2013-39 - Is Socialist Revolution in the U.S. possible?, by Mary-Alice Waters

39 - Is Socialist Revolution in the U.S. possible?, by Mary-Alice Waters
WHY I PICKED IT: Picked up at Word On The Street Book Fair
ELAPSED TIME: 3 Days
RATING: Not Good

This book of (3) essays, taken from speeches at the Venezuela Book Fairs in 2007 and 2008 is an argument of why a socialist revolution is not only possible, but probable.  Unfortunately, although they do make good points about the fight from the immigrants perspective, and the need for cross-race support, I do not believe they adequately (a) define the meaning of what is a socialist revolution, and (b) describe how it would come about.

I bought another book at the fair, called Pity the Billionaire, outlining how the disastrous collapse of the free market economy in 2008 heralded a popular revival of the right... perhaps this will be a better read.

2013-38 - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, by Rachel Joyce

38 - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, by Rachel Joyce
WHY I PICKED IT: Recommended by my friend Ling Sian
ELAPSED TIME: 3 Days
RATING: Good

Harold Fry, a retiree in Southern England receives a letter from an old friend one morning, she is saying goodbye to him from a hospice in North England.  Harold writes her a quick note, and then walks to the post box to send it to her.  He skips the first box, ... and the second one, and the post office in town, and finds himself walking to see his friend himself.

Over 87 days and 600 miles of walking we experience Harold's life through his memories.  His childhood, his career, his friendship with Queenie, his relationship with his son, and the relationship with his wife.  We also see how Harold grows through the experience of walking, and can watch the re-development of the love for his wife.

This is the second book recommended to me by Ling Sian (the other being One Day, by David Nichols), and both were character driven love stories spanning distances between the couple.  They are also dominated by characters who will seep their way into your consciousness... people who I will miss now that the story is done.

2013-37 - Generation NGO, edited by Alisha Nicole Apale and Valerie Stam

37 - Generation NGO, edited by Alisha Nicole Apale and Valerie Stam
WHY I PICKED IT: Picked up at Word On The Street Book Fair
ELAPSED TIME: 10 Days
RATING: Very Good

This book, 10 essays detailing first experiences in the developing world, is fantastic.  It offers a reminder on ways to interact with those who live in the developing world, on the value that a young Westerner offers, on the challenges of fitting in “there” and the resulting challenge of fitting in “here.”  It’s about finding your path, and about the friendships that form.

I highly recommend this book to … gosh, anybody who has worked in the developing world (the book will serve as a reminder of your (first) experiences.  Or anybody who wants to work there (to see how others have done it).  Or anybody who has a passion for learning about other people and their experiences.  Or anybody.  (I really enjoyed this book!)