Courtenay, Bryce. The Power of One. New York: Ballantine Books, 1989.

The story line of the book may not sound like an instant appeal to many potential readers. However, it you're looking for an uplifting, engaging, inspiring story, do read this one. The story takes place in South Africa beginning in the late 1930's. It is about a young white boy — told brilliantly in the first person — who embarked on an epic journey through a land of tribal superstition and modern prejudice, where he learned the power of words, the power to transform lives, and the mystical power that sustained him: The Power of One.

By profession, Bryce Courtenay is in the field of advertising. He also writes a weekly column for The Australian and has written more than half a dozen thick books, many of which are novels. He was born in South Africa and lives in Australia.

I am in awe of the writing and the story in this novel. It is autobiographical, as is often the case of a first novel. I attended a writers' workshop with Bryce, finding him an extraordinary speaker. The gift I received from that workshop was his message to write about "big" characters with a lot to gain and a lot to lose.

This is my recommendation for the book of the month of December in the DailyAffirm transformational processes, the theme of Mastery.

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Kingsolver, Barabara. The Poisonwood Bible. New York: Harperperennial Library, 1999.

The Poisonwood Bible is a compelling and suspenseful epic of one family's tragic undoing and remarkable reconstruction over the course of three decades in postcolonial Africa. The novel is set against one of the most dramatic political chronicles of the twentieth century: the Congo's fight for independence from Belgium, the murder of its first elected prime minister, and other insidious plans and circumstances to rob the fledgling African nation of its autonomy.

This is a magnificently written, impeccably researched novel. It was runner-up for the Pulitzer Prize, so it is acclaimed on many levels. This ambitious novel establishes Kingsolver as one of the most thoughtful and daring of modern writers.

Kingsolver deals with grand principles and allows her characters to tell many different stories through their own points of view. This is not a novel for the faint-hearted. It touches many issues in ways that are likely to impact the reader deeply and for a long period of time.

This is my recommendation for the book of the month of November in the DailyAffirm transformational processes, the theme of Surrender.

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Lewis, C.S. The Chronicles of Narnia. New York: Harpercollins, 1994.

The Chronicles of Narnia is a treasure of seven small books, richly told, written for children. In these books, C.S. Lewis speaks to children, yet he never speaks down to them. He respects and loves his readers and the characters in his stories. It is magnificent literature about Narnia, a place of enchantment and hope.

Lewis dedicated the first book he wrote in the series to his goddaughter, Lucy. I quote a portion of the dedication to give you a flavor of his tenderness, "I wrote this story for you, but when I began it I had not realized that girls grow quicker than books. As a result you are already too old for fairy tales, and by the time it is printed and bound you will be older still. But some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again....." I know many persons who discovered The Chronicles as children who return again and again to reading them. (I have only discovered them as an adult.)

I've heard different opinions about the order in which to read the books: chronologically or in the order of writing and original publication. I think that the best order to read them is one at a time. So, just as in other parts of life: start where you are, move where you are guided, and trust that you are always in the right place. (Please note, it is the book series I am recommending, not the movie.)

This is my recommendation for the book of the month of January in the DailyAffirm transformational processes, the theme of Hope.

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Marcus, Julia. Dared and Done: The Marriage of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning. New York: Knopf, 1995.

When I was reading poetry in high school and college years, I had an impression of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning that is different from the one revealed in this book. I am pleased to have my illusions and misconceptions corrected to learn the truth about this famous courtship and loving marriage. It is a joy to read how love triumphs over the things in life that so often get in the way of true love.

In this well-researched book, you learn about the growing-up days of Elizabeth Barrett, the oldest of twelve children of a domineering father. She became an internationally renowned poet in spite of being challenged by physical illnesses. She lived as a recluse for 39 years before meeting Robert Browning, a well-known poet and playwright. He initially knew her — and fell in love with her — only through her poetry.

Markus' engaging writing tells the story of this famous ninetheenth century couple with astute awareness of the culture in which they lived, weaving details of the social mores and political setting into their personal and professional development. It is a saga of true love, a marriage of body, mind, and spirit.

This is my recommendation for the book of the month of February in the DailyAffirm transformational processes, the theme of Love.