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laurieb755's Reviews (784)
She's getting better. I can see it in her characters and plot lines. Liane Moriarty is beginning to come into her own in this, her second book. Thoroughly enjoyed the premise and unfolding of the plot. The believability of many of her characters.
Well worth curling up with a yummy cup of tea or cocoa or whatever, or just sitting in a comforting arm chair, and reading yourself into contentment.
Though will confess here that I could not do that with The Husband's Secret. I started it but couldn't will myself to visit beyond the first few chapters. Perhaps it is a tribute to Moriarty's success at setting up a thriller? A good writer coupled with my vivid imagination can transport me into the time and place of the story. That can be a problem if the story is a bit grey or horrific, so I am apt to censor a book, if need be. Seems to happen mainly with more current authors than those who I grew up with, and it happened with The Husband's Secret. I was leery of what I might find…
Well worth curling up with a yummy cup of tea or cocoa or whatever, or just sitting in a comforting arm chair, and reading yourself into contentment.
Though will confess here that I could not do that with The Husband's Secret. I started it but couldn't will myself to visit beyond the first few chapters. Perhaps it is a tribute to Moriarty's success at setting up a thriller? A good writer coupled with my vivid imagination can transport me into the time and place of the story. That can be a problem if the story is a bit grey or horrific, so I am apt to censor a book, if need be. Seems to happen mainly with more current authors than those who I grew up with, and it happened with The Husband's Secret. I was leery of what I might find…
The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life
Benjamin Zander, Rosamund Stone Zander
The rating of 3 is a waffler - could be a 3.6 or a 3.7 - it's more than a 3, but not quite a 4. Why the waffling? Because every so often I felt that Ben or Rosamund was rambling. Yet the book is fairly short at 196 pages, so perhaps my assessment stems from having read portions at night, when I was tired.
This book has been on my "to read" list for quite awhile. I discovered Ben Zander via a youtube video of the Davos Annual Meeting 2008 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zErpOnYZZH0) and immediately had an awakening based upon several of Ben's anecdotes.
What was it that stuck with me? Ben, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, woke up one day and said "I realized that my job was to awaken possibilities in other people." As a support specialist in education (computer teacher, technology facilitator, and STEAM integrator), this described so simply exactly what I aimed to do.
Then he went on to describe how he tells his students that "If you make a mistake – How Fascinating!" Simple words of wisdom but so perfect, for all learning comes from trying, making mistakes, revising, and trying again. So if you make a mistake, how fascinating; as a teacher this is what I try to instill in my students.
Ultimately, Zander talks about "radiating possibility".
In the "Art of Possibility" Zander and his wife share twelve practices they have culled from years of trying to bring out the positive possibility in their personal and professional relationships. Most made much sense to me, a few had me drifting (see my opening paragraph), yet combined they all provide a way to find your way forward into a world of possibility rather than a world of anti-possibility.
This book has been on my "to read" list for quite awhile. I discovered Ben Zander via a youtube video of the Davos Annual Meeting 2008 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zErpOnYZZH0) and immediately had an awakening based upon several of Ben's anecdotes.
What was it that stuck with me? Ben, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, woke up one day and said "I realized that my job was to awaken possibilities in other people." As a support specialist in education (computer teacher, technology facilitator, and STEAM integrator), this described so simply exactly what I aimed to do.
Then he went on to describe how he tells his students that "If you make a mistake – How Fascinating!" Simple words of wisdom but so perfect, for all learning comes from trying, making mistakes, revising, and trying again. So if you make a mistake, how fascinating; as a teacher this is what I try to instill in my students.
Ultimately, Zander talks about "radiating possibility".
In the "Art of Possibility" Zander and his wife share twelve practices they have culled from years of trying to bring out the positive possibility in their personal and professional relationships. Most made much sense to me, a few had me drifting (see my opening paragraph), yet combined they all provide a way to find your way forward into a world of possibility rather than a world of anti-possibility.
One year and a day after finishing The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye I have completed Queenie's point of view.
Oh my. Eyes welling up at The Third Letter, the final chapter. Oh my.
From a literary perspective, I found the two books fascinating - being able to read from two points of view - Harold's and then Queenie's - each in their own narrative in their own book.
From an emotional perspective, they tugged at me for differing yet perhaps not so dissimilar reasons.
This is not a "read in bed before falling asleep" type of book. This is a "read during the day, perhaps with a cup of tea or cocoa, and with time to ponder" type of book.
And most of all, both stories are a strong message to be in the moment and make use of each moment, as active participant or calm observer - just be full with your choice.
Oh my. Eyes welling up at The Third Letter, the final chapter. Oh my.
From a literary perspective, I found the two books fascinating - being able to read from two points of view - Harold's and then Queenie's - each in their own narrative in their own book.
From an emotional perspective, they tugged at me for differing yet perhaps not so dissimilar reasons.
This is not a "read in bed before falling asleep" type of book. This is a "read during the day, perhaps with a cup of tea or cocoa, and with time to ponder" type of book.
And most of all, both stories are a strong message to be in the moment and make use of each moment, as active participant or calm observer - just be full with your choice.
While reading this book (borrowed from my local library) I ordered a copy to give to my brother on his upcoming birthday. Then I returned to taking copious notes on those chapters that currently or potentially apply to myself and my husband.
Kotlikoff, Moeller and Solman have written an accessible short book on the ins and outs of social security and it is a must-read for anyone wanting to correctly understand what they are eligible for in terms of social security benefits, and when to apply for those benefits.
For me it was an eye opener (as it was for Paul Solman) that there is something called Spousal Benefits and making use of them can add dollars to retirement benefits. The book is packed with information to cover just about any circumstance that you might encounter in your own quest for social security benefits, as well as tips that you might not know about and benefits you might not know exist.
So why a 4 instead of a 5? I have not yet decided if the authors' brand of humor agrees with me. Although it did make me occasionally grin. Okay, my rating is a 4.5. :-)
Kotlikoff, Moeller and Solman have written an accessible short book on the ins and outs of social security and it is a must-read for anyone wanting to correctly understand what they are eligible for in terms of social security benefits, and when to apply for those benefits.
For me it was an eye opener (as it was for Paul Solman) that there is something called Spousal Benefits and making use of them can add dollars to retirement benefits. The book is packed with information to cover just about any circumstance that you might encounter in your own quest for social security benefits, as well as tips that you might not know about and benefits you might not know exist.
So why a 4 instead of a 5? I have not yet decided if the authors' brand of humor agrees with me. Although it did make me occasionally grin. Okay, my rating is a 4.5. :-)
At times this book was incredibly irritating to read. I was becoming exasperated with Don and his constant analysis of activities. And that is precisely what I imagine it is like to live with him. Graeme Simision has followed The Rosie Project with the perfect follow-up, and once again he has taken me inside the world of Don, Rosie, and their growing set of friends, and caused me to care about all of them.
He has also caused me to laugh quietly both at the scenarios Don finds himself in and the logical-to-Don shenanigans he employs to extricate himself from those scenarios, and the responses to Don by the New York perveyors of power. And then there is the estimable cocktail expertise that Don (and Rosie) have amassed and use to great effect. And the rock star. And the restauranteurs. And the police. And Lydia. And the antenatal group. And the men's group Don so effectively starts and shepherds. And Columbia research. And so on.
Don and Rosie caused me to ponder the following, upon finishing their story. If we marry someone else, will who we are change as we learn to live with them. And if that is the case, if we marry yet another person, will we change yet again. The obvious response is yes, as we are currently changing as we grow and age. But at heart, do we remain the same person regardless who we are married to, or does our personality undergo a change based upon the influence of the person we live with. I think I know my own answer, but thanks to Simision, this is what crossed my mind upon closing his book.
Ever see The Runaway Bride? Julia Roberts plays a bride who has a habit of abandoning fiancés at the alter. What stayed with me from that movie was she always chose as her favorite egg dish the same dish favored by her current fiancé. Resonates with my prior paragraph.
He has also caused me to laugh quietly both at the scenarios Don finds himself in and the logical-to-Don shenanigans he employs to extricate himself from those scenarios, and the responses to Don by the New York perveyors of power. And then there is the estimable cocktail expertise that Don (and Rosie) have amassed and use to great effect. And the rock star. And the restauranteurs. And the police. And Lydia. And the antenatal group. And the men's group Don so effectively starts and shepherds. And Columbia research. And so on.
Don and Rosie caused me to ponder the following, upon finishing their story. If we marry someone else, will who we are change as we learn to live with them. And if that is the case, if we marry yet another person, will we change yet again. The obvious response is yes, as we are currently changing as we grow and age. But at heart, do we remain the same person regardless who we are married to, or does our personality undergo a change based upon the influence of the person we live with. I think I know my own answer, but thanks to Simision, this is what crossed my mind upon closing his book.
Ever see The Runaway Bride? Julia Roberts plays a bride who has a habit of abandoning fiancés at the alter. What stayed with me from that movie was she always chose as her favorite egg dish the same dish favored by her current fiancé. Resonates with my prior paragraph.
Young adult fiction continues to provide some excellent reads! Years ago, and I mean YEARS AGO, I read Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic and was captivated by the spell she wove with her story telling. Apparently, Hoffman has written numerous books that have magic at its core, but I managed to miss them all until now. (Perhaps I was busy rearing children and lacked time to read?) (Not being sarcastic there, just wondering if that's why I didn't read more of her books.)
To quote Lois Lowry's back-of-the-book quote:
When visiting my doctor two days ago for a regular annual checkup, she asked me about the book, as she is often on the look-out for books that her 11-year old daughter might enjoy. I promised to let her know my thoughts upon finishing. Suffice it to say, I just sent her a hearty "YES!"
To quote Lois Lowry's back-of-the-book quote:
Nightbird is like reentering a wonderful dream that you vaguely remember.
When visiting my doctor two days ago for a regular annual checkup, she asked me about the book, as she is often on the look-out for books that her 11-year old daughter might enjoy. I promised to let her know my thoughts upon finishing. Suffice it to say, I just sent her a hearty "YES!"
Once I began, the writing was on the wall; I could not put this book down. I am intrigued by Berg's conjuring of George Sand, the life and times of. I am motivated to learn more about Sand's life, partially to know where Berg took her fictional liberties, and equally as much to know more about Sand herself.
This story, or perhaps the words of both Berg and Sand, got in my head and would not leave. They are there still, mulling around, trying to find a part of my life to latch onto. Many years ago my Mom gave me a copy of The Feminine Mystique, a book that influenced and resonated with her greatly. I started it but it did not take hold and I never got more than perhaps one hundred pages in, if that. About ten years later, my older son took several courses on women's studies and read this book. It resonated with him, so he too gave me a copy to read. Again, I tried, and again, I got nowhere.
Standing in the kitchen this evening, just minutes after finishing The Dream Lover, I thought that perhaps it was the equivalent to The Feminine Mystique. If you permit Berg to speak as Sand, then Sand was the Betty Friedan of her time.
This is both an inviting and accessible piece of historical fiction, and a thoughtful and thought provoking book for contemplating love in its various forms along with societal roles for the sexes.
Thank you Elizabeth Berg.
This story, or perhaps the words of both Berg and Sand, got in my head and would not leave. They are there still, mulling around, trying to find a part of my life to latch onto. Many years ago my Mom gave me a copy of The Feminine Mystique, a book that influenced and resonated with her greatly. I started it but it did not take hold and I never got more than perhaps one hundred pages in, if that. About ten years later, my older son took several courses on women's studies and read this book. It resonated with him, so he too gave me a copy to read. Again, I tried, and again, I got nowhere.
Standing in the kitchen this evening, just minutes after finishing The Dream Lover, I thought that perhaps it was the equivalent to The Feminine Mystique. If you permit Berg to speak as Sand, then Sand was the Betty Friedan of her time.
This is both an inviting and accessible piece of historical fiction, and a thoughtful and thought provoking book for contemplating love in its various forms along with societal roles for the sexes.
Thank you Elizabeth Berg.
short. succinct. true. Though "true" depends upon who you are and what you experienced with your own life. Resonated with me as a fellow survivor. Had an urge to buy a copy for each friend who dealt with cancer or some other life-changing event.
good advice, not just for dealing with trauma but for dealing with aging and appreciating that life IS what you make it!
good advice, not just for dealing with trauma but for dealing with aging and appreciating that life IS what you make it!
I am on a binge reading of Alice Hoffman's young adult literature and this is number 2 or 3 in the binge. Aquamarine immediately had me thinking of M. Night Shyamalan's movie Lady in the Water. While the movie is a thriller, and the book a comedic romantic story about friendship, I formed the link within the early pages and it has stuck. (By the way, there is also a movie version of Hoffman's book.)
As a result, I found the story a bit predictable and simplistic. Am not entirely sure what age it is geared to but I suspect that younger readers would quite enjoy it. And even with that said, it is a lovely short story about friendship and summer and sharing something special.
As a result, I found the story a bit predictable and simplistic. Am not entirely sure what age it is geared to but I suspect that younger readers would quite enjoy it. And even with that said, it is a lovely short story about friendship and summer and sharing something special.
I am an unabashed fan of J.K. Rowling, having read all the Harry Potter novels (mostly aloud to our younger son) and all of her fiction. First saw this book online in video form as her Harvard Commencement speech of 2008. Thought it would be nice to read the actual words and savor Rowling's thoughts.
Watch the video and read the book. Both are worthwhile and, Rowling is a delightful speaker.
Watch the video and read the book. Both are worthwhile and, Rowling is a delightful speaker.