The more I read of Half the Sky the more I am just blown away by that book. I'm barely a quarter of the way through. I knew human trafficking was a problem--but I didn't really know the extent of it. This book primarily focuses on women and how their rights are trampled in most of the world. I'm talking about the right to life. A normal, decent life. One without fear of being killed, raped, or abused in some other shape or form. The book doesn't stop there however. It shows how they can overcome their circumstances when their situations have come to light and people act--particulary people in Western countries act. Right now we do seem to have the most clout. Three million women in slavery now--and that's a conservative estimate. The biggest culprits being countries like India, China, Iran, Cambodia etc. Countries where people can easily take advantage of the uneducated, uncared for "peasant" class. It talks of how the police look the other way by being bribed. It's very hard for an uneducated girl in a foreign country with no understanding of the language to get out of the situation she is in--especially if the police are no help. I really encourage my readers to get a copy and read this book!
The other book I'm (sort of) reading is The Owner's Manual for The Brain. Anything and everything you'd want to know about how and why your brain works the way it does. Quite fascinating. You can read it in sections as it pertains to whatever you want to know. For example: I'm reading the section on sleep. I'm finding out why I can survive easier on certain days with 5 hrs. of sleep than others. We sleep in cycles--and depending on when we are awakened in our cycle--is how well we'll do that day. A tip: It's better to stay up late cramming for an exam, than to wake up earlier the next day and try to cram for it. The book has all the science to back it up. Give it a read! Since I have no choice when I wake (due to breastfeeding), my cycles are all messed up--and hence--so am I!!
The third book that just came in for me from the library--and which I can't wait to read!-- is Capt. Sullenberger's book Highest Duty. For those who don't know who he is, he's the Captain of the US Airways plane that crash landed on the Hudson River about a year ago and everyone survived without major injuries. It was an amazing feat! I'll let you know more about the book when I've read it.
So what is everyone else reading now??
I am reading Oliver Twist. The only thing I've ever read by Dickens is A Christmas Carol back in jr. high. I am really enjoying Dickens' dry sense of humor and the satire. It is a little like a fiction version of the first book you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteAnd as a former teacher, I have to say that the BESTEST way to study for an exam is to review your notes daily. That way you don't have to cram. I repeatedly told my students that you rarely remember anything you study a half hour before a test. They never believed me...which is probably why they failed!
Human trafficking, in my opinion, is one of the key issues that Christians should commit to, especially since there are more slaves in the world today than there were before the Civil War, and the number is increasing. So often political ideologies blind people and perpetuate division when what we really need is unity, creativity, and the redemptive and liberating power of Christ to overcome these social injustices. If you have time, google Nomi Network and check out the work my friend and communitarian is doing. She founded Nomi to eradicate sex trafficking in Cambodia and they've done some really amazing things already.
ReplyDeleteOh, and the books I'm reading right now are Eat, Drink and Be Merry. It's the Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Living. I know you're into health, and it might be right up your alley. Now that I'm sitting behind a desk rather than swinging a spike maul in the railroad yard, I figure I better be health conscious. :) And I'm about to start reading the Westminister Bible Companion to Luke. Westminister has a great series of commentaries.
ReplyDeleteOh, I know cramming is not good. I was just repeating what the book said: IF you were to cram.... or wake up and do anything rather...it's better to stay up late than get up early.
ReplyDeleteI think the only book I've read of Dickens is Oliver Twist. Never read A Christmas Carol--well--the kids' version. I'll have to read the actual thing sometime.
Jason...I'll be sure to check out the Nomi Network. The only way to truly change the world--is to change the culture--which of course would be--sharing the Good News. The problem is SIN, and giving aid without sharing the gospel won't fix the problems. I'm for both of course--which I believe you are too. Christians just need to have more compassion for the Lost.
Eat, Drink, and be Merry. Hmmmm. Like the sound of that book! :-)
I am definitely in agreement that sin is the root of the world's woes. I've always liked Saint Francis' quote: "Share the gospel always; if necessary, use words!"
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