Wow, wow, wow. I love elephants, and thank heavens for people in the world like Lawrence Anthony and his fellow conservationists. I was so completely Wow, wow, wow. I love elephants, and thank heavens for people in the world like Lawrence Anthony and his fellow conservationists. I was so completely taken by this book that I'm already planning my trip to South Africa. I listened to the audiobook and it was OUTSTANDING, not least because the narrator sounded like Jorah Mormont (actor Iain Glen) from Game of Thrones. If you care about animals, wildlife, and/or conservation, this is a beautiful, respectful must-read.
I was, however, DEVASTATED when I went to find more information about Anthony and learned that he had passed away a couple of years ago from a heart attack. That leant even more poignancy to his inspiring narrative....more
Excellent, thorough, insightful, scholarly, and delightful. The author clearly did his research, which is evidenced by the deep readings and analyses Excellent, thorough, insightful, scholarly, and delightful. The author clearly did his research, which is evidenced by the deep readings and analyses of Austen's novels. The nook version of this book was $13+, but it was worth it because the author's work and commitment to his subject is palpable. I've always preferred Austen to the Brontes because I think she's more nuanced (Jane Eyre embodies restraint despite the chaos around her, which is why I like her, but Catherine and Heathcliff are a train wreck, and so I've never been a big fan). These are 20 awesome essays that really delve into the subtleties of Austen that make her one of the finest and most beloved English writers. I loved this....more
I bought this book because I loved the cover artwork (it has birds on it!) and because the story is set partly in Rochester, New York (my hometown). II bought this book because I loved the cover artwork (it has birds on it!) and because the story is set partly in Rochester, New York (my hometown). I wasn't expecting it to be anything remarkable, and yet I came to empathize strongly with Amina and her journey from Bangladesh to America. Perhaps it's because my own parents are immigrants and we still venture home to the mother country, but I felt Amina's other-ness acutely, especially as she tries to make herself at home in America. Rochester, of all places! Nell Freudenberger must have lived in Rochester or its surrounding suburbs at some point to have the area's locale and rhythms down so pat (although at times it did feel like the author was oddly name-dropping details just to prove Rochester is a real place--do other authors do the same thing with their real-life-but-used-in-fiction settings?). Marriage is never easy, but bridging a cultural divide as newlyweds poses a special challenge for Amina and George, a challenge which is compounded by their own half-revealed pasts. Time and time again, Amina is faced with the consequences of her decisions and the impact it has on the people she loves, especially her parents and cousin back in Bangladesh. There's something really simple, subtle, and beautiful about this book. I have a feeling it won't be to some people's tastes, but I really loved it, and the audiobook's narrator was a joy to listen to.
Yes, I'm biased and totally love Jane Austen -- in my mind she can do no wrong. Still, there's something about a more mature heroine (who happens to bYes, I'm biased and totally love Jane Austen -- in my mind she can do no wrong. Still, there's something about a more mature heroine (who happens to be the same age as I am now) that I found particularly compelling. I listened to the audiobook version and it was truly enjoyable, despite being read by a male narrator (which I wasn't expecting)....more
One of the best of the series so far for two reasons: Sprockett and more time in the Bookworld (the Outland, by comparison, is boring). The audiobook One of the best of the series so far for two reasons: Sprockett and more time in the Bookworld (the Outland, by comparison, is boring). The audiobook (the version I read/heard) is particularly enchanting and captures Jasper Fforde's characteristic magic and wit. Can't wait for the next one! So good!...more
Beautiful, epic, suspenseful, enthralling. I haven't felt this way about a book since The Hobbit. Watership Down has that same magic. Loved it. Can't Beautiful, epic, suspenseful, enthralling. I haven't felt this way about a book since The Hobbit. Watership Down has that same magic. Loved it. Can't recommend it enough, especially the audiobook version. How I didn't know about this book earlier is criminal. Oh, and Kehaar's accent is awesome....more
A thoroughly enjoyable romp for Jane Austen fans, not least for the historical bits we don't often hear about in Austen's writings (e.g., the bathroomA thoroughly enjoyable romp for Jane Austen fans, not least for the historical bits we don't often hear about in Austen's writings (e.g., the bathroom situation, the smelly people, how 19th-century women handle being "indisposed"). So enjoyable, in fact, that I've already embarked on the sequel....more
Loved it! I've been looking for an exciting protagonist and plot -- Thursday Next and her escapades provide just that. The book is a super quick read Loved it! I've been looking for an exciting protagonist and plot -- Thursday Next and her escapades provide just that. The book is a super quick read and the literary allusions are a joy for a bookworm and English major like me. I've already ordered the next one and I can't wait to start it. I'll also be starting his other series about nursery rhyme crimes. Jasper Fforde FTW!
9/9/21: Finished listening to the audiobook version, which was an absolute delight! ...more
One of my book clubs recently read this one. Unanimously loved by all members. That's all.One of my book clubs recently read this one. Unanimously loved by all members. That's all....more
Riveting, sexy, and smart -- I didn't want it to end! A fantastic follow-up to "Outlander" and a terrific precursor to "Voyager."
12/10/12: I finished Riveting, sexy, and smart -- I didn't want it to end! A fantastic follow-up to "Outlander" and a terrific precursor to "Voyager."
12/10/12: I finished the audiobook version yesterday. Davina Porter is a revelation. The books are already brilliant, but she just takes them to the next level. Highly recommend....more
**spoiler alert** An accessible, engaging, and fascinating read! Marina Warner's argument is a compelling summary of and commentary on the Catholic Ch**spoiler alert** An accessible, engaging, and fascinating read! Marina Warner's argument is a compelling summary of and commentary on the Catholic Church's deployment of the Virgin Mother to its own ever-changing and self-serving ends. Among other points, Warner highlights how the Church has held up Mary as an ideal for women to aspire to -- fully aware that it's a wholly unattainable ideal. Virgin AND mother? We mere female mortals are doomed from (immaculate?) conception.
Warner's ideas challenge conventional thinking about womanhood as well as mythology. Furthermore, her analysis of sanctioned Biblical and papal texts, apocryphal gospels, historical information, and art history is adroit. She teases out the plethora of contradictions that still permeate Catholic dogma.
Catholicism alternately idealizes or demonizes women -- virgins, mothers, saints, sinners, whores, temptresses. Choose your lot wisely, ladies. Not that it matters. Eve may have doomed us to the Fall, but Mary has fated us to forever fail in comparison to her paragon.
Mary is arguably the most beloved and esteemed of the Christian world's (few acknowledged) women. Pity that there is hardly any substantial evidence to confirm that Mary was even her real name. Holy moly, tool of God, pray for us....more
I read this book several years ago (and loved it -- my earlier review is below), but decided to listen to the audiobook version in honor of the 20th aI read this book several years ago (and loved it -- my earlier review is below), but decided to listen to the audiobook version in honor of the 20th anniversary of its release. Davina Porter offers a terrific reading (occasionally sounding like Mia Farrow) and does a surprisingly solid job with the men's voices too. The story is just as good as the first time around, and this first book in the series is still the best.
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The first book in Diana Gabaldon's enthralling series. Historical fiction with a bit of time-traveling and erotica thrown in for good measure; however, do not deign to relegate it to that most odious and predictable of genres: the romance. Gabaldon's writing is witty and esoteric enough for even the most ardent followers of "The New Yorker." Trust. ...more
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