 |
|
|
Wonderful books: "On Being Grumpy - Musings of a malcontent" Penguin Group (Australia), Melbourne. Its somehow reassuring to clarify the roots of non-specific grumpiness. This book has much more depth than you might imagine, airing discontent about everything from consumerism, humam doings and politics to technology, language, celebrity and kids. "The Last Self-help Book You'll Ever Need - Repress your anger, think negatively, be a good blamer, & throttle your inner child." Basic Boks, NY. This book may well live up to its name. It invites us to be critical thinkers, to consider the sources and motivations behind both popular and traditional ideas, to age with pleasure, to invest our lives in others, and it offers a lifetime of personal wisdom to consider. "Non-violent Communication- a language of life." Puddle Dancer Press, California. Marshall has combined his personal observations and experiences with traditional wisdom to craft a culture and language based on compassion. He identifies compassionate giving as a core human need and a foundation for living and communicating peacefully. It is a simple, compelling and powerful approach, but challenging for those of us who have been raised in a culture based on hierachies - of good and bad, right and wrong - that, by encouraging retributive justice, make violence enjoyable. If each one of us can develop our vocabulary of needs and feelings, and our ability to give empathy to oursleves and others, we can truly make the world a gentler place. "In a Sunburnt Country" Broadway Books. This is one of those books that can make you laugh out loud, even when you are all alone. I love the way he characterises Australia and Australians, especially the part about not taking oursleves too seriously. A great read for homesick expats and potential tourists alike |
Mandy recently read and enjoyed ... |
 |