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THE BEST OF KANTHA FOR ALL!
Listen, I know that there are book lists for DAYS out there. This is another one, and I'm not pretending otherwise! It is completely biased and based on nothing other than what I have read recently. I love to read, I love to receive recommendations, and I love to share the books that I've enjoyed with others.
Every one of these books is my recommendation to YOU, but there are also ideas of other people in your life who might enjoy them. 😉 Comment below or fire me an email with your own best, recent reads!
For your nephew who is uninterested in love or the pull of family, but likes the space-time continuum...
Mind-bending and physics-y, but fast-paced & thriller-y, too. A fun read for anyone who doesn't normally read within the "sci-fi" genre.
For your brother-in-law who loves his wife, but also likes in the space-time continuum...
Ditto to the above, though the decisions made by the main character in this one are far more motivated by his identity as a husband & father.
For everyone, long-read edition...
So powerful, this life account is almost unbelievable. A 5-star read that I recommend to everyone.
For everyone, short-read edition...
This book is the most underrated novel I know! Perhaps it's the one-line description — "it's about the patent battle over the invention of the lightbulb!" — that sounds like a snooze. But, I promise you, this novel is fascinating, fast-paced, and full of pithy quotes from Edison to Bill Gates that will have you hmmm-ing all holiday!
For a complete escape from anything resembling your own life (unless you've been a nymph in Greek mythology)...
Circe is unlike any other book I know; it's so outside of the realm of modern culture, but of course the themes (love, family, rejection, wrath) transcend place & time.
For the husband who rarely reads novels...
Fun & silly, a quick & entertaining read for a non-reader.
For an extended family conversation starter...
Blah blah blah, Shelley, The Four Tendencies, I know. But, you will be trying to pin down your parents & siblings, FOR SURE.
For the sister who wants to just read in her cozy corner...
What else is there to say about this classic? It's warm and nostalgic and they complain about November being the worst, which I totally relate to. Read the book, then see the new film!
For the sibling (for whom you have affection)...
Ann Patchett's novels are reliably well written, and this one may be her best. The main character may be a literal home, but it is the beautiful love of the brother-sister relationship that resides center-stage
Siblings, brought together by family tragedy, bound for life by love & survival. I love a good, sibling tale.
For a literary escape to NYC...
Immerse yourself in the Big Apple of the 1930s, from high society to the stockyards.
Or, get a behind-the-cover peek at the inner workings of Condé Nast with Reichl's memoir of her time as editor-in-chief of the magazine Gourmet.
For a dad who appreciates a good ethical quandary...
A powderkeg of tension, this moody novel will glue you to the page as you consider revenge & redemption.
For a long road trip...
No need to be a Springsteen fan to be fascinated by this lifetime account, full of deep self-reflection, industry insight, and beautiful prose.
For the avid chef OR the one whose culinary abilities tap out with toast & eggs...
Everything you need to understand about how food works: why and how it becomes delicious, and how you can do it, too. This is the cookbook that other chefs wish they wrote.
For Everybody, Always* (*also the title of another solid book by Bob Goff)...
My most-recommended, most-gifted book. Truly, the "power of boundless compassion" has changed my life.
Share your own recos below or fire me an email at contact@dignify.ca. :)
(Photo courtesy of Friends of Basha)
Reflections from my experience visiting a Brothel in Bangladesh
As impossible as it is for me to believe now, earlier in 2020 I flew around the world. The primary objective was to visit Bangladesh and see, in person, the life-changing work in which dignify has had the privilege to participate over these past 8 years.
A friend recently asked on Facebook for “the most challenging and enlightening resource you have read/watched about the problem of racism in America”. This question received numerous responses within the day: half a dozen films, dozens of books, podcasts, courses, and other hubs of information resources (as well as the astute reply, “Conversation”, which is, of course, the most relational and human of “resources”).
I think that this experience was shared by most people in early June (as protests & concerns over racial injustice had reached a critical volume): so many resources, so much to learn.
But now, 2 months later… what have we done with the magnitude of worthy, fascinating, perspective-altering information & insights that have been brought to our attention?
And this it only in the area racial injustice. In other interests & concerns: How much do we know? How much have we learned & read & listened to already?
Approximately 25 years ago (in March 2020), we did a customer/reader survey. I asked what you like to read on the blog & one of the respondents suggested a post on "living generously". What a fabulous idea and perfect for this time in history!
[The title of this post implies some kind of authority or expertise — ha! Nope, no experts here... just some thoughts on generosity from a fellow human, trying to make my way!]
