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Review of Blood’s Inner Rhyme by Antjie Krog

Written by Karen Wilson on . Posted in Chartered Library, Resources. No Comments on Review of Blood’s Inner Rhyme by Antjie Krog

South African poet Antjie Krog explores her complex relationship with her writer mother, Dot Serfontein, and anchors the book in the final few years her mother spent in a small flat with a caregiver.

Using correspondence between mother and daughter when Antjie was travelling overseas, and her visits to her mother in Kroonstad, she reflects on their connection. While they shared an abiding love for the Free State and a bond as the two creatives in their family, they had clear differences in ideology and outlook, and admiration was at times tempered with frustration. Afrikaner culture and heritage remained a sensitive area between them. Little anecdotes throughout the book illustrate Dot’s sharp intellect and feistiness, and the sense of humour of both women.

The author also reaches back to the Anglo-Boer War and draws material from Dot Serfontein’s old documents and unfinished writings. Then she blends in her own series of interviews conducted with people in inter-racial marriages in South Africa.

The timeline moves back and forth quite a lot and is punctuated with matter-of-fact extracts from the care staff’s daily log of how “the patient”, Antjie’s ailing mother, is faring. It is an unemotional but nonetheless sad background commentary on her age-related decline.

Antjie Krog’s “autobiographical novel” is her way of clarifying and finding closure on a relationship that was clearly precious to her, albeit one that was far from effortless.

A copy of Blood’s Inner Rhyme is available on short-term loan from the Chartered client library. The book is also published in Afrikaans under the title Binnerym van Bloed.

Review of “Beyond Anxiety” by Martha Beck

Written by Karen Wilson on . Posted in Chartered Library, Purpose, Resources. No Comments on Review of “Beyond Anxiety” by Martha Beck

Martha Beck holds a PhD in Sociology from Harvard, among other degrees, and has established herself as a leader in the field of life coaching. Having grappled with severe anxiety herself, she made it her mission to research the subject and identify effective ways of curbing anxiety’s grip on Western society.

First off, she observes that many of us have grown up in a culture that reveres left-brain thinking– logical, controlling, competitive and productivity-obsessed – with too little focus on the right brain. The result is a pandemic of ‘anxiety spirals’ triggered by fear and trauma that aren’t grounded in present reality but keep looping back; she is convinced that the antidote is learning to harness the creative right brain to quieten anxiety and ignite innovative problem-solving and a joyful sense of purpose and connection.

The author herself went through IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapy, which she found helpful in understanding how different parts of the psyche react when under stress, and she explains this further in quite a bit of detail. She also shares other personal experiences, as well as those of clients and colleagues, including the fascinating case of Dr Jill Bolte Taylor, whose left hemisphere stopped functioning at the time she had a stroke at the age of 37 (if you’re interested, she wrote a book about this called My Stroke of Insight, and has a TED Talk).

Martha Beck uses humorous and whimsical metaphors to convey concepts – from ‘stitching a sanity quilt’ to ‘magical chickens’. The book contains numerous exercises that can be applied to calm your ‘anxiety creature’ – yes, you should give it a name as it’s not going anywhere! – and progresses through suggestions and practices to connect you with your curiosity and creativity, and use these as tools to find peace and purpose.

The book is organised into three main sections. The latter part of Beyond Anxiety does move into spiritual and metaphysical territory and a broader discussion on humanity. As she unapologetically states, it may seem a bit too “woo woo” for some people – but it certainly makes for thought-provoking reading.

Review of “Book People” by Paige Nick

Written by Karen Wilson on . Posted in Chartered Library, Learn, Resources. No Comments on Review of “Book People” by Paige Nick

Some of you may recall that Paige Nick had a column in the Sunday Times about a decade ago. Aside from being a freelance advertising copywriter, she has also written several books, her latest being Book People. It is a witty take on book lovers and the minefield of social media.

In real life, Paige Nick established an online book club called the “Good Book Appreciation Society”, which encourages its members to share honest reviews and opinions about their reads. She has given it a fictional twist in her book, with the founder being Norma, a forty-something ex-South African living in London, who is at a career and relationship crossroads. Norma’s little Facebook sideline ticks over in a reasonably civil manner until Harry Shields, a self-promoting and not particularly talented author-member, takes offence at a harsh review of his second novel. Instead of letting it blow over, the blow to his ego sees him taking to his keyboard with a vengeance to tackle his detractor. It is not long before other members enter the fray, and opinions and emotions are flying like missiles. If you’re one of the “I’m here for the comments” people on social media, you will appreciate the online sparring.

In Harry’s life, his obsession with the bad review and tracking down the person behind it starts to unravel his marriage, friendships, and his physical and mental health. Through his largely self-inflicted experiences, Book People takes a satirical look at social media concepts like ‘going viral’ on TikTok (making a public spectacle of yourself in the same room as a teen armed with a smartphone is not recommended) and ‘cancel culture’. Even usually mild-mannered bookworms can turn on you!

Overall, it is a fun read on a topical subject. So, if you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to see what goes on in the Gen Z land of BookTok.

Book People is available for short-term loan from our Client Library.

Review of “The 5 Types of Wealth” by Sahil Bloom

Written by Karen Wilson on . Posted in Chartered Library, Resources, Retiremeant. No Comments on Review of “The 5 Types of Wealth” by Sahil Bloom

At Chartered, we use the Wheel of Balance as a guide to a fulfilling life, focusing on eight key areas: work, play, purpose, health, money, relationships, give-back, and learning. There are certainly parallels in Sahil Bloom’s The 5 Types of Wealth. In his book, he proposes that real wealth has five dimensions, and you need to find balance across all of them – time, social, mental, physical, as well as financial wealth. True wealth is not just about what you have in the bank. While the author asserts that all five elements should co-exist, he adds that their relevance fluctuates through life’s seasons.

The book is nearly 400 pages long, so here’s a glimpse at each section:

  • Time Wealth: Are you prioritising the people and things that really count, or are you stuck on the treadmill of ‘busyness’? The author is fond of little charts and graphs to illustrate points or research, so expect to encounter a few under Time Wealth.
  • Social Wealth: Ask yourself who would be in the front row at your funeral – and nurture those relationships. Strong relationships are the stand-out factor in healthy ageing.
  • Mental Wealth: Maintain curiosity, a sense of purpose and lifelong learning. He shares a memorable story of a 90-year-old man who asked to attend an astronomy class at Harvard University in lieu of a birthday gift (wish granted).
  • Physical Wealth: He poses the question, “Will you be dancing at your Eightieth Birthday?” I’m sure we all hope to be doing the Salsa and not sitting on the sidelines!
  • Financial Wealth: Decide what qualifies as “enough”. He offers an overview of ways to grow your money (chat to your Financial Planner) and the wise words “never think twice about investing in yourself” in terms of education, fitness, food, sleep and mental health.

Bloom references books that we’ve reviewed and have in our client library, including James Clear’s Atomic Habits, Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money, Outlive by Dr Peter Attia, and The Good Life study.

Each section concludes with a summary and systems (some inspired by well-known figures) to improve areas needing attention. He reiterates that you should select the tools that are likely to work for you and not try to implement them all. So, here’s to a wealthier you!

Review of “The Next Day” by Melinda French Gates

Written by Karen Wilson on . Posted in Chartered Library, Learn, Resources. No Comments on Review of “The Next Day” by Melinda French Gates

Many people will know of Melinda Gates as the philanthropic wife (now ex) of Microsoft billionaire Bill. Approaching her 60th birthday and recently divorced, she has compiled a personal reflection on the key junctures in her life and what these have taught her. The book is subtitled Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward, and this is the essence of what she writes about.

Melinda came from a close-knit family, excelled at school and university, and landed her first job at Microsoft after earning her degree in computer science and an MBA. Over the years, she combined motherhood with her global work at the Gates Foundation. Despite the privilege and profile of her adult life, her life experiences are universal and relatable. She talks about leaving home to go to university and initially struggling to fit in and thrive, the challenges of parenthood and later an empty nest, career dilemmas, dealing with terminal illness and death close to her, ageing, and ending her marriage. With the passage of time, she believes she has become more adept at learning and growing with each new transition, and what she calls distilling the sound of one’s own inner voice.

Through it all, she has kept a special circle of friends who are always there for one another. She has also delved into poetry and spirituality to gain more perspective and understanding of change, and some of her favourite inspirational quotes are incorporated into the chapters.

She sums it up eloquently toward the end of her book: “After all, transitions are disruptive and disorienting. They lay waste to all our careful planning and force us to question our assumptions, our ambitions, even our very identities. But that, I’ve come to understand, is part of their magic.”

The book is only 160 pages long, so it is a quick read and feels like a leisurely catch-up about life with a friend.

The Chartered client library has a copy of The Next Day by Melinda French Gates for short-term loan.

Book of the Month: “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins

Written by Karen Wilson on . Posted in Chartered Library, Health, Resources. No Comments on Book of the Month: “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins

What if the secret to more happiness, freedom, and peace was just two little words? In The Let Them Theory, bestselling author and mindset powerhouse Mel Robbins delivers her most liberating message yet: Let Them.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, frustrated, or stuck trying to manage other people’s expectations, emotions, or opinions—this book is your permission slip to stop. With her signature no-nonsense style, real-life stories, and deep insight, she encourages us to release the exhausting habit of trying to control what we can’t and instead refocus on what we can—ourselves.

Whether it’s managing complicated family dynamics, handling stress at work, letting go of comparisons, or silencing your inner critic, The Let Them Theory offers science-backed tools to reclaim your energy and peace of mind. It’s a simple yet powerful idea: let them judge, let them leave, let them have their opinions… and turn your attention back to what truly matters to you.

What I especially love about this book is how universal and empowering the message is. Mel’s writing feels like a conversation with a wise (and witty) friend who has your best interests at heart. You may already know her from The Mel Robbins Podcast, where she shares bite-sized strategies for motivation and mindset. This book captures that same magic—but goes even deeper.

Through relatable examples, Mel shows how freeing it can be to let others be who they are—while staying grounded in your own values and goals. I’ve found myself recommending The Let Them Theory to just about everyone lately—and for good reason. It’s a reminder that you don’t need to fix everything or everyone. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is… let them.

A copy of the book is available for short-term loan from the Chartered library.

Review of “How to Age Disgracefully” by Clare Pooley

Written by Karen Wilson on . Posted in Chartered Library, Client Story, Resources. 1 Comment on Review of “How to Age Disgracefully” by Clare Pooley

This is the third novel that British author Clare Pooley has published in the past five years, following the success of her debut novel, The Authenticity Project, and 2022’s offering, The People on Platform 5.

How to Age Disgracefully is a light-hearted read with a message about ageing and intergenerational connection, sometimes humorous and sometimes poignant; it’s a heart-warming tale to add some joy to this Valentine’s month.

Clare Pooley has gathered a colourful and quirky cast of characters, some with lives that haven’t turned out quite as they’d hoped. There’s midlife Lydia, who is dealing with an empty nest and a pompous straying spouse, trying to find herself again after years of being the perfect wife and stay-at-home mom. Teenage dad Ziggy is grappling with early onset responsibilities and an environment threatening to derail his attempts to make a better life. At their local community centre, their lives intersect with a group of senior citizens – Daphne, whose years of self-imposed isolation hide a secret, a failed actor with a bad habit estranged from his family and, of course, a prolific knitter. A scruffy canine is thrown into the mix when its elderly owner meets with a freak accident.

They band together for a cause dear to them all – saving their community centre from demolition after the council deems it structurally unsound and a commercial developer looks set to buy the site. Their combined efforts to raise funds for repairs engage everyone from the preschoolers to the seniors who have come to rely on the centre’s facilities. From a nativity play to a pet talent contest, they try every avenue to bring in money to get the building back to standard. Clare Pooley writes with wit and sensitivity, and she clearly believes that age shouldn’t limit your capacity for fun, creativity, challenge and adventure.

A copy of How to Age Disgracefully is available for short-term loan from the Chartered Client Library.

Review of “Place” by Justin Fox

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While the rest of us plan a beach or bush break or perhaps a culinary tour, Justin Fox decided to combine his passions for travel and local literature. In Place, the former editor of “Getaway” magazine, embarks on a solo quest to visit the settings of several well-known South African stories. These environments were very close to the hearts of the authors of the books and, in some cases, also evoked personal memories for Justin Fox.

He undertakes nine mini expeditions to track down the locales, farms and homesteads where the authors or their characters were said to have resided or to retrace and explore the routes they took. The works that inspire his travels are anchored in various parts of South Africa’s diverse landscape, and he wants to immerse himself in the “spirit of place” that the writers conveyed so powerfully in their stories or poems. This deep-rooted relationship that people can have with an environment is a thread throughout Fox’s book. He notes that one of the challenges of emigration is the loss of a familiar landscape with its distinctive smells, sounds, colours and connections that are locked into memory, often from childhood. Sometimes, it can be harsh terrain, but it is still an integral part of who you are.

His journeys span the Northern, Western and Eastern Cape and extend up to Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West province. His ‘travel guides’ include classics like Olive Schreiner’s Story of an African Farm (Eastern Karoo) and Jock of the Bushveld – both of which are now faint memories from my school days! Herman Charles Bosman’s Groot Marico tales and Dalene Matthee’s Knysna Forest novels also feature in his itinerary. Those who are familiar with the Wild Coast will appreciate his pilgrimage fuelled by Zakes Mda’s Heart of Redness.

The years have wrought inevitable change, and at times, Fox is dismayed by signs of disrepair or the impact of development and greedy agendas. But at each destination, his chosen book gives him a channel into the sense of place that its author experienced.

A copy of Place by Justin Fox can be borrowed from our Chartered Client Library.

Review of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to AI: A Handbook for All” by Arthur Goldstuck

Written by Karen Wilson on . Posted in Chartered Library, Learn, Resources. No Comments on Review of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to AI: A Handbook for All” by Arthur Goldstuck

Thanks to ChatGPT, which put artificial intelligence centre stage in late 2022, it has become apparent that AI is and will continue to be a part of our lives. In fact, as Arthur Goldstuck points out, AI has been around for a while in various forms but didn’t grab the global spotlight the way ChatGPT has done – with Bing Chat and Google Bard losing out on the starring role.

If you are old enough, you may remember that Arthur Goldstuck published a South African guide to the Internet back in the mid-nineties. The local tech guru’s 2023 book covers the good, the bad, and the ugly of artificial intelligence. On the upside, it is being used to save time spent on grunt work – like sifting through medical records, searching for legal precedents, and picking up fraud or sales patterns. Industries as diverse as healthcare, travel, financial services, agriculture, law, manufacturing and creatives are tapping into the benefits of AI. One impressive example he gives (which has South African roots) is a company called “Aerobotics”: they use AI to analyse drone video footage to advise farmers across the continent on improving output and sustainability.

Things can get a little grey in areas like creativity and education. AI in creative writing should be a tool for ideas the human author will flesh out and fact-check (while injecting emotion, tone or personal insights). However, as in education, Arthur Goldstuck acknowledges that misuse of AI by the lazy undermines learning and creativity. He believes that while banning it isn’t the answer, schools and teachers must have clear policies on AI as an educational aid.

From grey to grimy … inevitably, AI is also being exploited by the less honourable among us. The author takes us through the more troubling possibilities, from copyright infringements and spreading misinformation to ‘deep fakes’ and ethical questions around releasing new music from deceased artists.

The book chapters are flagged with small icons to denote whether they cover general learning material or are of more targeted interest. So, if you don’t know adaptive from generative AI, and are keen to understand how AI is making itself felt in our lives, then this book could be helpful.

P.S. While I didn’t resort to ChatGPT to compile this short review, I did consult Grammarly, a form of AI, for any feedback on my grammar and phrasing … occasionally the human knows best!

Review of “Same as Ever” by Morgan Housel

Written by Karen Wilson on . Posted in Chartered Library, Money, Resources. No Comments on Review of “Same as Ever” by Morgan Housel

You may recognise the name of this month’s author: Morgan Housel wrote the hugely popular The Psychology of Money, which we reviewed in the March 2023 edition of Inflight. In this subsequent offering, he sets out to identify what never changes in a changing world.

Morgan Housel delves into history to discover what has remained consistent over time. This includes the sobering fact that the future will always serve up surprises and, as he states in his initial chapter, “much of the world hangs by a thread”.

The book is divided into 23 short chapters, each with a punchy title, such as “Calm Plants the Seeds of Crazy”, “Risk Is What You Don’t See”, “Casualties of Perfection”, and “Wounds Heal, Scars Last”. They all revolve around human nature and motivations, as well as repeating cycles or trends – economic and otherwise.

As he does in The Psychology of Money, Housel weaves real-life stories and examples into each chapter to flesh out his concepts and includes numerous famous names – with mavericks like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk featured in the chapter entitled “Wild Minds”. Quotations from Benjamin Franklin to best-selling author James Clear (“People follow incentives, not advice.”) add credence to the topic “Incentives: The Most Powerful Force in the World”.

Compounding is a favoured theme in The Psychology of Money. In Same as Ever, it pops up in his premise that most catastrophes and major achievements result from a series of tiny events that combine to make a big impact. In another echo of his earlier book, Same as Ever also makes the point that nothing worth pursuing ever comes without a price in some form or the other. “Too Much, Too Soon, Too Fast” discusses both nature and business – and the failures produced when combined with this trio of excess.

Although the individual chapters in this book don’t seem to flow quite as well as those in The Psychology of Money, Same as Ever certainly gives you food for thought about recurring patterns and behaviours over time.

Both Same as Ever and The Psychology of Money are available on a short-term loan from our Chartered client library.