If you haven’t heard, we’ve started a Blood:Water book club! Each month, we’ll choose a book that has somehow shaped what we know as an organization, that relates to our work, or that provides inspiration. (We’re also open to suggestions, so if you have a great recommendation, please let us know!) As we read through the book, a different staff member will blog about their thoughts on what we’re reading each week.
Last month, we read “Visions of Vocation” by Steve Garber, and discussed the major theme of one knowing the brokenness of the world and relationships around you, and still responding with love and hope.

Tuesday was World AIDS Day. It is a day set aside annually to raise awareness about HIV and advance the fight against AIDS. In recognition of World AIDS Day, we selected “My Own Country: A Doctor’s Story” by Abraham Verghese for the month of December.

Verghese’s memoir was recommended this month by Blood:Water co-founder, Jena Lee Nardella. “My Own Country: A Doctor’s Story” is a true portrait of the effect of the AIDS epidemic in the American heartland, and one of Jena’s favorite books ever.

Follow along with us as we read, and check out our blog every Tuesday through December for a new post about “My Own Country: A Doctor’s Story.” We will divide the book into four sections:

Section One: Chapters 1-5 (December 8)

Section Two: Chapters 6-11 (December 15)

Section Three: Chapters 12-18 (December 22)

Section Four: Chapters 19-31 (December 29)

Read section one, and check back next week for the first staff reflection!

Happy reading!