The Book of Everything

I'm halfway through reading a little book called The Book of Everything by Guus Kuijer. My friend Marina loaned it to me and it is such a gorgeous, moving book. It's about a nine year old boy named Thomas whose strictly religious father rules their house with his fists and a wooden spoon (with which he beats Thomas), and who insists that the family live according to the Bible. But Thomas finds an escape route from his misery - he sees incredible things that no one else notices such as the tropical fish which swim in the canal, and the frogs that fill the street and try to climb through the letterbox. Thomas starts to record all his observations in a notebook, which he calls "The Book of Everything". In it he also records his dearest ambition: to be happy. But he is not sure it will ever be possible with his father around. One day, however, Thomas meets his neighbour Mrs Van Amersfoot, a widow whose husband was executed by the Nazis and who is consequently something of a rebellious spirit. She recognises a similar spirit Thomas and encourages him not to be frightened or to believe that he's all alone in his battle for happiness. She plays him Beethoven records and lends him books. Thomas discovers that in the fight against his father, his uniqueness, and in particular, the extraordinary power of his imagination, are the biggest weapons he possesses.
It's such an awesome little book and is really making me think about the extraordinary nature of the human brain and the capacity it has for imagination. This book is actually a children's novel but it's well worth the read as an adult

5 things I am grateful for today
1. Loving parents who taught me about faith not religion
2. The ability to imagine
3. A ministry to kids at my local high school
4. A great night out with girlfriends on Saturday night
5. Great books

Till next time