"Catharine with an A" is the biography of Catharine Keir who grew up in the Bribbaree district and may even be known to some of you. Catharine was the youngest child of Noel and Edna Keir, born with Down Syndrome at a time when there was minimal support for families raising such a child. Indeed the parents were initially told it would be best if Catharine died. But supported by her loving and courageous parents and a bevy of brothers and sisters she learnt to read and write, took part in all the family activities, gave as well as received from those around her and eventually lived independently in Canberra. It's a great cameo of a real family and also an insight into rural life in the mid-twentieth century.
Events in the Middle East as reported in the media become blacker by the day but to balance that is "I Shall Not Hate", a book by Gaza doctor Izzeldin Abuelaish. In 2009 his wife died of natural causes and three months later an Israeli shell killed his three eldest daughters and a niece. Despite these events he continued to treat Arabs and Jews, making a conscious decision to not hate. His memoir has no bitterness and isn't even a call for sympathy but rather stresses the need for reconciliation. It too is an inspiring book and the Middle East needs many more people of his quality!Both these books are available for immediate borrowing ......
