I was recently asked by The Journal’s Culture Magazine to take on their April, Readers’ Lives page and write about my five or six life-changing reads. It took a lot of thinking about – there were just so many wonderful books I could have included. In the end I tried to pick the ones that I thought had made a real impact on me. I ran out of the alloted word count for my last choice – Bring Up The Bodies – not exactly life changing – but a book that reminds us of just how good fiction can be and what it is as writers that we should aspire to
If you’d like to read about my choices HERE is the LINK to the Culture mag online. Readers’ Lives is on PAGE 11
I wonder, what would your six be? I’d love to hear all six or even just one….
I suppose I’d validate my choices by choosing books that I’ve picked off the shelf to re-read many time over for the sheer joy of doing so. I’ve read a lot of contemporary fiction, but few of them I pick up for a second read. My choices are: Thomas Hardy ‘Jude The Obscure’. Bought it for a quid when I was 18. Probably the first time something that looked like dusty old literature actually thumped me in the guts with empathy for the character. I’ve also re-read ‘Anna Karenina’ more times than I’ve changed my socks in a winter. My absolute favourite is a biography of Karl Marx,, called ‘Karl Marx’ by Francis Wheen. Whatever you think of his politics, this biography is side splittingly funny. From drunken shenanigans in ale houses, to abject poverty and the family silver always at ‘uncles’, how they refer to the pawn shop, to the series of cranks he must deal with who seek the prophet out. Ween writes with great wit about the fulsome life of a great wit, they compliment each other perfectly. It’s been in my possession for ten years, and when I truly want to roll around laughing at the resourcefulness of a rogue throughout many unexpected trials, I pick it up again and again.
Thanks for sharing your choices Warren. The Karl Marx biography sounds like a surprising, must read. Anna Karenina, also a favourite of mine.
I have one book in mind which stands taller than all others for me at the moment:
The Pai Poems by Isaac David Garuda.
The most amazing thing is, that I did not come across this book myself. In December 2007, I received it as a gift from one of my daughters. It was during her “trip around the world” that she visited Thailand, and on recommendation travelled the 3 hour arduous, scenic but worthwhile route to the town of Pai, north of Chiang Mai where the author lives. It sounds fascinating, as she describes how pure and unwesternised she found it. Tranquil by day, and coming alive at night where the Thai villagers bring their unique crafts and foods to the night market to sell. A very soothing place to be I would imagine.
These poems have not so much changed my life, but have reinforced a certain belief and understanding of what life is all about, its meaning and its purpose. The poem called Sage Advice, begins by saying: ”Lose your mind, and come to your senses”. Another called, “The Prison of Your Own Ideas” starts by saying: You are sitting in the prison of your own ideas. There are poems about Freedom, Happiness and Boredom. Others are quite personal to the author, about his own life and they are expressed so well I find them deeply moving.
If I am ever feeling slightly miffed or unsettled about anything, these poems have the ability to lift me back to a quiet and comfortable place. For me the words give a feeling of grounding and a sense of reality. I find them both thought-provoking and truly uplifting. I may only pick the book up once a year, but it always manages to hit the spot. Its as if I am reading it for the first time all over again!
Garuda was born in USA 1944. He received a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Massachusetts in 1970. He arrived in Pai in 2004 and in just 2 days it spoke to him loud and clear saying “This is your Home”. He stayed.
Garuda says of himself “I don’t think of myself as a writer. I only write when I have no choice”. I completely understand what he means. He is the author of several books and this is his first book of poetry.
Its difficult choosing an outright favourite because they are all so different, but here is one anyway!
Eight Wisdoms
To let go of a present understanding,
this is the wisdom of the great student.
To simplify life’s complexities,
this is the wisdom of common sense.
To have a broad response repertoire,
this is the wisdom of flexibility.
To make sense of contradictory messages,
this is the wisdom of the bigger picture.
To sense the relative importance of phenomena,
this is the wisdom of discernment.
To see difference in apparent similarities,
This is the wisdom of non-generalisation.
To see opposite not necessarily in opposition,
This is the wisdom of the peacemaker.
To give up the urge to control anyone or anything,
this is the wisdom of relaxation.
Thanks so much for sharing your choice Elaine. One of the most amazing things about this for me is that in 1982 I visited Pai. At the time I was trekking with two guides, my husband and friends in northern Thailand and Pai was near the end of our trek. We came out of the high forest/jungle, from which we’d looked down on the green snaking river, crossed the river and entered the village. We stayed for one night, watched the women prepare frogs and rice for the evening meal, slept on bamboo, got up at dawn and sat by a small outdoor fire with Charlie one of our guides and contemplated the return to civilisation. It was a beautifully tranquil place and I can imagine Garuda deciding to stay.
I’m sure I would love this collection and will try to get a copy. When someone special gives you a book that is equally special, that you keep coming back to and always will, it’s such a precious gift. How lovely that it came from your daughter.
Love
Avril