Who knew a nonfiction book about life as a flight attendant could be so fascinating?!! I absolutely loved this memoir. I listened to the audiobook, anWho knew a nonfiction book about life as a flight attendant could be so fascinating?!! I absolutely loved this memoir. I listened to the audiobook, and I’m sure that added a lot, as it’s narrated by the author. Ann Hood reveals that the job, which she loved was difficult, stressful, often miserable, but also exciting, and even glamorous. Her stories will confirm some of your stereotypes and challenge others, but they never fail to entertain. Also, they vividly trace her personal development from a shy, studious, naive young woman to one who is capable, confident, and worldly. Take a trip back in time to the golden era of air travel in this marvelous memoir!
Hood, by the way, is a prolific writer of both fiction and memoir. Her first novel, Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine, was written while she was working as a flight attendant. I read that book in 1988 and am about to reread it....more
I’m already a firm believer in play. Not only do I mean doing things that you enjoy (reading, playing music, camping, hiking, whatever), but also thatI’m already a firm believer in play. Not only do I mean doing things that you enjoy (reading, playing music, camping, hiking, whatever), but also that kind of pure silliness that leads to uproarious laughter all around. Having a playful disposition and engaging in playfulness regularly is healthy. And it just makes you feel good. You can play with kids, grandkids, or whomever. But it’s also important to play with adults, e.g., your partner. Of course, it helps to have a partner who will play with you! And you really have to let go of worrying about what anyone thinks of you
Also, play is an integral and critical part of creativity whether it’s noodling on the piano, with a paintbrush, or with words. It’s fine to let nonsense be your guide once in a while. You can refine later.
As some other reviewers have noted, some of Brown’s metaphors are irritating — when, for example, he personifies or talks about programming the brain. But it’s basically a good book. There are so many areas of our lives in which we could introduce more play for a happier, healthier life.
NB: I listened not to a CD, but to the Audible edition, which I can't find on Goodreads. Maybe I missed it. ...more
I don’t read much self-help stuff. I don’t even remember where I heard of this book or why I decided to listen. Most likely, I heard an excerpt and foI don’t read much self-help stuff. I don’t even remember where I heard of this book or why I decided to listen. Most likely, I heard an excerpt and found it absorbing enough to get me through hours of walking on the treadmill. Okay, but I must say, I really enjoyed it! Robbins is lively, emphatic, irreverent, opinionated, and fun to listen to. Only downside: it's pretty redundant. But she has some really good advice, As Robbins says, herself, the “5-Second Rule” sounds dumb. Lots of the things she says may sound dumb. But darn-it, the practice can really work, has worked for thousands of people, no doubt. I quoted a lot of it to my husband. We laughed about how goofy it sounded. But hey, it got me back on the treadmill and is helping me cut down on cell-phone doomscrolling. A new twist on “Just do it,” or “Just say no.” It works if you let it....more
Joanna (aka J.F.) Penn is a powerhouse — a multi-talented writer (of fiction and nonfiction), a podcaster, international speaker, and award-winning crJoanna (aka J.F.) Penn is a powerhouse — a multi-talented writer (of fiction and nonfiction), a podcaster, international speaker, and award-winning creative entrepreneur. She has for many years maintained a fantastic website, The Creative Penn, with all extensive knowledge and advice on a wide range of topics — e.g., writing (fiction and nonfiction), self-publishing, marketing, the author mindset, AI and the future of creativity, as well as numerous tools, tutorials, and other resources.
I’ve long been a fan, though I don’t read the kind of fiction she writes — thrillers usually involving religious subjects and supernatural dimensions. But I’ve read many of her nonfiction books on writing and marketing, listened to her podcasts for years (she’s been podcasting regularly since 2009(!) and weekly since 2015), and have availed myself of several tutorials and website topics.
During the years from 2020 to 2022, Joanna walked three pilgrim trails — Pilgrims’ Way, England; St. Cuthbert’s Way, Scotland & England; Camino de Santiago’s Portuguese Coastal Route — not in the spirit of a religious journey, but rather as a secular and, in part, inner journey. This book is part memoir and part advice to anyone thinking about undertaking a pilgrimage. It’s available in print or audio and really great to listen to (Penn narrates) The book contains several appendices, including questions to ask yourself in preparation for both the physical and inner journey, and links to all kinds of resources on her website.
For this book, Joanna won Best Self-Published Non Fiction/Memoir at the Selfies Awards at the 2024 London Book Fair.
I don’t plan to undertake this kind of a walking pilgrimage, but I realized in reading and thinking about the questions posed that it’s my art journey that’s my pilgrimage. There are so many similarities, and I plan to think and write more about them. Anyway, a good book even if you have no intention of this kind of walking....more
The prompt seemed simple. A postcard reading; Race. Your Thoughts. Six Words. Please Send.
From this simple beginning came a 12-year endeavor, the RaceThe prompt seemed simple. A postcard reading; Race. Your Thoughts. Six Words. Please Send.
From this simple beginning came a 12-year endeavor, the Race Card Project. Michelle Norris has now compiled the responses — thousands of Americans lived experiences, each reduced to six words, for example:
• You’re Pretty for a Black girl. • White privilege, enjoy it, earned it. • Lady, I don’t want your purse. • My ancestors massacred Indians near here. • Urban living has made me racist. • I’m only Asian when it’s convenient.
A delightful book, especially in audio. A reminder of the importance of writing, especially in order to leave some of your thoughts and feelings for tA delightful book, especially in audio. A reminder of the importance of writing, especially in order to leave some of your thoughts and feelings for those who care about you and those who come after you. Great deeds and great thoughts not required — even the minutiae of your ordinary daily life constitutes a historical record. And try writing longhand once in a while. (I must confess that I rarely do that.)...more
It’s the Everything Book! No matter what you’re looking for, no matter what you want to hear, Rubin is sure to cover it.
Some common sense, some platitIt’s the Everything Book! No matter what you’re looking for, no matter what you want to hear, Rubin is sure to cover it.
Some common sense, some platitudes, some hogwash, some faux spirituality, and some very good advice — all recycled as great truths of the universe, solemnly intoned by Rubin, in a new-age guru voice, with a single chime of a bell after every brief section. I thought he sounded more than a tad pretentious and I had to turn the speed up a bit to subdue my gag reflex. (Though, on regular speed, it’s a good sleep aid.)
Warning: False dichotomy between science and spirituality. As if doing science is not creative. As if scientific progress did not owe as much to intuition as to logic and reason. As if science did not include a capacity for wonder. (You can see he got me a bit riled at times.)
Rubin insists that creative ideas are out there in the universe waiting to move through us. Does he really believe that? Or is it supposed to be a metaphor? Let’s give the human brain some credit.
I agreed with a lot — e.g., Attention is important. Receptivity is important. Practice is important. Play is important. But these are not brilliant new observations. Most artists recognize these things....more
I absolutely loved Wilson’s translation of the Odyssey, narrated by Claire Danes. Because I’d enjoyed that audiobook so much, I opted for the audio edI absolutely loved Wilson’s translation of the Odyssey, narrated by Claire Danes. Because I’d enjoyed that audiobook so much, I opted for the audio edition of Wilson’s The Iliad. This one is narrated by amazing Audra McDonald — and I hasten to add that, according to ratings on Audible.com, most people give the performance high marks. But it didn’t work for me. I found McDonald’s narration just too loud, strident, so much yelling. And she seemed to place the stresses where I probably would not had I been reading it. So that’s what I want to do: read it.
I really appreciated Wilson’s translator’s notes and long introduction detailing the themes of loss and compensation, the city of Troy, the identity of Homer, the code of honor, emotions, and many other topics. Just fascinating....more
I was interested in this book primarily as a reader, since my days of taking and teaching writing workshops are probably over. I wish I could have reaI was interested in this book primarily as a reader, since my days of taking and teaching writing workshops are probably over. I wish I could have read this book 30 years ago. But with that history and my lifelong love of reading fiction, I found the book of great value. And I learned a lot about the biases in my education and their effects on my own literary preferences.
Salesses starts out by asserting that the book takes issue with accepted models of craft (e.g., character-driven plot) and workshopping (e.g., the workshop gag rule in which an author must remain silent). The challenge, he says, is “to take craft out of some imaginary vacuum (as if meaning in fiction is separate from meaning in life) and return it to its cultural and historical context. Race, gender, sexuality, etc. affect our lives and so must affect our fiction. Real-world context, and particularly what we do with that context IS craft.“ The author’s elaborate unpacking of that challenge is nothing short of brilliant.
As others have noted, this is really two books in one: one about the craft of fiction and one about fiction writing workshops, specifically the conventional MFA workshop method. The first section aligns more closely with my current interests, e.g., how fiction works on many levels, such as tone, plot, conflict, character arc vs. story arc, structure, pacing, etc.). The book is both challenging and eye-opening. But I liked part two, having participated in numerous fiction workshops as both student and teacher. The author explores alternative styles of workshopping and provides numerous writing and revision exercises. What a great gift!
Anyone writing or teaching fiction needs to read this book!! And readers who care about how literature works at levels deeper than the surface story will also gain a lot of insight here.
One caveat: I listened to the audiobook. It’s well narrated, but I found the content difficult to process and retain. This is one case in which reading the text would be the way to go....more
I don’t know why Amazon/Goodreads describes this as a “hilarious” meditation on post-privacy America. It is absolutely terrifying. And riveting all thI don’t know why Amazon/Goodreads describes this as a “hilarious” meditation on post-privacy America. It is absolutely terrifying. And riveting all the way. I also don’t understand why the author chose this unhelpful title. But . . .
It’s about data (“You are data about data.”) surveillance, conspiracy theories, and the leaking of government secrets, usually by people who feel they’re doing the right thing, bringing attention to little-known travesties of justice. It's subtitled "A Journey Through the Deep State," but really, no one knows extent, depth, or cost of that territory. Reality Winner’s case is of this kind, and her story is featured in great detail here. A basically good person who made a mistake and was tried and punished wiotj gross unfairness. But there’s more here. The book is eye-opening, but also extremely disturbing (descriptions of torture). This is also a book about how we, the public, at once try to make sense of reality and at the same time collude in its distortions. There’s so much that we don’t know, more than most of us probably imagine. We all need to be better informed. This book is a good start. Highly recommended
I listened to the audiobook and the narration, though not by the author, is very good. ...more
LOVED THIS! I’ve read one volume of Levy’s memoir, but this is the first of her novels that I’ve read. I found it innovative (compared to my usual reaLOVED THIS! I’ve read one volume of Levy’s memoir, but this is the first of her novels that I’ve read. I found it innovative (compared to my usual reads), quirky (just enough), and highly engaging. I’m not sure if I’d have been so completely enthralled if I’d been reading the text — but want to say that the audio is FANTASTIC. Alix Dunmore is one of the best narrators I’ve ever heard, or at least was just perfect for this book. Her renditions of all the characters were distinct and convincing. A great book to listen to, though a short one (4 hrs, 16 minutes).
Thanks to the Book Club Review Podcast for the recommendation!...more
This is really a wonderful narrative! Andrew Leland, a writer and audio producer, documents his personal journey from sightedness to blindness (from rThis is really a wonderful narrative! Andrew Leland, a writer and audio producer, documents his personal journey from sightedness to blindness (from retinosis pigmentosa, an inherited, degenerative disease of the retina). But the book is about so much more — a literary, cultural, and philosophical exploration of blindness, as well musings on the moral and emotional dimensions of disability. Leland tells how it really feels to be losing this critical sense that most of us take for granted. After reading this, you’ll think differently — and with greater insight — about both sight and blindness, Leland is an engaging narrator — informative, warm, and humorous. I highly recommend the audiobook....more
This is an amazing book and an especially great listen!!
For most of us, a large percentage of our daily caloric intake comes from substances that realThis is an amazing book and an especially great listen!!
For most of us, a large percentage of our daily caloric intake comes from substances that really don’t meet traditional definitions of food. Rather, they are processed “stuff” that contain a myriad of substances you’d never have in your kitchen. A lot of them are harmful or of unknown effects on the body. And a lot of them are pretty disgusting. But the book is about a lot more this. Van Tulleken delves into the production and distribution of ultra-processed foods on a global scale. He considers the environmental costs of cheap food, as well as the corporate forces that have created and perpetuate our current food culture, which is harmful for everyone, but that especially takes advantage of disadvantaged people the world over, wreaking disproportionate havoc on those who can least afford it and have few alternatives. A really important and eye-opening read.
The book is read by the author who is just great. There’s lots of science here, but he really breaks it down, makes it easy to follow, and interjects many anecdotes, often humorous, drawn from his own experiences.
This is number 71 of the 100 books I had aimed to read this year. Not such a great finish — but of course I have my excuses . . . I mean reasons! I might sneak in one more. :)...more
Note: I did not listen to this audio CD, but rather to the "Only from Audible" Edition. I can't find that book on this site and the last time I tried Note: I did not listen to this audio CD, but rather to the "Only from Audible" Edition. I can't find that book on this site and the last time I tried to add a book, I made a mistake and was chastised by a Goodreads librarian. So I won't try that for a while. The edition I read is ASIN #B0018OQ29U and is on Amazon here: The Age of Innocence.
I’m sorry to admit that I’ve reached this great age without having read Edith Wharton, despite having taken many literature courses in college and also having attached a Master's degree in English Lit. This book was a real treat! I just loved it.
I’m one who has always said that I like nonfiction on audio much better than fiction. In general, I’d prefer to hear the characters speaking in my own mind’s ear than some narrator’s interpretation and pacing. But I was truly captivated by this particular narration — or really, performance — by David Horovitch. He does a brilliant job of bringing the characters to life. I was completely absorbed in the story and stayed awake late into the night to hear one more chapter . . . one more chapter. (I’d listened to samples of other narrators and didn’t think I’d much like listening to them, but when I heard Horovitch, I was hooked.)...more
I got this audiobook as soon as it was available and loved it. Liz narrates and does a great job. It was a real pleasure to listen to her. Now I suspeI got this audiobook as soon as it was available and loved it. Liz narrates and does a great job. It was a real pleasure to listen to her. Now I suspect a lot of people would disagree on the basis of their own political persuasions, but I'm talking about the quality of the audio and narration. In fact, I am sure that Liz and I would disagree on nearly every political and social issue — except for everything in this book! She's a conservative, all right, but is nevertheless courageous and passionate about the preservation of democracy and the rule of law. There wasn't a lot that was new to me (but some of it was), and yet I greatly appreciated the amount of detail and her firsthand account of being inside the House chamber as rioters stormed and invaded the Capitol on January 6, 2021. ...more
A phenomenal book, wonderfully written (and narrated!!) by Ed Yong, all about the marvelous and often mysterious senses of myriad nonhuman creatures wA phenomenal book, wonderfully written (and narrated!!) by Ed Yong, all about the marvelous and often mysterious senses of myriad nonhuman creatures with which we share the planet. There’s so much more to see and hear and otherwise sense (via echolocation, electrolocation, magnetic fields, vibrations) than humans are privy to. I can’t say enough good things about this book and recommend the audiobook. I’m picky, but Yong is a great narrator — pleased and excited to be telling you all about it....more
Everything you thought you knew about fish is probably wrong. I learned so much from this fascinating book about the senses, behaviors memory and learEverything you thought you knew about fish is probably wrong. I learned so much from this fascinating book about the senses, behaviors memory and learning abilities (and feelings??) of fish! I had no idea. The author, Jonathan Balcombe, discusses a whole lot of science (totally understandable) about these creatures. They conduct courtship rituals. They create ART on the sea floor (this blew my mind). They plan, use tools, deceive one another. They have more sophisticated senses that you’d ever have imagined. Great book! I listened to the audio, but would really like to read it as well, to revisit and remember some of the details.
Be careful. It might put you off eating fish forever more....more
I absolutely loved Lulu Miller’s Why Fish Don’t Exist! The book is part memoir, part history, part science. I really don’t want to divulge anything elI absolutely loved Lulu Miller’s Why Fish Don’t Exist! The book is part memoir, part history, part science. I really don’t want to divulge anything else. Best to just dive in and be both charmed and enlightened. The title alone should draw you in. Let me just quote Mary Roach, who has said, “This book is perfect, just perfect. It’s both lyrical and learned, personal and political, small and huge, quirky and profound.”
I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Miller and is a great listen! Riveting!...more
A witty and irreverent look at art in the 20th century. I most enjoyed the later chapters, in which I recognized more of the painters by name and usuaA witty and irreverent look at art in the 20th century. I most enjoyed the later chapters, in which I recognized more of the painters by name and usually had a good idea of their work. Wolfe scoffs at the pretensions of the contemporary art world, the posturing and theorizing of the intellectual elite, and skewers the rise of abstract expressionism and its effort to denigrate and displace representational painting. The narration is lively (a really well-done audiobook). But bear in mind that this was written in 1974. Wolfe took a dim view of much that has stood the test of time after all. I wasn’t always sure what he was right and wrong about but it’s entertaining....more
Ezra Klein said in Vox: “Newport is making a bid to be the Marie Kondo of technology: someone with an actual plan for helping you realize the digital Ezra Klein said in Vox: “Newport is making a bid to be the Marie Kondo of technology: someone with an actual plan for helping you realize the digital pursuits that do, and don't, bring value to your life."
I think Newport’s more forgiving than Kondo. He’s not saying to get rid of it all, but cut down on apps you don’t need, mindless scrolling, instant text message replies, etc. He’s saying take stock of what you really need and what you really enjoy. And then get busy making time in your life for more rewarding leisure activities.
I don’t feel, as many do, that they’re slaves to technology and want to break the ties. For those people, this is an excellent book — however, largely common sense. For them, the suggested 30-day digital declutter process might be a good idea. I don’t feel a need to make big changes. And I spend a LOT of time reading and painting and doing things I find meaningful and enriching. I most liked the chapter on reclaiming leisure time. To some extent, almost everyone has a routine and I thought of many ways that my husband and I could break it up, incorporate some novel activities. ...more
Loading...
