Environmentalism and the hipster set. Tokyo does it best.

The Yoyogi Village is nestled away in an indescript side street. At first it appears to be quite a random selection of artisan stores, with a bakery, a coffee shop and a bar or two.

Every detail of this eco-conscious village was overseen by Takeshi Kobayashi, collaborating with Shinichi Osawa. Far from random – everything from the architecture, the landscaping and the interiors, is curated.

The abundant and wild landscaping, the handiwork of Seijun Nishihata, counters the shipping containers, mesh wire and glass used for the structure of the village. Huge trees, cascading hydrangeas, tall grasses and palms: the space is immersed in nature.

By day it’s a relaxed ramble of flowers, trees and artists. By night it turns into a magical escape, with musical and culinary delights on offer (see JW article Code Kurkku this is love).

It’s an inspired idea, incredibly smart use of space, light and landscaping. The concept gives the eco-unfriendly alternatives a run for their money.

Autumn reading … freedom, creative expression and unjust passing.

As the air acquires the distinct autumn chill, this month’s selection will cut close to the heart. We recommend that you snuggle up under a blanket with a pot of tea …

You may cry a little or a lot, reflecting on how far we have come and how much further there is to go. You may be inspired to start painting, drawing or publishing again, to use what freedom you have to cherish creativity. Regardless of how you find the prose or the narrative of these tales – your heart will be stirred, and your mind will be challenged. It is likely that you will never take fiction, creative space and any freedoms that you have for granted again.

Hannah Kent Burial Rights

In our region there has been a lot of focus on law, mercy and the death penalty. In this context it was heart breaking to read Burial Rights: Hannah Kent’s telling of Agnes Magnusdottir’s journey to her death. Iceland’s last use of the death penalty.

The layers of this historical fiction are captivating. It’s a perfect autumn read, as heat and cold clash and storms are inevitable. Kent paints a vivid picture of Iceland’s landscape and moody weather; the challenge of poverty at the time; and the mental and emotional turmoil experienced by a woman unjustly condemned to death.

Historical fiction and crime thriller combined, it occassionaly stumbles however doesn’t fail to grab your heart. The story contemplates the fruitlessness of this age old practice of punishing crime with death.

While much of the world stands for mercy this book reiterates, in part, why we need to continue to stand for all of humanity.

Azar Nafisi The Republic of Imagination

The Republic of the Imagination is like a passionate conversation with an old friend. Momentum builds the more that you read and the urgency of Nafisi’s message rings louder and louder: Cherish creative freedom; don’t allow lethargy and complacency to dilute the power or importance of the arts; democracy relies on freedom of expression, critique and space to create, debate and challenge.

The timing of reading this book coincided with the news of the passing of Sabeen Mahmud. This was a shock to many, and entirely predicable to others. When she bravely opened The Second Floor (T2F) in 2007 her vision was a simple one and one that may have cost her her life. The vision was simply for a creative space, for Pakistani artists, creatives and entrepreneurs to meet. In her early 30s she saw the gap and responded. She believed that You can’t create – you can’t solve any problem if you’re not collaborating and working together…. Fear is just a line in your head. You can choose what side of that line you want to be on. Sabeen Mahmud exemplified the bold and fear less commitment to creativity, fiction and debate that is both celebrated and clung to by Nafisi.

For those in a position of freedom and peace, and those who are not, The Republic of the Imagination will stir you to use your voice and create.

To every continent and over the oceans…

When I started this creative collaboration I never imagined that interest would come from every continent, and places where I have only dreamt of travelling to.

In only a few short months there are over 1000 of you that now inquire, create and explore with JW.

This is quite remarkable to me.

I hope that one day I will publish in many languages. In the meantime, from the bottom of my humbled heart thank you…

… shukran, Շնորհակալություն, gràcies, M̀h’gōi, tak, dank, kiitos, merci,danke, ευχαριστώ, mahalo, .תודה, dhanyavād, grazie, arigatô, 감사합니다, choukrane, Благодарам, grazzi, Xièxiè, Баярлалаа, takk, dziękuję, mulţumesc, спасибо, xвала, Ďakujem, hvala, gracias, tack, nandri, kop khun, teşekkür ederim, Дякую, diolch, a dank & ngiyabonga.

To every continent and over the oceans … thanks for all the love x

Oh the charm of the local book store.

There are some towns where a visit to the local book store is almost mandatory. Among the holiday towns of Victoria, the local bookshop draws you in for a post swim meander. There are particular little stores, in Lorne, Melbourne and Daylseford, that ooze charm and often offer an individualised recommendation.

While it may be tempting to grab a bargain in an online shopping frenzie, when it comes to bookshops, please resist.

Over past years in Australia a number of major book retailers have been forced to close their doors; insolvent, no longer viable… broke. The headlines highlighted the vulnerable nature of our retail industry, in particular the small local stores.

The possibility of losing our independent local book stores is a sad thought. There is something deeply relaxing and enjoyable about wandering through the ricketty shelves, flicking through pages and stumbling across intellectual escape or inquiry; finding an author writing on a topic you had not heard about before.

The small stores are absolutely charming. They have staff and management often passionate about the books they stock, who are most likely to be interested in meandering chats to find out precisely what you are after.

These JW pictures are taken in a couple of our favourite stores … Yes, we couldn’t resist picking up a paper bag full of new books while we were there!

Aside

The fields are bright and the women are fearless.

If you ever have the opportunity to spend time in the countryside of Bangladesh, you will be struck by it’s colour. The fields are bright and the women are fearless.

These JW photographs capture courageous, brilliant and innovative women.

These women are passionate teachers; dedicated to giving children the gift of an education, and access to opportunities beyond their villages. These women forge and facilitate social movements that aim to place protections in place for the most vulnerable in their community. They are enterprising; seizing opportunity to generate income and the introduction of vital sanitation initiatives, which reduce early childhood deaths. These women are passionate about change. Change for the future of their communities, their loved ones and the generation to come. These women are women of enduring faith, that stands in the most horrific and heartbreaking circumstances.

On this day, this significant and symbolic day… equity and equality for all is more important than ever. Around the world, the opportunities for women, and the value placed on the contribution of women remains imbalanced. As individuals, communities and nations we have not mastered the balance or achieved the change required. But we must keep trying.

My heritage is rich with women and men who have fought for and been committed to equality and equity for all. They have pushed against social and cultural norms, facilitated access to education and community connection…. They have pursued careers and opportunities without regard to gender stereotypes or expectations… they have loved and given, tirelessly and endlessly, for the benefit of others.

It is hard not to be stirred and moved on this day, by the past and the strides forward, over months and years. On this day, this significant and symbolic day, its timely to reflect and renew our commitment to contributing to change. Change in whatever way we can, large or small, grand or humble…. to keep on keeping on.

The journey is far from over and in some parts of the world is has only just begun.

With heartfelt wishes for a future for all that is fair and opportunity rich.

Summer reading… war, betrayal and all consuming love.

Many writers have turned their craft and skill to the topic of epic and all consuming love. The longing for love, its presence or its absence …. Our hearts and our lives are largely defined by love.

St. Valentine put his life at risk to wed young lovers in a time when love and devotion was seen as a distraction to the calling of men to war. All for love.

The below JW selection are some of our favourite summer tales of love: Epic love, in times of war, fame, tragedy and betrayal.

Find a comfy nook in some dappled sunlight with your favourite fresh cut flowers in reach (heady and intense with aroma), a glass of sparkling mineral and lime, a box of tissues and an open heart….

Louis de Bernières Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Louis de Bernières vividly paints a tale of intense love and heartbreak against the backdrop of war. The rhythm of the story builds slowly. The complexity and cruelty of humanity is juxtaposed with compassion, grace and courage. It is heart wrenching, brilliant and timeless.

Zadie Smith On Beauty

Contrasting life experiences and perspectives are beautifully captured by Zadie Smith in this accomplished work. She tells a tale that is all too familiar, of long suffering and acceptance… Yet somehow she manages to surprise and shock at every turn. The themes of love, family and devotion are unpacked across cultures and social expectations. Deeply stirring read, beautiful written… Will stay with you for a while.

Salman Rushdie The Ground Beneath Her Feet

The rock goddess and hopeless photographer, calcifying tragedy and spiralling momentum. Humanities obsession with fame and human ‘divinity’. In this masterpiece Sir Salman Rushdie outlines in enticing detail the journey and perspectives of the three protagonists. This book is an ode to love, in all its forms: desperate and pervasive… pure and enduring.

Death is more than love or is it. Art is more than love or is it. Love is more than death and art or not. This is the subject. This is the subject. This is it.

…

All for love.

It was a different time. She hid from the fame.

Monroeville Alabama in the 1930s was a strange place to grow up. Nelle (pronounced Nell-ie) Harper Lee watched her father advocate for the marginalised and despised of the community: unprotected by law and segregated because of their skin.

As a young woman Nelle moved to New York. She explored various vocations before settling on writing. Gifted a years salary by dear friends, she was able to turn her mind and heart to writing, and only writing.

To Kill a Mockingbird was the magnificent result. Presented to the world it received international acclaim, first as a novel and then film.

In To Kill a Mockingbird Nelle gave a gift to the world by articulating with such simplicity and power the brutal injustice that life can bring… Her novel inspired and inspires the courage to keep fighting for justice. She wrote what she knew and what she had seen.

Now decades later, the sequel Go Set a Watchman is likely set to follow…

The sequel was her first novel, apparently too blunt for the publishers of the day. When asked to publish it following the success of To Kill a Mockingbird she refused: not interested in repeating the fame and focus of the first.

It was a different time. Her heart was only in her craft.

Controversy abounds with rumours of the found manuscript and release. Yet the sequel is her first work. It is significant. It is likely to be another gift; Another timeless tale of the struggle for justice where injustice is relentless.

Here’s hoping that Nelle can hide away…Here’s hoping that she can enjoy the coming years with dignity and enjoy her life in peace. Here’s hoping that she knows that she is an international treasure: and she has changed us all through her craft.

Much love and heartfelt thanks to you, Nelle Harper Lee.

Since writing this snippet, Nelle Harper Lees lawyers have released a statement from her that “I’m alive and kicking and happy as hell with the reactions to Watchman!”.

Glad to hear it!

Gallery

My island home and yours.

Beaches, national parks and hiking trails…. Australia is truly an island that spoils us with natural wonders and spectacular beauty. And it’s home.

The decision this month to award native title to almost seventy percent of the Eyre Peninsula is significant for the Barngarla people, South Australia and everyone who calls this island home. The decision was long overdue and followed almost 20 years of establishing evidence to support the claim, consideration and argument.

The idea that a connection to land can be proven to be extinguished astonishes and challenges. A sigh of relief was apparently heard when the implications of the decision became clear: the connection has not been extinguished, “we can still call this place of our heart and history ours…”

The anthropological and international significance of the culture, history and contribution of the traditional owners of this island home is remarkable.

It’s been a clumsy road, fraught with difficulty… But this decision opens a way for co-habitation to be acknowledged without undermining claim to native title. It’s one more step in the right direction. Hopefully the next one won’t be so overdue.

Summer reading.. escapism, grief and family.

Pure escapism with Marian Keyes

A very light, enjoyable and relaxing offering from Marian in 2014. This is a very different novel to her previous heavyweight literary offerings, but it hit the spot during the hard earned summer break. Classic romance, betrayal, family dramas and a dash of celebrity flare… Absolutely perfect in between lazy lunches, ocean dips and yes, another slice of watermelon would be lovely.

Grief and a little close to home with Helen Garner

Admired and challenging is Helen Garners ability to look utter tragedy in the face and write about it. Her account of this tragic and perplexing case is no exception to her ability to take readers on a journey with her, through the myriad of processes and formalities of the court room, to understand or continue to wonder about how could this actually happen. Most people living in Victoria heard about the case well before the novel was released, and the shock of such an awful tragedy so close to home was felt across the community.

Family dysfunction and a young woman’s journey with Kate Atkinson

Revisiting a classic is a summer tradition, this copy was still sandy and slightly undone from almost ten years being shared. Obviously her first novel and acclaimed internationally, it remains a poignant, beautiful and witty account of a young woman’s journey through life and family.

New year new adventures.

For this exciting new collaboration the new year poses lots of opportunities… for intellectual inquiry, creative expression and geographic exploration.

Meander and enjoy.

Jen and Willa

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