Saturday, July 16, 2016

Through a Stranger’s Eyes @Maggielawate @blogchatter #DailyChatter


 Maggie writes with a complete lack of inhibition and it was so refreshing to read a honest book which had such a big heart. She talks about change, about thriving in chaos and finding calm amidst that chaos, about distances and relationships and families, and how distances don't matter when it comes to your loved one. 

"Families are weird, they are not essentially blood, they are not legal paperwork, they are not people on your will, and families are not people you share an internet plan with. They are just them, kind souls who've accepted you. They have no reason to be involved with you and yet they are deeply invested in you, your comforts and your life. 

When I think of Erie, I keep thinking of how a family deals with distance like it doesn't matter. How friendships survive. How life changed and yet remained absolutely unchanged when it came to relationships."

When she wrote about the concept of dignity of labour, I was nodding in agreement. When she recounted her travel adventures, I felt grateful of having the chance of creating our own adventures and the opportunity of exploring London and Europe while we are here.

I have spoken before of how I do miss my persons, but not home. And although I haven't been homesick since moving abroad, sometimes the yearning of familiarity, of noise is hard to shake off. Maggie, beautifully recounts a chapter which could well have been from my life, where she had binged on her favourite sitcoms from the 90's only to feel at home.

She confesses that writing this book was a way to re-experience that year in America and find new meaning, interpret and discover connections with her former self. I am so glad that she decided to write this book as her personal narrative gave me such food for thought and helped me connect with my inner voices as well.

I am going to leave you, dear reader, with a question Maggie asks in her book - "are you taking the time to soak in the sun?" 

Take the time to read this ebook. I am sure you will not only fall in love with the words but also with the stranger behind those words.

*Special mention to Blogchatter's Ebook Carnival which helped me explore diverse and talented writers and poets.

* Also linking to Blogchatter's Half Marathon Blogging Challenge

1 comment:

  1. Awwww. This is incredible :) If yoi could see me right now, you would be shocked. I am mid grin with tears in my eyes. So much love. Thank you for taking the time to read and review. I am framing this.