Books 2010 – 4 books I’ve read this summer

Zora Neale Hurston – Their eyes were watching God

I have wanted to read some Zora Neale Hurston for a while, as I know she is a revered Harlem renaissance writer, yet I know nothing else of her or her works. This book was very ‘easy’ to read, in that it was captivating and beautifully written so it flowed smoothly and made you want to read on. The story of Janie and her life is heart breaking in many ways – but despite this it is also a story of love, pure true love. It is also an amazing depiction of a very strong woman’s quest to understand herself, and to fulfil her own needs, wants and desires. I heartily recommend this novel as an introduction to Zore Neale Hurston and look forward to discovering more of her novels.

John Steinbeck – The grapes of wrath

As part of my ongoing quest to read ‘classic’ fiction that I have never read before, I bought this a while ago but hadn’t been able to actually get into it. Woah. Its depressing. Seriously depressing. And it ends depressingly. Well written, entrancing in a way once you get into it you really really want to know what happens next to the Joad family. But overall, in my view it was just so sad, bleak and depressing. But worth reading, definitely worth reading as it gave me some insight into a period of American history that I knew nothing about.

Terry Pratchett – I shall wear midnight

I really could wax lyrical about this book forever. This is the fourth (and last) of the books for younger readers about Tiffany Aching, the young witch of the chalk. It’s definitely my favourite Tiffany Aching novel, and in fact is probably up there in my top 5 discworld novels. Brilliant story, excellent pace loved the new characters and the unexpected twists. Pure Pratchett brilliance.

Nicholas Evans – the Horse Whisperer

This book is cheesy cheesetastic. I raced through it, desperately keen to know what happens next and hoping it wouldn’t be as predictable as it was. It obviously isn’t that bad or I wouldn’t have finished it –this book is an easy read, escapism , predictable trashy novel. But not a bad book, just a cheesy one. I am not that keen to watch the film.

New Urbanism

Exhibition Road, a project for accessible street design. Picture credit: The Guardian

'New Urbanism' as defined by wikipedia, is an “urban design movement, which promotes walkable neighborhoods that contain a range of housing and job types”, apparently arising in the United States in the early 1980s. Much of this movement was presumably born out of regret for the post-war urban sprawl, where the formula was simple and city suburbs were designed with the motorcar in mind. Thus begun the depopulation of dense urban neighbourhoods in many cities, which is only now being reversed.

Having lived and traveled in many cities, we do appreciate the benefits, and convenience of city living. We also acknowledge the crowds, the negative environmental impact and the other drawbacks that urban dwelling has. Urban living does not have to be like this, and can be diverse, environmentally sound, safe, fun, convenient and comfortable. For its advocates and proponents, many of who do not even use the term, it is simply a friendly way of living that just makes sense.

On Thursday, July 1, appropriately enough, Canada Day, we went to a poolside chat hosted by The Dallas Chapter of The Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), at The Belmont Hotel (one of our favourite places in Dallas). “The Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) is a nonprofit organization aimed at curbing sprawl and re-establishing compact, walkable, and sustainable neighborhoods and cities”. The “chat” was with Mr Larry Beasley, a Canadian urban planner, best known for his brand of his urban design principles known as “Vancouverism.” He discussed his work with the newly created Dallas City Design Studio. The Studio works with Dallas City Hall, Dallas residents and businesses to create a socially responsible approach to land use and zoning.

So will Dallas adopt ‘New Urbanism’? Dallas is a modern city, much of it was built around cars and freeways and so for ‘New Urbanism’ to have a significant impact in Dallas may take some time. In other words, New Urbanism in Dallas would require a gradualist or reformist, rather than a revolutionary approach. This has the advantage that various ideas can be tried and tested.

Not all solutions are going to be ‘one size fits all’, however. Indeed, the concept of New Urbanism, has many different advocates and expressions, many of whom do not necessarily have to or want to agree with every aspect of the concept. Success here is simply what the community wants and needs. Planning by the masses, rather than by the few. At least that is the impression we got from hanging out in the Oak Cliff area (or the ‘OC’) of Dallas. A recent article in the Dallas Observer, highlights the many positive aspects of ‘New Urbanism’ without actually referring to the label (other adjectives used are ‘bikos’ or bike friendly advocates, slow living, producers of local produce, community spirit, Euro-Urban living).

Indeed, much of the New Urbanism action is happening in the OC. Maybe the best example of this is the "The Better Block Project". A block is partially closed off to car traffic, businesses and vendors come out, cafe and store fronts open up, musicians and artists come out to play and a magical transformation occurs. Bastille Day, BBQ, Bandits and Bandana's are a few of the recent events. These events are far from exclusive as bike rides from other neighborhoods join the party, thereby linking different communities within the cities. The Better Block Project promotes neighbours having fun and enjoying their neighbourhood.

The Better Block Project in Oak Cliff. Picture credit: Go Oak Cliff

All of this can seem foreign to a culture based around the car and a 24 hour lifestyle. Whilst The Better Block Project is a collective movement grabbing national headlines, choices made by the individual (such as joining a local co-op like Urban Acres) are small but significant steps that benefits a local business, your community and your lifestyle. If you look at the little picture it really is just about taking the time to look around and ask yourself how do we want to live together so that we can all enjoy our space.

By: Walraj Singh Gosal and Jigna Vyas Gosal