Month: February 2011

Life on the Refrigerator Door

Linda J

life_on_refrigerator_doorAlice Kuipers presents a story in an unusual but clever form in her debut novel – post it notes on the fridge.

Claire is your average preoccupied teenager who lives with her mother, a busy doctor, in (it would seem) a busy modern city. We are not given any flowing descriptive passages about their life. Instead, their tale is slowly revealed through a growing collection of notes posted on the refrigerator door.

The messages begin with simple reminders and hellos:

“I made spaghetti bolognaise for when you get in. Love, Mom”

“Babysitting tonight, Mom. Gotta run!!

I can’t find my key. Will you be home to let me in? Call me and let me know.”

…all of which might be recognisable to any busy household.

While ‘Life…’ is relatively easy to read, the concepts it deals with should make the reader stop and wonder. Surprisingly, it is possible to tell this tale through notes left on the fridge door, and it’s interesting to see the tone of the notes change as the storyline about Claire’s mother’s breast cancer develops.

Some people may criticise a book written purely in little notes; others may be happy to see the story develop clear of unnecessary details. Many have commented on how quickly the book can be read (perhaps in under an hour).  However, the subjects it touches on – life’s busyness and the trauma for families facing life threatening illness, are real and worthy of airing in this way. And it might even be a thought-provoking resource for those facing these issues.

Well worth a read. I would love to hear what others think. Is it too spartan? Does it skim the issues too much? Would it really help anyone? Did it make you think?

Guest review for Baking cakes in Kigali

Linda J

For this post I have a guest reviewer. Thanks to Mrs Leask, who gave me permission  to repost her comments on this blog. With an interest in Tanzania and surrounding countries, and after reading her comments, I too read ‘Baking cakes in Kigali’ (by Gaile Parkin) and I agree wholeheartedly with all she writes below… (Thanks, Kirrily)

bakingcakes“A delightfully warm and relaxing book to read in bed or on a couch during a quiet evening.  We are introduced to the wonderful Angel Tungaraza through a series of apparently unconnected stories, which gradually dovetail to form a very satisfying whole. 

Angel and her family are Tanzanians, living in the capital city of neighbouring Rwanda, where her husband Pius has a contract job at the University.  Both their children have died; Angel and Pius are raising their grandchildren.  Angel has developed a small business baking and decorating cakes. 

It is through Angel’s diverse clientele that Parkin gently introduces big issues affecting Rwanda – and much of Africa – the legacy of colonialisation, AIDS, casualties of war (in Rwanda’s case, the terrible genocide), foreign aid.  Although very heavy subjects, these are touched on through the interractions between the cakemaker and her clients, more often than not, over a cup of sweet, cardomom-spiced tea. 

Initially I was concerned that the book would either trivialise the horror of such a damaged land, or that it would be terribly depressing.  Neither is true because, although Parkin doesn’t whitewash any of the dreadful realities, they are found within the stories of people who display resilience, humour and hope.  This book gives insight into what is unimaginable to most non-Rwandans, and allows us to enter into real hope.”

Note: reliable sources (thanks Kirrily) tell me that Gaile is working on her second novel, also featuring the Tungaraza family, Angel’s family. Definitely something to look forward too.

Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris

Linda J

dht_book“Why is it that young men and women of the past were able to do things (and do them well) at fifteen or sixteen that many of today’s twenty-five to thirty year olds can’t do?… The answer is that people today view the the teen years through the modern lens of adolelesence (which) …holds us back from what we could do, from what God made us to do, and even what we would want to do if we got out from under society’s low expectations.” p. 33

This is where Do hard things: a teenage rebellion against low expectations begins. Twins Alex and Brett Harris provide historical examples of what young people achieved at a young age before the concept of the teenager came about. And from this, they introduce the Myth of Adolesence. They challenge the idea that the years of adolescence are times for slowly growing up, with minimal responsibility and relatively low expections set before you.

Do Hard Things aims to challenge teenagers to do more with their adolescence than merely struggle to wear the latest fashions, idolise the next music sensation or wait for their future plans to fall into place. Alex and Brett believe that the teenage years are for developing and testing the skills to launch fully into the adult years – not a ‘vacation from responsibility’!

An example themselves, Alex and Brett outline where their life has taken them (this book being written when they were 18), and challenge other teens to ‘step up to the plate’ also.

Source: http://www.therebelution.com/

Source: http://www.therebelution.com/

Then, they outline and discuss ‘the Five Kinds of Hard’ (and ways to move beyond them):

  1. Things outside your comfort zone
  2. Things that go beyond what is expected or required
  3. Things that are too big to accomplish alone
  4. Things that don’t earn an immediate payoff
  5. Things that challenge the cultural norm

‘Do Hard Things’ aims to capture the hearts and minds of youth wanting to break out of the sterotype cast upon their generation. It shows that young people can achieve great things, while reminding  us that the small things in life also matter.

Have a look to see how you might be challenged by what they have themselves have done.