Reviews

A Velocity of Being: Letters to A Young Reader by Claudia Zoe Bedrick, David Remnick, Regina Spektor, Rebecca Solnit, Maria Popova

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titrateinconvenience's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

3.0

mandocal's review against another edition

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inspiring reflective slow-paced

3.75

shainalite's review

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informative inspiring relaxing medium-paced

4.25

I borrowed this from Hoopla no less than three times and was determined to finish, reading the last entry on the final minute of my borrow. I'm subscribed to The Marginalian, a newsletter from [a:Maria Popova|5186085|Maria Popova|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1565053770p2/5186085.jpg], and absolutely love everything about it. It's where I first heard of this book, and I knew that if Maria had a hand in it then I would love this as well. I did enjoy it, certainly, though it hasn't been one to keep my attention for very long periods of time. I'd read a few letters here and there, but I was always off to find something else after. Granted, I much prefer fiction to non-fiction so that's likely why I didn't feel compelled to read straight through. I also think it's a great book for picking up and putting down again, or for flipping to a random page to find a story or a piece of art that speaks. I don't think this book is strictly for young readers either. It's relevant and inspiring to adults as well.

I would also like to add that with the ebook version I lost something in the artwork. I've seen pictures of the book in print and I don't think the ebook can do it justice. There were also a few comics included that I couldn't read or make out, even with the zoom feature. I think this book is probably best enjoyed on paper, if possible.

For my own benefit (mostly), a list of my favorite author contributions are as follows: [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg], [a:Rebecca Solnit|15811|Rebecca Solnit|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1535567225p2/15811.jpg], [a:David Whyte|87686|David Whyte|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1401934690p2/87686.jpg], [a:Claudia Guadalupe Martinez|1010472|Claudia Guadalupe Martinez|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1301087142p2/1010472.jpg], [a:Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie|5256013|Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (wow!), Helen Fagin (so moving), [a:Shonda Rhimes|3888197|Shonda Rhimes|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1444681291p2/3888197.jpg], [a:Andrew Solomon|8650|Andrew Solomon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1266558323p2/8650.jpg], [a:Mara Lethem|4134585|Mara Lethem|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], [a:Eve Ensler|60609|Eve Ensler|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1365789365p2/60609.jpg], [a:Chris Anderson|1756|Chris Anderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1236398319p2/1756.jpg], [a:Krista Tippett|225253|Krista Tippett|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], and [a:Elizabeth Alexander|17148|Elizabeth Alexander|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1412082517p2/17148.jpg]. Favorite artists were [a:Liniers|413618|Liniers|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1301716446p2/413618.jpg], [a:Marianne Dubuc|4201388|Marianne Dubuc|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1452232660p2/4201388.jpg], [a:Violeta Lópiz|2986770|Violeta Lópiz|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], [a:Cecilia Ruiz|8333875|Cecilia Ruiz|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1425506649p2/8333875.jpg], [a:Emily Hughes|8154773|Emily Hughes|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1447864283p2/8154773.jpg], [a:Peter Brown|3092248|Peter Brown|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1412377529p2/3092248.jpg], [a:Vittoria Facchini|4611053|Vittoria Facchini|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], [a:Judith Clay|7014969|Judith Clay|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], [a:Beatrice Alemagna|1139129|Beatrice Alemagna|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1302033886p2/1139129.jpg], and [a:Andrea Dezso|5282421|Andrea Dezso|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png].

jwinchell's review against another edition

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5.0

Like no other book. I want the art for my walls and the excerpts for inspiring young readers. One to come back to.

cmorrisclark's review against another edition

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4.0

A lovely collection of heartfelt words from 100+ authors, artists, philosophers, composers, scientists and more about the value and beauty of reading. Each entry was accompanied by a beautiful illustration. I slowly read the book with my daughters over the course of a year or so, a few entries at a time. What a delightful tribute to something we all hold dear-- the book.