"Forgiveness, you hear, is a declaration, a measure of generosity the decision to give up all hope of having had a better past-- a kindness to self."
(Thank"Forgiveness, you hear, is a declaration, a measure of generosity the decision to give up all hope of having had a better past-- a kindness to self."
Oh, what a balm for the soul! I've loved Anne since I was a child, and I loved returning to this book as an adult. I don't know how many times I read Oh, what a balm for the soul! I've loved Anne since I was a child, and I loved returning to this book as an adult. I don't know how many times I read it over when I was younger or how many times I've seen the films. Definitely an all-time favorite....more
It was fun to meet some “new� main characters and to read about some familiar favorites again. Some stories I liked better than others, but i3.5 stars
It was fun to meet some “new� main characters and to read about some familiar favorites again. Some stories I liked better than others, but in all this was a fine collection of short murder mysteries (that all centered around love of a sort). ...more
I got a lot of inspiration for kitchen organization and life routines from this book. A little repetitive within each section, which I think might be I got a lot of inspiration for kitchen organization and life routines from this book. A little repetitive within each section, which I think might be more helpful for people who haven't read The Lazy Genius Way. I took my time reading over the course of a month and that really helped me think about what I wanted to do in my kitchen. Definitely a book I'll return to over time....more
I really love Ishiguro’s writing style. Somehow there are these really interesting and confusing and compelling things you NEED to figure out that keeI really love Ishiguro’s writing style. Somehow there are these really interesting and confusing and compelling things you NEED to figure out that keep propelling you through the novel, and then the reveals are so natural, because those things aren’t actually the plot of the novel, they’re just part of the world in which the characters live. And I really like how atypical that experience feels to me as a reader. In some ways, the focus on emotion and character over plot and drama makes Ishiguro’s novels feel almost meditative—the pacing is so even and the writing so clear (even in places where it is intentionally disjointed). I’ve heard lots of people say they don’t care for this book much because not much happens, but I truly loved it....more
An unread shelf book—one I got from a used book store.
I think this is a great book to read (for kids and adults alike) if you’re looking for somethinAn unread shelf book—one I got from a used book store.
I think this is a great book to read (for kids and adults alike) if you’re looking for something whimsical and imaginative with lots of fun words. It was so lighthearted but still interesting—can’t wait until Sibio is old enough to read it along with me....more
This is another Unread Shelf challenge read. (I get to mark off “a book given to you that you didn’t ask for� on my bingo sh2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
This is another Unread Shelf challenge read. (I get to mark off “a book given to you that you didn’t ask for� on my bingo sheet—yay!)
So, this essay collection is written by Cazzie David, one of Larry David’s daughters. I thought parts of it were actually quite lovely and sincere. Overall, there was a lot of “I’m the worst,� “I can’t stand being a real person,� and “I hate everyone� repetitiveness. I really felt for her as a person; as a writer I wish her editor had reined in some of that self-indulgence and long-winded anxiety a bit more. I’ve read books where people talk about their anxiety and mental illness in a way that is relatable and kind of darkly funny, but David’s tone was off. Like, instead of feeling relatable it was like she alienated herself even more from her audience....more
This was so good! But I’m having a hard time saying why. There was such a lovely mix of intrigue without suspense—like, I don’t know that I’ve ever enThis was so good! But I’m having a hard time saying why. There was such a lovely mix of intrigue without suspense—like, I don’t know that I’ve ever encountered such a thing before. There were things I wanted to know that propelled me forward, but those things weren’t the meat of the novel. Definitely not what I expected, and I’m quite pleased. ...more
A very difficult 5 stars. I was trying to process my feelings about this book in my journal because it got into me and made me feel so weird. Here’s wA very difficult 5 stars. I was trying to process my feelings about this book in my journal because it got into me and made me feel so weird. Here’s what I wrote:
The book is about how childhood trauma can follow us... how mothering requires so much... how memory works, how history and cycles can repeat. Molestation and infanticide. Post-partum psychosis and PTSD. How we hold memories in our bodies. The writing was so beautiful and so engaging. The content in some places was lovely, too. But overall, the subject matter was so upsetting. How could it not be? But it also wasn’t voyeuristic or shocking just for the sake of shocking. I feel like this is one of those books that will stick with me for a long time....more
Gifts from the Sea is a little collection of reflective essays about the different stages of life, finding one’s center, and being in relationship witGifts from the Sea is a little collection of reflective essays about the different stages of life, finding one’s center, and being in relationship with oneself and others. Each essay focuses on a type of seashell and then ruminates on how the shell represents a particular stage of life (specifically in a woman’s life). Originally written in 1950, I think this was a really impactful and perhaps even counterculture-ish book. In 2024, there is still a lot of very true, insightful, and meaningful content. My main caveat would be that the language of the book is pretty exclusive. If you’re not a woman married to a man with a family of kids, it would feel pretty alienating (and I’m a woman married to a man with a kid, and I still felt a bit alienated). There are also some gendered assumptions about women and men that felt stale. That being said, I thought the essays were beautifully written and reflective and I did find meaning and connection in a lot of moments throughout. ...more
Perhaps not as relatable (would be great if I had a recent breakup I could funnel heartbreak-feelings from), but I loved the variety of forms. Some rePerhaps not as relatable (would be great if I had a recent breakup I could funnel heartbreak-feelings from), but I loved the variety of forms. Some really moving poems about depression and interiority. As always with poetry, I just loved the way the words made my brain feel and work in different ways than usual. ...more
Very moving, beautifully written, deeply haunting. I was shoulders-tensed anxious the whole way through. Loved the supernatural aspect of the narrativVery moving, beautifully written, deeply haunting. I was shoulders-tensed anxious the whole way through. Loved the supernatural aspect of the narrative—it was surprising and added even more depth to the story. I understand the hype now—it was well-deserved. ...more
I thought this was a handy little book about creativity with lots of great questions and prompts to help cultivate better practices as a writer/artistI thought this was a handy little book about creativity with lots of great questions and prompts to help cultivate better practices as a writer/artist. Something I’ll keep on my shelves to return to from time to time. ...more
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