BILF’s (books I’d like to finish)
https://unsplash.com/@alexpadurariu
We sure do love books here at Liberate but that doesn’t mean we haven’t left some of them languishing….sigh…on bedside tables, collecting dust on bookshelves, in sad book piles in the corner etc :(
So in one of our bi-weekly get togethers we were sharing which long lost book friends are calling out to us to be remembered. And then wow we got so excited about that list that we thought why not share some of it with you too!
So perhaps hearing about these titles will make you want to go out and grab these books, or maybe it will simply nudge you to go and give some of your own BILF’s some much needed TLC.
Either way enjoy!
“An engaging exploration of what it means to be asexual in a world that's obsessed with sexual attraction, and what the ace perspective can teach all of us about desire and identity.
What exactly is sexual attraction and what is it like to go through life not experiencing it? What does asexuality reveal about gender roles, about romance and consent, and the pressures of society? This accessible examination of asexuality shows that the issues that aces face—confusion around sexual activity, the intersection of sexuality and identity, navigating different needs in relationships—are the same conflicts that nearly all of us will experience.Through a blend of reporting, cultural criticism, and memoir, Ace addresses the misconceptions around the "A" of LGBTQIA and invites everyone to rethink pleasure and intimacy.”
- Author’s description
BONUS FEATURE: this is a great interview with the author.
We were so inspired by our therapist Deidre’s account of this book that we have all decided to read it as a Collective this year!
“In Decolonizing Trauma Work, Renee Linklater explores healing and wellness in Indigenous communities on Turtle Island. Drawing on a decolonizing approach, which puts the “soul wound” of colonialism at the centre, Linklater engages ten Indigenous health care practitioners in a dialogue regarding Indigenous notions of wellness and wholistic health, critiques of psychiatry and psychiatric diagnoses, and Indigenous approaches to helping people through trauma, depression and experiences of parallel and multiple realities. Through stories and strategies that are grounded in Indigenous worldviews and embedded with cultural knowledge, Linklater offers purposeful and practical methods to help individuals and communities that have experienced trauma. Decolonizing Trauma Work, one of the first books of its kind, is a resource for education and training programs, health care practitioners, healing centres, clinical services and policy initiatives.”
- Author’s description
BONUS FEATURE: This book is for sale (online and in person) at the wonderful 100% Indigenous owned and operated bookstore Massy Books in downtown Vancouver, BC. I went to pick up my book at the shop and just fell in love with the space!
Images of Massy Books from Endpaper: The Paperblanks Blog
“ Tucked into the Chinatown neighbourhood, this inviting 1500-square-foot space with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and industrial touches carries a mix of everything: new, used and rare, academic, plus the curious and unusual, and they even have a hidden bookshelf door (if you can find it!) that leads to a secret room housing the collectible and rare items section. Completing the bookstore are a performance space and art gallery that serve as community space where people gather to share conversation, connect and organize.” - Endpaper: The Paperblanks Blog
“Our lives are defined by a story of endless growth and consumption. Now a climate crisis demands that we change. Can we write new stories?
In All We Want, award-winning author Michael Harris dismantles our untenable consumer culture and delivers surprising, heartwarming alternatives. Drawing on the wisdom of philosophers, scientists, and artists, Harris uncovers three realms where humans have always found deeper meaning: the worlds of Craft, the Sublime, and Care.
Past attempts to blunt our impact on the environment have simply redirected our consumption—we bought fuel-efficient cars and canvas tote bags. We cannot, however, buy our way out of this crisis. We need, instead, compelling new stories about life's purpose.
Part meditation and part manifesto, All We Want is a blazing inquest into the destructive and unfulfilling promise of our consumer society, and a roadmap toward a more humane future.”
- Author’s Description
BONUS FEATURE: Hear the author talking about this book on the CBC
Okay dear reader hope this has inspired you to pick up, flip open and finish a book that nourishes you! And remember if you ever want to learn more about who we are and what we do here at Liberate Counselling Collective check us out here.
