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A Blog on Life, the Universe & Stories...
We hope you enjoy this collection of stories, insights and articles about reading and life from our groups members, facilitators, clients, community and friends.
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'The Darling' by Chekhov: Love’s spiritual ideal, or doormat?
A discussion on an intriguing short story by world renowned Russian author and playwright Anton Pavlovich Chekho v... “This story is...
Christopher Smith
1 day ago3 min read
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How little it takes to provide some relief from loneliness at Christmas.
Some food for thought for the festive season inspired by 'The Smile' by visionary English poet, William Blake... “It’ll be lonely this...
Christopher Smith
Dec 24, 20243 min read
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Volunteers inspire community support for Shared Reading
We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Springwood Uniting Church and to our very own volunteer Karon Coombs for their recent...
Christopher Smith
Dec 9, 20242 min read
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Doing a TED Talk when you’re socially anxious...
Christopher Smith reflects on his recent experience as a TEDx speaker when all of his fears came true... what's the worst that could...
Christopher Smith
Dec 9, 20245 min read
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The Wisdom of Readers: On Feuds.
A reflection on short story 'The Interlopers' by Saki... Most people agree that feuds are generally a difficult thing. They cause stress,...
Christopher Smith
Nov 28, 20244 min read
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Citizen of Year rewarded for helping prevent loneliness through Shared Reading program
I am honoured and humbled to have been recognised as Blue Mountains Citizen of the Year as reported in this article published in the Blue...
Christopher Smith
Aug 15, 20243 min read
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How did we get here…?
Surprise and delight in a Shared Reading session reading A. J Alan’s short story 'My Adventure in Norfolk'... We had been talking about...
Christopher Smith
Aug 5, 20244 min read
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La Trobe University reports on Bibliotherapy: how reading with others can boost your wellbeing
Senior Lecturers from La Trobe University prompt us to consider why we’re drawn to bibliotherapy (reading for therapy) in times of crisis...
Christopher Smith
Jul 19, 20246 min read
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The Wisdom of Readers: Wanting more from life…
'The Fullness of Life' is a short story by Edith Wharton that asks big questions. It was written when she was young and it bursts with...
Christopher Smith
Jun 24, 20244 min read
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Too true to be good…
'Wenlock Edge' by Alice Munro prompts an observation about the power of the confessional. A participant in a reading group recommended...
Christopher Smith
Apr 11, 20243 min read
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Life without achievement...
Failure is one of the things we fear the most. If we have ‘nothing to show’ for our lives then who are we, and what was the point?...
Christopher Smith
Aug 14, 20234 min read
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Sometimes, the more difficult the material, the more relatable the story.
A personal reflection on 'Sonny's Blues' - a short story by James Baldwin. There are some stories that take us on a journey into what it...
Christopher Smith
Jul 8, 20233 min read
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If you feel lonely, you are not alone…
‘A profound sense of loneliness’ now affects more of our worldwide population than ever before. It’s impact on health and wellbeing, even...
Christopher Smith
Jun 7, 20234 min read
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Helping people feel less alone... why I became a Shared Reading facilitator.
Chris reflects on his journey and the purpose he found in Shared Reading groups.
Christopher Smith
Mar 22, 20233 min read
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Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination...
Alison shares her experience of a Shared Reading group in this beautifully written piece. Thank you Alison.
Alison
Mar 16, 20234 min read
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The Wisdom of Readers: Self-care is an act of resistance.
Today’s world wants more from us, and quicker. The immediacy of modern communication means we’re required to be available at the drop of...
Christopher Smith
Nov 21, 20225 min read
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“All I have to do is open up to the nourishment coming in”
Freda has been attending a Shared Reading group for a couple of years now. Here, she reflects on how she came to be in the group and what...
Freda (group member)
Jul 5, 20192 min read
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A shared reading session can be the brightest mirror
“It struck me that as I deny acknowledgement to someone living on the street, I deny an expression of a part of myself. As I walk past...
Christopher Smith
Feb 6, 20183 min read
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Gratitude is a reward for letting go
“I am beginning to understand that my reactions to what people say and do are to do with the ways in which I have been conditioned – that...
Christopher Smith
Jan 18, 20185 min read
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How shared reading helped me to be near people
– By Sara Fawcett – “…it made me almost feel free. Like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I found myself talking to people I hadn’t...
Sara Fawcett
Dec 5, 20177 min read
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