Reading

Sex, Economy, Freedom & Community by Wendell Berry
The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Seeds a selection of Thomas Merton's writings
Manifestos on the Future of Food and Seed edited by Vandana Shiva

I can't do any of these books justice in a short description so I won't try. If you're looking for something to read, check these four out of your local library. The Omnivore's Dilemma took me about a year to read (so this would probably be cheaper to buy than to pay the library fines). Sex, Economy, Freedom & Community and The Manifestos were quick reads and I'm still reading Seeds. I probably shouldn't recommend Seeds since I haven't finished it, so I'll go ahead and just recommend the first half. Start with Wendell Berry then read the other three.

These books have helped me better understand why Haiti and the rest of the world are where they are and and also gave me an idea of how things could be better (which is refreshing when you happen to be living in Port-au-Prince in March 2010. The earthquake was a huge natural disaster but I believe there is also a larger, ongoing man-made disaster that has been killing this island for several hundred years). The common thread: our world is a messed up place but there are ways that we can choose to live in better harmony with creation and with each other that have the potential to heal spiritual, environmental and relational brokenness.

Painting for sale on the street by Louis Murat.