Over the years, I've read all of May Sarton's journals, my favorite being The House by the Sea. I love how her insightful, meandering thoughts about aOver the years, I've read all of May Sarton's journals, my favorite being The House by the Sea. I love how her insightful, meandering thoughts about aging, creative life, muses, solitude, rural life, and animals. This short novel--the first fiction by her I've read--incorporates all of that, from the point of view of a male poet protagonist who I couldn't help but read as her. This dear, simple novel is a delight....more
Talk about making (bitter & hilarious) lemonade from lemons that may be the wrong shade of yellow!
Even though Leigh is very self-deprecating in this bTalk about making (bitter & hilarious) lemonade from lemons that may be the wrong shade of yellow!
Even though Leigh is very self-deprecating in this book about bicycling across Europe to find her dream life in Greece, she's clearly a brave and inventive soul. ...more
I'm very interested in the time period, and the action kept me turning the pages. Wished the writing had more nuance. The use of present tense niggledI'm very interested in the time period, and the action kept me turning the pages. Wished the writing had more nuance. The use of present tense niggled me. Past tense holds so much more depth and texture....more
I liked the depiction of the early 1960s and thought that much of Faulks' writing was exquisite. Some of it felt a bit melodramatic. I liked the depiction of the early 1960s and thought that much of Faulks' writing was exquisite. Some of it felt a bit melodramatic. ...more
This suspenseful tale is studded with quirky characters and set in a lushly-imagined world. Readers will root for Eleanor as she seeks to untangle theThis suspenseful tale is studded with quirky characters and set in a lushly-imagined world. Readers will root for Eleanor as she seeks to untangle the mysterious disappearance of her best friend. And at the heart of this book beats a crucial issue that deserves our attention: the inhumane treatment of wild horses. I also enjoyed her other novel, Beet Fields....more
I enjoyed the TV series (I mean, c'mon, Laura Linney & Olympia Dukakis!) so when I found this in a free pile in Todos Santos, I grabbed it. Unusual, aI enjoyed the TV series (I mean, c'mon, Laura Linney & Olympia Dukakis!) so when I found this in a free pile in Todos Santos, I grabbed it. Unusual, actually, for me to have watched the film and never read the book.
I liked nestling into 1970s San Francisco queer nostalgia and Maupin's wacky humor. Adaptation to film seemed like a no-brainer since there's so much dialogue. In fact, I craved more narration and description. But overall, I enjoyed it and would like to read the sequels....more
I would have given this 5+ stars if I'd read it as a teenager. It reads like very well-done YA. My favorite parts had to do with getting into the charI would have given this 5+ stars if I'd read it as a teenager. It reads like very well-done YA. My favorite parts had to do with getting into the characters' creative minds. I have no interest in video games, though, so that was a bit of a setback for me....more
I enjoyed the links between his exploration of physics (to the extent I could understand them) and NDEs--and the fact of why we're alive and why we diI enjoyed the links between his exploration of physics (to the extent I could understand them) and NDEs--and the fact of why we're alive and why we die is such a mystery to science. I found it fascinating that Junger, who has no spiritual beliefs, was dumbfounded when on death's door that his dead father (a physicist and atheist) appeared in the ER. And also that he was so frightened. I'd personally find that soothing. But that's the rub: there's a lot of fear of death in this book. Ironic, given that Junger has almost died many times in his life during extreme activities (such as surfing and being in war zones).
I've read a lot about NDEs and at times felt like that part could have gone more into depth--such as, if one believes NDEs are a trick of the mind during crisis, how do you explain the fact that people experiencing them can explain what happened in another place while "dead"? He acknowledged that but left it behind.
I was just starting to get into the book in a deep way when I turned the page...and it was done. That's my problem with Kindle; I can't sense the length of a book. When I looked it up, I discovered this book is about half the length of Junger's famous "The Perfect Storm." I wanted more....more
I knew very little about Morocco as a "Spanish protectorate" in the 1930s--or about Spain and Portugal's political maneuverings during and after the SI knew very little about Morocco as a "Spanish protectorate" in the 1930s--or about Spain and Portugal's political maneuverings during and after the Spanish Civil War and as the Nazi party grew. I love big fat books. At 600 pages, this is a juicy historical novel and bildungsroman featuring a young woman who gets involved in intense intrigue. I especially liked reading about areas I will be traveling to later this year....more
This inspiring book is half memoir, half how-to-nomad/longtime-travel.
I enjoyed both parts because it was fun to read about places I've also experienThis inspiring book is half memoir, half how-to-nomad/longtime-travel.
I enjoyed both parts because it was fun to read about places I've also experienced and written about--and she got me intrigued by places I haven't been.
Beyond that, in the memoir portion, Chris opens up about the emotional struggle this lifestyle exacted on her. The vulnerability of that part of the book moved me, and I think it will help many people.
The second half of the book offers a treasure trove of resources. I'm blown away by how organized and resourceful she and Steve are--and also how much life they've lived in a mere few years of nomadic living....more
I loved ALL MY PUNY SORROWS and thus was thrilled to find another Toews book in the Todos Santos Little Free Library. There were sparks that carried mI loved ALL MY PUNY SORROWS and thus was thrilled to find another Toews book in the Todos Santos Little Free Library. There were sparks that carried me past page 100, but for the most part, not my cup of tea mainly due to the writing style. I'll give another of her books a try down the line....more
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