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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
I enjoyed this collection of essays about the author's life, which focused more on her opinions about climate change, nature, and 9/11. Considering the age of this novel, I was surprised by how extremely relevant this novel felt.
I never did finish this, but I liked what I read of it. I'm tired of seeing it on my "currently reading" bookshelf, so I'm marking it read.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Barbara Kingsolver’s Small Wonder is no small wonder. It’s huge! Compiled as a response to the events of September 11, this book touches on so many of the important issues of our time. From the health of our planet and its inhabitants, to religion and patriotism; from our food chain and our choices for entertainment, to the value of family and community, each of the 23 essays is written by a woman who clearly loves this world and uses her craft to thoughtfully and heart-fully encourage us to see the changes we can all make. Consider this a primer for how to live a life on behalf of and in honor of this wondrous place we call home. If you know and appreciate Kingsolver's more recent work, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, expect to be as moved, incensed, and inspired to action.
I can't think of a better written or more meaningful collection of essays. On peace, nature, being a woman. I love her thoughts.
I started reading this book a while ago and lost interest after a couple of essays. Then I picked it up again a couple of nights ago and it began to speak to me. In this time of world upheaval, it feels even more important to focus on what really matters, and what we do have the power to change.
I read the Kindle edition in 2024. I have read that the Audible version that Ms. Kingsolver reads herself is a better option. I really struggled to read through some of these essays because they seemed so preachy and self-righteous. So, I really rounded up from 3.5 stars because I admire the author very much and have read some of her other novels. I want to be clear. I am in the choir that she is preaching to, but I have backslid on some environmental issues (Take out and its packaging particularly). I learned some new scientific, biological, and historical facts from reading this. I disagree with the author on some issues as I adore purchasing items fairly made and traded from around the world. I especially love it when photos and handwritten thank you notes are included. But for the most part, I agree with her. I am thankful that she exists, that she is curious, that she researches and learns, that she writes books and essays to share with the rest of the world. Please try listening to the Audible version. Don't do it all at once. Listen to an essay or two and think about them. Not all may apply to you or the situation that you are living in. Do think about what she is saying about war and environmental issues. Thank you, Barbara.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Some people (sisters and mom, hey there) are going to really enjoy this book. The writing is introspective, with a lot of internal dialogue. It is a collection of short (20-40pp) essays by Kingslover.
I began with the first two, and found them similar in tone. I confess to not doing a cover-to-cover, but instead flipping to the beginnings of essays after the first two, to try and find a writing style I enjoyed more. If you enjoy an author's musings and recollections, snatch this up.
I began with the first two, and found them similar in tone. I confess to not doing a cover-to-cover, but instead flipping to the beginnings of essays after the first two, to try and find a writing style I enjoyed more. If you enjoy an author's musings and recollections, snatch this up.
Nothing has changed in the 20 years since this was published. Well that's not true. She wrote this when school shootings weren't monthly occurrences. A very good book, insightful and profound and still timely as hell, so timely it becomes timeless.