Reviews

Small Bodies of Water by Nina Mingya Powles

caw21's review

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emotional informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

piecesoflune's review

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

mannah's review

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emotional informative reflective medium-paced

3.0

juliaseculture's review

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4.0

I was surprised with how much this book resonated with my experiences as a half egyptian / Belgian woman.  The prose is delicate and sensible.  I read the book and listened to the audiobook at the same time. 

efharker's review

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emotional reflective relaxing slow-paced

4.0

loganbyrne's review

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

essjay1's review against another edition

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4.0

This is a series of personal essays - I particularly enjoyed the accounts of her time in Shanghai and about her grandfather in Kota Kinabalu.

daniellewalsh's review against another edition

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5.0

No book has ever made me feel this calm, ever. It's as if even just reading about water was having the same effect as being sat next to the sea, immersed in the tranquility.

Small Bodies of Water is a selection of intimate and personal essays reflecting on migration, family, language, and the different bodies of water that have shaped Nina Mingya Powles. She highlights the power of water to calm us and connect us or help to disconnect.

Weaving together a memoir style with nature writing, the essays are full of the colour and texture of nature, focusing on the flora and fauna from New Zealand to Shangai to London. It emphasises the idea that home is people, places, dreams, memories and reflections rather than one stagnant spot.

I don't often think of re-reading books, but I can see myself dipping in and out of this book again. With so much going on in the world, this book came at the perfect time to add some calm and tranquil vibes to my life.

Thanks to Canongate for sending me an advance proof copy!

jackgormley7's review

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5.0

A thoughtful and comforting memoir about being adrift in search of a place to call home, and a fixed identity.

leonordias's review against another edition

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4.0

Nature, swims, belonging and not belonging somewhere, or the in between. My favourite essays were:
A girl swimming is a body of water
Where the Kōwhai blooms
The language of waves
Crushed little stars
Ache: A swimming diary