It’s International Women’s Day today so I thought I’d share this photo which I took in the nearby village of Saint Savinien. It’s a sculpture of a young woman reading a book. Maybe it’s nothing spectacular but as I am always on the lookout for “l’émerveillement du quotidien”, (the wonder of the everyday) I find this hits the spot.
Reading is certainly part of my everyday and I can’t resist a good bookshop. In this part of the world, where the climate is so pleasant, I find it’s a great joy to sit and read outside, surrounded by birdsong.
I’ll read anywhere really….in my study, in the garden, at a cafe, in the train etc. How about you? Where’s your favourite place to read?
Let me mention some books written by women which I’d say are amongst my favourite books ever. I have a lot of poetry books by Mary Oliver. She’s a great favourite of mine. I also have several volumes of Liz Lochhead’s poetry and hearing her perform is one of my best memories.
I have many books by Mary Midgley, who was one of England’s greatest 20th century philosophers. If you haven’t read any of her work, I’d recommend starting with “Science and Poetry”.
Madeline Miller’s Circe is a brilliant re-telling of Classical Myths and Ursula LeGuin’s Earthsea books are amongst of my most favourite fantasy fiction.
If you’d like an introduction to the works of Montaigne you won’t do better than to read Sarah Bakewell’s superb “How to live”.
“The Deficit Myth” by Stephanie Kelton utterly transformed my understanding of economics, and Kate Raworth’s “Doughnut Economics” is a simple, and quite brilliant way to see what kind of economics we need to create a more sustainable, more just, society.
I could go on, but I’ll stop there. I’d highly recommend the works by any of these women.
How about you? Would you like to share any of your favourites?
Heroes Not Zombies 
Your photo to mark International Women’s Day is very poignant – a sculpture of a woman reading, when there are still places in the world where women are barred from being educated, sometimes even to the point of them not being allowed to read. One of the most amazing woman writers today is Margaret Atwood – her Handmaid’s Tale is not an easy read by any means, but a powerful warning that it isn’t just Afghanistan and other places ruled by the Taliban where this happens – it could happen anywhere.
The way you are writing is amazing,i really feel inspired.🌞
Thank you!