We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For by Alice Walker

In her poetic style, Alice Walker has offered a collection of non-fiction essays/speeches/poems which reflect on the political and spiritual state of our world. For anyone who is willing to consider that “we” are the ones who must change the world, Ms Walker gives empowering insight. She covers topics ranging from racism to global warming – all the while expanding on the interconnectedness of all things. Her dedication and passion comes through from beginning to end. This book is full of so many gems, that it is hard to single out one idea. However, one of my favorites is the following: “It is our time of gathering the vision together, of reminding ourselves of what we want for ourselves and how we want the same for everyone. This is the vision most in danger of becoming extinct in our time: that what we enjoy and want for ourselves is possible for all; that this is the reality we must work toward”. I highly recommend this book which epitomizes love for our earth and all its inhabitants.

 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

I loved this bit that was in the Shelf-Awareness online newsletter today:

No spoilers, please! To “help shield her community against the virulent spoilers,” Downers Grove, Ill., resident Emily Temple-Wood, 13, made warning pins to sell at the release of HP7. The Naperville Sun reported that the pin options were “I’m not finished, no spoilers please!” or “I’m finished, let’s discuss.”

Staff members at Anderson’s Bookshop loved the idea, and the pins went on sale the week before the book’s release. “We couldn’t keep them in stock,” said children’s department manager Kathleen March. “By Saturday, a woman came by for her book and asked about the pins, and we didn’t have any left. She was so disappointed, because she was leaving for a business trip and had wanted to wear the pin on the plane.”

 

The folks at our house have all finished the book, but we’re being very cautious about what we say, not wanting to spoil the reading experience for anyone else.  Nancy Higgs will be leading a discussion of the book at Red Bank, Thursday, August 2^nd,  

You’re Never Too Old for Harry Potter!

Red Bank Branch Library
Thursday, August 2nd, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Older teens and adults

Just quit already!!!

In light of the recent non-inspirational nature of the music industry, it has been determined that this blog will no longer be strictly bound to the realm of popular media, but rather will also include both fiction and non-fiction material as well.  With that said, I recently read a book by Seth Godin called The Dip: a little book that teaches you when to quit (and when to stick).  Upon reading the title you may think, “quitters never win,” but Godin argues this very point by showing how we often spread ourselves thin by doing a lot of things we aren’t very good at doing.  He argues that instead we should quit these things before we waste all of our time, and instead focus on succeeding at what we do well.  Godin’s argument is at times comical and at others insightful.  A quick read, I would definitely recommend this one to any customer looking for change in their life.