Other books
Now just a rather random selection of books that I wouldn't want to be without.
Walden
Henry David Thoreau
This makes my desert island book list if I could only take three books. The genuine naturalist and environmentalist. Read every ten years.
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This Changes Everything
Naomi Klein
If you only read one book for the rest of your life - make it this one. The most important book I've ever read.
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Women Who Run with
the Wolves
Clarissa Pinkola Estes
The essential book for all women. For me it was like food for a long famished soul. Women - to be read by women every ten years.
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Peace in Every Step
Thich Nhat Hanh
I've read most of Thich Nhat Hanh's books and they never fail to move my consciousness and focus to one of gratitude and the present moment. This is one of the shorter and simpler ones.
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Fresh India
Meera Sodha
In Gujarat where Meera comes from all the food is really fresh and so when she came to the UK she couldn’t understand why the food wasn’t all similarly vibrant and colourful. Truly extraordinary and life changing. A favourite in this house.
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Selected Poems
Rumi
Apparently Rumi is the world's best selling poet after Shakespeare. I rather wish the Islamic world read more Rumi and less from the Prophet (May peace be upon him) Rumi - Islam's most famous mystic keeps the soul alive, and inspires me to celebrate the senses and cook with spices and... well, he makes me think about love.
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World Vegetarian
Madhur Jaffrey
600 recipes and ingredients from all over the globe. You can look up say 'chick peas' or 'kidney beans' and find out how they cook them in Mexico or in North India or in Sri Lanka. Just wonderful. If you only ever buy one cookbook...
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Wild Swans
Jung Chang
The history of modern China in compelling personal narrative. Learning about the world can be easy and enjoyable. The most memorable opening of any book and if you've read this you remember how it opens don't you?
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Reading like a Writer
Francine Prose
A book to ignite or re-ignite your love of reading. I remember taking in on holiday and reading endless sections out to my weary boyfriend, who wondered, I think, what I was so excited about. Just love it.
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It's a Magical World
Bill Waterstone
Comic Strip. This is my daughter and my favourite bed-time reading - and essential for anyone young or old or sick or healthy.
