Dani
I don't get why “everyone” loves this book. It was good but not great. Well written but at times a little all over the place. A little too much sex for me and TMI! I did enjoy the Jonathan/Sasha exchanges.
This is a good follow up to Case Histories...I like the writing style and storytelling. I think I probably would've enjoyed it more had I read instead of listened to this one while driving. But, good none the less.
Story Audio version **
Great reader and sound effects on audio cd's version. Fun family road trip listen. Though I did find the second person annoying, kids (6 & 8) didn't seem to notice or mind.
This is at times a heart wrenching story...beautifully written. It's the story of a couple who move to Zimbabwe for work (he's a journalist). They begin to volunteer at an orphanage filled with abandoned children (many likely have AIDS or HIV). They decide to adopt one girl, Chipo. This is their story and it is at times frustrating yet somehow hopeful.
While not a particularly happy book, this is a great work in understanding the feeling and struggle of being German immediately following WWII.
*listened on Audible
Originally read this for Book Club in Oct. 06. We've just returned from Spain and I'm currently rereading aloud with my husband. I LOVE this book!!
As someone who has spent a small period of time on the Camino, this brought back fond memories. As a parent of 2 almost teens, so relatable! And as someone who REALLY hopes one day to endeavor on a long walk with a child or two of my own, I absolutely fell in love!
I have to be honest...I didn't actually get through this....it started slow, picked up in the middle, and then we had book club. The ending was revealed and it left me with little desire to finish...
The writing is good and very unique. It just wasn't for me.
I listened to this very long book on my drive to/from work...it took a while. It was a fun read and I think I might have enjoyed it more actually reading it. By the end, I forgot much of what had happened earlier. Fun, though!
I could not put this book down. At times unbelievable and at others heartbreaking! Well worth it in the end!
This is my first Anne Lamott book...I've heard so many good things and chose this because I wanted something hopeful and helpful to listen to on the drive to/from work. Total bust! She has some huge issues with GW Bush, which is fine, but I got super sick of hearing about those issues! I didn't feel there was much grace shown or many thoughts on faith...just random stories from her life without much learning from them.
A great little book about Mother Teresa by a man who made a documentary of her. It is at once inspiring and convicting.
“...Something of God's universal love has rubbed off on Mother Teresa, giving her ... a noticeable luminosity. She has lived so closely with her Lord that the same enchantment clings about her that sent the crowds chasing after him in Jerusalem and Galilee...”
Until the last 2 cd's (out of 11) I would've given this book 3 stars. It is a difficult book to listen to/read...especially as a woman. That said, it's a beautiful story and pretty well written.
This book will make you want to eat!!! Wonderfully written, Ruth Reichl is my kind of lady - she loves to eat and talk about it!
This is a good memoir but almost like driving by a really bad car wreck. You don't want to look but you do and you watch the news that night to see how things turned out. This book is sort of like that.
I loved Italy and all the EATing. India and PRAYer was insightful. Indonesia and LOVE was revoltingly self-indulgent. By the end, well, I was glad it was the end. A little too new-agey, feel good for me. My recommendation...read and enjoy Italy, then pray and contemplate on your own, then go out and love someone!
This is a very interesting “true crime” read. It's totally a one sided account(which I think you can gather from the description). This book enraged me at times regarding the criminal justice system in the U.S. The first chapter is a little gruesome with murder details but overall it's a good book to listen to in the car while commuting.
I think I'm much to black and white to enjoy books of the magic realism genre. This is a good story but just not for me. And I sort of think Pedro was a jerk!
A fun, light read if you're looking to change your ways! A great read as I prepared my own New Year's Resolutions.
3.5-4
What an emotionally stunted group of men?! And to lose a mother so young. So. Much. Damage. It's heartbreaking.
3.5?
Powers writing is beautiful. This story is smaller and sadder than The Overstory, though just as powerfully written.