I'm torn. The book is clearly written, complete with chapter reviews and charts. Most of what I gleaned, I had heard elsewhere - the two minute rule, I'm torn. The book is clearly written, complete with chapter reviews and charts. Most of what I gleaned, I had heard elsewhere - the two minute rule, habit stacking and habit tracking. I cannot tell if my inertia regarding this book is due to recycled information or my own bad habits or lack of good habits. Aftert all, what's wrong with taking old information and rewriting it. I need repetition, especially lately, in order for ideas to sink in. Perhaps I also need to relfect on my limitations. The two minute rule works for me. I learned it from Leo Babauta on his Zen Habits blog, and Clear teaches how to take it further. I can see myself stacking but not tracking. I find it tedious. For me, a need a read-over. Whether I take that step remains to be seen. I buddy read would motivate me. ...more
No reviews, and it's a day where I feel isolated. I know what to do about that feeling. Feel it. Write. Reach out. It takes a lot of work, and I don'tNo reviews, and it's a day where I feel isolated. I know what to do about that feeling. Feel it. Write. Reach out. It takes a lot of work, and I don't always have it in me. I think I'll bike and pet dogs instead. This book was receommended by my therapist. It's a good resource. On to volume two....more
Culturally important, but structurally weak, review of women in film. Editing and a stronger narrative would have kept this reader enthralled. That saCulturally important, but structurally weak, review of women in film. Editing and a stronger narrative would have kept this reader enthralled. That said, it's a start of a survey of women in film. An important read for young people who could revoloutionize the industry with the assistance of history. I learned quite a bit, but the book dragged. ...more
I listened to the audio book of The Betrayal Bind on Audible for my first time through. Mays' book was recommended by my therapist. It's one of my lifI listened to the audio book of The Betrayal Bind on Audible for my first time through. Mays' book was recommended by my therapist. It's one of my lifelines, keeping me as tethered as I can be when every day is unpredictable. My second time through, I'll listen while I read and take notes. ...more
I found this gem in a neighborhood Little Free Library. I've seen the film a few times and, embarassingly, didn't realize it was based on a book. KosiI found this gem in a neighborhood Little Free Library. I've seen the film a few times and, embarassingly, didn't realize it was based on a book. Kosiński's clever satirical novel shows how humans project what they want to see in a person, made easier when that person has escaped society's definition by papers and numbers. Chance/Chauncey Gardiner has learned everything he knows from television and gardening. His simple philosophy takes on larger meaning to his followers. Incredible book! ...more
Three stars for Chopin's circa 1898 ass-kicking feminism and rejection of the patriarchy's control over women. We could use Chopin today, as we continThree stars for Chopin's circa 1898 ass-kicking feminism and rejection of the patriarchy's control over women. We could use Chopin today, as we continue to work toward true equality amongst all sexes. This book is not just about sexuality. That is a drop in the bucket. It's about free will, as far as we can take it. Chopin loses two stars for blatant racism....more
I found this gem in a Little Free Library. Can you believe it!? Cottrell pens an excellent review of de Beauvoir's life and work. Love the book, SimonI found this gem in a Little Free Library. Can you believe it!? Cottrell pens an excellent review of de Beauvoir's life and work. Love the book, Simone de Beauvoir, not so much. The more a read about her, the less I like her. I digress. Cottrell's Modern Literature Monograph provides a just analysis of de Beauvoir's writing and philosophy. I learned much about this prominent historical figure. Bravo!...more
I ran out of time to browse a local bookstore for holiday gifts. The reason? Sadly, my brother died. I lost all track of time.
I was set with vinyl (mI ran out of time to browse a local bookstore for holiday gifts. The reason? Sadly, my brother died. I lost all track of time.
I was set with vinyl (music!), having gone to my favorite local venue for albums. BUT - - Books must not be missing from the gift bundle! Letting go of my romantic vision of strolling the aisles and touching all the books, I had a hurried peruse online. I purchased this as a last minute holiday gift for my daughter. She read it, passed it to me, and said, "Here, I finished this if you want to read it. It was pretty good."
Through the Woods is cool. For us, it missed the mark - by a few years for my daughter and many for me. There were bits I enjoyed. Realisitically, I am not the target audience. My brain can't seem to appreciate art and text, simultaneously. I imagine some of these stories could be fleshed out a bit and make a damn good Twilight Zone episode I'm dating myself. Allow me to balance the scale with a progressive comment. It would be extra cool if a female character or two or three could kick some a** and create the creep, concurrently. I'd be so on board with that....more
I'm biased before I begin. I like Abby Wambach. Close friends who knew, gave me this book. I added it to Audible to hear Abby read her memoir. At one I'm biased before I begin. I like Abby Wambach. Close friends who knew, gave me this book. I added it to Audible to hear Abby read her memoir. At one point, I stopped and googled, "Did Abby Wambach write Forward?" It's not that I don't think she could. I was just curious. Listening to her read, the text rolled on smoothly. Good writing, I thought. Later, I read a few reviews slamming Wambach's writing. I picked up the book and sat down to follow. I determined that her voice and presentation probably brought the experience up a notch or two or three or.... Still, I thought the writing was satisfying - clear, honest, easy to follow and understand - with good story-telling. Did I tell you that I like Abby Wambach? Oh yeah, I do. ...more
I found this book in a Little Free Library. At the outset, I imagined The Stone-Faced Boy being made into a horror film. The details elude me. Only a I found this book in a Little Free Library. At the outset, I imagined The Stone-Faced Boy being made into a horror film. The details elude me. Only a faint recollection through feeling remains, perfectly subtle - a slow creeping sensation of alienation and doom (terror?). This subsided, as the focus was more on action and other detail.
It occurred to me that every reading of a book is different, even for the same person, as the reading is intertwined with whatever your experience is at the point of review. I was experiencing collapse and upheaval during this read. It's still here.
I don't find the book's characters all that unusual, even though I don't know a family like them. Siblings commonly treat each other caustically, or so I have heard. I do wonder what caused the protagonist to choose a lack outward expression. Self-protection was the reason, I suppose. His younger sister was a bright light, my kind of human (an animal/dog lover!).
I was pleased with some descriptive bits, mostly the protagonist's thoughts, such as this: "He had not known there were so many different kinds of silence, nor that silence could be so loud, could ring like a bell as it had on the meadow, or that it could, as it did here, have a kind of roar in it."
And this: "His own voice sounded peculiar, as though it were melting away like an ice cube in the sink."
And this: "Gus felt a wild flare-up of words in his head, but they staggered and stuttered and then fell into fragments."
And this: "Gus felt, rather than saw, a change in the light. It was very slight, but it was there. Althought the clumps of trees and shed and stone walls still made dense shadows, there was a kind of greyness in the air as though the black had been diluted.... Looking ahead, Gus could make out the windows of home, the horizontal sides of the clapboard siding and the drain pipe which outlined the roof. The night was slipping away, leaving behind it the familiar, ordinary daytime things."
My favorite moment was when, upon sipping (receiving?) her tea, the old infirm woman Gus met, said, "What a treat."
This is a choppy disjointed review, but a review nonetheless. The Stoned-Faced Boy will be placed in another Free Little Library for a child to discover. What a treat. ...more
This is a brilliant book. If I took the time, I would find it valuable to relisten to one of these essays each day. I could see starting a discussion This is a brilliant book. If I took the time, I would find it valuable to relisten to one of these essays each day. I could see starting a discussion with friends around this book. I was moved, emotionally, and sparked, intellectually.
I wouldn't be surpised if people who are not complete Glennon Doyle fans, find themsleves increasinbgly annoyed with her. I am on the opposite trajectory. I used to be irked by Doyle more frequently. Now I think she is an effing (Can we write swear words here? I like to be spot on with my expletives.) genius! She is a damn good writer too. ...more
Often my expectations (e.g. regarding marriage) and experience are radically different from Doyle's. Our disparities make her appealling and engaging.Often my expectations (e.g. regarding marriage) and experience are radically different from Doyle's. Our disparities make her appealling and engaging. I almost always learn something new. Yes, sometimes I roll my eyes and laugh. More often than not, my mind is opened, and I feel more receptive and flexible.
Love Warrior is so f-ing good. Doyle writes well and captures what is is like to be human. This book has been on my radar forever, and a friend recommended I read it now, as my current life experience is woven intimately into the fibers of Love Warrior's pages. Presently, it's our similarities that compliment our dissimilarities. If I am completely honest, at this point in time, her podcast and books are my lifelines, along with dogs. I love dogs....more
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