Christmas Reading: Part One

We asked everyone in The Reader Organisation to tell us what books they will be reading over Christmas and which books they will be giving. Here is the first installment of what they have said.

Enid Stubin, New York Editor The Reader

Kalooki Nights! My aunt Charlotte would talk about kalooki--a card game, no? I'd like to read it too--is that cricket? I'm giving Musicophilia because Sarah loves it so, and it seems to me a good idea to present someone with Sacks's humanism and compassion. What will I read? That's a luxurious question to answer, as it's been so long since I've been able to curl up with a book of my choosing.

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Alison Walters, Volunteer, The Reader Organisation

Blood River: A Journey to Africa's Broken Heart by Tim Butcher.

Tim Butcher was Daily Telegraph correspondent to Africa who became obsessed with the legendary Congo River and the idea of recreating H.M. Stanley's expedition.Thus, he set out with a rucksack and a few thousand dollars hidden in his boots. Helped along, by a vast array of people and an assortment of vehicles, he follows in the footsteps of the great Victorian adventurers. I'm giving this to my Father as we have made a number of trips to Africa together and he loves reading about explorers and expeditions.

I will be reading this Christmas:

Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain by Oliver Sacks

This book discusses the power of music. It describes how music can annimate people with Parkinson Disease, can give words to stroke patients, or calm those disoriented by Alzheimer's or schizophrenia. I picked this up because it struck a chord with me instantly (pardon the pun) because inherently, The Reader Organisation is pursuing the same idea and achieving the same results through the power of reading.