meeting in the aisle

The one book we should all be reading

As I (figuratively, of course) turned the last page of the book ‘I Shall Not Hate,’ I felt an instant urge to to shout to the whole world the importance of reading it.

I wanted to buy copies for my friends. Have talked about it to my boss, my boyfriend and my sister.

And I’ve made a kiva loan today to a Palestinian business woman.

All thanks to the eloquence and sheer bravery of Izzeldin Abuelaish, whose three daughters were killed, or should I say bombed? Or maybe even had their limbs and brains and blood torn apart and thrown around a room?

Despite from the unthinkable tragedy of losing three daughters in a matter of seconds, Abuelaish manages to tell his story about life as a Palestinian, born in a refugee camp in Gaza, and his fight to be a doctor despite all the challenges (and checkpoints) in his way, with an admirable eloquence.

It’s about so much more than one man’s life, too. It’s about the Arab-Israeli conflict. The stubborness of people. The need to emancipate and involve women in the running of society. The desperate need for peace. The denial of human rights to Palestinians. The exhaustion of both the Palestinians and Israelis at the conflict in their worlds. The failure of leaders to bring peace. An unwavering sense of hope.

It’s only January, but I’m calling this one a must read for 2012.

The Autobiography of Alice B Toklas, by Gertrude Stein

Now reading: The Autobiography of Alice B Toklas by Gertrude Stein, based on the magical inspiration of Woody Allen’s latest, Midnight in Paris. I’m suffering from the very nostalgia Woody warns us of…oops.

Reading list - you’ll be sorry when I’m dead

In keeping with the theme of plenty on my plate, I’ve been reading an eclectic mix of autobiographies, travel books, Time and Frankie magazines, Rainer Maria Rilke poetry, and am about to start a book of short stories.

My favourite read so far this month is Marieke Hardy’s You’ll be sorry when I’m dead. At times cringeworthy with her honesty, Hardy captures the hedonism, denial, over-the-top and selfish nature of my generation in their twenties with a searing honesty that makes you forgive it all.

That I identified so much with many of her tales is more a measure of her writing style rather than any similarities in our lifestyles (she the coquettish intellect with crimson lips and garter belts, me with my sensible shoes), but still, this is the first book I’ve read where I’ve thought “oh, me too!” that deals with early adult life.

And yes, I do understand that this also means I am obviously heading into that awkward territory of having lived enough life to wanting to reminisce about it, and this trend will only increase as writers of my generation take pen to page.

But there is always something special about your first, isn’t there?

——

Also on my bookshelf:

Lonely Planet’s Guide to Papua New Guinea, where I’m flying to this Sunday for two weeks.

Lonely Planet’s Guide to Malaysia, where I’m spending a week on a beach in November, and

If I loved you I would tell you this, by Robin Black, simply because it has an excruciatingly beautiful title.

August reading list - (it’s back!)

As August kicks off I’m bringing back my monthly reading list post, and given the heavy-hearted content of this space recently, I would like to lighten the tone with the exciting delivery waiting on my desk today:

Zoe Foster’s new book Amazing Face (which I purchased from Australian online book retailer Booktopia).

It promises to teach ignorant me the tips and tricks one should know about make up. No, I didn’t ever think I’d buy a book like this either, much less blog about it, but somedays I am incredibly grateful for that smidgen of help available to us (mostly ladies) ‘the day after the night before’.

Just to keep things balanced, I’m also reading Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire. Yes, it’s as much fun as it sounds, but I’m glad I’m reading it.