than reading this book take a few months and work your way through The West Wing. 

The Help - Kathryn Stockett

A historical novel, set during the 60s, about the hired help  - these are my type of novels - historical fiction. 

The Sorrows of an American - Siri Hustvedt

The core of this novel is a letter discovered after the death of the narrator's mother, and the quest to find out their identity.

The Corrections - Jonathan Franzen

Franzen's book is well written, but at the same time, I found very little to like about any of the main characters.

Bruar's Rest - Jes Smith

Didn't really remember too much about this one, it's a story of a women, who is searching for her husband who was missing in action during WWI.

The World Game: The Story of How Football Went Global - Les Murray

Les Murray's love for football is so wonderfully put across in this book. Murray writes about the history of the game, the great teams, his favourite players, and the history of the game in Australia. It rekindled my love of Football. 

Separate kingdoms : stories   Valerie Laken

A series of short stories about human relationships in the US and Russia, the few that stood out was one about a women with a disability, a couple flying to Russia to adopt a child, and a story told from two perspectives, which was quite interesting to read - do you read one at a time, or try and read them in tandem. 

2011 - Books

The full list of books I read during 2011 is below. I do think its probable that a few of have been left off. I'll be aiming to break 50 books during 2012. I broke the list down into various categories, and in each grouping I've listed a few of the books which stood out:

Novels:

Victor Hugo's Last Day of the Condemned Man, Gabrielle Ambrosio's Before We Said Goodbye, Yannick Haenel's The Messenger and Tea Obreht's The Tiger's Wife were the standouts.  Not surprisingly, the novels which have stood out to me, are those which have some political historical angle.  Last Day, is an impassioned plea from the 19th Century, for the abolition of the death penalty. Before We Said Goodbye is set on the Gaza, and without taking sides, focuses on a suicide bombing. I found The Tiger's Wife to be a beautiful and original read.

Biography:

The two that really stood out to me, were Malcolm Fraser's Political Memoirs and Goodbye Sarejevo. Prior to reading Malcolm Fraser's book, I hadn't read too much about Australian History, but my respect for Fraser grew through reading the book. Goodbye Sarajevo, is one of those must read books -  set in the middle of the Balkan Conflict, it is a moving and compelling true story of courage,  and hope. 

Political 

One of the highlights, was George Negus' The World From Down Under, which drew on his interviews with a wide range of world leaders. The books by Rebecca Hamilton and Samantha Power were eye openers to America's responses to genocide since the beginning of the 20th Century.

And in the other categories, I found Nicholas Carr's book on how Google is changing the way we think, to largely ring true, as does a bit of Andrew Keen's thesis in The Cult of the Amatuer.

So, I'm looking for more books to read this year, so let me know what you're reading.

Full List:
Novels:
Ernst Hemmingway - Farewell to Arms
Alain Robbe-Gilbert - In the Labyrinth
Mirza Waheed - The Collaborator
Tea Obreht- The Tiger's Wife
Jack Kersh - Hotel Sarajevo
Jessica Rudd - Campaign Ruby
Colm Tobin - Brooklyn
Victor Hugo - Last Day of a Condemned Man
Gabrielle Ambrosio - Before we Said Goodbye
Louis de Bernières - Captian Corelli's Mandolin
Freedom (Collection of Short Stories)
Chimamjanda Ngozi Adichie - The Thing Around my Neck
Phillip Roth - Everyman
Phillip Roth - The American Pastoral
Jonathan Franzen - Freedom
Yannick Haenel - The Messenger: A Novel
Biography / Autobiography
James Hird - Reading the play
Wayne Bennett - The Man in the Mirror
Kevin Sheedy - Stand Your Ground
Michael Chugg - Hey You in the Black Tee-Shirt
Malcolm Fraser - The Political Memiors
Izzeldin Abuelaish - I Shall Not Hate
Peter Fitzsimmons - Beazley
Hana Schofield & Atka Reid - Goodbye Sarajevo
Edward Kennedy - True Compass
Anh Do - The Happiest Refugee
Politics / Sociology / History / Psychology / Religion
Samantha Power - A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide
Rebecca Hamilton - Fighting for Darfur: Public Action and the Struggle to Stop Genocide
Laurie Oakes - On the Record
Dambisa Moyo - Dead Aid
Hugh Mackay - What Makes Us Tick
George Negus - The World From Down Under
Lindsay Tanner - Sideshow
Paul & Tania Roos - Life is Sport & Sport is Life
Andrew Leigh - Disconnected

Ravi Zacharias - Has Christianity Failed You

Kevin Lenman - Have a New You By Friday
Technology
Andrew Keen - The Cult of the Amatuer
Nicholas Carr - The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brain
Humour
Richard Glover - Why Men are Necessary
Sport
Jim Main - Shake Down the Thunder
Duncan Hamilton - The Last Summer

Last Day of a Condemned Man

But public order will not disappear along with the executioner; never believe that. The vault of future society will not collapse for lack of that monstrous keystone. Civilisation is no more than a series of transformations. So what is it you are about to witness? The transformation of the system of punishment. The gentle law of Christ will finally penetrate thee penal code and extend its influence across it. Crime will be seen as a disease, and this disease will have doctors instead of judges, hospitals instead of penal colonies. Liberty and health will be the same thing. Balm and oil will be poured on where once steel and fire were applied. The evil that was treated with charity. It will be simple and sublime. The cross in place of the gallows. That is all.
Preface to Victor Hugo's The Last Day of a Condemned Man.

Just started this today, it is written as a diary of a prisoner preparing for his execution - and a plea for the abolition of the death penalty, equally as relevant today as when it was written - 1829.

Page turners ..

Fighting for Darfur: By Washington Post reporter Rebecca Hamilton. The book is a detailed account of the public action surrounding Darfur (in Sudan). It provides some compelling insights into both the strengths, weaknesses and limitations of this movement. An important book to read, given the world in which we live.

Goodbye Sarajevo- Atka Reid and Hana Schofield - A moving true story about what happens to one family during the siege of Sarajevo (in the 1990s). Read more one this website. I found it so eye-opening as it brought a human face so the history we've lived through.

Before we Said Goodbye - Gabriella Ambrosio - Based on the true story of a suicide bombing in Jerusalem. The story follows a number of characters in parallel which is at times hard to follow. But what was striking about the book, is that the author did not take sides, she simply presented the story, and presented a human face to what is happening in the Middle East. Perhaps for this reason the book is
endorsed by Amnesty International.

Next on my reading list is Samantha Power's book A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide which was quoted by Bec in her book. I also have The Collaborator on the "to read" pile. Mirza Waheed's The Collaborator is set in Kashmir, you can read more about the book here.

Five books which changed me

One of the meme's doing the rounds is the five books which changed you...

(1) The Bible,  I guess in some ways this is a given, but it is hard to overstate the impact this book has had, and is having, on my life.

(2) Knowing God - J. Packer, One of the first Christian books I read which has really helped me as I have sought to know God better. There is so much depth to what Packer has written, that there is always more to learn.

(3) Les Miserables - Victor Hugo  - I've always loved how the musical brought the story (and characters) to life. But the book, is the inspiration behind the musical,

(4) Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card, Easily the most enjoyable science fiction book I've read, And actually the whole series of books is enjoyable (and thought provoking reading)

(5) And perhaps the series of books which was one of the first books I recall reading, and perhaps gave me the love of reading are Williard Price's series of Adventure books. These books brought a sense of wonder in the natural world. Hard to pick favourites, but the ones I remember the most were Volcano Adventure and Amazon Adventure.

It so great having a great library nearby, as it is enabling me to pick and read books which I may not have read if I needed to pay for them.

Page turners

I've finally finished reading the Memoirs of former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser,  I was fascinating by the account of his life, his politics, and how his relationship with the Liberal Party changed. Since then I read Dambisa Moyo's book Dead Aid -which I found to be a well reasoned argument for why western-aid is not only not the solution to Africa's problems, but also part of the problem - I guess the problem is the way we face these problems is that "we are 'westerners' how can we fail to do good'.

At the moment, I've started reading Hugh Mackay's book - What makes us tick - about the 10 major drivers of our behaviour - so far I'm about a third of the way through, and again I don't think there is anything in there that is a shock, but its been an interesting read - especially the way he talks about religion (be it the theist or atheist type). 

And it is lovely to have a five day break, hopefully I'll get a bit more reading down, and also find the time to write a touch. Last weekend we went and saw the Ballet Madam Butterfly, which was really amazing, I can't get over the dancers stamina and grace of equal portions. 

more on the books (and the cricket)

A few other books I left off yesterday, fittingly for summer I read The Last Summer (which as a book about the 2009 Cricket season, also reflection on the changes in the game - mostly around 'hit and giggle', I've also got Michael Chugg (the concert promoter's autobiography, and yesterday I added Richard Glover's Why Men are
Necessary to the list.

Briefly, on the cricket, I have said this before, but I would like to receive the technology out of the game, leave the decisions to those on the field. Yes some days the wrong decision will be made, but we're not seeing many howlers overturned when the players review them.

Also, I think the South Africa-India series is showing how good Jacques Kallis, Sachin Tendulker, and Dale Steyn really are.

A New Year

I hope you all had a great Christmas, and all the best for 2011. To begin here's an article about new year's resolutions (or aspirations). In terms of my aspirations for 2011, I have being reading a lot more
over the last 12 months, thanks mainly to a great local library, a generous family, and would like to keep this up.

Over Christmas, I read Wayne Bennett's autobiography, Man in the Mirror, Helen Fielding's book Cause Celeb (a great parody of celebrities being involved in social justice campaigns), Alberto Barrera Tyszka's novel The Sickness, on how two men dealt with their illnesses.

I 'm also intending to read the books I was given for my birthday and Christmas last year -- two of Hugh Mackay's books: What Makes Us Tick, and Advance Australia ... Where?, George Negus's book, The
World From Down Under, Andrew Leigh's book Disconnected and Kevin Leman's book Have a new you by Friday (I've have found a few of his other books helpful), and a one more from my last visit to the library, Reading the play: on life and leadership by one of the great AFL players James Hird.

++

I enjoyed the The Late Session (the new show hosted by Waleed Aly) last night on SBS. A fascinating discussion around storytelling.  It looks like the series will be fascinating with great topics and
interesting guests. Though to think the five who I'd invite an imaginary dinner party, though I'd also pick Waleed to facilitate the conversation.

Here's another article, about a philosophy book which talks highlights the impact of communal experiences.

page turning..

It has been quite a while since my last post. Have been quite busy with work.

On the recently read list, I finished Paul Kelly's March of the Patriots, a fascinating book about the time spent in government by Paul Keating and John Howard, it was a little eye-opening reading their accounts of policy decisions. It did remind me of parts of our recent history which I'm not sure I entirely agree with, and to that end I'm kind of interesting in reading the autobiography of John Howard.

I also finished The Winter of our Disconnect (Susan Maushart), how one family with without their technology for, about three months, and what they discovered in the process. It would be great to take up the challenge, and go without my ipod; facebook for a while, and I wonder what I could do with the time I save :)

Samuel Huntington's book 'The Clash of Civilisations' was a book I encountered doing a global politics course while at University, and had been meaning to read for a while. It was written in 1996, yet given recent history, it seem more relevant now, even if we're not embracing the thesis totally.

I also have two books at on the go at the moment: Jostein Gaardner's Through a Glass Darkly, and a book by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn - Half the Sky, which details how the great struggle we face today is how women, and their children are treated. It is a heart-breaking read, but there is also hope, as the stories also share how some women have used the circumstances as an opportunity.