This week we will take a short look at four fantastic nonfiction books. 1.) A Thousand Sisters – Lisa Shannon 2.) In Search of Hope – The Global Diaries of Mariane Pearl. 3.) I Live Here – Mia Kirshner, J.B.MacKinnon, Paul Shoebridge, Michael Simons 4.) King Peggy – Peggielene Bartels and Eleanor Herman 1.) In Search of Hope – The Global Diaries of Mariane Pearl.Already known as a respect writer, Mariane Pearl was thrust into the international spotlight when her husband, Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, was murdered by Islamic extremists. Refusing to believe that hate and violence are more powerful than love, Mariane Pearl worked with Glamour Magazine to bring stories of amazing women from amazing corners of the world. What she discovers is nothing short of inspirational, with uplifting and heartwarming accounts of women’s courage, determination, and spirit. Perfect for anyone travelling to a remote or challenging area. 2.) I Live Here – Mia Kirshner, J.B.MacKinnon, Paul Shoebridge, Michael SimonsYou may already recognize the authors’ names: Kirshner is an actress, appearing in The L Word and Black Dahlia. MacKinnon is an award winning author. Shoebridge and Simons are creative directors who worked with Adbusters Magazine. Together, their world experiences and creative talents merge together in I Live Here, a funky collection of journals that explore the life of refugees. Travelling to Ingushetia, Burma, Ciudad Juarez, and Malawi, they capture the life of those displaced by war, famine, politics, and violence. Using a combination of scrapbook, mixed media, and graphic novel designs, they capture the heart and the stories of forgotten, homeless, landless people. A poignant look at the lives and stories behind headlines. 3.) King Peggy – Peggielene Bartels and Eleanor HermanPeggy is living her life and minding her own business as a busy American woman working as a secretary at the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, DC. When she is woken up in the middle of the night by a distant relative who calls to inform her that she has inherited the crown of King to a village of 7000 souls in Ghana, she is in utter disbelief. But her new kingdom needs her – no running water, no medical care, no school, and the royal palace is in ruins. Her trusted team of royal advisors seem to be focused more on draining the coffers than raising new roofs. Peggy’s spunk, determination, and vision is inspiring and this book would make a great mother’s day gift (even if mom doesn’t travel – yet). 4.) A Thousand Sisters – Lisa ShannonLisa Shannon was watching the Oprah show when a report by Lisa Ling described the Democratic Republic of the Congo as the “worst place on earth to be a woman”. With no real experience in international development and with little more than an overwhelming urge to do something, Shannon made helping Congolese women her life’s passion. Her work is fascinating because she brings such a human face to war’s most forgotten victims but also because she accurately highlights the complex difficulties in investigating war crimes and in delivering assistance and aid. Her descriptions of mothers no longer willing to fight to get medical assistance for their children, and of a village woman who constantly demands sugar for her tea while Shannon is trying to deliver lifesaving supplies are aggravating, frustrating, heartbreaking. It’s a difficult read, but a great primer for anyone who has dreams of taking on an international project. As always, you can conveniently find these books in my Amazon store to buy at great prices, or check out your local bookstore.
2 Comments
Vanessa
17/5/2013 01:17:09 pm
I love that they show such a balance of the good and the bad.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
July 2013
Categories
All
|