Great combination of books, and so interesting to read your thoughts! I should be writing my own mini book review (I wanted to upload it still in January, but I think that will fail :)) but was just too curious, so I had to read yours immediately when I saw it.
Interesting what you say about Macfarlane's writing style. I get that, and I know people who say his writing is "pretentious". It did not bother me too much in Underland, but when I mainly want to read authentic nature writing I also prefer other writers.
I put Remarkably Bright Creatures on my list - I've heard only good things about it. That is so sad about the other octopus book; you capture the issues well because just reading the *review* already made me sad & uncomfortable!
Wow, thank you for dropping everything including writing your own book review (which I am looking forward to, but you know that, of course 😉) just to read my post! That feels good! 🥰 😇
Ah, ‘pretentious’, that might be a fitting word. Also, much shorter and more to the point. 😄
Thank you for taking the time to comment (again, instead of uploading your own review, um, sorry for distracting you 😉)! I'm always curious about what you have to say or add!
I’ve taken notes and added some books to my list. The octopus book sounds really upsetting. I’m like you and I hate zoos etc - I always feel terrible for wild animals cooped up like that. 😔
Great suggestions, these! Since you ask, here is an older recommendation but likely you may have already seen: My Octopus Teacher, a documentary? May be a book also.
It's been a long time since I watched but I do recall being impacted for a few days afterwards - so thoughtful, poignant.
Generally, we humans are pretty terrible aren't we (especially just at the moment) and I've always been troubled as to WHY everything has to be set up as "red in tooth and claw."
Thank you for this gentle (and useful) respite from the news!
Thank you, Sue!! Also for the recommendation. I've heard of it, but haven't seen it yet. Sounds very good! I'll keep that in mind if we ever decide to use Netflix. :)
What you said about us humans ... yes, it's upsetting. Sometimes it makes me despair about humanity.
Thanks for mentioning The Octopus Teacher again! I think, I'll start collecting Netflix recommendations so I can watch them all in one month. 😄 Maybe I should wait until The Thursday Murder Club is released. 😁
Yes, I can relate, I like to mix it up as well. As I am always curious about new books and new topics: What made it so heavy to read? And was it something you would recommend anyway?
I read one of the greatest Chinese literatures of all time, “The Story of the Stone”. Not easy reading, but felt compelled, as it was highly recommended and I like to read outside my comfort zone. I followed that with “The Things that They Carried” by Tim O’Brien about the Vietnam War - because I heard the writing was good. It makes for a brutal read though.
Thanks for sharing! Interesting books, very different from what I ususally read. I read up a bit on The Story of the Stone. Thank you for broadening my horizon, it's so interesting to read about other cultures' literature. :)
Great combination of books, and so interesting to read your thoughts! I should be writing my own mini book review (I wanted to upload it still in January, but I think that will fail :)) but was just too curious, so I had to read yours immediately when I saw it.
Interesting what you say about Macfarlane's writing style. I get that, and I know people who say his writing is "pretentious". It did not bother me too much in Underland, but when I mainly want to read authentic nature writing I also prefer other writers.
I put Remarkably Bright Creatures on my list - I've heard only good things about it. That is so sad about the other octopus book; you capture the issues well because just reading the *review* already made me sad & uncomfortable!
Wow, thank you for dropping everything including writing your own book review (which I am looking forward to, but you know that, of course 😉) just to read my post! That feels good! 🥰 😇
Ah, ‘pretentious’, that might be a fitting word. Also, much shorter and more to the point. 😄
Thank you for taking the time to comment (again, instead of uploading your own review, um, sorry for distracting you 😉)! I'm always curious about what you have to say or add!
I’ve taken notes and added some books to my list. The octopus book sounds really upsetting. I’m like you and I hate zoos etc - I always feel terrible for wild animals cooped up like that. 😔
I'm glad you found something interesting for your book list! 😊
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Great suggestions, these! Since you ask, here is an older recommendation but likely you may have already seen: My Octopus Teacher, a documentary? May be a book also.
Here is a sampler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s0LTDhqe5A
It's been a long time since I watched but I do recall being impacted for a few days afterwards - so thoughtful, poignant.
Generally, we humans are pretty terrible aren't we (especially just at the moment) and I've always been troubled as to WHY everything has to be set up as "red in tooth and claw."
Thank you for this gentle (and useful) respite from the news!
Thank you, Sue!! Also for the recommendation. I've heard of it, but haven't seen it yet. Sounds very good! I'll keep that in mind if we ever decide to use Netflix. :)
What you said about us humans ... yes, it's upsetting. Sometimes it makes me despair about humanity.
I second The Octopus Teacher. And thanks for the recommendations. My reading so far has been pretty heavy, so I'm looking for something lighter.
Thanks for mentioning The Octopus Teacher again! I think, I'll start collecting Netflix recommendations so I can watch them all in one month. 😄 Maybe I should wait until The Thursday Murder Club is released. 😁
Yes, I can relate, I like to mix it up as well. As I am always curious about new books and new topics: What made it so heavy to read? And was it something you would recommend anyway?
I read one of the greatest Chinese literatures of all time, “The Story of the Stone”. Not easy reading, but felt compelled, as it was highly recommended and I like to read outside my comfort zone. I followed that with “The Things that They Carried” by Tim O’Brien about the Vietnam War - because I heard the writing was good. It makes for a brutal read though.
Thanks for sharing! Interesting books, very different from what I ususally read. I read up a bit on The Story of the Stone. Thank you for broadening my horizon, it's so interesting to read about other cultures' literature. :)
Monarchs of The Sea by Danna Staaf is another good octopus book if you're keen to learn more about their evolution and adaptation 😊
Thank you for the recommendation, Lily, that book sounds really interesting! 😀
They all sound interesting books, thanks for sharing. Don't think I'll read that last one though, how awful!!
I've recently finished reading The Horizontal Oak. Sometimes quite heavy topics, but I really loved Polly's writing style.
Thanks for your comment, Hayley, I'm glad you found the books interesting! 😊
Thank you for the recommendation! I've checked it out and bookmarked it, it really sounds like a book I would like.