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readlikefire's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
cassiakarin's review against another edition
5.0
Warm, enchanting, honest, and beautiful imaged.
Purifoy’s honesty in this book makes it what it is. She asks a lot of questions of herself, of life, and questions for and of her reader. She asks good questions, but does not jump into speculation or guesses on trying to answer the hard stuff, she lets the questions ring, jingle, and find rhythm in the messy lives we live. It is a mess. There’s a lot of unorganized, none-pretty, dying, suffering, waiting, and grinding-out in this life, but what Purifoy does is let all of those things ring together to find the melody that is there in careful observation, gratitude, and hard work.
What I especially appreciate about Purifoy, is that she had a keen and humble eye for what is good. Good can be large, grand, and miraculous, and good can be a special pizza, a favorite window table, a well chosen shade of paint… the ability to regularly see goodness up and down, high and low, in the fast, slow, and monotonous— this is a person I want to listen to, because by doing so I am too listening to the voice of wisdom that calls in the streets, in the morning, and in the times of unexpected need.
One major lesson I gleaned from this book is how history lends toward appreciation and love. To love a place or thing, takes knowing a place or thing. I was stunned to learn how much research Purifoy did about each city she lived in, each tree she appreciated, each flower she purchased, and each home she lived in. She knew not only where these things and places came from, but who their great, gray grandparents were, what their heritage was, what their dreams and and goals were centuries ago. It was beautiful to learn how such an investment in history can tie you to a place or thing with greater appreciation, understanding, and love.
I am have been in what Purifoy calls an “in-between place” for a year and a half. My family of four has been displaced and in search of our own dream place…and we have no ideal where that is or even where to look. So we are watching, waiting, looking, and dreaming. This book helped to settle my anxiety, calm my anticipation, pace my hope, and set my sight on the small goods around me, set my hands to the acts of goodness for others, and set my heart in a place of rest and hope that cannot be taken away or moved by any circumstance or ailment.
Thanks you Christie Purifoy for this beautiful written book.
Purifoy’s honesty in this book makes it what it is. She asks a lot of questions of herself, of life, and questions for and of her reader. She asks good questions, but does not jump into speculation or guesses on trying to answer the hard stuff, she lets the questions ring, jingle, and find rhythm in the messy lives we live. It is a mess. There’s a lot of unorganized, none-pretty, dying, suffering, waiting, and grinding-out in this life, but what Purifoy does is let all of those things ring together to find the melody that is there in careful observation, gratitude, and hard work.
What I especially appreciate about Purifoy, is that she had a keen and humble eye for what is good. Good can be large, grand, and miraculous, and good can be a special pizza, a favorite window table, a well chosen shade of paint… the ability to regularly see goodness up and down, high and low, in the fast, slow, and monotonous— this is a person I want to listen to, because by doing so I am too listening to the voice of wisdom that calls in the streets, in the morning, and in the times of unexpected need.
One major lesson I gleaned from this book is how history lends toward appreciation and love. To love a place or thing, takes knowing a place or thing. I was stunned to learn how much research Purifoy did about each city she lived in, each tree she appreciated, each flower she purchased, and each home she lived in. She knew not only where these things and places came from, but who their great, gray grandparents were, what their heritage was, what their dreams and and goals were centuries ago. It was beautiful to learn how such an investment in history can tie you to a place or thing with greater appreciation, understanding, and love.
I am have been in what Purifoy calls an “in-between place” for a year and a half. My family of four has been displaced and in search of our own dream place…and we have no ideal where that is or even where to look. So we are watching, waiting, looking, and dreaming. This book helped to settle my anxiety, calm my anticipation, pace my hope, and set my sight on the small goods around me, set my hands to the acts of goodness for others, and set my heart in a place of rest and hope that cannot be taken away or moved by any circumstance or ailment.
Thanks you Christie Purifoy for this beautiful written book.
roseleaf24's review against another edition
3.0
This book is beautifully written. I will carry with me the sense of peace and intention about placemaking that Purifoy pots on her pages. I loved the thoughts about holding on to and letting go of the places we have loved before. However, a lot of this book talked about gardening and planting trees, and the advice was always there to spend money on home and place, so a lot of the book didn't resonate because it hit on my anxieties. I do feel like the book she's a certain amount of privilege without acknowledging that adequately. There was also a section in which Johnny Appleseed and Western Expansion were lauded for their use of trees to claim territory without enough qualification for my taste.
theresaw7's review against another edition
4.0
A solid 4.5. I loved it. I think I loved it so much because it spoke to me right where I am right now and what I am working towards.
sydschamay's review against another edition
3.0
Christie describes the different places that have touched her life in a beautiful, poetic style. Hearing her describe Chicago, in particular, made me want to plan a trip!
However, this book was not what I expected. Rather than a manifesto on placemaking, Placemaker is a chronicle of each place Christie has lived, tied together by the trees or flowers native to that place. And while the concept was clear, its execution was not. The chapters took meandering, disorienting turns that I felt were disruptive to the story.
However, this book was not what I expected. Rather than a manifesto on placemaking, Placemaker is a chronicle of each place Christie has lived, tied together by the trees or flowers native to that place. And while the concept was clear, its execution was not. The chapters took meandering, disorienting turns that I felt were disruptive to the story.
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
”I came to Maplehurst with a heart to care for people, but G!d wanted more from me. G!d wanted more for me. (S)He wanted to bring me into community, not only with people, but also with all creation. Maple trees and daffodils, blue skies and starlight. Incredible gifts like these should never become mere backdrop.” (Slight editing by me. I am particular about how I refer to G!d.)
This book was total serendipity. I was looking at the list of books that my local public library had recently bought, and the title grabbed me. I have a thing for hospitality, and I thought this book might be speaking to that gift. Purifoy is interested in hospitality. She is also into being rooted into a place. I found her words about placemaking to be thought-provoking.
When I moved to Virginia with my husband 36 years ago, I wasn’t sure that this would be home for us. We had just spent two years in Central Illinois where we found friends, but we definitely did not find home. I was hesitant to put down roots in Virginia. There were people and things that made it harder to see this as home.
Over time we did find this place to be home. I wish I had heard Purifoy’s words when we had just gotten here. She says, “We can and should be placemakers whether we intend to stay or know we’ll be moving on in six months.” I would have been encouraged by this.
I think this book could be useful to many people. She has stories about hospitality, community, gardens and trees that were wonderful. She is a good writer and knows how to create word pictures for her readers. I liked hearing the details of her life. If you are interested in reading about someone’s passions, this may be the book for you.
This book was total serendipity. I was looking at the list of books that my local public library had recently bought, and the title grabbed me. I have a thing for hospitality, and I thought this book might be speaking to that gift. Purifoy is interested in hospitality. She is also into being rooted into a place. I found her words about placemaking to be thought-provoking.
When I moved to Virginia with my husband 36 years ago, I wasn’t sure that this would be home for us. We had just spent two years in Central Illinois where we found friends, but we definitely did not find home. I was hesitant to put down roots in Virginia. There were people and things that made it harder to see this as home.
Over time we did find this place to be home. I wish I had heard Purifoy’s words when we had just gotten here. She says, “We can and should be placemakers whether we intend to stay or know we’ll be moving on in six months.” I would have been encouraged by this.
I think this book could be useful to many people. She has stories about hospitality, community, gardens and trees that were wonderful. She is a good writer and knows how to create word pictures for her readers. I liked hearing the details of her life. If you are interested in reading about someone’s passions, this may be the book for you.
justplainbeth's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
nomer15's review against another edition
5.0
I first encountered the words and work of Christie Purifoy when she did a podcast interview on "The Simple Show" (episode 32--go listen; it's a good one!). I was so captivated by her words that I checked out her book "Roots and Sky" from the library. It drew me in so quickly and thoroughly that I immediately ordered her book because it was one that I needed to own. She came through the pages as a kindred spirit, one who I could count as a friend even though she has no idea who I am! When I found out that she was releasing another book, I jumped at the chance to be on the launch team for her newest work, "Placemaker".
"Placemaker" beautifully shares the love that Christie has for home and trees. She shares the stories of the widely differing places that she has called home. She doesn't gloss over the challenges of many of those places, but she continually draws the reader back to the beauty and peace of each place. Woven throughout is the story of the trees that define each place. I loved the way that nature holds such a prominent place in this book.
As I read this book, my little corner of Minnesota was hit with a blizzard (culminating our snowiest February on record!). The month felt like it had sucked the soul and life out of everything, but this book helped me so much to see the beauty of my outdoors and to look forward to the promise of spring. I loved this book and can't recommend it highly enough!
(I’ve received this complimentary book as part of the launch team for Christie Purifoy's new release, "Placemaker". A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
"Placemaker" beautifully shares the love that Christie has for home and trees. She shares the stories of the widely differing places that she has called home. She doesn't gloss over the challenges of many of those places, but she continually draws the reader back to the beauty and peace of each place. Woven throughout is the story of the trees that define each place. I loved the way that nature holds such a prominent place in this book.
As I read this book, my little corner of Minnesota was hit with a blizzard (culminating our snowiest February on record!). The month felt like it had sucked the soul and life out of everything, but this book helped me so much to see the beauty of my outdoors and to look forward to the promise of spring. I loved this book and can't recommend it highly enough!
(I’ve received this complimentary book as part of the launch team for Christie Purifoy's new release, "Placemaker". A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
brendaclay's review against another edition
5.0
Don't be misled by the classic women's-Bible-study cover, this is a unique, smart, beautiful collection of thoughts about both placemaking and trees. Loved it.