as attested by the can of COKE on the table
Whatever happened to autumn? We are back to sole-scorching sunshine which makes it near-impossible to walk across the verandah. Keeping my feet elevated seems to be the only possible way to view the world.
There are only two ways I can endure such a supine view of the world: either with my ears glued to ABC Radio National or with my eyes deep inside a book. This time they are deep inside "What Makes Us Tick?", an exploration by Australia's leading social researcher, Hugh Mackay, of why we do the things we do. Why do we talk as if we're rational, but act as if we're not? Why do some people always want to take control? What is the true role of religion? Why do we seek change, yet resist it? Why do we want more of the things that have failed to satisfy us? Why are we so passionate about sport? Why do we fall out of love? (just don't ask me!)
The book hasn't made it to www.archive.org yet - although I found my copy at the local op-shop, thanks to some nameless donor who, according to the sticker on its back, had paid $29.99 to buy it from Sinclair Pharmacy - pharmacy? what has happened to bookshops?
It's my sixth book by Hugh Mackay after "Advance Australia ... where?", "The Good Life - What makes a life worth living?", "The art of belonging", "Australia Reimagined - Towards a more compassionate, less anxious society", and "The Kindness Revolution: How we can restore hope, rebuild trust and inspire optimism," and you may look for it in your local bookshop (or op-shop) after listening to this audiobook's YouTube clip:
Just in case the heatwave continues, I keep in reserve two more books, "Dragon & Kangaroo - Australia and China's shared history from the goldfields to the present day" and "Bulldozed - Scott Morrison's fall and Anthony Albanese's rise"; however, right now it's lunchtime as I can see the tourist boat coming up the river which means it's quarter to one ...
... and Gonzo, the waterdragon, is also waiting for his daily feed.
