Thin Places by Kerri nÍ Dochartaigh
Here is a story of darkness which holds a web of cracks that light their way through. You may envision Leonard Cohen singing this clearly in ‘Anthem’, or picture a Japanese vase held together by golden threads of glue or you may say it belongs to Kerri NÍ Docharteigh’s Thin Places and it is not a story, it is her life. What permeates through this life of political division, of broken people, of death and hatred, is that of nature. The beautiful and the sublime- the sublime which holds danger in its palm of beauty with all of its wildness
The Best Most Awful Job: Twenty Writers Talk Honestly About Motherhood
The Best Most Awful Job: Twenty Writers Talk Honestly About Motherhood Edited by Katherine May A note to the reader. I read this book and wrote this piece before the world entered a new age and way of life. Before the word pandemic reached our ears and most of the problems were far away enough not to worry. But here we are, separated from our older parents; grandparents, immunity compromised friends and loved ones and now without school, a great weight has been placed on us for how long we do not know. If you are a mother whether you
Wintering : How I Learned to Flourish When Life Became Frozen by Katherine May
Book Review Wintering : How I Learned to Flourish When Life Became Frozen by Katherine May Losing hope and entering a well of darkness is an emotion that is common to all of us. It is not something we experience once or twice but on numerous occasions throughout our lives. For some the depth of despair is deeper than it is for others. The frequency too varies but it exists and is mostly unavoidable; this is the human condition and in a way can hold the function of righting a wrong. This is what May calls “wintering.” Our complexity knows
Wild Woman Swimming A Journal Of West Country Swimming
Wild Woman Swimming A Journal of West Country Waters by Lynne Roper Tanya Shadrick a former hospice scribe made a promise to Lynne Roper after a single meeting which was to published Roper’s wild swim diaries upon her death. The diaries cover the time between her survival of breast cancer and her death from a brain tumour. This however is not a book about death. This is a book about life; it is about taking note of its beauty, its sublime and the people one encounters on a daily exploration through water. Roper’s wit, sarcasm and humour pull you along
BIRTHING LITERATURE : HOW TO GROW A BABY AND PUSH IT OUT BY CLEMMIE HOOPER
Once you overcome the initial shock of finding out you are pregnant whether planned or not, there is much excitement. Intermingling with this excitement soon after is anxiety and fear. There is worry over whether you will hear that heartbeat at each scan, whether your baby has formed healthily and then the worry over what kind of parent you will be. Whether you will be able to cope with one of the biggest changes in your life whilst envisaging the magnitude of the responsibility ahead. For most even through the all day nausea; heartburn, sciatica, carpel tunnel syndrome (yes, I
THE LONELY CITY: ADVENTURES IN THE ART OF BEING ALONE BY OLIVIA LAING
My three year old mentioned loneliness the other day. It wasn’t the first time she had uttered the word. At first, like most parents my reaction was one of concern. As though something painful, damaging and everlasting may be occurring in her soul. Because like everybody else I know how painful loneliness can be. It’s like being eternally cold on the inside, like a solitary iceberg chipped away and floating away from its family island. My first response was of course to console her and shower her in attention, even organise a friend to meet up with. Anything to fill
NOBODY TOLD ME: POETRY AND PARENTHOOD BY HOLLIE McNISH
Literature | Review Nobody Told Me: Poetry and Parenthood by Hollie McNish If you are a mother, a mother to be, a father, a father to be or just simply a human, then reading McNish’s Nobody Told Me is not only a must but must be passed onto fellow mothers and fathers. Parenthood can be the most isolating, mind boggling, sleep deprived, trippy ride one can embark upon. You question yourself daily whether you are doing the right thing, you’re also questioned and criticised by strangers who insist you are doing everything wrong. CoSleeping, breastfeeding, opinions, and being unmarried with
WHEN BREATH BECOMES AIR BY PAUL KALANITHI
Literature | Review When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi At the age of thirty- six life was just beginning for Paul Kalanithi, he was close to becoming a neurosurgeon and had hopes of starting a family with his wife Lucy. At the age of thirty-six, life was ending for Paul Kalanithi from terminal cancer. Torn between his love for English literature and a deep desire to be a writer with a longing to help others through neuroscience he managed to write his story in times. It is this story which will live long after him. Kalanithi is warm and
M TRAIN BY PATTI SMITH
Literature | Review M Train by Patti Smith Smith opens with a dream, a cowpoke tells her “It’s not easy writing about nothing” and this ethereal message haunts her throughout the day. Smith takes her dreams seriously; they guide her, inspire her and reveal truths so it is not out of the ordinary for her to take on a challenge presented to her in her dream. Although she
BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR BY ElIZABETH GILBERT
Literature | Review Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert Gilbert’s Big Magic is undoubtedly a self help book, in fact, she states that fact clearly. Its message is cast in a light of positivity at all times; can this be annoying at times? Sure it does but after all, it is a self help book and an interesting one which develops momentum as you
-
-
-
-
/ 0 Comments