Journals Books

I'm sitting here at the computer with two books spread in front of me. They have the same title, but look nothing alike. I don't mean that they merely have different cover art (both feature roses). One is dog-eared, underlined and annotated, and it flaunts four different colors of sticky notes. I bought it new. However, it is a used book--a well-used book. The other is newer with only a little underlining. I wanted to keep it pristine, but I can't discipline my hand; she keeps grabbing a pen and marking the good parts.

When Writing from Life came out in 1996, Susan Wittig Albert was a pioneer. She recognized the need for women to tell--and to share--their stories. All women--not only movie stars, Arctic explorers or famous women. For women who agreed with Susan but didn't know where to begin, this book served (and still serves) as a starting point.

Over a decade later, other books on memoir writing and related activities burden my bookshop shelves. But Writing from Life, for me, deserves a shelf of its own. I am delighted and grateful that the book came out again, this time with a new foreword and a revised, updated bibliography. Fortunately, the text of the book itself is unchanged.

Susan also founded Story Circle Network (SCN). Like many of its members, I cannot remember if this book led me into the organization or if SCN brought me to the book. It doesn't matter. Both have strengthened and enriched my writing life, no--my entire life.

Susan's new foreword recalls origins of the book and of SCN. She reiterates the reasons that women's life writing is critical, almost essential. Why should women tell and share their stories? It gives perspective and understanding to one's own life. It is healing, even to physical ills. It strengthens families and communities, and it leaves a legacy. Any one of these is reason enough to begin writing.

That's what the reader of Writing from Life will immediately want to do--grab a pencil, warm up the computer. The book lives up to the promise on the cover of both editions; it sets the reader off on "A journey of self-discovery." Early on, it encourages the writer/reader not only to tell her story, but also to create a book of her story. Seems daunting? Susan suggests writing out the words, "I am writing my life. I am telling my true story," and then taping them over a mirror or desk. She encourages,

"Nobody every writes a book all at once. As I write this, I'm writing a sentence, a word at a time. I collect sentences--three or four or seven or eight of them--into paragraphs, and two or three of those are enough to fill a page. A dozen or two dozen pages make a chapter. A covey of chapters is a book.
"But right now, I'm not worried about writing a book. Right now, I simply have faith in this true word, and this one, and the next. I have faith in this honest sentence, this paragraph, this page. That's all I need. Faith. Word by word, sentence by sentence. If I care enough about telling the truth, my truth, my book will speak for itself."

The journey the book promises begins in the beginning, but the road doesn't run in straight autobiography style through sixth grade, first date, marriage. Instead, Susan compares a life to a musical composition with themes and resonating chords that appear and reappear. So we explore our beginnings but also other birthings and beginnings, move on to gifts and graces, and then through relationships, homes, journeys and more. A new and fascinating way of regarding life.

I particularly enjoy the section on "Body Language," where we pause to have conversations with our body parts. Does your uterus have a name? Mine is Polly. (Don't ask me why!) And I'm going to have a serious conversation with my right hand about this constant underlining! Sounds light-hearted. It is. But even "fun" exercises lead to deep thought.

This kind of organization is appealing. Not only does it force our minds into new corners, but it allows for some dipping. If I don't feel like doing "Soul Mates" this week, I can flip forward to "Journeys." Since I've been dipping in and out of this book for quite a few years, I've also learned that time may or may not bring wisdom, but it certainly brings fresh perspectives. I can compare my responses to one chapter written several years ago to one I did last week and see how I have changed and, I hope, grown.

This is also a book about sharing. Susan shares her life story as she explains the process, but she also spikes the narrative with passages from her writing students as well as from published memoirs (plus there is a great reading list in the back). It's almost like belonging to a Story Circle. In fact, the book is designed to be used by Story Circle groups (the book and the organization are almost twins!), although it works well when used independently.

Looking back at the stories I have written, the stories I've shared with other writers (I am a member of an OWL Circle--another group sponsored by SCN. in Georgia and two on-line SCN groups), I reflect on the words in Susan's new foreword... "at the simplest level, many of us find that the truth is often more compelling than fiction, if only because it is...well, true." Amen. Particularly when those truths are our own truths.

by Patricia Nordyke Pando
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

for women interested in mapping out the journey of their lives.Includes meditations, excerpts from other women's writings, and pragmatic exercises that wil help you put into words the losses and the celebrations of your life.

We have been using this book in my writer's group and we've learned so much --- some of us are published writers, others are not. It doesn't seem to matter where you are in your writing journey, professional or not, this book is well-done and an inspiration. Pamela D. Blair, Ph.D., Author, The Next Fifty Years: A Guide for Women at Midlife and Beyond

If you don't know how to start your life story or need to be recharged, this is the book to help you with an excellent approach.

This is a terrific collection of poems and stories, exhibiting and provoking a range of emotions. Wonderful to read such young talent.

These are the unpolished new offerings from a group that will soon be our cultural thought leaders. Fascinating and yet, somehow reassuring in it's content...

But when they're good, you can't beat them.

This anthology is worth every cent--it's new without being cheaply contrived or ancient avant-garde. There is something clear-eyed about every voice here; but more than that, each is distinct. Any rough edges in presentation or experience are easily forgotten with the quality of the writing and the stories and poems.

Looking for something worth a second or third read, and not run-of-the-mill? You can't go wrong.

This is a fantastic anthology of short stories for any young adult. The stories and poems within are all written by writers ages 13 to 23, and the quality is impressive. Definitely a great read and a worthwhile buy.

This little book is perfect to give to girlfriends for any occasion! It is filled with fun quotes and quips that will make you laugh - all of us women can relate!

0 to Bitch in 10 Seconds or Less is the perfect addition to brighten up a woman's day! This book had me smiling from the first to last page. I couldn't help but laugh out loud and share the quotes with my friends. Ms. Hatch has put together a fine collection which will make any woman feel proud to be so!Whenever I need to cheer up, I just take out the book, and read a few of my favorite quotes. Every woman,from teens to adults, should own a copy of this book and keep it close!

The title of this book caught my eye, & I scooped it right up. Filled with funny snippets, amusing quotes & entertaining thoughts, this is a great book. Perfect for giving to friends & as an eye-catching coffee table book, its light reading & anecdotes will put a smile on anyone's face - bitch or not!

I read & collect everything I can find on hunting in Africa. I rate this as one of the best of the modern books on the subject.

It is beautifully illustrated, nicely bound, and well-written - it is hard to believe an officer actually wrote this! (Tongue-in-cheek here.) It is both informative and entertaining.

I hope it is a great seller for Donarski and for Stackpole. It is good to see them putting out a book like this.

I'm not a big-game hunter and am not interested in becoming one, but I knew I would love this book when I read an excerpt in Sports Afield. Hunters will find much to admire in it, but it is about much more than hunting. The author proves himself an amiable, enthusiastic, reliable, and knowledgeable companion as he blends his compelling stories with a great deal of useful information about traveling to and within Africa. He manages to do it all with skillful literary touches and enough light-hearted moments to keep a reader chuckling. And he never blows smoke up your skirt. This is the straight dope -- and it conjures up the sights, sounds, and smells of one of the planet's most magical places.

David Graham of the Flint Journal was the critic who recommended this book. He said it brought back the verve and honor to the safari genre. He couldn't have been more correct.

This book is not just for hunters-- it is for anyone looking for an adventure tale that occurs in real time. Sure, there's good stuff for travelers to Africa to know, but the meat of this book is the journey. It is simply very well done.

Oh, the photography is stunning. It should have been a coffee table book simply for the quality of the photos.

Africa veterans will remember their first trip with smiles and tears, Africa virgins will have their dreams burn all the brighter.

Great Journal! I bought two, one for me and one for a special friend. We filled in the pages to relieve the stress of each day. Then we switch books and read the heart warming words of gratitude. I highly recommend this for some one to record their life. Take account of what is good in their life, and take their mind off what is bad.

This was the perfect gift for my sister! I cant wait to give it to her! Beautifully done!

I loved this journal. It was very fullfilling. It made you think about the good things that are all around you and inside of you. It helped me have more direction in my life and be grateful for every gift. Not to mention that it is a beautiful book. In fact I'm getting another one for a friend. LOVED IT!

This book is a vivid journalisitc exploration of the children's lives who have been affected or infected by the African Aids epidemic. Ms. Kew has rendered these little souls with a humanity that transcends the tradgey which is about to engulf them. With sales from this book, produced almost entirely from her own funds (which in itself is quite amazing), she has managed to build her first school in Africa to educate 500 orphans and to retrain adults for future employment.

It is a worthy read and acknowledgement that we are all in this together, whatever continent we happen to reside on.

This beautiful book of African photos tells the touching story of a woman (Chelli Kew) who was compelled to help the aids orphans in Africa. She literally risked her life in this pursuit and against all odds has published this book. Sales proceeds from the book have enabled her to establish a school and continue down the path of helping many of the orphaned children. She is an excellent example of how one person can make a difference. Her story is truly inspiring and one that I have been proud to share with my family and friends. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in helping others and learning more about the disastrous aids situation in Africa.

This book is a beautiful collection of stunning photographs, thoughtfully recorded impressions, vividly depicted stories, and honest reflections. Kew combines the power of imagery and words to tell the story of children orphaned by AIDS in Africa. The work she is doing is so valuable, and this book supports her efforts. I hope it opens the minds of many readers who care, like Kew, to make a difference.

Perhaps the most profound single book I've ever read..... James/Jane's brilliant treatise on the combined effect of the distorted fictions of Freud, Darwin, and Western religion is worth the price of the book alone. The last three chapters are some of the most inspiring material ever written. Should be required reading for those who worship assumptions.

This is a warm and enticing journey leading from the past into the future. This book draws you in and transports you to another level of reality with the most amazing insights and explanations of how our belief system was molded and the culture of the western world was shaped, based mainly on religious and scientific ideas. In simple and concise language a very beautiful picture of a bygone era was painted with loving care and a tender sense of humour. Then, in profound and graphic detail, a most brilliant future was depicted for all of us to look forward to.

This book can be used as a bridge to marry all the wonderful ideas espoused in Seth's books. A most invigorating and soothing work.

I am eternally grateful to Jane Roberts and Robert Butts for devoting their lives to this work, they have done so many of us an enormous service.

This is a great book and belongs in the library of any Seth enthusiast. The information is terrific and presents many of Seth's ideas from a "lower than Seth" perspective but still higher than our physical perspective but closer than Seth's.

...lovely and profound.

Martin's work here and on the canvas is deceptively simple. Not really about silence but about the possibility of grace and knowledge within.

This book recommended for all artists and lovers of art, life, and silence.

This book is a must have for every artist, any discipline and a gem for anyone. Agnes nails it and by her testimonial acknowledges difficult feelings and the impossible path of making art as well as it's unique role and brilliant emotion.

How many great painters have been eloquent on their work or methods, or, for that matter, on art or culture in general? In recent times, only Ad Reinhardt compares with Agnes Martin, who has that rarest of gifts among the non-literary, a voice. In a series of articles, some of which were apparently talks given to art students, she delves into consciousness, creativity, judgment, personal development, self-assurance, transcendence, meaning, value. She takes on the big subjects with language that is gloriously unpretentious in a style epigrammatic and occasionally poetic.

Visiting an exhibition of her pencil-grid paintings a few years ago, I experienced the transformative power of her paradoxically simple physical means to create shimmering, magical spaces. The staying power of that work has inclined me to believe that she's one of the greatest painters of the second half of the twentieth century. This book of her writings is a delightful enhancement to that discovery.

so lucrative it attracted doctors & lawers . alaska's great salmon fisheries.

This is a profoundly moving account of a young commercial fisherman working in the pristine, danger-filled fishing ground of South-Eastern Alaska in the early 70's. Told in first person in a diary format, events of the four months of the fishing season takes the reader from descriptions of the beauty of the sea & land to terror of nature on the edge. There is direct manner to Upton's style that puts the reader right in the boat. This is great reading for any arm chair sailor that has dreamed of exploring The Great Land by boat.

Call me crazy, but this one is a 10 for me. I got my copy in 79 when it came out. Joe is a wonderful story teller. This book documents the joys and challenges of Upton and his wife during a season as small boat trollers in the southeast Alaska troll salmon fishery. The book is about commercial fishing, but really it is about staying alive and making a living in storms, good fishing and bad. If you can find it, GET IT

Written and photographed by Ellen B. Senisi, All Kinds of Friends, Even Green! is an adventurous picture book for beginning readers about a real-life pet iguana. Expertly taken color photographs of a boy and his beloved reptile companion, along with whimsical text, make All Kinds Of Friends, Even Green! unique, distinctive, and highly recommended.

I really liked this book, and so did my 6 year old son. I have a boy with special needs who is 5, and this author captured the curiousity and excitement of a small child so well, and then revealed the disability of the boy in the book in a very positive manner. My son had fun reading it, and I know that the ideas that were in the background are what I want my son to "get". I would definetely recommend this book.

"All Kinds of Friends, Even Green!" is written and photographed by Ellen B. Senisi. The text and photos tell a story about Moses, a disabled boy who gets around in his wheelchair. At school, his class is given an assignment to write about friends. Moses is inspired to write about a very special friend: Zaki, an iguana. Zaki is also disabled, having lost her back toes after a mite infection; Moses has a special affection with her.

This is a wonderful portrait of a multiethnic school environment that includes disabled youngsters. The acknowledgement section of the book thanks the participants at Zoller School in Schenectady, New York. After the main text there are three interesting supplemental articles: about disabilities, about young Moses, and about iguanas. The colorful, lively photos are enjoyable to look at. This book effectively reminds us that disability is an issue that affects both human and non-human beings. Moses and Zaki are likeable and admirable "characters," and the book movingly celebrates the special love a child has for a cherished pet.