Mum a Hindu. Dad a Sikh. Meet the Brummie who became a Bishop.
Plus: The arrival of 70 boxes of books. Golda.
In recent years, I've questioned my lifelong book-collecting habit. For four decades, I believed it was a thirst for knowledge driving me, but now I wonder if it's an outcome of undiagnosed ADHD, a sort of poor impulse control.
It's a moot point, really. I own these books, and they've shaped my life in profound ways, demanding extraordinary efforts to keep them with me.
The scale of dedication hit home recently when I spent a considerable sum to relocate the collection from two storage facilities near Kidderminster to my new semi-detached house in West Yorkshire.
The bulk of these literary treasures now reside in a garage, awaiting integration into my living space. Every week, five boxes arrive, each a time capsule of a life well-lived, meticulously stored in newly assembled Ikea Billy bookcases.
This process has evolved into a ritual, thanks to Lesley and Ingrid from the declutter hub. Every week, I sort through these boxes in my living room, creating piles to keep or discard. It's a challenging exercise, reducing my collection by about ten percent, but necessary.
I've begun with the easier choices—cookery books unsuitable for a post-pasta diet, some fiction. Children's books are boxed for my kids, who, I fear, may inherit my bibliophilia.
A few years ago, I shifted to Kindle and Audible, partly to conserve space, partly to indulge in books ambiently. My Audible stats alone are testament to this: 478 titles, 17 badges, and over nine months of cumulative listening time.
Politics dominates my collection. I'm meticulously organising them into a personal taxonomy—biographies, memoirs, works by politicians, Labour Party literature, and texts about American presidents, each earning its own shelf.
Other sections include health, nutrition, cycling, sustainable agriculture, gardening, cooking, poetry, music, and even bodybuilding. Fiction, likely, will be sorted alphabetically by author surname.
There's an emotional ritual in unboxing these books each week. Lifting the lid, I'm instantly transported back to the moment of their first acquisition. Many evoke memories of the bookshops where I found them.
Particularly precious are the ones rescued from a skip in the courtyard of Labour HQ, a casualty of the shift to the new, library-less campaign centre at Millbank Tower.
I still feel a pang of loss for those left behind and resentment towards the decision to discard them. But now, these survivors are with me again, in my home, ready to grow old with me. They're as dear to me as my old video game consoles—a different story for another time.
I ❤️ Bishop Arun
As a longstanding admirer and friend of Reverend Arun Arora, I've witnessed the breadth of his compassion and his profound sense of calling, which have always stood out—even before he embraced the cloth.
His full-time dedication to social justice began evern before his early legal career, advocating for exploited workers with Thompsons Solicitors in Birmingham. This passion for the vulnerable was further expressed in his ecclesiastical roles, notably at Wolverhampton Pioneer Ministries, reflecting his commitment to community and faith.
His Advent book, "Stick with Love” offers a form of spiritual nourishment akin to an Advent calendar, where each day reveals not a chocolate, but a passage for reflection, inviting people of all faiths or none to contemplate a better world inspired by love—a message universally resonant.
Here’s a quick precis of just two of the days, which give you a sense of how intellectually meaty this book is:
Arun's Conversion to Christianity
Arun Arora's journey to Christianity is a story of profound personal transformation. Born into a family where his mother was Hindu and his father Sikh, his spiritual path took a significant turn when he embraced Christianity.
This decision was not met with universal support; notably, his mother's tearful reaction at his baptism poignantly highlighted the cultural and emotional complexities of his decision.
Arun's faith journey exemplifies a courageous embrace of new beliefs, often challenging cultural norms and expectations, and it underscores the transformative power of faith in shaping one's identity and life path.
George Floyd's Impactful Legacy
The narrative of George Floyd in "Stick with Love" sheds light on a life marked by challenges and a transformative journey towards faith and community service.
Despite a troubled past involving crime and incarceration, Floyd's life took a positive turn as he found solace and purpose in Christianity. His active involvement in church and dedication to combating gun violence in his community showed a man radically changed by his faith.
His tragic death, a catalyst for global movements against racial injustice, serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact an individual's life and story can have, transcending personal struggles and igniting widespread calls for change.
I drafted most of this review before the news that Derek Chauvin, George's murderer, was seriously injured in a stabbing attack in prison. As Arun would put it, the Christian challenge is to see the image of Christ in Derek Chauvin in the same way that people struggled to see the image of Christ in George. A compassionate life is the hardest.
Stick with Love can be a challenging read, evoking Hebrews 13:3: "Remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." encapsulates the book's spirit, urging us towards empathy and action. In current times, it stands out in lights.
If you're seeking a December that transcends parties and present-wrapping, Arun's book is a choice that will not lead you astray. It's an opportunity to pause, reflect, and perhaps reshape your perspective on what the Christmas season can mean—reminding us that Advent is a time not just for waiting but for proactive anticipation of a world transformed by love.
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119 Books so far this year. Here’s the first 20.
I’ve read, re-read or listened to 119 books this year according to my Amazon and Audible files. I thought I’d half kill myself by giving you a two sentence precis of each one and will try to give you the whole lot by Christmas.
The Gunpowder Plot: History in an Hour by Snead Fitzgibbon: A concise exploration of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, detailing its historical significance.
The Women Who Made Modern Economics by Rachel Reeves: Highlights the contributions of women in shaping modern economics, challenging traditional narratives.
Britain's Pilgrim Places by Nick Mayhew-Smith & Guy Hayward: A guide to spiritual sites in Britain, blending historical and cultural insights.
How To Live When A Loved One Dies by Thich Nhat Hanh: Offers guidance on coping with loss and grief from a Buddhist perspective.
Stick with Love by Arun Arora: Advocates for global unity and love across cultural and religious differences.
The Secret Hours by Mick Herron: A spy novel filled with intrigue and unexpected developments.
I'd Like to Thank Manchester Air Rifles by Scarlet West: Combines humor and life lessons in a unique narrative.
A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life by Brian Grazer: Discusses how curiosity can enrich life, backed by personal experiences.
Long Shadows, High Hopes by Neil Fraser: Biographical account of musician Matt Johnson, focusing on his band, The The.
Behind the Curtain of Power by Rune Olso: Explores hidden mechanisms deployed by the political generals who make politicians great.
When Will Jews Be Forgiven the Holocaust by Howard Jacobson: A provocative examination of memory and forgiveness relating to the Holocaust. Everyone who as been on a demo in the last two months should read this.
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin: Science fiction exploring gender and politics on an alien world.
The Maid by Nita Prose: Centres on a hotel maid entangled in a murder investigation.
The Final Game by Caimh McDonnell: Dorothy has the last laugh at the people who made her miserable. I love this series of books btw. Start at the beginning of the series though.
Diary of a Void by Emi Yagi: Challenges traditional gender roles in the Japanese workplace. Descibed at an hilarious feminist read. Hands up - I didn’t finish it.
Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor: A tale of crime, power, and corruption in modern India. Long meandering plot but worth it.
The Leviathan by Rosie Andrews: A historical fantasy set in 17th-century England, merging mystery with the supernatural.
The Foot Soldiers by Gerald Seymour: Espionage and covert cold-war operation adventure for back-from-retirement, Jonas Merrick.
Can We Be Happier by Richard Layard: Examines factors contributing to societal happiness. This book has big public policy implications.
Changing Gear by Jan Hall, Jon Stokes: Offers insights on career transitions and personal growth. It promised more than it delivered for me but useful if you want to give up that big job for something new.
Watching
I’m a bit slow to watch this but Golda is a really important contribution for those trying to understand Israel’s recent history. What a remarkable woman she was.
If quoting from this newsletter, please mention “Tom Watson’s newsletter on Substack.” Thank you.
Tom, your tenderness for your books reminded me of my dad. Wheelchair bound after leg amputation in his 80’s, his reply to occupational therapist asking how he managed to get in front door over a small step was “Pilgrim’s progress little women and great expectations “ He never over explained his whole life. The OT judged he was being tricky or rude or both and got frosty with him. He actually had chosen the exact books that made a ramp. He was severely dyslexic but always loved his books, and in no way thought his use of them was disrespectful 😍 love your books
I'm a book collector too, my house overflows with them - sadly not all read, I buy with good intentions!!