Funny Thing, Getting Older

This collection of reflections and short stories by Michael Morpurgo is thought provoking, warm hearted and uplifting.  His passion for child centred education and development shines through. His reflection on War Horse moved me to tears.  An ideal gift for any adult.

The Finest Hotel in Kabul

My copy of Lyse Doucet’s book is now circulating among my friends. Charting the recent history of Afghanistan through the lives of those who work in the Intercontinental Hotel it is a triumph of reassurance that even through two invasions, and Taliban assumption of power many ordinary people carries on going to work and providing for their families. The resilience of the people is inspiring.

I bought it because I enjoyed Rory Stewart’s book about his walk across Afghanistan after the first Taliban Government fell. That gave a picture of the traditional warmth of the hospitality he received at every village he stopped in and the contrast between the several cultural groups whose territory he passed through. He didn’t carry maps because he would have been arrested as a spy. At the end he commented on how he had learnt so much from the men of Afghanistan but only saw the women when they brought him food.

Joy Chose You

I bought Donna Ashworth’s book Wild Hope after I heard her read a short prose piece called You on the radio.  It is the book I most frequently gift to friends who are having a hard time. 

Joy Chose You is a ‘best of’ collection and was well received when I gave it as a birthday present. Her writing covers loss, grief, friendship and hope.

I wrote these while drinking coffee out of my I am So Many Things mug. As the level of the coffee goes down I read statements such as ‘I’m full of hope’ ‘I am trusting in God’. Uplifting affirmations for every morning. A friend gives their mugs as confirmation gifts but I think they work at Easter too.  There are books and prints on this Christian website too.