Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Injustice

I'm reading the book, "Half the Sky" by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.  It was the pick for our book group this month, after it was highly recommended by several different people (and by all the rave reviews online!).
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide (Vintage)

The book is about the oppression of women all over the world - and is a call to action to help.

Wow.  It's horrible and sad and depressing...  With bits and pieces of light in the individual girls' stories.

But Wow.

Tonight, as the winds were howling, and I was antsy and couldn't sleep - I decided to start reading this book (seeing as though I have to be ready to discuss it next Tuesday!).  I read from 12-2am.

The winds died down ever so slightly about that time, and I was finally able to fall asleep...

And you know what?  I dreamt about being enslaved and trapped!  It was a horrible dream...

Weird.  I don't think I've ever read a book that made such an impact that I later dreamed about it...

I have a long ways to go - I'm only about a third into it...  And I'm a bit worried what my sleep will be like throughout the weekend.

It's not an easy book to read.  Many of us already know the kinds of things that are going on in our world (far away from our cozy homes).  But it's an important book.  It should be uncomfortable to read.  It should jar us enough to toss and turn at night. 

It should make us want to do something.  The question is what?
And I think this book will have some great ideas...  I'll let you know when I finish!


Things I am thankful for today:

1.  Excedrin.
2.  Bluebirds.
3.  Easter baskets.
4.  People who volunteer time to make others smile.
5.  People who make fabulous soup dinners for the volunteers!
6.  Fudge-y brownies.
7.  Good music on the drive home.
8.  Hubby got his wish (for a backpacking weekend).
9.  The smell of campfire.
10.  American Idol...

4 comments:

Glennon said...

Okay Megs- I've been scared to read this book, but if you're brave enough to read it, I will too. Ordering now.
Love, G

Unknown said...

Megan... I really am needing to discuss this book...I have this "feeling" that I need to do something with it.. but I don't know how to get it started... Anyway I don't read it before bed.. I have about 100 pages to go!

Andrea, the little collector said...

Re: the things you are grateful for, now I'm wishing for a backpacking weekend! Mostly, I'm wishing to sleep out under the stars.

Carol E. said...

I'm reading it slowly, too, because it is just too overwhelming to read large chunks at a time. I'm about halfway through. I love that they include ideas of ways to help, big and small. Without that I think I would just fall to the ground in despair.

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