Hornby devotes a few paragraphs to the topic of creativity and avoiding procrastination and perfection. I'd have liked him to talk about this at lengtHornby devotes a few paragraphs to the topic of creativity and avoiding procrastination and perfection. I'd have liked him to talk about this at length, but he does link it to both Dickens and Prince....more
This time Isabel tackles the problems of a book club ... very thoughtful. She also has to deal with her niece, Cat, and her nemeses Lettuce and Dove, This time Isabel tackles the problems of a book club ... very thoughtful. She also has to deal with her niece, Cat, and her nemeses Lettuce and Dove, of course! The boys are growing up, Brother Fox pays a personal visit and Jamie has an ethical dilemma of his own ... I believe for the first time! As always McCall Smith utilizes Isabel for his most considerate thinking to issues including immigration. Well done!...more
This is a truly sad exploration of the tragedy of a wild fire in Montana in 1949. Although unfinished when the author died it was carefully edited forThis is a truly sad exploration of the tragedy of a wild fire in Montana in 1949. Although unfinished when the author died it was carefully edited for publication. Maclean and others did tireless research 30 years after the fire, to try to document the causes of the deaths of the 14 smoke jumpers and the trajectory of the fire; not an easy task to piece together after so many years had passed. Much newer fire science was brought to bear on the analysis as well....more
Crystalline writing, so vivid I could see it in my mind. The last chapter was evocative of loss and very poignant. I look forward to reading more of hCrystalline writing, so vivid I could see it in my mind. The last chapter was evocative of loss and very poignant. I look forward to reading more of his work....more
The author clearly understands and communicates the history and difficulty women faced entering medicine, accessing education, taking qualifying examsThe author clearly understands and communicates the history and difficulty women faced entering medicine, accessing education, taking qualifying exams, registering to practice, establishing women's medical schools and private practices. She considers the United States, Great Britain and Europe which gives a broader picture. Some of the language is a bit more contemporary, and startling, than I would have enjoyed while learning this history. ...more
An any-season delight! So artfully told, the writing conjured vivid images in my imagination. This book transported me to another time, place and peopAn any-season delight! So artfully told, the writing conjured vivid images in my imagination. This book transported me to another time, place and people. A little uneven in the transitions between the major events; during the last quarter of the book I wondered how it would end. A satisfying and thoughtful conclusion, allowing me to ponder the history of colonization of the sub-continent and the long period of subjugation, ushering in turmoil even to this day....more
Yes, this is billed as a novel, however, when an author takes the life of an historical person and imagines events and feelings that never happened toYes, this is billed as a novel, however, when an author takes the life of an historical person and imagines events and feelings that never happened to that person, the book becomes concocted and has the power to mislead readers. I slogged through listening to this book because I wanted to know Ann Morrow Lindbergh but I would have been better off reading a biography. I was duped into thinking this quasi-romance novel had more truth to it than it did. It was told from the vantage point of Ann in her later years, thus a reader was chosen whose voice was grating and extremely slow. I had hoped for so much more....more
I wonder what would make an author submerge herself in so much trauma and negativity? Yes, there are families like these but I'm not eager to read aboI wonder what would make an author submerge herself in so much trauma and negativity? Yes, there are families like these but I'm not eager to read about them. I got about 1/3 of the way in and stopped. It was a book club selection....more
This has been an excellent read aloud with my husband. Approaching 75 this year I'm wondering about all the changes ahead. So far I've maintained my pThis has been an excellent read aloud with my husband. Approaching 75 this year I'm wondering about all the changes ahead. So far I've maintained my physical body, vitality and abilities. But ... as Henk lets us know that doesn't last forever. There's frankness, tenderness, current events and so much more rolled into this novel. ...more
Bravo Stamper! This book is like a magnificent five-course meal, oh so satisfying! It made me want to go out and buy a new dictionary right away to reBravo Stamper! This book is like a magnificent five-course meal, oh so satisfying! It made me want to go out and buy a new dictionary right away to replace, or add to, my 1976 dictionary, which was a wedding present! What? Who asks for a dictionary (and an atlas) for a wedding gift? Well, back in 1976 we did and we still have both of them ... on the shelf. No, Kory, I'm not using mine as a door stop! Time for an update to my dictionary, but I'm not one to subscribe online. Nope, not for me. I want the thin rustling paper and fragrance of words between hard covers, big, heavy but perhaps now with a magnifying glass for that 4-point type! ...more
It is very rare for me to stop reading a book but this one was too painful for me to continue. It contains explicit and graphic historical violence. IIt is very rare for me to stop reading a book but this one was too painful for me to continue. It contains explicit and graphic historical violence. I hope the author, through writing this memoir, has touched the heart of her trauma and healed from it as much as possible....more
Parr rolls fun, adventure and thoughtfulness into one engaging story of two friends. A lovely tale of growing up, navigating friendships, school, soccParr rolls fun, adventure and thoughtfulness into one engaging story of two friends. A lovely tale of growing up, navigating friendships, school, soccer, family and hope. Set in Norway it gives fresh perspective on the preteen years....more
Writing any kind of review would not do justice to this wondrous book. It is stunning, illuminating and informative. While I have listened to it in itWriting any kind of review would not do justice to this wondrous book. It is stunning, illuminating and informative. While I have listened to it in its entirety I am also reading it very slowly for a three-chapter, every-other-week meeting with a dear friend to discuss it. It is a book to cherish. This is a quote I will long remember:
"Gradually, as their eyes adjusted, the ink-black coat of night revealed jewels embroidered in the cloth. Then, after more time, the lesser stars appeared, like shy children peering around the cloaks of their parents."
This type of beauty and poetry abounds throughout the book....more
A book club selection which had the group staying overtime to talk about all the relevant topics written about in it and in our lives. It kept my inteA book club selection which had the group staying overtime to talk about all the relevant topics written about in it and in our lives. It kept my interest from the beginning until the end and was much funnier read aloud to my hubby. Since it follows a diary format, and Hendrik Groen did not miss writing about a single day, it is a bit long. We've now decided to read the first book. ...more
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