One of my favourite ways to self-care is to read! Even as child I would read everything, including labels on shampoo bottles in the shower! I was one of those kids who had her nose in a book at the dinner table and also while walking home from school; these books were usually about my first love- horses but I have now graduated to all types of books and I’m going to share some of my latest finds here.
I have recently finished reading A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout; it’s her personal story when she was kidnapped and held captive for over a year in Somalia- her resilience under horrifying circumstances for such a prolonged period of time is inspiring and is an incredible example of how to be present and practise gratitude for the smallest things in life. This book was recommended to me by another Pilates instructor after I shared that I had watched the remake of the movie Papillon; this version with Charlie Hunnam and how I was just in awe of this man’s fortitude and discipline to not only survive, but to live.
The Five by Hallie Rubenhold tells the story of, and gives accurate historical background to, the women who were killed by Jack the Ripper. Despite popular belief, these women were not all prostitutes and each one had a life that they left behind; they were daughters, mothers, wives and sisters and understanding how they lived should be of more interest to us than the evil that took them from this earth. I even discovered the origins of my surname from learning about Catherine Eddowes and her partner Thomas Conway- he was a chapman or chap book man; a travelling saleman who sold general paper products and stationery type items, the irony is not lost on me that my father works for a packaging company and my sister and I have both ended up in presenting roles in the fitness industry- we come from a line of talkers!
Unorthodox is by Deborah Feldman and tells about her life in, and how she left, the Hasidic Jewish community in New York. I am intrigued by other religions and cultures and a woman’s role within and this book was such an enlightening read especially after watching the series on Netflix. The Henna artist by Alka Joshi is a fictional account of a lower caste women in India and as an Anglo Indian descendant, I was so curious to read about the role of women in that society- the herbalists, the healers and themidwives; it drew so many parallels with Gullivers Wife by Lauren Chater.
A common theme with the books I have mentioned is the resilience of women as well as the expectations and perceptions that are placed upon us and I am truly blessed to have experienced my own lessons in resilience where I have learned it is not by my own power with which I am strong, but the grace of God and the light that you see is the Love He has placed in me.
Ange x
