This page is all about books. Since I’ve been reading a lot more (especially novels, which I used to completely avoid, due to having read too many of my mother’s romance novels as a bored teen/young adult) in the past few years, I decided to write little reviews, or more like, my impressions of books I read. I add links to Amazon to buy them, but if you are not a fan, they sell most of them elsewhere.
Recently, I started giving them star ratings, with 5 start being the best. I wish the stars showed up on this page in all browsers, but, you take what you can get with free widgets.
You’ll notice that I tend to not read books I don’t have a chance of liking
Suggestions for new books are welcome!
Book Report: Whole Heart, Whole Horse
Here’s a short book report, since I talked about this book in a recent post already. Whole Heart, Whole Horse: Building Trust Between Horse and Rider, by Mark Rashid (2009, 2014) is another book that helps you put a finger on what’s going right and what’s going wrong with your relationship to your horse. And … Continue reading “Book Report: Whole Heart, Whole Horse”
How Nature Deals with Trauma
You may remember that a couple of days ago we were surprised by a fire alarm in the building where we are staying, right in the middle of important meetings I was supposed to be holding. Going down all those stairs, then trying to train people in software from an overly sunny condo balcony was … Continue reading “How Nature Deals with Trauma”
Book Report: Horses Never Lie
I read another horse book on my way to South Carolina, Horses Never Lie, by Mark Rashid (2011) (Sara tells me it’s pronounces Rash-idd). It’s the kind of book I enjoy reading, with lots of stories used to make the point, rather than a lot of pontificating and such. It also backs up my gut … Continue reading “Book Report: Horses Never Lie”
Horses Can Learn by Observation
For the five of you who read my review of Horse Brain, Human Brain from this morning, you might find what happened this afternoon really interesting. The author of that book, Janet Jones, claimed that horses can learn from observing other horses. She shared that she’d seen horses learn to open gates and do ground … Continue reading “Horses Can Learn by Observation”
Book Report: Horse Brain, Human Brain
There haven’t been many book reports lately, thanks to all that knitting of baby blankets I’ve been doing in my off times. But I did manage to get through Horse Brain, Human Brain, by Janet L. Jones, and I’m glad I did. Anyone who rides, trains, or just loves horses will want to read this … Continue reading “Book Report: Horse Brain, Human Brain”
Book Report: Phosphorescence
My husband, Lee, heard some people talking about this book on one of his podcasts, so he ordered it for me as a Christmas present. He said it just sounded like something I’d enjoy, and he was right! I’m so glad to have come across Phosphorescence: A Memoir of Finding Joy When Your World Goes … Continue reading “Book Report: Phosphorescence”
Book Report: Oh, William!
Another Elizabeth Strout book is now under my belt. I started it a while ago, then a few other things pushed their way into the queue. I was also savoring it. I do love to read the words of the fictional Lucy Barton, and that’s what all of Oh, William! is. Elizabeth Strout could make … Continue reading “Book Report: Oh, William!”
Book Report: Atlas of the Heart
Here’s the review of Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience, by Brené Brown (2021) that I promised recently. I think I am growing tired of self-help books or something, because this one didn’t impress me as much as some others I’ve read. There were good parts to this … Continue reading “Book Report: Atlas of the Heart”
Book Report: The Lincoln Highway (or a Fine Way to Spend a Couple of Days Off)
It’s been a while since I did a book report, but no, it’s not because it took me that long to read The Lincoln Highway, by Amor Towles (2021). I spent the last number of weeks knitting and reading magazines (and I admit, not reading very much of Oh, William, by Elizabeth Stroud, to savor … Continue reading “Book Report: The Lincoln Highway (or a Fine Way to Spend a Couple of Days Off)”
Book Report: A Year in Provence
This is certainly not the kind of book I usually read, but it’s what the Bobcat neighborhood book club chose, and I want to stay in the book club, so I read it. As many of you who read this book years ago already know, A Year in Provence, by Peter Mayle, came out in … Continue reading “Book Report: A Year in Provence”
Book Report: Anything Is Possible
Here’s one more Elizabeth Strout book. This is not exactly a sequel, but it builds upon the events and actors in My Name Is Lucy Barton. Anything Is Possible impressed me, because it has the same people in it, but is a completely different type of book than the book about Lucy. Here, you hear … Continue reading “Book Report: Anything Is Possible”
Book Report: My Name is Lucy Barton
I’ve been knitting a lot in my spare time, but I need a break sometimes. Good thing I brought a bunch of books with me to Colorado. At least three of them are books by Elizabeth Strout, who wrote the Olive Kitteridge books I enjoyed so much. The first one I read is My Name … Continue reading “Book Report: My Name is Lucy Barton”
Book Report: The Heartbeat of Trees
Yes, indeed, I read another tree book. In fact, I read another tree book by one of my favorite tree-hugging authors, Germany’s Peter Wohlleben. This one, The Heartbeat of Trees: Embracing Our Ancient Bond with Forests and Nature (2021), is the English translation of his latest book from 2019. It’s theme is that we are … Continue reading “Book Report: The Heartbeat of Trees”
Book Report: Fuzz
After the last book I read, I needed something a little more light-hearted to entertain me. I’d been hearing good things about Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law, by Mary Roach, so I chose it from the “Books to Read” stack in my office. At least I knew I’d enjoy holding it, because the fake … Continue reading “Book Report: Fuzz”
Book Report: Coffeeland
I managed to get through this very dense book by taking breaks for light-hearted magazine reading every couple of days. Coffeeland: One Man’s Dark Empire and the Making of Our Favorite Drug, by Augustine Sedgewick (1920-21). It’s the second of the books I decided to read after they were referred to in This Is Your … Continue reading “Book Report: Coffeeland”
Book Report: Olive Again
I didn’t think I’d love the writing in a book as much as I loved Olive Kitteridge, but here I am, prepared to gush over Olive Again, by Elizabeth Strout, the woman of the bestest words ever. I keep reading paragraphs over and over, just marveling at how Strout manages to capture the inner lives … Continue reading “Book Report: Olive Again”
Book Report: A History of the World in 6 Glasses
You know a book is good when you start repeating things you learn in it to everyone you talk to. This one, A History of the World in 6 Glasses, by Tom Standage (2006), is one of those books, all right. I never would have even heard of it, but it was referred to in … Continue reading “Book Report: A History of the World in 6 Glasses”
Book Report: Olive Kitteridge
A friend recommended I read the books by Elizabeth Strout on Olive Kitteridge, because I said I was interested in good character development. I ordered them, and just finished Olive Kitteridge. It’s a quiet masterpiece. The book is a series of short stories, sort of, though the same people in a small Maine town appear … Continue reading “Book Report: Olive Kitteridge”
Book Report: This Is Your Mind on Plants
Oh, that Michael Pollan. He’s gonna convert us all to lovers of mind-enhancing substances, I think. His latest offering on this topic, This Is Your Mind on Plants (2021), makes me want to run out and try peyote, so it’s lucky that I am too white to get ahold of it (as you find out … Continue reading “Book Report: This Is Your Mind on Plants”
Book Report: Before We Were Yours
I’ve been hearing about this book for a long time and just hadn’t gotten around to reading it yet. So, when it was suggested for the September neighborhood book club book, I was fine with it. Before We Were Yours, by Lisa Wingate, was very popular when it was published in 2017, and many of … Continue reading “Book Report: Before We Were Yours”
Book Report: A Girl Is a Body of Water
I was sort of sad to finish my latest relaxation read, A Girl Is a Body of Water, by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, because I sure was enjoying my education in the culture, food, and clothing of Uganda. Basically, all I knew about Uganda before was Idi Amin, and he certainly isn’t something worth representing an … Continue reading “Book Report: A Girl Is a Body of Water”
Book Report: The Four Winds
Finally, I was able to read a neighborhood book club book again. The Four Winds, by Kristin Hannah (2021) is set in the 1930s, during the Great Depression and the horrible Dust Bowl times in Texas, Oklahoma, and surrounding states. It’s definitely not a feel-good beach read, though there is plenty of goodness in it. … Continue reading “Book Report: The Four Winds”
Book Report: Green: The History of a Color
This is the fourth book in the series of books by Michel Pastoureau that detail how colors have been perceived and used through European history that I’ve read. It’s convenient that I was reading this along with the Greenlights book, which has all the green print and green pages. I find the color series really … Continue reading “Book Report: Green: The History of a Color”
Book Report: Brood
It’s rained nearly all day again today. The younger folks saw it was going to rain yesterday and took off for the beach, leaving us hermits to fend for ourselves. Lee was handed a bunch of paperwork before Kathleen left, so he had a project. All my original plans for the weekend were outdoor ones, … Continue reading “Book Report: Brood”
Book Report: Greenlights
Did you think I wasn’t reading anymore? Not the case; I’m reading a long-ass book about working equitation and a book in my color series, on green. But, this green-themed book showed up yesterday, so I diverted to read it on a very rare rainy July day. I didn’t jump to read Greenlights, by Matthew … Continue reading “Book Report: Greenlights”
Book Report: Finding the Mother Tree
My excuse for not finishing this one sooner is that I was trying to catch up on magazines, thanks to all the “subtle” hints that I have too many piles of them. I did at least get all the horse and decorating magazines finished, so last night I got myself to the end of Finding … Continue reading “Book Report: Finding the Mother Tree”
Book Report: How Stella Learned to Talk
Oh goodness, what’s not to like? A book about a dog named Stella who’s half American Cattle Dog? A book about language acquisition? A book with scientific evidence to back it up? Nice people to read about? For all the “yes” answers this book provides, I rather raced through How Stella Learned to Talk: The … Continue reading “Book Report: How Stella Learned to Talk”
Book Report: Susan, Linda, Nina and Cokie
With all this extra time at the beach and having mostly run out of things to do that actually appeal to me, I’ve had a lot of reading time. I bought three books on Amazon a few days after we got here, and have already finished two of them. The minute I heard that Susan, … Continue reading “Book Report: Susan, Linda, Nina and Cokie”
Book Report: Yellow, the History of a Color
There’s a reason you haven’t had any book reports in the past week or two, and that’s because it’s taken me a while to get through Yellow, the History of a Color by Michel Pastoureau (2019). This is one in a series of works by this French author, all of which detail how a particular … Continue reading “Book Report: Yellow, the History of a Color”
Book Report: Inclusion
I just finished Inclusion: Diversity, the New Workplace and the Will to Change, a 2016 book by Jennifer Brown of JBC (Jennifer Brown Consulting). I had a kind of odd experience reading it. I’d be all interested in a part, then it would feel repetitious and I’d zone out. That’s unusual for me. There is … Continue reading “Book Report: Inclusion”
Unconscious Bias? Just Ask Marcus Aurelius
My spouse, Lee, has been studying Stoicism for the past year or two. He really enjoys The Daily Stoic podcast, by Ryan Holiday, who happens to be my boss’s best friend. Small world! Who knew? Holiday has a new book of meditations out, with new translations of the Stoics into modern English by Stephen Hanselman. … Continue reading “Unconscious Bias? Just Ask Marcus Aurelius”
The Unpopular Kid at School
That’s who I feel like this morning. We invited a lot of people to join a book club on unconscious bias at work. There are two meetings, one early and one at mid day, so people in different time zones can attend. There were at least ten people who accepted, were tentative, or hoped to … Continue reading “The Unpopular Kid at School”
Book Report: The Nature of Oaks
Admission: I only gave this book 4 stars because I wanted it to be longer. I dwell on every word Doug Tallamy writes, so I selfishly want more of them. The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees is his latest book, and it was only published two days ago. … Continue reading “Book Report: The Nature of Oaks”
Book Report: Everyday Bias
Did you think I was finished with unconscious bias books? You’d be almost right. I just have this one more book to talk about before I move on to books about diversity and inclusion. Totally different, yep. This one’s really good, though, even though it talks about many of the same topics as the previous … Continue reading “Book Report: Everyday Bias”
Book Report: A Short History of the World According to Sheep
I buy most of my books from Amazon, and they, of course, keep track of your buying history. They know I like books on wool, sheep, knitting, and so on, so I got this book, A Short History of the World According to Sheep, by Sally Coulthard (2020), on Amazon’s recommendation. I also thought the … Continue reading “Book Report: A Short History of the World According to Sheep”
Book Report: Blind Spot
Hooray, it’s time for another in my series of reviews of books on unconscious bias. I had to give this one five stars, because I learned so dang much from Blind Spot: Hidden Biases of Good People, by the thoughtful, introspective, and extra-scientific duo Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald (Tony) (2013). I’m not … Continue reading “Book Report: Blind Spot”
Book Report: Biased
It’s time for another in my series of book reports on unconscious bias. This one’s a little different from the previous ones, because it covers mostly just one racial bias, the one against Black people, particularly in the USA. Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do, was written by … Continue reading “Book Report: Biased”
Book Report: Women Talking
Wow. There are so many things to say about this book that I’ll never get them all said! After I read All My Puny Sorrows, I wanted to read more from Miriam Toews, and selected this one, Women Talking, after reading the intriguing reviews. I said All My Puny Sorrows was a jewel of a … Continue reading “Book Report: Women Talking”
Book Report: Augie and Me
I usually don’t do two of these per day, but I’ll be really busy at work next week, so let’s take advantage of the weekend! I spent most of yesterday reading this charming book. Augie & Me: Three Wonder Stories, by R.J. Palacio, is a companion to the beautiful young adult novel, Wonder, that I … Continue reading “Book Report: Augie and Me”
Book Report: A Simple Favor
It’s time to report on all the books I read while I was freezing or had no power. The first one, A Simple Favor, by Darcey Bell, is the next neighborhood book club selection, and was recommended by neighbor Ruth C’s daughter. It says it’s soon to be a major motion picture, and I can … Continue reading “Book Report: A Simple Favor”
Book Report: The Leader’s Guide to Unconscious Bias
At least you get a lot of reading done in bad weather! I zipped through the second of the unconscious bias books I bought to review for work. The Leader’s Guide to Unconscious Bias: How to Reframe Bias, Cultivate Connection, and Create High-Performing Teams, by Pamela Fuller and Mark Murphy with Anne Chow, is from … Continue reading “Book Report: The Leader’s Guide to Unconscious Bias”
Book Report: Sway
When you’ve got to stay in side and try to keep warm, you can read! Yesterday, I finished Sway: Unravelling Unconscious Bias, by Pragya Agarwal. It’s another big ole book with an academic focus, but I learned a lot about all kinds of bias and how it’s formed. The author shared some helpful personal stories … Continue reading “Book Report: Sway”
Late to the BuJo Party
Let’s see if I can get anything written today. I’ve been having technology issues, annoying bill-paying issues, and trouble doing what I set out to do today. Cows are mooing their asses off outside, too. So, I’m hoping a pleasant blogging break will help get me back on track to do some proofreading. Meanwhile, as … Continue reading “Late to the BuJo Party”
Book Report and More: You Are a Badass
Here’s another book I started out hating, so I put it down for a good while. It all worked out for the best though, because I picked it up right when I needed it most. You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, by Jen Sincero proved … Continue reading “Book Report and More: You Are a Badass”
Book Report: Answers in the Form of Questions
I’ve been sitting on this book report for a few days, because there were so many things to write about that I actually had a backlog! So, today let me share about Answers in the Form of Questions: A Definitive History and Insider’s Guide to Jeopardy! by Claire McNear. I wanted to read this book … Continue reading “Book Report: Answers in the Form of Questions”
Book Report: The Fabric of Civilization
How appropriate that I finished this book just as civilization began to unravel where I live. But, here’s a nice post about nothing scary. It’s about The Fabric of Civilization, by Virginia Postrel (2020). From the five stars in my rating, you may infer that I enjoyed this book. Whew, I sure did. This was … Continue reading “Book Report: The Fabric of Civilization”
Book Review: A Place for Everything
There’s one final book review for this year, and it’s a book I always wanted to read: the history of alphabetical order! Be still, my heart! A Place for Everything: The Curious History of Alphabetical Order, by Judith Flanders is a book that begged me to read it. And with its huge index (alphabetized, of … Continue reading “Book Review: A Place for Everything”
Book Report: A Promised Land
If you finish a 700-page book and are still happy with it, you know it was a darned good book. And yes, A Promised Land, by Pres. Barack Obama, was a really fascinating book. That’s saying a lot, because I have mostly been bored to tears by books about presidential politics, international relations, and recent … Continue reading “Book Report: A Promised Land”
Book Report: All My Puny Sorrows
I’m only halfway through the Obama book, but I took a break to read this month’s neighborhood book club selection, so I’d be sure not to totally fail like last month. I’m glad I did, because All My Puny Sorrows, by Miriam Toews (2014) was a beautiful jewel of a book. My poet friend, Kelly, … Continue reading “Book Report: All My Puny Sorrows”
Book Report: A Perfect Shade of Red
Even with all this knitting, I am still reading a lot. This one will not be the last in my color series for a while, because I think there’s a yellow book in the queue at the ranch. But on to this one. A Perfect Shade of Red: Empire, Espionage, and the Quest for the … Continue reading “Book Report: A Perfect Shade of Red”
Book Report: The Warmth of Other Suns
You’d think I would have finished a couple of books by now, since I’ve been mostly alone in Utah for two weeks. But, there has been knitting, and that does take away from reading time. And the book I have been reading is over 600 pages. But, I finished The Warmth of Other Suns: The … Continue reading “Book Report: The Warmth of Other Suns”
Book Report: Fantastic Fungi
Yes, another book report. That’s what happens when you take time off from your usual busy-ness-hood. Today’s book is another really special one that I bought after the Master Naturalist meeting. Fantastic Fungi is a companion to a film I need to see. The book is edited by Paul Stamets, an expert on mushrooms, who … Continue reading “Book Report: Fantastic Fungi”
Book Report: Red—The History of a Color
I talked earlier about how fond I am of the color red and how much I enjoyed the session on cochineal, a red dye, last week. So, naturally, the first of the series of color books by Michel Pastoureau I just got that I’m going to report on is Red: The History of a Color. … Continue reading “Book Report: Red—The History of a Color”
I’m Becoming Irritating
Maybe it’s irritating; maybe it’s righteously indignant; maybe it’s newly awakened evangelism. Whatever it is, I can’t stop talking to all my friends about the Caste book I just read. I keep retelling the parts about the lynching postcards, Hitler’s use of the US as a model in how to de-humanize Jews, and the clear … Continue reading “I’m Becoming Irritating”
Book Report: Fifty Words for Rain
After the emotional turmoil of reading Caste, I wanted something less intense and not about race. Well, the next book I read, Fifty Words for Rain, by Asha Lemmie turned out to be intense and about race, but it also had fun elements, so it was a bit of a break. Here’s how the Amazon … Continue reading “Book Report: Fifty Words for Rain”
Book Report: Caste – The Origins of Our Discontent
Oh my. Here’s a book you probably should read. I guarantee you won’t “enjoy” it, but you may well be a better person for having read it. You know how they say there are things you can’t “un-see?” Well, this book hammers you with things that you won’t be able to “un-read” even if you … Continue reading “Book Report: Caste – The Origins of Our Discontent”
Doug Tallamy: Incredibly Inspiring
Wow. Just wow. My life is now so much better, having heard the amazing Doug Tallamy speak at the Texas Master Naturalist meeting. He’s just about as inspirational as a speaker gets, and I now have my answer when people ask what famous person I’d most like to have dinner with. I could talk to … Continue reading “Doug Tallamy: Incredibly Inspiring”
Books I Will Never Read Again
Are there any books, movies, or other media that you made it through once but just NEVER want to go through again? Last night my sister asked me about the handmaid costume she saw somewhere. I told her about The Handmaid’s Tale book, and that it had been made into a series. I read the … Continue reading “Books I Will Never Read Again”
Book Report: The Trouble with Goats and Sheep
The book I’m talking about today is next month’s topic for the cul-de-sac book club in Austin. The Trouble with Goats and Sheep was Joanna Cannon’s first novel, which came out in 2015. Since I wasn’t reading novels five years ago, I’d never heard of it, but dutifully ordered it when it was decided upon … Continue reading “Book Report: The Trouble with Goats and Sheep”
Book Report: The Overstory
If you know me or have read this blog a few times, you won’t be surprised to learn this, but I’ve always been a tree hugger, and I mean always. My poor mother (happy birthday wherever your spirit is) used to find me as a toddler wandering around the yard talking to the huge oak … Continue reading “Book Report: The Overstory”
Book Review: Liberty
No, this isn’t a book about the second amendment to the US Constitution; it’s a book about Liberty DeVitto. Who’s that? He was Billy Joel’s drummer for the longest time (Billy Joel lyric humor, there). I always really admired the drumming in Billy Joel’s band, because there were always so many creative percussion techniques, but … Continue reading “Book Review: Liberty”
Book Report: Wonder
Even though practically no one reads my book reviews, I have another one already. That’s what you get when you pick up a Young Adult selection; they go fast. Oddly enough, I am not sure where this book came from. Maybe someone loaned it to me? Maybe I bought it that last, wonderful time I … Continue reading “Book Report: Wonder”
Book Report: The Vanishing Half
Been wondering where those book reports went? I had to take some time off while reading The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennet, because at some point, my dislike of almost every character in the book made me not look forward to picking it up again. I was also disappointed that I’d scheduled a trip to … Continue reading “Book Report: The Vanishing Half”
Book Report: How to Be an Antiracist
Have you ever read a book and wanted to start over immediately after finishing it? Have you ever wanted to make everyone you care about read a book? Have you ever wanted to give a book a big hug and thank it? I have. And this is the book: How to Be an Antiracist, by … Continue reading “Book Report: How to Be an Antiracist”
Does Anyone Read Magazines?
The answer is yes, Suna loves magazines. The view from either side of “my” chair at the ranch house will tell you so. I’m worried that they will all go away, though. They get thinner and thinner. Then they go quarterly. Then they’re only online (bye Newsweek). Sometimes I feel like I’m keeping the entire … Continue reading “Does Anyone Read Magazines?”
Book Report: Too Much and Never Enough
Book reports are not the most popular of my blog posts. The one from yesterday got 9 whole hits. But, if I ever need to know what books I was reading starting in 2018, I know where to look! I had a feeling I’d read Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the … Continue reading “Book Report: Too Much and Never Enough”
Book Report: The Madwoman and the Roomba
So, this book, The Madwoman and the Roomba: My Year of Domestic Mayhem, by Sandra Tsing Loh, was this month’s Austin neighborhood book club selection. I think we were all looking forward to a nice, lightweight comedy book to get us through yet another month of being unable to hang out together and hug. Indeed, … Continue reading “Book Report: The Madwoman and the Roomba”
Book Report: The Sacred Enneagram
What follows won’t be my normal book report. I don’t know what it will be, really, because I’m not sure if I’ll be able to adequately explain the profound effect that The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth, by Christopher L. Heuertz has had on me. Anyway, I knew I picked up … Continue reading “Book Report: The Sacred Enneagram”
Book Report: The Hidden Life of Trees
Take a minute to look at things from a long point of view. Reading (or just looking at) this beautiful book lets you leave the now and enter the enduring. I’m so glad we still have trees around to take care of us and the earth long term. I’ve been reading a lot of Peter … Continue reading “Book Report: The Hidden Life of Trees”
What Are Your Core Values?
You just get to pick TWO! I’ve been reading Dare to Lead, a book by my favorite self-help author, Brené Brown (it’s the book I reviewed the horrible workbook for back in March). It was my suggestion for our work book club at Planview. What’s annoying is that I keep leaving the book in Austin, … Continue reading “What Are Your Core Values?”
Book Report: What It’s Like to Be a Bird
What a joy it has been to read What It’s Like to Be a Bird: From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing–What Birds Are Doing and Why, written and illustrated by David Allen Sibley (as I said to Anita, yes, THAT Sibley). The man responsible for the many Sibley field guides has just published this … Continue reading “Book Report: What It’s Like to Be a Bird”
Book Review: The Nature of Texas
A review of a field guide to the nature of Texas, suitable for beginning naturalists
Quick Enneagram Update
As I talked about recently, I have been looking into the Enneagram to see what insights it could give me into how I could function better as a person and interact with others. Two of the types came close to describing me, 2 (helper) and 9 (peacemaker). I eventually decided I was a 9 after … Continue reading “Quick Enneagram Update”
Pampered Chickens? Nah. (Book Report)
I was a little worried that we are pampering the chickens and guineas. For example, I wandered out into the woods today to make more perches and shade for the chickens. And Chris made a new shelf and perch for the guineas. They have really grown since we got them! I feel much better now, … Continue reading “Pampered Chickens? Nah. (Book Report)”
Book Report: The Enneagram of Belonging
A couple of days ago, I mentioned that I was reading a book on the Enneagram and that I’d gotten some helpful insight in it. I had a lot of time last night to read, so I finished The Enneagram of Belonging: A Compassionate Journey of Self-Acceptance, by Christopher L. Heurtz. A Little Background I’ve … Continue reading “Book Report: The Enneagram of Belonging”
Book Review: Unintended Consequences (and why you should write your memoirs)
This is a different type of book review. For one thing, you can’t buy the book anywhere; I was lucky enough to receive a copy from the author. You see, Unintended Consequences, by F. Douglas Martin, is a collection of stories of the life of one of my friends from my old church. He had … Continue reading “Book Review: Unintended Consequences (and why you should write your memoirs)”
Book Report: Bunny Bunny
This book is a follow-up to the memoir of Alan Zweibel that I posted last week. In that book, Zweibel talked about a little book he wrote about his late best friend, Gilda Radner, who died of ovarian cancer at a very young age. He said the whole book was dialog that just came to … Continue reading “Book Report: Bunny Bunny”
Book Report: Leave Only Footprints
Tell ya what, this sheltering in place stuff has really helped me get a lot more books read. Last night I finished the latest of my series of “hot off the presses” books (the next few will be older books). Today’s recommended reading is Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey through Every National Park, by … Continue reading “Book Report: Leave Only Footprints”
Book Report: Laugh Lines
Believe it or not, I don’t spend all my time getting pissy about people’s online behavior. I actually spent much of this weekend laughing aloud, because I read the new memoir, Laugh Lines: My Life Helping Funny People Be Funnier, by the great Alan Zweibel. Who? I didn’t realize I was such a comedy nerd … Continue reading “Book Report: Laugh Lines”
Book Report: Poetry E-book Edition
You may know that I am very fond of books, the physical objects. I like to hold books, feel the paper of the pages, smell that inky new-book smell, etc. But, some books aren’t available physically, including self-published books. I’ve always liked the idea of making one’s work available for friends and family, and don’t … Continue reading “Book Report: Poetry E-book Edition”
Book Report: A Hundred Suns
I gobbled up this novel, which I found via my usual method of discovering books, an interview on NPR (National Public Radio in the US). I figure anything Scott Simon likes, I’ll like. I encourage you to read or listen to the interview about A Hundred Suns, with the author, Karin Tanabe. Tanabe is known … Continue reading “Book Report: A Hundred Suns”
Book Report: Nature’s Best Hope
Do you care about our planet and the life it supports? Then, stop reading this blog post and go order this book: Nature at Its Best: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard, by Douglas W. Tallamy. Consider it an early Earth Day present to yourself and the Earth. Get ready for … Continue reading “Book Report: Nature’s Best Hope”
Book Report: Behave!
It feels like it took me forever to read the 2017 best-selling nonfiction book, Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst, by Robert M. Sapolsky. It’s not that I didn’t find the book absolutely fascinating, because I sure did! It’s just those sneaky book club books and the book about restoring old … Continue reading “Book Report: Behave!”
Book Report: Restoring Your Historic House
I saw a little blurb in This Old House magazine, saying this new book is a “must-read” for anyone restoring an old house. Why, I’m renovating an old house, which is close. So, I ordered two copies, one for me and one for Kathleen, of Restoring Your Historic House: The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners, by … Continue reading “Book Report: Restoring Your Historic House”
Book Report: Stories of Your Life, and Others
Well, we have plenty of time to read books, at least most of us do right now. I had a big backlog of magazines when I got back from vacation, but I finally got around to finishing this month’s book club book, Stories of Your Life, and Others, by Ted Chiang. I am told by … Continue reading “Book Report: Stories of Your Life, and Others”
Book Report: Talking to Strangers
Another book finished, and I’m impressed that I got this one done in less than a week, since I’m also trying to knit some every day now. I bought Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don’t Know, by Malcolm Gladwell, because I really wanted some insight into how to communicate … Continue reading “Book Report: Talking to Strangers”
The Reviews Are In! The Dare to Lead Workbook Stinks!
I just can’t stop laughing, so I have to share. This will be brief. I went to Amazon to write a review of the Dare to Lead workbook I “read” yesterday. Of course, I had to read the other reviews. That started my day off right. There was ONE positive review, and it was written … Continue reading “The Reviews Are In! The Dare to Lead Workbook Stinks!”
What Makes a Professional Editor/Writer Sweat? Unprofessional Editing/Writing
We all make mistakes, right? Well I’m about to admit to making a big mistake. I spent $8.99 on a “book” that is only a book by virtue of having pages, a cover, and some printing. I had good intentions! The work book club is going to read Dare to Lead, by my buddy Brené … Continue reading “What Makes a Professional Editor/Writer Sweat? Unprofessional Editing/Writing”
Book Report: Furious Hours
Oh, hooray! I finally finished a book! I’ve been reading some long ones lately, and it hasn’t helped that I have all those other activities and distractions going on. Speaking of distractions, Cathy J. gave me some fascinating used books and magazines passed along by her daughter. When I sent this photo on to Anita, … Continue reading “Book Report: Furious Hours”
Book Report: Sunnyside Plaza
I haven’t written a book report in a while. Why? I am reading two long books at the same time, which means neither one of them is finished. But, yippee-dippee, I small but significant little book has appeared, and I got so excited about it, that I got it the day it was published: Sunnyside … Continue reading “Book Report: Sunnyside Plaza”
Book Report: Ragtime
Proud of myself, I am, for finishing the latest book in the neighborhood book club series, especially since this is not something I would have picked out for myself. But, the assignment was Ragtime, by E.L. Doctorow, so I read it! As someone interested in history, I did enjoy all the historical references and real … Continue reading “Book Report: Ragtime”
Book Report: Can We, Should We, Be “Happier Now?”
They started a book club at work, where everyone is to read some self help book. Even though I had to miss the first meeting, I have been dutifully reading Happier Now: How to Stop Chasing Perfection and Embrace Everyday Moments (Even the Difficult Ones), by Nataly Kogan. Kogan is a Russian immigrant who founded … Continue reading “Book Report: Can We, Should We, Be “Happier Now?””
Book Report: The Body: A Guide for Occupants
Ooh-wee am I excited to share this book report! I’ve been making myself obnoxious the entire time I’ve been reading it, because I keep telling everyone little tidbits I’ve learned or recommending it with great abandon. I sure liked The Body: A Guide for Occupants, by Bill Bryson. I am a complete sucker for nonfiction … Continue reading “Book Report: The Body: A Guide for Occupants”
Book Report: Unnatural Texas?
Hey from Austin! You didn’t think my holiday was all traipsing through the mosquito fields and staring at the ocean, did you? Of course not. I also read a lot. Admittedly, I read a few magazines, but I got deeply into this book, which I got at the Texas Master Naturalist Conference a couple of … Continue reading “Book Report: Unnatural Texas?”
Book Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain
The book I read all in one day is The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein (also a major motion picture, which I did not see). There seems to be an entire genre of books written from the viewpoint of dogs, these days. In fact, here’s a list of them from Amazon, … Continue reading “Book Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain”
Book Report: Me, by Elton John
Here’s a random fact about me: I really love to read memoirs, especially of my favorite musicians from the seventies. Some are definitely better than others (like Keith Richards’ memoir, dang that was some good writing). So, I had this book by Elton John pre-ordered and got it the day it was published last week. … Continue reading “Book Report: Me, by Elton John”
Book Review: Homegoing
Here’s the latest book I read for the neighborhood book club. I had to read through it as quickly as I could (meaning with all my other stuff, it still took a week), because my queue is full of good stuff (Elton John memoir arrived yesterday!). It’s another first novel, this time by Yaa Gyasi, … Continue reading “Book Review: Homegoing”
Book Review: Going Tiny
I am sharing a book review I wrote for Hermit Haus Redevelopment, because I think some of my readers here would also enjoy it. The little book I read is called Going Tiny: Failure + Opportunity in the Future of Affordable Housing It’s written by a guy named Davis Richardson, who is apparently the age of … Continue reading “Book Review: Going Tiny”
Book Report: Remember Me Like This
First, thanks for the good wishes after the flying debris episode yesterday. I still have a mighty headache and a sore neck, but I’m staying home from work, taking ibuprofen, and have a convenient chiropractor appointment already scheduled for tomorrow. I’m not supposed to be looking at screens, so I am typing but not looking … Continue reading “Book Report: Remember Me Like This”
Book Report: Darwin Comes to Town
This month’s book club book is so sad I had to take a long break from it, and discovering this book made that WAY easier. I think I just spotted Darwin Comes to Town: How the Urban Jungle Drives Evolution, by Menno Schilthuizen in the new nature books section on Amazon. I loved the cover … Continue reading “Book Report: Darwin Comes to Town”
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The Hermits' Rest 