This is not just about death, loss, and grief, although you know there'sgoing to be that, and it is heartbreaking. There is also violence, suffering, This is not just about death, loss, and grief, although you know there'sgoing to be that, and it is heartbreaking. There is also violence, suffering, pain, because the cat who found Carr had also endured a horrible beginning. But there is unconditional love, and companionship, and someone who understands, which is to say: grace.
Carr's memoir is remarkable because he paid such close attention from the beginning to Masha. His thoughts, like his feelings, had time to develop an exquisite complexity and richness. He wrote as if he had all the time in the world. He didn't, of course, none of us do, but he did have just enough. A beautiful memorial to a remarkable cat, who brought out all his finer qualities in a way people mostly didn't. I cannot believe in an afterlife that doesn't reunite them.
karen's review has red panda gifs, so go over there and check it.
My favorite true fact about red pandas, which has nothing to do with this story, is karen's review has red panda gifs, so go over there and check it.
My favorite true fact about red pandas, which has nothing to do with this story, is that they are adept at breaking out of zoos. My favorite thing about Venable is that she writes funny stories about critters.
Some of it makes me feel like crying with how badly humans treat all the other creatures. But also, there is kindness, and hope, and ineff15 July 2023
Some of it makes me feel like crying with how badly humans treat all the other creatures. But also, there is kindness, and hope, and ineffable beauty, as in the cover story. There is wonder, and awe, too, which are harder to find.
***
17 July 2023
All the stories are magical and otherworldly for all that they can be so sad. Possibly not a good choice given my current mood, in which everything is askew, but it's a marvelous collection.
Because small beings in business attire are hilarious, but also, I am all in favor of adoptable farm life and the volunteers who rescue, rehabilitate,Because small beings in business attire are hilarious, but also, I am all in favor of adoptable farm life and the volunteers who rescue, rehabilitate, and when appropriate, adopt out.
There might very well be an "armadillo" shelf coming: I like them, little armored opossums as they seem. Or possibly it will be a Xenarthr28 June 2023
There might very well be an "armadillo" shelf coming: I like them, little armored opossums as they seem. Or possibly it will be a Xenarthra shelf, because I am also fond of the ground sloths and glyptodons. The word sounds quite alien, means "alien joint" which would also be a good bar name.
**
This was so clearly something I was going to love that I had to wait for a good day to read it. And, now that I have finished I get to tell myself "I told you so" which was very cheering, because I did listen and follow my own advice.
Kingsolver is right, this is a book for children. Helpfully, it teaches kids how to fight metaphorical monsters in a way that is understanding, and empathetic, and helpful. Presumably those calling it a book for adults have never read the the Narnia series, the Tiffany Aching books, or an obscure favorite of mine, The Hunger Games. No one wants to consider that there are a lot of people under 18 who have found themselves in horrible situations trying to save themselves and/or others, and this book would take a weight off their minds.
A perfect hero's journey, and a hell of a lot zipper than Huck Finn. This is funny and sad and wise and I love it.
**spoiler alert** The photos selected do all clearly suggest that the viewer is being judged. Reader, you're in trouble.
The animals are a nice variety**spoiler alert** The photos selected do all clearly suggest that the viewer is being judged. Reader, you're in trouble.
The animals are a nice variety with recognizable exotics amidst the common cats and dogs. The arrangement is brilliant with grouping and juxtapositions.
Minor issues I had: (view spoiler)[I'd have preferred a slightly different cropping and positioning on some of the two-page spreads, because the gutter location pulled my focus. Also, it was odd not to see a list of credits for the photos, which I would have read, because I do, not because it is particularly meaningful for me. That's just a thing I am used to seeing. (hide spoiler)]
The best part is how happy-making an array of sternly disapproving critters can be. Who knew a non-smiling quokka was kust as emchanting? I need more books of photos of critters. Literally.
Personal copy and the only book I bought on my trip to Massachusetts, because I still have unread books from my last three jaunts....more
A great mood-lifter, on par with a ballpark full of puppies. Hunger does a great job of explaining her work, her experiment, further research that is A great mood-lifter, on par with a ballpark full of puppies. Hunger does a great job of explaining her work, her experiment, further research that is needed, etc. In a way that is scientific and accessible. Quality communication, this hits criteria I could not have guessed would develop around the idea "perfect work of nonfiction."
A polydactyl kitten has been added to the cast, among others. Lying on the sofa under a purring car on a cold morning is almost certainly the best wayA polydactyl kitten has been added to the cast, among others. Lying on the sofa under a purring car on a cold morning is almost certainly the best way to read this.
I added a new shelf because this isn't the only book I have seen recently that goes for the big picture. Here Quinn is writing to the rest of the univI added a new shelf because this isn't the only book I have seen recently that goes for the big picture. Here Quinn is writing to the rest of the universe, sharing some of the variety of people and animals and scenery and emotions. Blackall's art is distinctive, but the scope seems to have evoked something special: I had to go back through a second time just to appreciate the layout: each spread is different and collectively they are just awe-inspiring. If this is what someone can do over 5 years with 74 pages, I hope this becomes a trend toward longer books.
Lovely and inspiring, this should be very popular as a gift to welcome a new child.
Read for my 365 Kids Book challenge. You can see all the books on their own shelf.
It doesn't seem like it will be sturdy enough for its biggest fans, Read for my 365 Kids Book challenge. You can see all the books on their own shelf.
It doesn't seem like it will be sturdy enough for its biggest fans, who will be younger on average. The art is bright, bold, and colorful, the text is brief, rhythmic, and punchy. Bring this one home fully prepared to read it twenty times to your toddler.
Read again for my 365 Kids Book challenge. You can see all the books on their own shelf.
The science of global warming is spot on and the polar bear bRead again for my 365 Kids Book challenge. You can see all the books on their own shelf.
The science of global warming is spot on and the polar bear behavior and biology, and the bears are engaging. On the minus side, I'm not sure where it was supposed to be set (although maybe that doesn't matter*), and there isn't a single female character identifiable in the whole thing. Well, there's reference to Waluk's mother, but she's never shown. Maybe I should start giving all books the Bechdel test and failing where appropriate.
*The names of the bears and the legend seem to be rooted in a specific tradition, possibly even a specific language, but we're never told what that might be. I realize that humans are the antagonists, but if the names aren't just made up there should at least be an end note telling us where they came from, and how to pronounce them.
Char said it was “simply sublime� and I agree. I gobbled it down in two sittings. I laughed, I cried. Watership Down never engaged me, but Shit Turd’sChar said it was “simply sublime� and I agree. I gobbled it down in two sittings. I laughed, I cried. Watership Down never engaged me, but Shit Turd’s voice appeals to my inner Cartman. Also, snack foods. The fundamental interconnectedness of all living things is comforting and counterbalanced from sentimentality by good concrete detail on all the critters and lots of gore. There are many action scenes of epic grandeur, but the explosions, for those who care, are all reported second hand. There were some plot issues for me that I could get past by accepting as metaphor (view spoiler)[ that isn’t how either cancer or evolution work, but whatevs (hide spoiler)] and moving on. Totally on board to read the sequel and watch the anime.
Read for Hellhounds and Feline Familiars for a dog and a cat, as well as a crow
This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on theirThis is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.
I think that this is intended to be for kids working on their reading, although that's not the opinion of a professional. So, for that intended audience these are great. They're very short stories that capture the attention and left me wanting to know more about all of them.
There's an animal list and word list at the back.
As an adult reading this, I was deeply unsatisfied. More to each story, more stories, more pictures. I think that's a good thing, right? Actually, I seem to recall feeling some of that about the version for adults. It's sweet stuff, and we can all use more of that.
This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books onThis is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf. The Reviewers seemed to run correctly last week, but didn't run this week at all, and the Readers list hasn't been fixed at all. I guess algorithm don't care. Looking at the beta pages, algorithm loves stars.
This is a charmingly weird and funny book that takes an unexpected turn. The different portmanteau words are amusing, and work for the collective good is a great thing to support.
This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books onThis is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf. Yay, Reviewers list is fixed, as far as I can tell. Still waiting for the Readers list to be fixed, though.
Most of the books I've read have been picture books, because I am, after all trying to read and review twice as many books as normal this year and I need to sleep sometimes. But Rundell's books are just too good to ignore.
It's a heist and Vita is putting together a gang. Meanwhile, New York is crawling with the organized crime that fills a Prohibition vacuum. There's action, adventure, fights, revenge, plotting, lots of critters, jewels, a castle, poverty, and eating. This is not a book with kissing in it. This is the film script Dickens would have written for the Ocean's franchise.
Capers are not to everyone's taste, but if anything can change your mind, it's probably this. Also, it would be a fabulous film.
#58 in my 365 Kids Books challenge. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their ow#58 in my 365 Kids Books challenge. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf
Wow, this is excellent. For one thing, Reynolds isn't presenting these women as traditionally feminine in some way, just as good at the job. They are calm, relaxed, confident, accurate, particularly Rashila, the focus of the work. To often women's accomplishments are dismissed, even by the women themselves, as something other than work. Compare this to Cubs in the Tub: The True Story of the Bronx Zoo's First Woman Zookeeper or you can wait for me to write up my review and do the comparing for you.
Too often women are trapped in a damned-if-you-do/damned-if-you-don't dilemma. Qualities and behaviors that men are praised for, and that women are explicitly encouraged to emulate, backfire in application. Dude is a maverick, a leader, a take-charge guy whereas a woman in the same position behaving in the same way is penalized for not building consensus, for being bitchy, for being pushy. Reynolds short-circuits that whole process by taking out the perception and instead just giving the impressive accomplishments of tracking, and shooting with the tranquilizer gun, lions leading to a perfect success rate in more than 1,000 rescues. Oh, and also: education of and cooperation with villagers living in and around the lion's territory, has also made the population rebound more quickly since the introduction of female rangers.
Reynolds does give a little of her own story in the book, showing the work she has put in: traveling to India to talk to the Lion Queens, to follow them, to document their experience, and to learn from them. It is empowering as the story of what one woman has accomplished despite fierce sexist opposition, and also as a story of how to talk about the work that women do. Calmly, quietly, effectively.
This is honorary Mortshire: it's set in Yorkshire in a timeless sort of era. There are virtually no clues to tell 1939 from 1979, or hell, 1919 probabThis is honorary Mortshire: it's set in Yorkshire in a timeless sort of era. There are virtually no clues to tell 1939 from 1979, or hell, 1919 probably. Way back in March I was grabbing books off the library shelves, looking for a broad variety, because others at home were possibly going to look at them too. Dogs seemed like a good idea. When I got it home the Spouse said he had a copy, but I still haven't seen it. It was a good choice. If I could find more Herriot's in the house, I would happily read them all right now. As it is I'm thinking about re-reading the essays of Robert Fulghum, which fall into that same region of faintly cheering, inoffensive and appropriate to any age, not sappy essays.
And of course I remember reading all of these before, but that's never a problem with pleasure-reading.
Loading...
