The measure of book and of an author can be found in their transformational ability. Simply put, do they make you think or reconsider a closely held value that you believe is incontestable? The whole point of reading is that you learn – something, anything, even a little bit. Whether it’s a novel, textbook or autobiography, the joy of reading comes when fresh ideas integrate with and augment personal knowledge or experience.
I’m halfway through reading Cheap: High Cost of Discount Culture, and already I see the change in my thinking when I enter a shopping mall. We are all passionate about finding a better bargain. We think we can outsmart the savvy retailers that entice us to forsake common sense and buy, buy, buy! It seems that we all have the tendency to listen to the sweet sounds of the bargain siren. Even the most veteran and well-informed shoppers are not immune.
In the next few weeks, my challenge will be to determine how well I’ve learned from Ellen Ruppel Shell. Will my shopping habits change? We shall see…
Early Morning Shopping in Bath, England
On The Road Book Club 
Perceptive as usual. I’m reminded of my very wise Psychology 101 Prof who said: “There are people that cannot change–they are in for problems because life is about changes. Our challenge–to make the right ones.
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So true!! We think that every one else should change, but somehow we think that we don’t need to!
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Dear Rebecca
My daughter, Pamela, attended University in Bristol. When visiting I stayed in Bath. A wonderful city in which it is a joy to walk, chat, shop and dine. Also the theatre down the hill from the park is excellent. The highlight, however, was the drive to Wells and a visit to their magnificent Cathedral. The Cathedral, the Bishp’sresidence, the cloisters and the gardens form an architectural and spiritual impression which lasts forever. I hope you visit Wells
Michael
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I think we did visit Wells – but just briefly, just enough to want to come back for more. One photo stands out to me. It is the Effigy of James Montagu, which reads: “Bishop of Bath & Wells 1608 -1616 and afterwards Bishop of Winchester.The effigy is one of only two in England vested as prelate of the Order of the Garter. Walking with Sir John Warrington, godson of Queen Elizabeth I, the Bishop was overtaken by a sharp shower: being invited into the roofless nave by his companion he remarked on the want of shelter, whereupon Sir John replied – if the church does not keep us safe from the waters above, how shall it save others from the fire below? The Bishop thereupon reconstructed the roof (replaced in 1870 by the existing nave vault) His brother, Sir Henry Montague L.C.J.erected the great West doors in his memory.
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