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In the Business section she writes about new models of businesses that are ‘going green’ in companies such as the outdoor clothing company Patagonia, based in California. They believe they owe the earth for the industrial impact of business and consequently give away 10% of all profits and are very conscientious about what products they use because the textile industry is one of the most chemically intensive industries on earth, second only to agriculture. Having loved "Sane New World" and "A mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled" I had high hopes for this new book by Ruby Wax. I admire the straight-talking, comedic, yet somehow serious way in which Ms Wax's message is delivered. In both previous books that message landed so well and I could relate. This book shines a light on the hope we all need right now. There are people and communities and business’s working to make sure the future isn’t all doom and gloom. I’m very glad Wax took the time to write this for us all.
And Now For The Good News... :To the Future with Love by Ruby Wax looks at different things like education and food to see what the good thigns are that are coming, or are here already, just not in a big way, yet. Ruby Wax arrived in Britain in 1977 to pursue an acting career. She says "I really could never find my niche. I was a terrible actress, I couldn't sing, I couldn't do characters, I couldn't do an English accent and I lived in England, so I was narrowing it down". The final section of the book is called ‘To the Future with Love’ in which she summarises the good news for each of the topics covered in her book. Her hope is that we will remember the’ feelings of interconnnectedness and caring for each other and … keep them going’ when the pandemic is over. I think my favorite chapter was on businesses making a difference because it was nice to see familiar brand names taking part in environmental schemes. It basically gives you the green light to treat yourself to more Ben and Jerry's ice cream. A true tour de force. We're all a little messed up in our own ways, but we should all strive to be as fabulously fearless as Ruby.' - Fearne CottonRuby Wax is public about her struggles with mental health, and so has been writing books to help others, and started Frazzled Cafes , which during Covid-19 is hosting online support meetings, and pre Covid-19 hosted in person meetings. Maybe it will again. Ruby Wax compares the difference between schooling in China and Finland, such as in China where mental health issues bring shame to familes, versus in Finland where they discuss how stories make them feel and why people do things.
She has spent the last three years speaking to the inspiring people who are spearheading the latest innovation and influencing a brighter future for humanity. From the communities being designed to eradicate loneliness and the companies putting their employees' happiness first, to the AI technology teaching children with learning difficulties and taking literacy to levels higher than ever before. Ruby Wax began writing it in 2018 before the outbreak of Covid-19, but ends the book with some ‘Post Covid-19 Good News.’ Whilst researching for her book she found what she calls ‘green shoots of hope peeping through the soil of civilisation’ that ‘may just bloom into a brighter future.’ It’s easy reading, written clearly in a breezy conversational style, covering a large amount of information. She emphasises the importance of compassion and kindness, of community and on working for the good of all. Maybe, above all she focuses on the benefits of mindfulness and on positive experiences. Overall, there is serious food for thought in the message she gives here, it’s well written and very accessible and extremely thoughtful. Just a final thought about good news - remember how fantastic it felt as a nation during the 2012 Olympics???? And Now for the Good News" feels like it should deliver much more of the same, perhaps with an even more positive and transformative slant. The cover shouts positivity and I was heartily looking forward to diving in, particularly in the current, less than positive, climate, and seeing where the book was to take me.Ruby's here to show you that behind the clouds, the sun still shines. So, do you want the good news? Also I'm not sure who is the target audience of the book, some parts read very light and even over explained, that made me think this is for the older generation who lost touch with technology and aren't informed. But having so much I formation delivered in a speedy way, made think it was for YA as they can take all of that in without many problems. I adored interviewing Ruby: she has such a fizzing, uniquely vibrant and clever way of thinking about things. And I've wanted her on the podcast for ages because she does such important work' - Elizabeth Day
I began the book trying to find meaning by going on various, life-changing journeys, I ended up in a mental clinic; obviously things didn't work out the way I expected. This is the story of what happened after the mental car crash . . . From then on, the journey had to turn inward. It turns out I wasn't looking for meaning, I was looking for home. I found the book sobering, joyous and hopeful. There is a lot of food for thought in there and a lot of useful info about inspiring initiatives and resources. These include Ruby’s own Frazzled Cafe to help people who are finding life hard to cope with, i.e. most of us at some point in our lives - and especially so over the last few years. These days she promotes understanding of the brain and campaigns for greater mental health awareness and destigmatisation. The world may feel like a scarier place than ever and 2020 has definitely been a year we can collectively write off, but Wax also reminds us in her straight-shooting and humorous manner that there are still things to be thankful for. In And Now for the Good News Ruby has investigated how recent and new developments in technology, education, business, health, food and social change are turning our world into a better place than it’s ever been. Drawing on brand new research, compelling case studies and exercises to reframe your thinking, this is your guide to embrace change. I think, if you have a general interest in how the world is or needs to become more compassionate and "humanised" then this may be a book that you could dip into to get a few examples of what people are doing now. As a record of social history it will work, not least due to the nods to Covid-19 which hit around the time of publication and resulted in a few "additions" to the text. But, I'm sorry, as an uplifting and relatable read in the same compelling vein of Ms Wax's first two books, this just didn't do it for me.One of the slightly odder things about the book is that it was written pre-pandemic so it doesn't grapple with that at all. However, Wax has added some footnotes and a little bit of an introduction to explain this so it is not a problem - just strange to read the optimism with the hindsight of what has actually happened!
I’ll be eagerly awaiting my printed copy when this is published, there are so many interesting points made here that I would like to bookmark and look into further. These days, trying to stay sane in a completely chaotic world makes life incredibly difficult. For those readers who are deep in the darkness of mental illness, I hope my book makes you feel less alone. She begins with writing about herself and sections about her own story are interspersed between the ‘Bad News’ and the ‘Good News’ throughout the book. In each section she gives a brief history of the topic, along with the story of her own experiences and then looks at examples of how things are improving. Not all of it was new to me, but I did learn a lot, as the book is simply crammed with information. There are some hard truths in Ruby’s book, but you would have to have been a hermit in a cave not to have at least some awareness of the biggest issues. The main take away for me was the emphasis on the interconnectedness and interdependence of all life on earth, basically we’re all in this together whatever our species. Individual action and responsibility really is the key to dealing with issues, regardless of whether they’re local or global, and there are myriad ways for us all to do our bit to help. Ruby Wax wears her heart on her sleeve, from her ongoing dedicated work around mental health and mindfulness to how we can learn to live together and save the planet.
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I really liked how Wax’s voice and sense of humor left their mark on the book. I have previously struggled with non-fiction books being a bit boring, but there are some very funny anecdotes and the facts are kept to the point, interesting and (especially when writing about complex tech developments) easy to understand. The long sentences, long paragraphs, the very little use of comas and full stoped, made me a bit anxious, so I didn't enjoy that at all. The sense of humour got on the way of actual good information, and on top of that, along the book there are witty racist jokes sprinkle around that just made my eyes roll. The style of the book made me think of that one friend you have that is nice and witty that talks for an hour straight and told you the whole childhood story just to say "yes Im ok"
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