Ordinary Courage Book Fair: Showing Up

There are millions of ways to make the world a better place. Activism doesn't take one form and it can't be conveyed in a single story. This final book fair post features books by Marianne Elliott, Jody Williams, and Chimamanda Adichie - activists with very different approaches but a common message: Show up. 

Marianne's new book Zen Under Fire lays bare the struggles of a war-torn region from a uniquely personal perspective. Honest and vivid, her story reveals the shattering effect that the high-stress environment has on Marianne and her relationships. Redefining the question of what it really means to do good in a country that is under siege from within. The book is an honest, moving, at times terrifying true story of a women's experience at peacekeeping in one of the most dangerous places on Earth.

Marianne has a generous pre-order offer that you can check out here. I took her 30 Days of Yoga course and I can tell you that she's a wonderful teacher!

I had the great privilege of co-teaching a course on global justice with Jody Willaims. Over the course of five years we became good friends (and clearly shared a passion for denim) and I had the opportunity to work with The Nobel Women's Initiative - a joint effort of all of the living female Nobel Peace Prize winners to work for peace with justice and equality.

Jody is one of the women in my life who taught me how to dare greatly by example. She's the tenth woman--and third American woman--to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. 

I love what Eve Ensler says about Jody in her forward to : "Jody Williams is many things--a simple girl from Vermont, a sister of a disabled brother, a loving wife, an intense character full of fury and mischief, a great strategist, an excellent organizer, a brave and relentless advocate, and a Nobel Peace Prize winner. But to me Jody Williams is, first and foremost, an activist."

I absolutely love this book.

I want to leave you with one of my favorite TED talks and books by writer Chimamanda Adichie. Her TED talk is a beautiful example of stories and truth-telling as activism. Her book Half of a Yellow Sun is soul-stirring. It's not featured in the photo because my copy seems to be on permanent loan. 

Thanks for all of the great feedback about the "book fair" idea. I'm sorry for unplanned week in between posts. Life happened - swim team, soccer, homework, travel, summer colds. I have the feeling that I don't need to tell y'all what that looks like!