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Thursday, July 26, 2012

The Life Changing Book Club


I got an Amazon.com gift card for my birthday from my mom (thanks, Mom!), and most of it went to ordering books. I ordered enough books to last me most of the year, considering the fact that I have two  babies around and I can only read a few pages here and there once in a while.

I've gotten really passionate about the issue of human trafficking, and specifically how my lifestyle might be financially supporting it. I really want to know what everyday people like me can do to fight slave trade in the world today.

Of course, I feel fairly small and helpless even thinking about it, and I don't really know what to do. I've written about ways I hope to be more responsible with my stuff, time and money, but when it comes to a global level, I figure the best place to start is with educating myself.

So, I'm going to start an online book club with my blog. You're all invited to participate! If you have a blog, feel free to start your own chapter so that you can read and discuss with your readers. Or, you can invite them over here to join me.

I'm going to call it "The Life Changing Book Club", which is a little dramatic and tongue in cheek, but it portrays the purpose of this book club pretty well, I think. I want to read and discuss books that will actually change the way we live our lives.



Here's my stack o' books, underneath my necessary-to-life-right-now coffee.


We're going to start with Not For Sale by David Batstone. As the description on Amazon.com says -

Human trafficking generates $32 billion annually and enslaves over 30 million people, half of them children. Award-winning journalist David Batstone, whom Bono calls "a heroic character," profiles the new generation of abolitionists who are leading the movement. This groundbreaking global report is now updated with the latest findings, new stories, and statistics that highlight what is being done to end this appalling epidemic—and how you can join the movement.


Click this image to order yourself a copy!

We'll take the month of August to read through this book and discuss it together. I plan on trying to make it through a section every two days.

I did go ahead and start reading it a few weeks back, but decided to wait until I could invite you to read it with me to. I learned a very important lesson in chapter 1 - this is not bedtime reading! I  know. I should have known that going in. This book deals with some very disturbing material. We are talking about modern days slaves here. It's the kind of stuff that makes me wish I didn't know it, but I know that willful ignorance can't be an excuse for ignoring this problem.

So, if you'd like to join my bookclub, order yourself a copy of this book and get started reading! Let me know you're reading along with me, and comment on this blog as you find topics you want to discuss. I'll be writing a few posts as I read it, too.

Are you in?

4 comments:

  1. This is a great idea!! your blog posts have really gotten me and Shane thinking about this issue. i'll be reading with you :)

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  2. Just ordered a copy. I'll be reading with you as well. Gonna try to get Paul to read it too.

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  3. I'm so exited that you guys are in this with me!

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  4. Just ordered a copy. I REALLY do not want to read it. Just being aware of the situation, and feeling so powerless to change it, gnaws at my sanity. I'm not sure I can look this problem in the face until I have the resources in place to do something. Praying for direction here.
    Mama V

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