Nelson Mandela: The Big and Bold story you only think you know.

When the incomparable Nelson Mandela Passed away, like many people, my feelings were mixed.
'Relief' was present, his suffering was over, but grief was there as well, deep sadness at the loss of such a wonderful and humane man.
While I was aware of the contribution of Mandela, I admit to ignorance over the more personal details of his life, I also admit to curiosity as to the making of the man.

How did someone live through oppression and abuse, and emerge the other side unbroken, whole and willing to forgive?

One thing I was not keen to do though, was read a tribute book...... I didn't want to read platitudes, just his story, and who better to tell the story than the man himself? Decisions made, I set out to read 'Long Walk to Freedom'.

'Long Walk to Freedom'.

The book is dense with information and (appropriately) historical detail and as a reading experience it is a little bit of a challenge.

 Normally a fast reader, I found myself dipping in and out of the book at regular but short intervals, not for reasons of disinterest, more to allow time to absorb the depth of information on each and every page.

A short way into the book I had the realisation, 'what I know about Mandela is probably less than ten percent of what I should know'.

I had also come to realise that it was no coincidence that this man transformed the face of South Africa.

As he describes the development of the African National Congress (happening in tandem with the ongoing and rapid demise of African rights and freedoms), Mandela also crafts us a clear picture of his political growth and of his personal qualities that, unwittingly perhaps, set him on such an extraordinary path.

Mandela is bold, articulate, proud and most of all determined to prevail. His determination seems to carry him past any natural hesitation a person might have before taking on an equally determined and infinitely more cruel government.

For this he pays a terribly high price.

I am not here however, to deliver a history lesson, just a book review.

'Long Walk to Freedom', is a masterful book from the mind of the man who mastered his natural compulsion to hate his oppressors.

Although it is indeed a long and 'mind consuming' read, I would recommend it as essential reading for all of us who admired the man from a distance.
'Long Walk to Freedom' takes the reader beyond the well known historical highlights of Mandela's struggle and eventual triumph and allows us to glimpse the making of the man.

This is surely insight worth having.

This wonderful and illuminating book is available for purchase through Amazon.com via the following link:

'Long Walk to Freedom'

'Dust' by Patricia Cornwell: Scarpetta revived and dangerous

I have had an abiding love for 'P Corn' for years, and have followed 'Kay Scarpetta's' career from the early days of 'Postmortem' and 'Body of Evidence'.
I have suffered through the horror of her multitude of gruesome cases and the equal horror of her detailed descriptions of cooking delicious Italian meals (why do I NEVER have fresh bread, olive oil and bocconcini in my kitchen at the same time!).
If I'm honest though, I have found over time the story lines have become less engaging and (if this is possible) less credible.

 Like a medical Jessica Fletcher, Kay Scarpetta has found herself deeply and personally involved in all her cases, often being herself the target of the serial killer du jour, before of course, finding resolution at the end.

So it was with a sense of history, curiosity and trepidation that I picked up the latest installment in the series, 'Dust'.

The opening sequence is dark, moody and fraught with emotion, reminding the reader that this book is firmly entrenched in a series and not a 'stand alone', indeed much of the book references (not unnecessarily) emotional upheaval in past Scarpetta instalments.

Told from Scarpetta's first person perspective, 'Dust'  succeeds in quickly immersing the reader in a dark and compelling plot. Suspense builds with equal speed as Scarpetta moves from opening scenes; sick and overwhelmed alone in the early hours of the morning, awoken by the ringing of her phone; to crime scene, lab and secondary crime scene with barely a break for a slice of Pizza in between.

As a reader, we do not learn details any sooner than Scarpetta herself, creating a 'hand held' camera effect as we follow her at a relentless pace through a day becoming more harrowing by the minute.
Scarpetta steps outside her studiously 'correct' comfort zone in 'Dust' and it is a welcome character development, making Kay seem 'fresher' than you may expect after so many books. This character growth extends to the ever 'offendable' (yes I am allowed to make words up) Pete Marino, who might just be growing up.... a (very) little bit.

The pace of the novel is brisk, with the majority of the action taking place over a scant twenty four hours and I admit I was so engrossed I read it in less time than that!
I have been pleasantly surprised that Cornwell can still hook me in early and keep me reading long after my eyes are begging me to take a break.

If you have been a Scarpetta fan, who like me had felt a little jaded by the series, I would recommend giving 'Dust' a read; just make sure you block out the day first, because you will not want to put it down.

Dust is available through Amazon.com; if you are interesting in purchasing the following link will direct you to the site page:

'Dust'

'The Joy of less': Can less really be more?

'Minimal Impact' Art Print available from society6

'We are not what we own; we are what we do, what we think, and who we love.'

Francine Jay, author and blogger

If there was a written agenda for a meeting of over spenders, item one might read something like this:

1) Brainstorm ways to live well for less (and by 'well' we mean 'no visible reduction to our current standard of living').

and two;

2) Let go SHOPPING!

Just to avoid confusion, I will confess up front. I would be at the meeting, I would probably 'Chair' the meeting. I might have even sent the invites.

Despite my 'consumer' tendencies, there is something about the frugal approach that appeals and it is not the 'cheap' aspect of the movement, rather the minimalist ethos.

 Making do with what is beautiful and necessary, and jettisoning everything else.

So I have set out to find books that embrace the philosophy of simplicity and minimalism as opposed to the 'how to' of extreme couponing (which I have to admit is not even really a 'thing' in my country).

This search has been surprisingly difficult, for all the thousands of books in the market place on the topic of minimalism, very few seem well written and for those that tick this box, even less focus on inspiration and mind set and not on time consuming money saving 'tricks'.

While I am looking forward to sharing as many great books as I can find on this topic, I am going to have to content myself with sharing just one today, 'The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life 'by Francine Jay (an ironically long heading for a book on simplifying life ;).

Francine is a fellow blogger (see 'Miss Minimalist') and the conversational tone of her blog carries through to her book. Jay admonishes her readers to 'speak with' their belongings asking;

'What are you and what do you do? How did you come into my life?'

I love this suggestion; it seems a fun exercise that just might help those keen on reducing clutter really 'see' their belongings and the place they have in their lives; perhaps for the first time.

This is what Jay does best, helping us 'unpack' the emotions around owning and purchasing 'stuff'. While you may not love all of her minimalist ideas (is a no couch house really a great idea?), you will love the way she can make you think about your consumer and pack rat tendencies, after all, change happens first in our minds and then in our worlds!

For those of us who also like some practical tips with our dose of inspiration, Jay offers chapters on decluttering and simplifying every room in the house and tackles the tricky issue of dealing with heirlooms and sentimental items (if you are like me you will have cupboards devoted to these treasured but never seen items).

I am still on the hunt for more wonderful and inspiring books on paring back and simplifying life and would welcome any recommendations offered! In the mean time I am happy to give Francine Jay's uplifting and practical book my own tick of approval.


Francine's book is available for purchase through amazon, simply follow the link below to get started:

'The Joy of Less' By Francine Jay

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