May 28, 2014

wonderful memoir

Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger'sLook Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this wonderful memoir of John Elder Robison's life with Asperger's syndrome. This story contains something for everyone, and i highly recommend it! It is especially interesting and inspiring to share the thoughts and feelings of Mr. Robison, and to understand a little bit more of the world as experienced by a person with autism. This is the 2nd book i've read by a person with autism, but it certainly will not be the last. I'm looking forward to reading more of Mr. Robison's books, as well as others recommended and referenced in this book. This is a wonderful story that is a delight to read. I loved this story, don't miss it!

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May 20, 2014

Strangers at My Door

Strangers at My Door: An Experiment in Radical HospitalityStrangers at My Door: An Experiment in Radical Hospitality by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is a collection of anecdotes and meditations based on the experiences of the author in his founding and leadership role in Rutba House, a hospitality house located in the Walltown neighborhood of Durham NC. A hospitality house is a place that offers friendship, food and shelter, and most importantly, love, to anyone who knocks at the door. The personal stories of the Rutba House family are moving and inspiring, and offer a deeper perspective into my neighbors here in Durham. This book is a very worthy read, which can't help but leaving the reader asking ways they can open the door to the folks around them, and in so doing be changed for the better. The chapter "Fire in my Bones" is especially compelling and moving, and shows how little i understand of those living so close by. But the entire book opens the reader's perspective, and offers a glimpse into our brothers and sisters, and of the political and religious systems which are largely failing them. This book resonates well with the previous book i read - Five Smooth Stones by Ann Fairbairn - which gave a detailed and intimate view into the life of a young African American man and his family as he grew up in the pre-civil rights period in the U.S.

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May 14, 2014

Five Smooth Stones

Five Smooth StonesFive Smooth Stones by Ann Fairbairn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. This is one of the best books i've ever read. My wife has been telling me about it for decades and i've finally been able to experience it. Five Smooth Stones is a moving and inspiring story of African American life in the U.S. South during the early to mid 20th century. It focuses primarily on one man and his family as he grows up and evolves into a leader, championing the cause of civil rights, justice, and freedom for and with his people. The story and the characters are real, as real as any historical fiction you could read. It covers many generations and reminds me of Les Miserables in its literary style. It is wonderfully told, and takes the reader through many emotions as it unfolds. I believe that this story is so important that every American should read it. At a minimum, anyone who calls "The South" their home should read this story. We as non-African Americans need to acknowledge and confront the shame and horror of our very recent actions, and hopefully, apply the wisdom gained toward not repeating the same shameful horrors against other people groups in our community and nation (ie. LGBT). Many issues are laid bare and ugly for the reader to confront and contemplate, hopefully to grow into a better person. Six stars for this one, on my required reading list.

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