I don't often wax lyrical about the Book of the Month - I usually figure it's enough to add it to these pages and you'll realise it's one of the best.

But this month I've literally been reduced to tears reading Hard Rain by Mark Edwards and Lloyd Timberlake, a photographic exploration of the state of the world and its peoples illustrating Bob Dylan's prophetic lyrics. And I'm sitting here shaking with emotion after just skimming through it and I have to say something more about this book than 'This is Great. Read it.' … If there's ever been a book that everyone should read this is it. If you've a soul it'll touch it. If you've a sensitive soul Hard Rain will tear it apart.

And it’s a hard, it’s a hard
it’s a hard, it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall.

I know this stuff; I've known it for years; it's what this tiny, environmental bookshop is all about - raising awareness and inspiring and empowering individuals to follow a path of sustainability. But the knowledge that we need to change and what we need to do to bring about that change has been around for donkeys years and how many people care? Who's taking this on board? I can't even begin to describe how distressed this book leaves me. A combination of horror at the injustices of the world, the destruction, poverty, hardships; despair that nothing seems to be changing; and, an urgent need to do something. And the most immediate thing I can think of is to tell as many people as possible about this book. And desperately hope that they will feel even a fraction of what I'm feeling and be inspired to do something themselves. Something more. Something Real.

I’ve walked and I’ve crawled on six crooked highways

The core of the book consists of Dylan's lyrics illustrated by Edward's evocative photographic depiction of the effects of climate change. That's the part that'll tear at your guts. But text by Edwards and Timberlake supports this emotive journey with facts and figures about climate change and policies and strategies that have not been forthcoming by those who're in a position to implement them. And Edwards offers simple, straightforward things everyone can do right now, from buying low energy light bulbs (How difficult is that? Why does anyone have to be told to do that?) to life-changing development work. In this way Edwards offers some hope. And he offers inspiration - a copy of Hard Rain was sent to world leaders before its release to the public and the accompanying letter is included in the appendices:

"Our book is an appeal to you, and an appeal to readers to get in touch with you and ask for your attention, for you to demonstrate the responsibility you promise when you ask for our votes or support."

Complete with a listing of organisations, websites, books and journals Hard Rain is not only distressing and provocative but also an excellent source of information and inspiration.