Botton describes journeys as ‘the midwives of thought’. Writing with considerable sensitivity to the human condition and unafraid to deal with the rawest of emotions, Botton explores what we do or think about on our travels, how travel might enhance our lives and give us a larger vision, and how to minimise disappointment.

Why does Aboriginal disadvantage persist and what might be done about it? This autobiography gives fascinating insight into people, persistent enterprise and politics from an Aboriginal perspective, exploring welfare, work, education, family and Mundine’s disillusion with politics today. It provides a warts-and-all portrait of a most impressive leader.

Highlights of links to online news and opinion pieces on the topic of January 26th (Australia Day).

Like Handmaid’s Tale, Alias Grace confronts the implications for women of class-based, religiously justified power play, and asks what faith offers to those who have experienced injustice. With recent revelations of sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry, domestic violence in the church and the extent of child abuse, the series could not have been more timely.

Highlights of links to online news and opinion pieces from December 2017.

A collection of reflections on Christmas from mainstream and Christian media.

While governments like Australia close their borders, and the U.S. closes its mind to climate change, Christians are to love our neighbours by linking these justice issues together. The two are not unrelated – climate change can be a driver of significant migration.

It’s not about self-flagellation, guilt or shame, but about waking up and stepping up. It’s about restorative justice that lifts people up, and right living that prevents us from falling into sin. I need to be saved, not from skin, not from gender, but from the throne of privilege.